New sister cities: Philadelphia and Frankfurt, Germany

In recognition of the substantial trade between their two regions, Mayor Nutter and Frankfurt, Germany, Mayor Peter Feldmann on Wednesday formally announced a "sister city" relationship.

The ceremony took place at the Center City offices of Morgan Lewis L.L.P., which itself has an office in Frankfurt, Europe's preeminent banking and finance center.

Philadelphia is a significant U.S. entry point for German companies seeking to do business in the American market.

"It's the perfect match," Nutter said in a short address at a reception for German and U.S. dignitaries and business leaders at the law firm's Market Street location.

Feldmann said that, apart from the business synergies linking the two regions, the partnership seemed to be the right thing to do as a part of Nutter's "reaching out."

Philadelphia now has sister-city relationships with eight cities around the globe. Nutter said Wednesday that the agreement with Frankfurt is the first new sister-city relationship in 23 years.

The two city leaders pointed out that the regions are similar in size and economic clout. Both have sprawling chemical and pharmaceutical industries, a large base of professional employment, and robust technology sectors.

Frankfurt also is the headquarters of the European Central Bank.

Such economic cooperation agreements often express more in the way of intentions than specific economic development plans.

But Nutter said Wednesday that the simple act of putting together business and government leaders from Germany and the United States likely would generate investment on both sides of the Atlantic over time.

He said visits to Tel Aviv, another of Philadelphia's sister cities, have resulted in several companies setting up shop in the region.

"People do business with people they know," Nutter said.

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