Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng said Saturday that the east China metropolis encourages local enterprises to engage in economic and trade activities with Romania to promote mutual economic and trade relations.

At a meeting with visiting Romanian President Ion Iliescu, Han said Shanghai has witnessed a surge in its economic and trade cooperation with Romania in recent years, and the total value of trade between Shanghai and Romania last year increased 30 percent.

Iliescu said Shanghai is a dynamic city and well on the way to rapid economic development. Congratulating Shanghai for its achievements, the Romanian president added that he hoped economic and trade ties between Romania and Shanghai could be further consolidated.

All Shanghai enterprises committed to invest or participate in Romania's construction are warmly welcomed, Iliescu said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2003)