Ministers from China and Portuguese-speaking countries to meet in Macao

Ministers for trade and economy from China and seven Portuguese-speaking countries will meet in Macao on Sunday to bolster multilateral economic co-operation. The triennial conference, the Second Ministerial Conference for the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (Macao), is organised by the Central Government. The Minister of Commerce, Mr Bo Xilai, and delegations led by ministerial-level officials from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor, will attend the conference and related events. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said that the First Ministerial Conference three years ago had strengthened the image of Macao as a trading and services platform. The goal for the Second Ministerial Conference is to review their co-operation in the last three years and to set up new objectives for the next three years. The conference will highlight Macao as a trading and services platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. A forum is designated for businesspeople from the participating countries to enhance business ties. In addition, businesspeople, representatives from international trade organisations and trade promotion institutes will also participate in the related activities.