The International Trade and Investment Forum 2015 attracts the participation of over 400 guests.
One of the key activities under the 20th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) – the International Trade and Investment Forum 2015 - was held on 22 October. The event attracted the participation of over 400 persons, including government officials, business leaders, experts and scholars from home and abroad, to discuss about the opportunities for regional economic development under the “Belt and Road” initiative. The Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Mr Leong Vai Tac, the Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Mr Yin Zonghua, the Vice Chairman of All-china Federation of Industry and Commerce, Mr Xu Guanju, Vice Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment of Timor Leste, Mr Filipus Nino Pereira, State Secretary of Planning and Regional Integration of Guinea Bissau, Mr Degol Mendes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AICEP Portugal Global, Mr Miguel Frasquilho, President of Macao Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ma Iao Lai, and Deputy Director-General of Development Research Centre of the People´s Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Li Huiwu were invited to participate and jointly analysed the connection between the “Belt and Road” initiative and regional economic development. Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said that the implementation of the national “Belt and Road” initiative provides new development potential for Macao in its development as the “World Tourism and Leisure Centre” and the “Business and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”. He pointed out that the set up of the pilot free trade zones and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Big Bay Area, coupled with the further liberalisation of the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), will further enhance the cumulative effect, creating the necessary conditions for Macao to push forward its economic development. New Opportunities Brought About by the “Belt and Road” Initiative The Deputy Director-General of Development Research Centre of the People´s Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Li Huiwu made an introduction on the “Belt and Road” initiative, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Big Bay Area, and also analysed co-operation opportunities with countries along the route. The Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Mr Yin Zonghua said that, as far as the business community is concerned, the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative would mean huge opportunities. He pointed out that Macao, being the gateway of western culture entering into China, is an important bridge for Mainland China to access to the Portuguese-speaking Countries and, therefore, Macao enterprises should fully rely on the city´s geographical advantages and the favourable factors brought about by CEPA. In this speech, the Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Mr Xu Guanju, said that Macao, as a free trade port, enjoys great advantages in the fields of tourism, convention and exhibition, logistics and information. It also maintains close links with the Portuguese-speaking Countries, and therefore could push forward regional co-operation, deepens economic development of trade in services and also has a multiplying effect and plays a leading role for Chinese enterprises to “go global” through Macao. The President of Macao Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ma Iao Lai, said that the implementation of the national “Belt and Road” initiative has brought about unprecedented opportunities for the development of Macao´s economy. Given that Macao is currently undergoing economic adjustment, and therefore it is possible to use its own advantages to further promote regional cooperation, to achieve a win-win situation, and thus promote the adequate diversification of Macao´s economy. Macao Plays an Active Role as Services Platform for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries The Vice Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment of Timor Leste, Mr Filipus Nino Pereira suggested the creation of a free trade zone between Portuguese-speaking Countries and China under the principle of mutual benefits. He also expressed his opinion on how to achieve economic integration. The State Secretary of Planning and Regional Integration of Guinea Bissau, Mr Degol Mendes, said that Macao, as a services platform, plays an important role in the economic and trade co-operation between China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries, to achieve mutual benefits of the parties involved. Mr. Miguel Frasquilho, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AICEP Portugal Global highlighted the active role played by Macao in the development of the trade and economic co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. He said that the future development of the “Three Centres” (a commercial and trade service centre for SMEs of PSCs, a food product distribution centre for PSCs, a centre for conventions and exhibitions for economic and trade co-operation between China and PSCs) clearly shows the co-operation potentials between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries in the fields of trade and investment, especially in agricultural food products.
