National League of Cities Partnering with U.S. Departments of Commerce and Treasury to Host Chinese Mayors and Economic Officials

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National League of Cities is pleased to announce it is partnering with the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Treasury to host a delegation of Chinese mayors, senior business executives and economic officials. The delegation will take part in NLC's Leadership Academy on Local Economic Competitiveness in a Global Era in Seattle in April. The Academy is designed to provide local officials and city staff with the tools and knowledge they need to facilitate global economic linkages within the context of their own community.

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In Washington, D.C., earlier this week, President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao hailed the importance of the bilateral economic relationship and called on both countries to further strengthen ties at local levels. The China portion of the Academy program will allow U.S. and Chinese local officials to share best practices on core issues of local economic growth and development. U.S. local officials will also have the opportunity, in a session facilitated by the Department of Commerce, to directly engage foreign businesses seeking U.S. investment opportunities.

"Increased global economic activity in U.S. cities is integral to their long-term economic competitiveness and success in the 21st century," said NLC President James Mitchell, councilmember, Charlotte, NC. "While some communities are actively expanding global opportunities for their communities, many others are unsure how and where to start.  This Academy will give local leaders the knowledge and practical tools to address these challenges."

The three-day Leadership Academy will take place in Seattle, April 19-21 and will feature experts from all levels of government, academic and business sectors to showcase promising practices from cities and regions across the country. Agenda topics will include understanding the local realities of global economic development, foreign direct investment and trade promotion.

Co-hosting the summit is the Trade and Development Alliance of Greater Seattle (TDA),

a regional collaboration of local governments and key stakeholders to promote the trade interests of the Seattle region in domestic and international markets. TDA was launched twenty years ago and is a one of the most respected and lasting examples of how local partnerships are necessary to retain future competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy.

For more information about the Local Economic Competitiveness in a Global Era event in Seattle, contact Christiana McFarland, program director, Finance and Economic Development at [email protected] or (202) 626-3036.  Registration information will be available soon.

The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

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SOURCE National League of Cities