A DELEGATION from Jinhua City, in China was in town earlier this week, hoping to form a sister city partnership with Buffalo City.

The group, comprising City officials and business representatives, was here on 10 March. The day kicked off with a presentation by Buffalo's international relations and development co-operation manager, Darby Gounden, who gave an overview of the municipality.

She pointed out that one its townships, Mdantsane, was the second largest township in the country. It would also become a metropolitan city by 2011. "Buffalo City has more chances of developing through its interaction with its communities."

She was followed by the sector manager at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Willie van Heerden, who spoke about the company.

There were three main units in the company's development section, he said - development investments, development services, and property management and development.

The development investments unit involved innovative access to business finance, especially for small business "but also looking at expanding bigger businesses".

The development services unit comprised various aspects, including trade promotion, project development, export and import trading, and investment promotion.

The third unit dealt with the development and management of factories and business complexes.

"The corporation's mandate is to contribute to the country's economy and also helps with the development of the Eastern Cape, working together with the East London Industrial Development Zone," Van Heerden said.

The groups met at the new Council Chamber. Chen Yunqing, the vice-chairperson of Jinhua City, said the delegation was happy to have found that Buffalo City's economy was doing well and that the people were spirited.

"It brings relief to us to learn that the city's economy is prosperous and we are willing to form relations with Buffalo City."

She also extended an invitation to the mayor and other City officials to visit her city. In response, Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku said, "We are very happy with the invitation and also appreciate having met people of your calibre.

"We would like to have strong ties with Jinhua City and exchange ideas on different aspects of government."

Jinhua is a traditional Chinese city situated in central Zhejiang province in the People's Republic of China. It borders the provincial capital of Hangzhou and is best known for its dry cured ham.

The delegates exchanged traditional gifts, including Chinese paper cut paintings and Xhosa beaded bags.