By Nangamso Mabindla
18 October 2007

UNSPOILED beaches, a relaxed lifestyle, and a port with great potential are just some of the things that impressed United States councillor and businessman Ernest Williams when he visited Buffalo City this week.

Williams, from St Petersburg in the US state of Florida, was visiting East London to investigate twinning his town with Buffalo City. He said the two cities had many similarities and a partnership between them was a possibility.

Some of these similarities included that they were coastal and had ports, tourism potential and similar climates.

"There are similarities between us and East London and I especially enjoy the laid-back style of the city. The port has huge potential to grow; I feel there are a lot of things we can learn from this city. [It] can also learn a lot from our city," Williams said.

While in East London, Williams visited the port, the East London Industrial Development Zone, the Border Kei Chamber of Business, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, and Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zintle Peter and her officials.

While there were similarities between the two cities, Williams said there were differences in their approaches to economic growth.

"St Pete's economy is different from most cities. Our city's economy is built around manufacturing, high tech, financial services and tourism. And this city's economy is built around the automotive industry."

However, Williams said his city was ready to share ideas with Buffalo City. "I feel that a lot can be done by the city to sell its unique qualities - the relaxed lifestyle, and the possibility of a marina."

He was also impressed by the development zone, saying it had a lot of potential as it was closer to the DaimlerChrysler plant, the port and five minutes away from the East London airport.

"I believe that a relationship is always a two-way stream; this city can learn a lot from us and we in turn can learn a lot from this city. When I go back to St Pete I'm going to inform our strong mayor about the possibility of a future partnership between the two cities," Williams said.

Peter said was positive about a future partnership between the two cities. "Our municipality prides itself on good governance; we are a people-centered city and we want our people to have access to all the opportunities available … I am positive about a future partnership between our city and St Petersburg."

She thanked Williams for exploring the possibility of a future partnership and said she looked forward to future communication between the two cities.