Following a recent visit to South Africa of His Excellency, Wen Jiaboa of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the Western Cape Government is to host a three-day official visit by the Governor of Shandong Province in China, Mr Han Yuqun. The Governor will lead a delegation of government, economic and trade officials from Wednesday - Friday, 19 - 21 July 2006, who aim to further strengthen political and economical relations between Shandong and the Western Cape.

In this regard, bilateral discussions will be held on Thursday, 20th July, afterwhich a Memorandum Of Understanding will be signed. This MOU will include a commitment by both governments to:

1. pay close attention to and encourage the economic and trade cooperation by their industrial and commercial communities and press ahead cooperation projects while taking "Shandong-Western Cape Economic and Trade Forum" as the opportunity.
2. encourage their own competitive companies to make investments in each other or conduct other forms of partnership by giving preferential treatment and policy support.
3. enhance cooperation in agriculture, including the plantation sector, agricultural machinery, horticulture, fruits and vegetables - work together with comeptenet agricultural departments and companies to organise work groups or expert teams to visit each other.
4. encourage related government agencies and companies to cooperate in the tourism sector as both Shandong and the Western Cape boast abundant tourism resources; 5. make efforts in education cooperation and encourage youth exchanges as well as joint researches in language and culture.
5. push foward cooperation in energy and the medical care taking the "Third Regional Leader's Summit of the Partner Regions" just concluded as the platform.

While in the Western Cape, Governor Han Yuqun's delegation is expected to exchange presentations on Trade and Investment Opportunities, sign business contracts between the respective organisations and attend the Shandong-Western Cape Business Forum and Exhibition.

Media enquiries:
Shado Twala
Director: Meida and Public Relations
Office of the Premier of the Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 5642
Fax: 021 483 5636
Email: stwala@pgwc.gov.za
www.capegateway.gov.za
Address: Provincial Parliament, Mezzanine Level, Office of the Premier, M7, 7 Wale Street, Cape Town, 8001