CE: More platforms and policies to help young entrepreneurs

The Government is committed to providing more platforms and policies to support Macao’s young people in setting up their own businesses, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. Mr Chui made his comments this morning when addressing young people from Shenzhen and Hong Kong during a visit to the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub. The Government would create more exchange opportunities for young people in Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao, to share ideas on entrepreneurship, he added. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, also took part in the visit. He said the Government was analysing what measures would be effective to help young Macao entrepreneurs extend their business activities to the Pilot Free Trade Zone in Guangdong. Macao’s Young Entrepreneurs Aid Scheme was likely to play a role, he said. The FTZ pilot scheme covers three designated areas in Guangdong Province – Qianhai-Shekou, Hengqin, and Nansha. Macao has a range of initiatives to help young people that wish to start a business, Mr Leong said. They included the Business Incubation Centre for Youth in Macao, as well as training and consultancy services. A businessman attending today’s event said cooperation with Macao entrepreneurs involved in business start-ups was to be welcomed. He noted there was an investment fund in Qianhai able to help young people from Hong Kong and Macao in establishing a business. Officials accompanying Mr Chui on the visit included: the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the President of the Administrative Council of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Mr Vong Iao Lek; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; and the Consultant of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Kou Chin Hung. Officials representing the Shenzhen Government included: the Secretary General of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Li Tingzhong; and the Director-General of Qianhai Management Authority, Mr Du Peng.