Companies from Maryland of United States signed a series of cooperation contracts with Shanghai firms during a two-day visit to the city.
The six contracts were valued at US$15 million and covered the medical, architecture and education sectors.
RTKL Association Inc, the Maryland-based international architecture and planning firm, signed a US$3 million cooperation contract with the city to design business areas in the Yangpu and Minhang districts.
The state's famous healthcare  Chindex Inc has also partnered with Changning District Central Hospital and opened yesterday the city's first hospital of international standard - Shanghai United Family Hospital.
The I-95 Mall of Asia, the only commercial exhibition mall in Maryland, also reached an agreement with its domestic partner to introduce more Chinese entrepreneurs to expand their brands in the US.
"The visit to Shanghai provided us a precious opportunity to pass on our open business attitude to China. We will devote ourselves to further strengthening the cooperation between the two regions," said the Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business also announced it will launch its Executive Master of Business Administration program in the city in November next year.
The program is expected to enroll 30 to 35 mid-to-senior Chinese executives each year.
Tuition is fixed at US$39,750 for 18-month part-time program, five consecutive days each month, according to Howard Frank, the school's dean.
The Smith School also signed to launch its custom EMBA program for Otis Elevator China next month.