Macao will support development along the western coast of Taiwan Strait

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today that the Macao SAR would fully maximise its unique advantages as an intermediary platform and to support the development of the economic zone along the western coast of the Taiwan Strait. In his speech at the International Investment Forum in the 9th China International Fair for Investment and Trade, Mr Ho said the establishment of the Economic Zone on the west coast of the Strait would not only drive development in Fujian Province, but also strengthen the complementary effect of the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta, and facilitate a breakthrough in trade and economic co-operation across the Strait. He said that With the full support of the Central Government and the cooperation of the general public, Macao had achieved accelerating progress in recent years. To promote Macao’s economic development, Mr Ho said, Macao would grasp the opportunities of the recent inscription of ‘The Historical Centre of Macao’ on UNESCO World Heritage List and Macao’s entry into the WHO Alliance for Health Cities to strengthen Macao’s flagship industries in the tourism and entertainment sector, and to seek to integrate culture, entertainment and leisure into a diversified tourism experience. “Secondly, we are devoting a greater effort to optimise our industrial structure and participate in regional co-operation. At the same time, we are committed to establishing the three trade and commercial service platforms.” Mr Ho highlighted the MSAR Government’s high priority in promoting technological innovation, which is the theme of this year’s forum. He said while reinforcing the work of our Technology Committee, The MSAR had set up the Science and Technology Development Fund and was taking a pragmatic approach in uniting business and academic forces to promote technological innovation and industrial applications. Among these, Chinese medicine was one of the projects the SAR were focusing on. Mr Ho also told the delegates that Macao and its sister Mainland provinces were well received and welcomed by the government and the business community during the business promotion in Portugal last year, which further consolidated Macao’s role as an intermediary platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr Ho stressed that the MSAR Government would fully exploit Macao’s prospect as a unique intermediary platform in supporting the development of the economic zone along the western coast of the Strait. The Forum was hosted by the Assistant Minister of Commerce, Mr Chen Jian, with the theme of Promoting technological innovation. In the morning, Mr Ho attended the opening of the 9th China International Fair for Investment and Trade, which was officiated by Vice Premier, Mr Zhang Peiyan. Later, he toured the fair and visited the Macao Pavilion, accompanied by Fujian provincial leaders. After the forum, Mr Ho attended a luncheon hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, where Mr Zhang Peiyan delivered a speech. The 9th China International Fair for Investment and Trade, organised by the Minister of Commerce, is attended by delegates from more then a dozen countries and regions in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, in addition to delegates from Mainland provinces and regions, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.