A delegation from the Dubai Economic Council (DEC) headed by its secretary-general Hani Al Hameli recently visited China to establish strategic partnerships with economic decision circles and financial institutions. Al Hameli said the visit was aimed at strengthening economic relations between the UAE and China, and that these relations would be enhanced even more in the future. Al Hameli stated that the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to the UAE last month and his meetings with the UAE leadership will promote the economic relations between the two countries. \"This visit is significantly important for the favour of the two countries, particularly beyond the strategic partnership memorandum signed between them,\" Al Hameli added. The DEC delegation first visited the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) headquarters in Beijing. Yu Ping, Vice-Chairman of CCPIT, welcomed the delegation. The two parties discussed a number of issues of common interest and signed an MOU establishing a framework of cooperation and coordination between the two councils. Bank meeting The delegation then visited the Export-Import Bank of China headquarters in Beijing. Li Ruogu, chairman and president, welcomed the delegation. The Export-Import Bank of China was founded in 1994 and is solely owned by the Chinese government. The bank recently established correspondent relationships with more than 500 banks. The main mandate of the bank is to facilitate exports and imports.