City of Cape Town officials met with a delegation from Miami-Dade county in Florida, USA in October 2009 to discuss establishing closer ties between the two cities.

The first Miami-Dade trade delegation visited Cape Town in 2006 to lay the groundwork for the establishment of a partnership of friendship and co-operation to explore areas of mutual interest.

Both cities have tourism, film and events management and busy harbours in common. The manner in which Cape Town can use its harbour to its full potential - especially to cater for cruise liners - was discussed.

The 2009 delegation of politicians, officials and business leaders attended a variety of functions in the city, and some of them held discussions with Executive Mayor Dan Plato.

These included resuscitating the 2006 discussions about establishing a partnership between the two cities, although it was finally decided to opt for a project-based partnership instead. This type of partnership will enable the two cities to work together on strategic projects.

"Our systems are slightly different, so a project-based approach is more amenable to both cities," said Luzuko Mdunyelwa, Director: External Relations.

At least four projects were identified during the visit, including a luxury liner terminal for cruise ships at Cape Town Harbour. This will be explored in collaboration with the National Ports Authority and Cape Town Harbour

"Miami's luxury liner terminal is apparently brilliant; they are world leaders in terms of management of a harbour," Mdunyelwa said.

Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director: Economic and Social Development, will liaise with the officials who visited to further discuss the potential projects, and will then review these.

The Miami-Dade delegation also met with Wesgro, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and a number of other organisations in the city.