Senior local government officers and business representatives from Ostrava are in Coventry until Sunday 27 February.

During the visit the City Council have explained how new approaches to local government apply to local authorities in England; and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber have held talks with delegates to support respective links between small and medium sized business in both cities.

The two cities have already set-up a joint two-year training project, funded by the European Union for middle and senior local government managers.

City Council Leader, John Fletcher, said: 

"The City Council has embraced new ways of working to provide better, more efficient services. So we welcome the opportunity to share our experiences with our partners from Ostrava.

"By helping to establish more stable local government and economies in the Czech Republic we are in a better position to get financial help from Europe to fund more training and economic development projects."

Nigel Gaynor, Director of Products and Marketing at The Chamber, said:

"We are delighted to be able to continue the dialogue which came out of our initial visit. Now the hard work begins in turning those aspirations into increased trade between our two cities."

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber, supported by the City Council signed a co-operation agreement with Ostrava in October 1999.

Coventry’s links are helping the Czech Republic prepare for accession to the EU.