The agreement was signed followed a meeting between Mr. Tom Tvedt, Governor of Rogaland, and Mr. Huang Huahua, Governor of Guangdong, in which the potential for enhanced co-operation between the two provinces was discussed. The governors agreed that the energy and maritime sectors, as well as tourism, are areas where Rogaland and Guangdong complement each other and where co-operation should be explored. Given the two provinces strong culture for food and culinary delights, they also agreed to pursue co-operation in this sector.
The meeting took place during the visit by The Regional Council for Western Norway to China, and governors of Møre og Romsdal, Sogn og Fjordane and the deputy governor of Hordaland counties were present in the meeting, along with senior representatives of relevant branches of the Guangdong government and the Norwegian Consul General in Guangzhou. The parties aim at signing the formal sister province relationship agreement next year, hopefully during a return visit by the Guangdong leadership to Norway.
"I believe this agreement constitutes a good start of closer co-operation between two very complimentary regions. With the help of our business communities, government and civil society on both sides we should now strive to make things happen", says Consul General Tormod C. Endresen.
See also Western Norway visits China
Photo: Trond Ueland