CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A delegation of officials from a city in China toured Cape Coral Monday to explore a "sister city" relationship between the two municipalities. Officials from Baise - pronounced BYE-za - toured business facilities such as Ecological Laboratories and Lee Health's Cape Coral Hospital.
The purpose of the tours is to showcase potential business and investment opportunities in which the Baise officials might be interested, according to Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello.
"One of my goals in this is to increase our economic development, and perhaps find some ways they can help us increase our job base here in Cape Coral," Coviello said. "And, help us increase our commercial tax base in the city."
Coviello said the idea of partnering with Baise as a sister city came about through a Cape Coral resident, who had experience with a student exchange program with China.
Baise is a municipality of over four million people.
Coviello plans to lead a delegation of Cape Coral business leaders in May to explore economic opportunities in Baise.
