To coincide with a trade mission to China by Prince Philip of Belgium, the Antwerp Port Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chongqing Port & Navigation Administration Bureau.
The MOU will see the two parties regularly exchange information, develop joint marketing and promotion activities, and attract investment to each other's port and city.
It follows the move in May this year to link Antwerp and Chongqing by a rail freightservice run by the intermodal operator Hupac.
During the trade mission, Antwerp Port Authority has also launched a new initiative aimed at promoting trade and friendship with China, called the 'Circle of Friends'.
'We consider it an honour to include representatives of Chinese local authorities and leading companies in our Circle of Friends,' said port alderman Marc Van Peel. 'In this way we hope to build up long-term relations of friendship with China.'
