Youngstown, Warren sign pacts with Israelis, Chinese

May 24, 2011 at 12:09a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Representatives from Akko, Israel, toured Warren and Youngstown on Monday before signing a sister-city agreement designed to create new economic opportunities for the Mahoning Valley.

The agreement came to fruition as a result of last year’s trip to Israel, where Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien and Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams met with officials regarding a business relationship.

The signing took place at the Williamson College of Business at Youngstown State University.

“It is a true compliment that Akko agreed to a sister-city relationship with both Warren and Youngstown, reflecting our newfound spirit of regional cooperation,” Eric Planey, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber vice president for international business attraction, said in a press release.

Planey again is in China searching for business opportunities.

Shimon Lankri, the mayor of Akko, said the business opportunities are what excited him.

“A lot of people ask, ‘Why [do]we form this partnership?’” Lankri said through a translator. “It’s not because of the ceremonies ... but because of the human spirit behind it and what humans are doing together.”

Earlier in the day, O’Brien, who is in China with the chamber, signed a similar agreement with Dezhou, Shandong Province, China.

Dezhou, one of the largest solar-energy-producing cities in the world, will provide a complement to the coming TechBelt Energy Innovation Center in Warren.