The city of Yantai in eastern Shandong province signed a series of agreements to expand economic ties with Canada's Alberta province at a special seminar in Yantai on Nov 26.

Sponsored by the commerce bureau of Yantai and Alberta's ministry of economic development and trade, the two-day seminar on economic and trade cooperation was attended by some 320 government officials and business leaders from the two sides.

Eighteen protocols of intent were signed between Yantai and the wealthy Canadian province during the seminar, covering areas including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, environmental protection and food, among others.

Deron Bilous, Alberta's minister of economic development and trade, said his region considers Yantai to be a very important market.

"Alberta and Shandong province have a good record of investment and trade, and Alberta is particularly expecting to expand cooperation with Yantai in the industries of oil, gas and the development of renewable energy resources," Bilous said at the opening ceremony of the seminar on Nov 26.

According to one official from Yantai's commerce bureau, the city has already established close economic relations with Canada, and Yantai is expecting to further advance its cooperation with Alberta in particular.

"The cooperation with Alberta is of mutual benefit," said the commerce official.

Canada has invested in 289 projects in Yantai as of the end of October, with the combined value of these contracts amounting to 7.38 billion yuan ($1.08 billion), according to the commerce bureau of Yantai.

From January to October, Yantai's imports and exports to Canada reached 5.23 billion yuan, up 28.6 percent year on year.

Representatives from Canada's Alberta province and Yantai government sign a series of cooperative agreements to expand economic ties on Nov 26 in Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhang Yongxia, mayor of Yantai, holds cordial talks with?Deron Bilous, Alberta's minister of economic development and trade, on Nov 26 in Yantai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Deron Bilous, Alberta's minister of economic development and trade, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the seminar on economic and trade cooperation on Nov 26. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Company representatives from Yantai and Alberta discuss potential options for cooperation on Nov 27. [Photo/jiaodong.net]