Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, and other guests officiate at the unveiling ceremony for China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone Hengqin Area of Zhuhai.
The Government has initiated a co-operation mechanism with the Zhuhai authorities to strengthen ties in the newly established Free Trade Zone in Hengqin area. According to Secretary for Economy and Finance Mr Leong Vai Tac, the areas of co-operation included legal affairs, investment and trade, education and health, boundary crossing checkpoints management, finance and innovation, cross boundary infrastructures. The mechanism is under an agreement to further develop Zhuhai-Macao co-operation for the development of China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Hengqin Area of Zhuhai. The agreement was signed by Mr Leong and the Mayor of Zhuhai Mr Jiang Ling after the unveiling ceremony of the FTZ in Hengqin, overseen by the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Mr Ho Hau Wah, the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao Mr Yao Jian, and the Secretary of the Zhuhai CPC Provincial Committee Mr Li Jia on 23 April. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Leong said the Government would bring more opportunities to local enterprises and citizens in the country’s development on trade and investment. He outlined six aspects in Guangdong-Macao co-operation, including regular visits between Macao, Zhuhai and other parts in Guangdong province for better understanding the country’s policies; legislation revision; further co-operation in Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Industrial Park, especially the Guangdong-Macao Chinese Medicine Technology Park; invitation to more local enterprise to take part in the FTZ; provide more specific services for the building of Hengqin Macao Youth Business Valley; and optimising the co-operation mechanism for development of FTZ in Hengqin area. Heightened co-operation with Hengqin in commercial, tourism, and cultural industry would also bring complementary advantages to the building of a world centre for tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, the strategic positions laid down by the Central Government on the future development of Macao. The Government would make best use of the country’s initiatives in building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (“Belt and Road”), taken as an effective measure to enhance Macao’s competiveness.
