The launching ceremony of the European Union Business Information Programme (EUBIP)

The European Union Business Information Programme (EUBIP) celebrated the launch of a series of activities and initiatives in Macao and Hong Kong on Thursday evening, at an event attended by a broad spectrum of the Macao, Hong Kong and European business community. Using the resources, expertise and networks of its consortium and external partners, and a grant from the European Commission, EUBIP aims to generate real business opportunities for Macao and Hong Kong by raising awareness of the benefits of the European Union as a business partner. It will also serve as a vehicle to promote a better understanding between the EU, Macao and Hong Kong on policies and regulations. The consortium partners for the three-year project are the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Institute of European Studies of Macau (IEEM). Speaking at the event, LEE Peng Hong, President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, said: “By providing EU trade and investment information and co-hosting a series of business events such as the Green Business Day at the 2009 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF), EUBIP can further encourage Macao enterprises to develop even more extensive business co-operations with their EU counterparts, enabling new opportunities and benefits in the time of global economic slowdown.” Johan Adler, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce echoed the views of his fellow EUBIP partners. “EUBIP is about creating tangible benefits through practical, timely and business-relevant initiatives and activities. We believe we can build on our already strong ties to bring together even more business people from Europe, Macao and Hong Kong and, over the next three years, this is what we plan to do.” Franz Jessen, Head of Unit for China in the Directorate-General for External Relations of the European Commission, which provides funding and expertise to EUBIP, said: “The European Union is already one of Macao and Hong Kong's largest trading partner, Through EUBIP we will reinforce this growing interaction as well as strengthening economic cooperation, dialogue and communication between Hong Kong, Macao and the EU in the coming years.” At the reception, the EUBIP consortium partners - Miss Echo Chan, Executive Director of IPIM, Mr. Johan Adler, Chairman of European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Dr. José Luis de Sales Marques, President of IEEM, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on a series of events over the next six months. These included: - Co-hosting the Green Business Day and organising expert speakers at the Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF) - Organising an EU Delegation and Pavilion of companies and government agencies at MIECF
- Co-hosting with the European Commission a seminar on REACH, updating the industry on the latest EU regulatory developments on the use of chemicals
- Organising Macao experts to attend a 'Brand Protection' symposium to be held in Hong Kong
- Partnering with the Institute of European Studies of Macao (IEEM) to host a seminar on intellectual property rights (IPR) in Macao and Hong Kong
- Organising a seminar on 'Identifying opportunities in the EU and improving market access’
- Overseeing research into improving market access between the EU, Macao and Hong Kong Mr Adler told guests: “This is a snapshot of what EUBIP is doing over the next six months. Future events are being planned in Macao, Hong Kong and Europe and will be announced as they are confirmed.” Notes to Editors:
The annual EU-Macao Joint Committee Meeting, the highest-level delegation between the two economies, was held earlier in the day. About EUBIP:
The three-year European Union Business Information Programme (EUBIP) supports business-focused initiatives that create a platform for business exchange between European Union, Hong Kong and Macao companies. The focus of EUBIP is on practical, timely and relevant projects that generate business leads and build business efficiency. EUBIP also serves as a vehicle to promote a better understanding between the three economic regions and to provide up-to-date information on EU policies, regulations and institutions to a broad range of audiences including businesses, policy makers, regulators and service providers. Priority sectors are: trade and customs, finance, people-to-people links (including academia), transport, the environment, health and food safety. About EU/Macao business relations:
Bilateral trade between Macao and the European Union was valued at €452 million in 2008. Macao already has a strong European business community, including major investments in utility, finance and tourism sectors. The European Union comprises 27 nations with a population of 495 million. GDP is estimated to reach €12.8 trillion in 2008.