Central Government brings new measures to support Macao

The Central Government will introduce measures to support Macao in six areas, namely finance, infrastructure, economic integration with Guangdong, SME, services industry and safety supply of daily necessities. The Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao, disclosed this to the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, when they met in Beijing this morning. The nine measures in these six areas will include: - expanding the scope of Renminbi businesses in Macao; - launching the construction work of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge by the end of 2009; - study on infrastructure and transport network connecting Macao; - implementing a development plan for the Pearl River Delta Region (2008-2020), which would facilitate the economic integration of Macao into the region; - encouraging Macao’s participation in the development of Hengqin Island; - adopting direct and effective measures to support Macao funded SMEs; - facilitating Macao businesses’ participation in China’s services industry, and - safeguarding the supply and safety of food and other necessities to Macao. Concluding his annual duty visit, Mr Ho told reporters that these measures would better equip Macao in confronting the impacts of the global financial turmoil and facilitate its sustainable development in the future. He quoted the state leaders as acknowledging the work of the SAR Government and urging the community to strive for the development of Macao. Mr Ho also quoted Premier Mr Wen Jiabao as saying that in principle supporting measures for Hong Kong are applicable to Macao too. Speaking on the Facilitated Individual Travel Scheme, Mr Ho said that the Central Government would study expanding the number of cities in the scheme. Regarding the tentative fixed-destination travel programme for Hong Kong, Mr Ho said he hoped that Mainland authorities could study similar programmes to boost Macao’s MICE industries and increase the number of tourists to Macao’s cultural heritage. He also disclosed that the Central Government and Guangdong authorities were studying a reclamation project along Macao’s coastline and he said he expected the plan would be implemented by the next Government.