Zhanjiang delegation promotes trade and investment in Russia

A Zhanjiang delegation led by Mayor Wang Zhongbing paid a visit to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, from June 24 to 29. Zhanjiang and both Russian cities reached cooperation agreements on trade and investment, which would help consolidate Zhanjiang's position as a pivot city for the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Zhanjiang delegation first arrived in Moscow and visited the Baylor Group, a large chemical fertilizer import and export enterprise. The company's annual export of chemical fertilizer accounts for half Russia's total, while it imports more than 2 million tons of raw materials from China every year.

"Zhanjiang municipal government has been encouraging enterprises to expand their export destinations. We will lend full support to cooperation between Zhanjiang and Russian enterprises," Mayor Wang stressed.

Zhanjiang's Zhanhua Group signed an export contract worth 140 million yuan ($22.58 million) with the Russian company, establishing a long-term strategic cooperation partnership.

Wang Zhongbing, mayor of Zhanjiang and Cai Guiru, chairperson of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Russia at the economic and trade office of Zhanjiang in Russia. [Photo/Zhanjiang Daily]

The delegation also launched an investment promotion campaign in Moscow on June 25. About 50 representatives from official and business circles, including Cai Guiru, chairperson of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Russia, attended the event.

Mayor Wang laid out his vision for Zhanjiang's future economic development during the campaign. Zhanjiang and Russia agreed to cooperate on coastal tourism and seafood exports.

During the delegation's visit, Mayor Wang also inspected local road construction projects in Russia. He said that Zhanjiang is making efforts to build a "footprint city", which features green transportation. The design of Moscow's roads is reasonable and worth learning, he added.

On June 26, the delegation visited the National University of Science and Technology (MISiS), Russia's top university in steel, metallurgy and materials science. Wang introduced Zhanjiang's steel industry and hoped that universities and colleges in Zhanjiang could join hands with MISiS to further promote mutual science and technology innovation.

The delegation arrived in St. Petersburg on June 27 and met with Chen Zhigang, chairman of the Chinese Society of St. Petersburg, the day after. A business center, which aims to promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and Russian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has been launched during the visit.

Mayor Wang said he plans to encourage Zhanjiang's SMEs to visit Russia in the second half of this year and make this center as a platform to expand businesses in Russia.

The delegation also visited the St. Petersburg City Hall. Wang hoped that Zhanjiang and St. Petersburg could also cooperate in education, art, culture, tourism and trade.

The Zhanjiang delegation will go to Denmark and Finland for economy and trade promotion following their visit to Russia.