MEDIA RELEASE

LORD MAYOR SETS STAGE FOR PRODUCTIVE CHINESE PARTNERSHIP

For Immediate Release November 7, 2011

Niagara-on-the-Lake- Fresh on their return from China, Lord Mayor Dave Eke and CAO Mike Galloway were very pleased with the inroads made in Jinshan District, a major economic and tourism hub of Shanghai.

Following a briefing on the district’s economic development and tourism strategy, as well as an extensive tour of Fengjing Town within Jinshan District, Lord Mayor Eke formally signed the Chinese version of the Proposal of Strategic Cooperation Agreement, which was approved by NOTL Town Council on August 29 prior to the trip.

“Fengjing Town has many similarities with Niagara-on-the-Lake,” stated Lord Mayor Eke. “It is considered their heritage district and currently welcomes one million visitors per year. The Chinese officials were very interested in our success as a major tourism destination and hope to do the same for their community.”

Another similarity was in wine production. The Chinese produce rice wine and Jinshan District has the largest Chinese producer of rice wine located in their jurisdiction, however, it is our ice wine which is considered a delicacy there. Both Eke and Galloway felt confident this partnership could lead to a further opening of markets for the Niagara-on-the-Lake speciality.

As part of the signing ceremony, the Chinese honoured their Canadian guests with the planting of a maple tree, as well as a large commemorative boulder located just inside the Town’s administrative compound.

“The generosity and sincerity of our Shanghai hosts were very real,” said Eke. “I am excited about building on this relationship and look forward to meeting with them again next year when representatives from Jinshan will travel here.”

Photos from Proposal of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony attached.

For further information, contact Lord Mayor Dave Eke 905-468-3266