Macao and the Mainland today signed Supplement V to the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), granting more favourable terms to Macao’s businesses on the Mainland. The supplement added services incidental to mining and related scientific and technical consulting services into the area of trade in services, and co-operation on branding into the area of trade and investment facilitation. Under the pact, Guangdong would liberalise regulations in eight areas to grant Macao’s enterprises easier access to the province. These included medical, environment and placement and supply services of personnel. These measures could be extended to the entire nation later, said the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, who signed the agreement with the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Jiang Zengwei. Speaking to the press, Mr Jiang said that the supplement would bring about more career opportunities and capital to Macao. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah; the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Bo; the Deputy Director of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Ms Gao Yan; the Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC in MSAR, Mr Lu Shumin; the Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Choi Lai Hang and many other officials and guests.
