Brazil visit a huge success

The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam, today described the Chief Executive’s visit to Brazil as a huge success and said it was fruitful in many ways. Speaking in Rio de Janeiro on 25 June (Brazil time), Mr Tam said: “The Brazilian President and the ministers have expressed their recognition of Macao as a mediator between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, a gateway to the China market, especially the South China region. “At the same time, all the state governments have expressed their interests in strengthening relations with Macao.” Mr Tam said it was encouraging to see the business associations of Macao and Brazil sign agreements on economic co-operation. He also noted that the contacts with the Casas de Macau and other international Macanese societies had brought new progress in the links between Macao and the overseas Macanese communities. “These links will be helpful in the future in promoting Macao internationally.” The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Macao delegation arrived at Rio de Janeiro, the last leg of six-day visit to Brazil, in the evening of 24 June (Brazil time). In the morning of 25 June (Brazil time) Mr Ho met with the Deputy Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Mr Luiz Conde. In the afternoon, Mr Ho and the delegation visited two of the most famous landmarks of Rio de Janeiro -- Mount Corcovado and Mount Pão de Açúcar -- before leaving the country in the evening.