A nine-strong delegation from the Chinese city of Wuxi recently visited Maribor. According to Maribor’s Deputy Mayor Zdravko Luketič, Maribor was happy to host a delegation from "one of the economically fastest-growing regions in China".

The Chambers of Crafts in both cities are similar in structure, but the one in Wuxi has several thousand members. The Wuxi Chamber of Crafts will host a business conference in November, and representatives from Maribor have already been invited to the conference.

Maribor seeks more direct investment from Chinese companies. Companies based in Maribor also want to sell more products in China and bring their expertise to Chinese companies.

On the other hand, Chinese businessmen want Maribor to build a football training centre in Wuxi that would serve the whole of China. Two weeks ago, junior footballers from Wuxi participated in a football camp in Maribor. Moreover, two Slovenian football coaches recently left for Wuxi.

Franja Pižmoht, TV Slovenija; translated by D.V.