Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
Business Development
International Initiative
As part of its mission of fostering economic growth in the City, the URA initiates and manages relationships with a growing network of cities, governments and businesses around the world.
These bilateral and multilateral programs attract foreign companies to the City, generate trade, technology-licensing, and investment opportunities for Pittsburgh firms, and include cultural exchanges that enhance international respect and harmony. The initiative is especially meaningful to Pittsburgh residents, who treasure their ethnic and national heritage.
At the heart of the International Initiative are "Sister City" economic development relationships and Business Partnership Agreements, which the URA coordinates in conjunciton with officials in its partner cities and the independent, non-profit Greater Pittsburgh Sister Cities Organization.
Pittsburgh's Sister Cities currently include: Sofia, Bulgaria; Wuhan, China; Zagreb, Croatia; Matanzas, Cuba; Ostrava, Czech Republic; Sheffield, England; Saarbrucken, Germany; Omiya, Japan; Skopje, Macedonia; San Isidro, Nicaragua; Fernando de la Mora, Paraguay; Presov, Slovakia; Bilbao, Spain, and Donetsk, Ukraine.
Through collaboration with such partners as the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, the Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Japan America Society, the Chinese Assocation of Science and Technology Pittsburgh, the Duquesne Univeristy Small Business Development Center, universities, corporations and many others, the Authority looks forward to joint efforts that will strengthen existing connections and create new global relationships.
Examples of recent developments:
- In January of 2004, Mr. Zhang Yue, CEO of the Yuan Da Corporation, visited Pittsburgh, to donate equipment to a CMU School of Architecture project. Mr. Zhang is the founder of one of China's most progressive and fastest growing private corporations.
- In December 2003, the URA welcomed Chinese Minister Xie Zhenhua of the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to Pittsburgh. As a result of his visit, Minister Xie also expressed his interest to declare Pittsburgh a Model Environmental City, strongly encouraged collaboration between Pittsburgh and Chinese environmental companies and organizations, and extended an invitation to Pittsburgh to send return delegation in 2004 to discuss eco-friendly development, environmental technology, and green building design.
- In December 2003, The URA welcomed Mr. Kose of Kitakyushu Industry and Science Promotion Bureau, who led a four person delegation to Pittsburgh for follow-up discussions with Pittsburgh companies and organizations.
- In November 2003, the URA introduced four Chinese delegations to the Green Building Conference to Pittsburgh and identified possible technology providers.
- In November 2003, introduced 12 Kitakyushu (Japan) City Assemblymen to Pittsburgh's redevelopment and a tour of the URA's Brownfield projects.
- In October 2003, Executive Director Mulugetta Birru led the 2003 Pittsburgh Trade Mission to Japan, visiting Saitama, Osaka, Kobe and Kitakyushu. Ten companies and organizations enjoyed one-on-one meetings and participated in official functions and presentations. Industries represented included chemicals, IT, tissue engineering, technology transfer, recycling technologies, and sustainable development.
- In October 2003, Wuhan Mayor Li Xiansheng visited Pittsburgh for meetings with major Pittsburgh companies and universities to discuss market conditions and strategic partnerships, and to visit new "green" development projects.
- In October 2003, the URA with SPC jointly-hosted a Pittsburgh-China Steel Technology Forum with the China Council for Promotion of Intentional Trade Metallurgical Council. The forum was attended by 20 Pittsburgh steel companies and trade organizations and 15 Chinese steel companies and trade organizations.
- In September 2003, the URA met Tinajin Dongli District Governor Zhang to discuss economic develop ties and an invitation to visit the Dongli District.
- In April 2004, the URA welcomed Wuhan Deputy Mayor Zhang Daizhong and a delegation composed of senior officials and Wuhan companies. The URA organized one-on-one meetings with small, medium, and large Pittsburgh corporations as a follow-up to the November 2002 Pittsburgh-China trade mission.
- In March 2003, the URA welcomed Mr. Meiji Sato who introduced opportunities for regional companies to work with the Kitakyushu Eco-Town project to advance recycling technologies to Eco-friendly technologies.
- In February 2003, the URA hosted Chairman Liu Benren of the Wuhan Iron and Steel Company (WISCO). Organized one on one meetings and a special reception for Pittsburgh steel technology companies with Chairman Liu.