Council re-commits to Friendly Cooperative Cities Agreement with Huangshi

On Monday 29 April 2024, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council re-committed to its Friendly Cooperative Cities Agreement with Huangshi, a city in Hubei Province in China.

The agreement, initiated in October 2018, was re-signed in the Townhall, Enniskillen by the Council Chair, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, and the Mayor of Huangshi, Mr Wu Zhiling.  Invited guests in attendance at the signing ceremony included the Chinese General Consul in Belfast, Madame Zhang, and a delegation from Huangshi.

The agreement sets out the broad principles of exchange and cooperation in various areas including economy, culture, education and tourism.  The aim of the agreement is to work collaboratively to explore opportunities for both the Fermanagh and Omagh District and Huangshi which will promote common prosperity and development in both regions.

Following the signing of the agreement, a meeting was held with representatives from the business, education and tourism sectors to promote what the District has to offer and enhance the opportunities for partnership working.  During the meeting, attendees heard from a variety of speakers including representatives of Invest NI, Mannok and Terex, who highlighted the opportunities within the local economy and the work they are undertaking to advance and grow their businesses.

Speaking at the event in the Townhall, Council Chair, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, said:

“Since the first signing of the agreement, we have sought to continue to strengthen our relationships with Huangshi.

This is an important day for our Council and the District and I am confident that, following the re-signing of the agreement, we will continue to work collaboratively for the benefit of both regions.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that our economy is thriving, expanding and outward looking and the re-signing of the Friendly Cooperative Cities agreement will help to achieve this by establishing links and opening opportunities with Huangshi to benefit our local economy.”

An event to welcome the Mayor of Huangshi, Mr Wu Zhiling; Chinese General Consul in Belfast, Madame Zhang; and the delegation from Huangshi to the Fermanagh and Omagh district was hosted by the Council Chair at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, the evening before the re-signing of the Friendly Cooperative Cities Agreement; with local MLAs, Councillors, Council officials and representatives from the economic development, tourism and education sectors also in attendance.