Zhang Tong (5th from L), mayor of Nantong, poses for a photo in the headquarters of Siegfried. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Zhang Tong, mayor of Nantong, led an economic and trade delegation to visit Switzerland and Germany from Aug 24 to 29 to strengthen collaboration with local multinationals, institutions, and cities.

In Switzerland, the delegation visited the headquarters of Siegfried, Syngenta, and TE Connectivity to learn about their investment and development plan and explore further cooperation.

Nantong and the Economic Promotion Canton of Schaffhausen discussed collaboration in automotive electronics, intelligent manufacturing, energy conservation, and environmental protection. Both agreed to advance strategic cooperation.

Top managers of the Swiss China Center, EurAsia Forum, TE Connectivity, Calorifer, and other Switzerland-based institutions and enterprises expressed their willingness to visit Nantong and seek cooperation with local industrial parks at a meeting on Aug 26.

In Germany, the delegation inked a memorandum with Alexander Biber, mayor of Torsdorf City, to deepen their sister-city relationship and pragmatic cooperation in the cultivation of emerging industries and layout of future industries.

The delegation also visited the headquarters of Merck Group, which has established a presence in Nantong for 10 years and whose investment in Nantong has accounted for over half of its investment in China.

Senior executives of Merck Group spoke highly of Nantong's investment environment, saying that they will choose Nantong as a preferred location to enhance the industrial layout in the Yangtze River Delta region.