Amsterdam, São Paulo working on social issues

Amsterdam and São Paulo are going to work together, and exchange knowledge on the areas of water management, gay rights, sustainability and mobility and culture. 

The cooperation between the Dutch and Brazillian cities was ratified on Wednesday in Brazil, where the mayor of São Paulo signed an agreement of cooperation, in the presence of a Brazilian delegation, het Parool reports.

The Municipal Health Service (GGD) in Amsterdam will explore, together with Brazil, how to provide better care for alcoholics, drug-addicts and the homeless in São Paulo. Education, sports and 'e-government' will be discussed as well.

Amsterdam hopes this cooperation will help to encourage Brazilian companies to come to the provinces in the Netherlands. Currently, there are about 30 Brazilian companies situated in and around Amsterdam. São Paulo is the biggest city in Brazil, with more than 11 million residents.

The municipality is focusing its international policy on countries which are economically important for the city. Also countries of origin for immigrants in Amsterdam can count on extra interest from Amsterdam.

Earlier this month, Amsterdam broke off cooperation with Accra, the capital of Ghana. The partner city provided too little for Amsterdam.