DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT: EWDC Briefing on International Activities for Fiscal Year 2019
SUMMARY:
The City of San Antonio manages official relationships around the world, including 11 Sister Cities and two Friendship Cities. During the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2019, the Mayor and members of the City Council have participated in various international initiatives including trade and investment missions abroad. This presentation serves as a report-out on two recent trips, and as a preview of key initiatives in FY2019.
BACKGROUND:
Prominent international engagement activities for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2019 commenced with travel to the Jiangsu Province, China. From October 19-27, 2018, Councilman John Courage led a delegation to Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuxi, and Suzhou, China. The group attended the Sister Cities Exhibition in Nanjing, participated in the Sister Cities Forum in Wuxi, visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Suzhou, and engaged in educational and economic development meetings in the various cities.
From November 17-21, 2018, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran led a trade mission to Japan's Mie and Aichi prefectures. The group visited the Toyota headquarters in Toyota City, met with economic development prospects, in Tokyo and Nagoya, and met with First Lady Mrs. Akie Abe to discuss Sister City activities.
These pasts efforts complement upcoming initiatives in FY19 including a high-level delegation from San Antonio's German Sister City, Darmstadt, which will visit San Antonio from February 23-28. Headed by Lord Mayor Jochen Partsch, the 30-member group includes a member of the German Bundestag (Parliament), the presidents of two major universities, the head of Darmstadt's utility provider, economic developers, cybersecurity experts, youth and cultural representatives, private sector leaders, and a retired astronaut.
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