The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, left today with an official delegation to Urumqi, Xinjiang, for the first China–Eurasia Expo, which opens tomorrow. Speaking to the press before his departure, Mr Chui said he hoped the visit would strengthen co-operation with Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, based on the foundation of their partnership in education, tourism, trade, human resources training and other aspects in the past decade. Tomorrow the China–Eurasia Expo will open in the Xinjiang International Exhibition Centre, where Macao has set up a pavilion to promote its products and services to the delegates and international investors. Macao posted a 22.9 per cent growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first half of this year and the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, who is a member of the official delegation, said he expected the annual growth rate would be more than 10 per cent. The momentum of economic expansion was mainly powered by gaming, tourism and public spending, he said. Mr Tam also said that the focus of the Government would be switched from economic growth to a balanced and sustainable development.
