The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, speaks to reporters.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao helps advance not only the overall development of Macao’s traditional Chinese medicine sector but also provides support for business expansion of companies from Macao and from the mainland.
The industrial park had particularly made significant progress relating to the industrialisation and internationalisation of traditional Chinese medicine, said the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, on Monday (21 January) during a visit to the facility on Hengqin Island, in Zhuhai Prefecture.
Taking part in the visit were 23 members of the Legislative Assembly. The purpose of inviting the Assembly members to the traditional Chinese medicine industrial park was to provide them with fresh insights on the progress of its development and planning. In addition the visit was aimed at offering the delegation a better understanding regarding allocation of public funds relating the industrial park, the first major project in Guangdong-Macao cooperation.
In comments to the media during the visit, the Secretary stated the industrial park had entered a new phase of development, with a growing number of companies involved in traditional Chinese medicine having established a foothold there.
According to Mr Leong, provision of a platform for business promotion – as well as other supporting services – was a factor in the effort to attract a greater number of businesses to the site.
Besides fostering development of a pharmaceutical industry, the industrial park could boast – measured by the increasing number of businesses there – a number of associated industries, such as accreditation and quarantine services.
Development of traditional Chinese medicine and its associated industries would provide more employment opportunities to young Macao people and to graduates in traditional Chinese medicine-related disciplines. Such opportunities would contribute to Macao’s effort to diversify adequately its economy, Mr Leong added.
In addition, the industrial park would help businesses explore markets on the mainland and overseas. Mr Leong offered examples of some Chinese medicine products from Macao companies and mainland enterprises that had been registered and granted approval for marketing in Mozambique.
A second batch of traditional Chinese medicine products was expected to enter assessment procedures in Mozambique, disclosed Mr Leong.
