Organised by the People´s Government of Beijing Municipality and the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region, the 2nd Beijing Macao Co-operation and Exchange Symposium will take place in Macao, on 10 and 11 July. The Government of Beijing Municipality will bring a high-level delegation to participate in the event in Macao. The year's Symposium will follow the theme of the previous year – "Deepen Co-operation and Exchange and Promote Mutual Development". The event consists of six major components, namely, the opening ceremony and the signing of co-operation protocols, Seminar for Co-operation and Exchange and Promotion of Special Projects, co-ordination in co-operation and exchange projects, photo exhibition entitled "Charming Beijing", Beijing-Macao Ethnic Concert and Beijing-Macao Youth Sports Exchange. As an extension of the Symposium, the Beijing Municipality will also arrange for delegations to visit Macao to participate in the 18th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF). During the Symposium, the Governments of Beijing Municipality and Macao SAR will sign four co-operation agreements, covering tourism, trade, science and small and medium-sized enterprises. The principal activity under the Symposium will be the Projects Promotion Seminar of the 2nd Beijing Macao Co-operation and Exchange Symposium, to be held on 10 July at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. While relying on the ability of government agencies of Beijing and Macao, it is also imperative to develop the organisational functions of the non-government trade associations and chambers of commerce. In this regard, the trade in services, cultural and creative industries, innovative technologies, small and medium-sized enterprises and tourism were identified as key sectors for Co-operation and Exchange. Beijing Municipality has organised a delegation of about 60, comprised of businesspeople from the aforementioned sectors and organisations, to conduct negotiations with their counterparts in Macao on the various forms of collaboration. According to the Organisers, thanks to the active support of the Government of Beijing Municipality and the Macao SAR Government, very enthusiastic responses were received from trade associations and chambers of commerce from both places, for their participation in the2nd Beijing Macao Co-operation and Exchange Symposium. Taking the opportunity of the Symposium, a series of protocols for medium and long-term co-operation will be signed during the Symposium. The signing of these protocols will ensure the establishment of regular and sustainable development of exchanges and reciprocation between Beijing and Macao. This will also signify that adequate mechanisms for multi-level and far-reaching exchanges and collaboration, both at government and non-government levels, are in place. As explained by officials of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing has attached great importance to and has made full use of Macao´s excellent business environment and extensive international market resources since 2010, as demonstrated by them bringing high-level and large Beijing delegations to Macao, for three consecutive years, to participate in the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair, Macao´s most prestigious international trade and investment event, which resulted in the surge of "Beijing Enthusiasm". The 1st Beijing Macao Economic and Trade Exchange Symposium, which was held in Beijing in September 2012, marked the opening of a brand new chapter in exchanges between the two cities. This year, based on the deepening of economic and trade relations, there will be a pragmatic strengthening of exchanges and collaboration between the two cities, as preparations will follow the guidelines of "Economy and Trade as the Base to Radiate to Other Sectors". In this connection, the name of the event will change from "Economic and Trade Exchange Symposium" to "Co-operation and Exchange Symposium", aiming to strengthen the recognition by the public, especially by the younger generation. One of the important components of the e Symposium this year will be the "Charming Beijing" photo exhibition, organised by the Information Office of the People´s Government of Beijing Municipality, to be held during the Symposium, in Exhibition Hall 3 of Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. A collection of cloisonné art work will be on display and visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the production of items made from the material. The Beijing-Macao Ethnic Concert and the Special Sports Show by the youngsters of the two cities will further enrich the exchange and reciprocation between Beijing and Macao.
