Although they may look very different today, about 30 years ago, both Shenzhen, China and the Virgin Islands were very similar: a small population of coastal residents relying on fishing and agrarian activities.
Since then, each location has grown into a “global phenomenon,” with the VI as a leader in the financial services sector and Shenzhen experiencing explosive growth and development as China’s first special economic zone, Elise Donovan said Friday.
Ms. Donovan, director of BVI House Asia, and other VI officials were gathered at Treasure Isle Hotel with about a dozen delegates from Shenzhen and Qianhai, an economic zone in Shenzhen devoted to developing a “modern service industry.”
On Friday the VI signed a general friendship MOU with Shenzhen and an agreement promoting cooperation and exchange around financial services industry issues.
The agreements allow formal discussions to begin on “issues of common concern,” Premier Dr. Orlando Smith said at the signing, listing tourism, financial services, culture and sports.
The discussions will be followed by “action for the benefit of our respective peoples,” Dr. Smith said, but he didn’t elaborate on what those actions might be.
See the Jan. 16, 2014 edition for full coverage.
{fcomment}