S. Sulawesi, Hubei -- sister provinces

S. Sulawesi, Hubei -- sister provinces

MAKASSAR: South Sulawesi and Hubei province in China have agreed to establish a sister-province scheme to boost economic development in both countries.

Syamsudin, the spokesman for the South Sulawesi administration, said on Thursday the cooperation would be beneficial because both provinces had similar natural potentials.

"The plan to establish the cooperation will be formalized in a memorandum of understanding," he said.

The agreement was reached after a visit by a delegation from Hubei, led by Director General of Foreign Relations Mao San Yuan, to South Sulawesi on March 13, and was welcomed by South Sulawesi Governor HZB Palaguna.

During the three-day visit, the Chinese delegation held discussions with local leaders on the possibility of cooperating in various sectors, including economy, trade, industry, agriculture, education and transportation, with the Chinese expressing interest in developing a railway system connecting the five provinces across Sulawesi island. -- Antara