Dubai and the French city of Lyon have signed a cooperation and friendship agreement that provides for enhancing bilateral relations between the two cities, especially in the field of civic projects.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Dubai Municipality by acting director general of the Dubai Municipality Lootah Hussain Nasser and assistant Mayor of Lyon Jean-Michel Daclin.

The agreement seeks to enhance cooperation between the two cities in various economic and cultural fields including construction and infrastructure fields as the French city possess high technical capabilities in the fields of street illumination and lighting of traditional and modern buildings, said an official spokesman.

It will also facilitate exchange of information between the two cities on a variety of civic services and projects.

Lootah said the agreement would be the first step towards establishing closer ties between the two cities. “Today, as we sign this agreement, I am hopeful that this would enhance our relations in a way that is mutually beneficial to both of our cities,” he added.

The French city is regarded as a pioneer centre for firms undertaking building illumination using a variety of colours and modern techniques.

Daclin described the signing of agreement as a 'symbolic act which is the beginning of a promising collaboration between our cities.'  He noted that Dubai and Lyon both focus on similar areas to stimulate development and create a convergence of interest between the two cities in culture, science and economic development.

Dubai, on its part, has signed some 18 twinning or cooperation agreements with cities and government organisations worldwide including Casablanca (Morocco), Gold Coast (Australia), Istanbul (Turkey), Detroit (US), Shanghai (China), Guangzhou (China), Damascus (Syria), Geneva (Switzerland), Occupied Jerusalem (Palestine), Beirut (Lebanon), Osaka (Japan), Dundee (Scotland), Frankfurt (Germany), Qingdao (China), Barcelona (Spain), Busan (South Korea), Sultan Qaboos University (Oman), and Astronomy & Geophysics Research Institute (Saudi Arabia). – TradeArabia News Service