A series of high-level forums and promotional seminars will be held during the 16th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (16th MIF), in addition to the setting-up of several themed zones, so as to take advantage of the multi-cultural characteristics of Macao and its role as a regional trade and economic services platform, to promote the trade and economic co-operation between Macao, Mainland China, Portuguese-speaking countries as well as other countries and regions around the world. Jointly organised by the Fujian Macau Economic Co-operation Promotion Committee, Fujian Provincial Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, and co-organised by the Lusophone Markets Business Association (ACIML), Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Macao Branch), Macau Chamber of Commerce plus Brazil-China and Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce, a "Portuguese-Speaking Countries – Fujian – Macao Economic Exchange and Building Materials Co-operation Round Table Conference" held on 19 October, in the Banquet Hall, 3rd Floor of the Macau Tower Convention and Exhibition Centre. The said activity aims to fully develop Macao's role as a trade and economic services platform, namely in the development of the markets in the Portuguese-speaking countries, to strengthen and expand co-operation between Fujian Province and Macao, and, through the Round Table Conference, provide opportunities for exchange and co-operation between political and economic organisations, business associations, chambers of commerce and entrepreneurs from the Portuguese-speaking countries, Fujian and Macao. At the invitation of the organisers, the Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Mr. Ye Shuangyu and the Secretariat for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen attended the Round Table Conference had been asked to speak at the start of the symposium. During the Conference, several other co-operation agreements were signed concurrently, related to projects in the fields of street lighting, energy-saving lamps; environmentally friendly heat insulation paint and air source heat pumps. During the Round Table Conference, the Vice Mayor of Guangzhou Municipal Government (Fujian province), Mr. Chen Rongzhou, gave a presentation on the current structure of the building materials industry in the municipality. Furthermore, several leaders from Portuguese-speaking countries and representatives from business associations and chambers of commerce attended the Round-Table Conference, to carry out a joint analysis on the prospects of marketing building materials from Fujian province in Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as investment opportunities, and to share their experiences in co-operating with Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as exploring business opportunities between Fujian, Macao and the said Portuguese-speaking countries. To further enhance the exchange and relationship between Portuguese-speaking countries, Fujian and Macao, a business matching session took place after the Round-Table Conference, with the aim of providing participants with an additional platform for exchange. A delegation from Fujian province attended the Round-Table Conference, as well as representatives from various countries/regions, attending MIF, as well as leaders and representatives of business associations, chambers of commerce and trade promotion organisation from Macao and around the world (especially from Portuguese-speaking countries), as well as members of the business community from Macao, Mainland China and overseas.
