The civic heads of the city of Menlo Park, California, U.S., and Kochi on Wednesday signed a culture and economic agreement to set up an international desk for start-up businesses.
The desk would be established as part of the economic exchange programme and operated by a third party possessing specialised knowledge of the start-up economy in the respective cities.
While Catherine Carlton signed the document on behalf of the U.S. city, Mayor Tony Chammany affixed his signature representing Kochi. The exchange agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in Thiruvananthapuram.
The two cities have expressed their wish to “initiate various information sharing opportunities and exchanges in terms of business, education, culture and economy in order to promote common prosperity and quality of life” by adhering to the principle of equality and mutual benefit. They have also agreed to keep in regular contact for discussion and consultation on various issues of mutual interest and promote civic and economic exchanges.
The cities will execute the agreement in accordance with the national, state and local regulations, policies and existing rules applied to each city. While expressing its willingness to enhance the economic opportunities, understanding and friendship between their two cities, and agree to establish friendly relations through consultations, the inked document states that the agreement may be terminated in writing, in whole or in part, when such action is deemed by either city to be in its best interest. It was also made clear that the agreement shall not be interpreted to result in any financial commitments or other binding obligations between the cities.
Kochi Corporation Secretary V.R. Raju and Additional Secretary A.S. Anuja were present.
