A forum on cooperation and development of the modern service industry in the Yangtze River Delta started yesterday.

Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng sent a congratulatory message after an agreement was signed to improve cooperation.

The agreement pushed for more cooperation on information exchange, standards and training programs between Shanghai, Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province.

The Yangtze River Delta has grown to be one of China’s major economic zones. The total output of Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang hit 4.78 trillion yuan (US$646 billion) in 2006, accounting for 20 percent of the nation’s GDP.

The forum predicted a prosperous future in the modern service industry and an improved industrial structure in the delta area.