The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, attends a plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly concerning the 2019 Policy Address.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, outlined a number of measures in the Government’s Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2019 regarding development of active cooperation between places covered by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area).
Mr Chui elaborated his ideas on regional cooperation in relation to the city cluster initiative. The ideas covered included: innovation and entrepreneurship for young people; tourism; mutual recognition by the three places regarding professional qualifications; development of healthcare industries; and extension across the Greater Bay Area of certain medical welfare rights already enjoyed by Macao residents in the city.
The Chief Executive shared on Friday afternoon (16 November) – during a plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly – information on the Government’s plans regarding the Greater Bay Area. During the session he took questions raised by Legislative Assembly members concerning the 2019 Policy Address.
The Greater Bay Area is a city cluster formed by nine major places in Guangdong Province – namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing – plus the two Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong and Macao.
Mr Chui underlined that the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the release by the Central Government of a development plan for the Greater Bay Area, created for Macao development opportunities and challenges. The two things stood to provide significant positive impact in advancing Macao’s strategic roles as a world centre of tourism and leisure.
Collaboration in tourism within the Greater Bay Area had enormous potential, Mr Chui stated. Tourism authorities of the Greater Bay Area had engaged in discussions regarding launching fresh initiatives promoting ‘multi-destination travel’. Such effort could make use of the respective profound cultural and tourism resources of each place as a point of appeal
Mr Chui proposed the authorities within the Greater Bay jointly and mutually explore markets located a medium- to long-range-distance away from the Greater Bay Area.
Responding to Legislative Assembly members’ questions, Mr Chui said the Government would step up support for relevant policies and for incremental expansion of resources, in order to support young people seeking to pursue either a career in innovative fields or to start a business in some other Greater Bay Area city.
Meanwhile, the Government planned to enlarge the functions of Macao’s Youth Entrepreneur Incubation Centre, providing: more working spaces for young people in need; information services; consulting services; training; exchange opportunities; and product sales.
Regarding development of an integrated healthcare industry within the Greater Bay Area, the Government planned to position – in terms of marketing – the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao. It would be an example of the city’s effort in pushing forward the healthcare sector.
To support the goal, the Government would enhance expansion of facilities at the Industrial Park. The Government was also poised to push forward development in terms of capabilities of scientific research and innovative projects.
The Chief Executive also mentioned projects such as: the building in Macao of a theme park and hotel, the showcasing of healthcare industries, the cultural aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and medical tourism, and the creation of a museum for innovations in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
In addition, Mr Chui also pointed out issues to be addressed under the varied regulatory systems within the Greater Bay Area. He said the Government’s concern was how to streamline procedures for people in other Greater Bay Area cities in their dealings with Macao; and what welfare benefits would be available for Macao residents living in any other Greater Bay Area cities.
For cross-boundary medical welfare, the Government proposed to set up an insurance mechanism in order for Macao residents to enjoy medical services in other Greater Bay Area cities.