TITLE
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING SISTER CITY AFFILIATION BETWEEN DADE COUNTY AND IQUIQUE, CHILE

BODY
WHEREAS, representatives of Metropolitan Dade County and Iquique, Chile, met and have expressed a desire to establish a Sister City affiliation Program between the two governments and their people; and
WHEREAS, the City of Iquique's Municipal Council and Mayor on May 9, 1996 unanimously adopted Resolution No. 046.96 establishing an official Sister Cities affiliation with Metro-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, Dade County agrees to provide, in cooperation with the Florida International University Institute for Public Management and Community Service, technical assistance in the areas of government management, municipal planning, budgeting, and urban services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Iquique has agreed to reimburse Dade County for the transportation, lodging and per diem expenses to the Metro-Dade County officials participating in this program; and
WHEREAS, the city of Iquique, Chile is city with three seaports with direct navigational routes to the Pacific-Rim, Australia, and North America and an international airport that also serves as a hub to the region of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay; and
WHEREAS, the City of Iquique has agreed to cooperate with Metro-Dade County in expanding trade and commerce ties with other cities within the MERCOSUR nations in an effort to increase economic development opportunities for the mutual benefit for the citizens of Dade County and Iquique; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to establish an official Sister City affiliation between Dade County and Iquique, Chile,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. This Board on behalf of the citizens of Metropolitan Dade County, Florida, hereby establishes a Sister City affiliation with the government and citizens of Iquique, Chile.
Section 2. A committee of private citizens shall be appointed and governed by the Metro-Dade Sister Cities Program to carry out the objectives of fostering enhanced economic and social relations between the two governments and their people.
Section 3. The Metro-Dade Sister Cities Program shall assist in coordinating projects to increase and promote trade and tourism between the two communities benefiting Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami.