m e m o r a n d u m o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g

Technical Twinning Program Agreement for Technical Cooperation Between:

Municipality of Rousse, Bulgaria and the City of Duluth, USA

Whereas the Municipality of Rousse and the City of Duluth have, through the United States Agency for International Development-funded Technical Twinning Program of the Foundation for Local Government Reform (FLGR) and the International City / County Management Association (ICMA), initiated an exchange of information, management, and technical expertise regarding Economic Development and Local Government Development; and

Whereas each partner has recognized the need for, and is committed to, sustaining the exchange of municipal finance, economic and community development, and public relations information and expertise after the Technical Twinning Program has formally concluded; and

Whereas each partner is committed to pursuing opportunities to build linkages for, and actively engage a broad array of participants, including citizens, community-based organizations, and the private and academic sectors in the exchange of economic and municipal government development expertise; and

Whereas each partner seeks to promote enhanced public management and private enterprise development by maintaining efficient systems that provide an equitable level of opportunity to all of their citizens.

Let it be agreed that, the Municipality of Rousse and the City of Duluth, having identified areas of cooperation and exchange which meet their needs and the criteria of the Technical Twinning Program, will work together to develop and carry out the specific action items to be set forth and approved by both cities following the Rousse delegation visit to Duluth.

This Memorandum of Understanding will promote not only a commitment to the technical exchange of expertise, but a relationship bond between the Municipality of Rousse and the City of Duluth as the proposed projects are implemented.