Friendship Cities
A Friendship City or Friendship Cities relationship is often formed by cities as a “stepping stone” to a more formal “Sister City” agreement. A Friendship City Agreement outlines the original exchange and includes an updated Memorandum of Understanding for an exchange with a strong economic development component, signed by the Mayor (or the highest municipal official) of the international city and by the Mayor of Austin. Two years of continual exchanges are required to establish the relationship before formally becoming Sister Cities.
Chiang-Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, now a friendship city with Austin, is celebrated for its status as the largest city in northern Thailand and the second largest in the country. It's a hub for culinary tourism, wellness, local festivals like Songkran and Loy Krathong, and boasts over 300 Buddhist temples. Chiang Mai is also advancing as a business-friendly city with a robust IT infrastructure, fostering creative industries, smart agriculture, advanced healthcare, and diversified tourism catering to long-term visitors and digital nomads
Florence, Italy
Florence, Italy, is now formally a friendship city with Austin, Texas, following the signing of a Protocol of Cooperation Agreement. This historic agreement, officiated by the mayors of both cities, aims to catalyze educational, cultural, and business exchanges. The collaboration is expected to foster knowledge sharing, best practice exchanges, and the exploration of new collaboration avenues. It aligns with Austin's strategic vision to promote economic growth, cultural exchange, and global connectivity, marking a commitment to forge strong international partnerships
Limerick, Ireland
Austin, Texas, has established a cooperation agreement with Limerick, Ireland, centered on sharing best practices in creative industries and economic development. This Memorandum of Understanding aims to expand innovation and economic opportunities, focusing on sectors like film, technology, and manufacturing. The agreement also seeks to leverage the Irish community in Austin to explore foreign direct investment possibilities, further reinforcing the ties between the two cities. The MOU was formally signed by elected officials from both locales
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