Edmund Ho: Macanese community could play more important role

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah said that Macanese community could play a more important role in enhancing economic co-operation between Brazil, Macao and the Mainland. During his visit to the Casa de Macau in Sao Paulo on 20 June (Brazil time), Mr Ho also recalled that his previous visit to Sao Paulo in 1997 coincided the opening of the Casa de Macau in Sao Paulo. Mr Ho said much changes had occurred in Macao since then, the greatest being the establishment of the Macao SAR. Despite this, the bond between Macanese and other communities in Macao had remained unchanged. He said that the Macanese community had been an asset for Macao, but for a long time this asset had been emphasised but for not capitalised for various reasons. With the ever-closer co-operation between China and Brazil, and the support of the Central Government for Macao ‘s role as a mediator between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, this is the best time to maximise this advantage and for the Macanese community to play an important role in the China and Macao’s economic co-operation with Brazil, Mr Ho said. He said that the newly found Macanese Community Council could also play an active role in linking Macanese communities all over the world and in promoting Macao and the unique Macanese culture. Mr Ho said the six-day visit marked the beginning of further co-operation between the Macao SAR Government and the Casa de Macao in Sao Paulo. Macao would always be home for Macanese, Mr Ho said, and he encouraged them to come visit more often, saying that the SAR Government is willing to provide necessary assistance. During the visit, the Macanese Education Promotion Association signed two co-operation agreements on cultural and youth affairs with the Casa de Macau in Sao Paulo and in Rio de Janeiro respectively. Mr Ho and the delegation will leave for Brasilia the following morning (21 June Brazil time).