The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, officates at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Traditional Medicine International Development Forum (Thailand) held in Bangkok.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said that Macao’s engagement in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area could promote closer cooperation between Macao and Thailand.
The Greater Bay Area development could offer benefits to overseas economies willing to participate in the project, said Mr Chui during a meeting in Bangkok with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Macao welcomes closer ties with Thailand, particularly in areas such as tourism, cultural affairs, economy and trade, and financial services. The SAR Government is looking forward to learning from Thailand’s experience as a long-standing global tourism destination, said the Chief Executive.
The two sides should jointly participate in the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative, making use of their respective strengths and with a focus on the initiative’s goals of “unimpeded trade”, “financial integration”, and “people-to-people bonds”.
During the meeting, the Chief Executive briefed Mr Chan-ocha on Macao’s development prospects. These included: the city’s strategic positioning as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies); Macao’s contribution to the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative; and opportunities arising from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, a bridge over the Pearl River Delta expected to be launched soon.
Mr Chan-ocha highlighted the deepening ties between Macao and Thailand in various areas, as a result of years of successful cooperation. He added that the Thai Government had a policy of promoting tourism cooperation with neighbouring jurisdictions; that could be another driving force for sustainable links between Macao and Thailand links.
Mr Chan-ocha stated that, following Macao’s inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy, there were good opportunities for cooperation in gastronomy, as well as in garment, creative industries and hospitality.
The Thai Prime Minister said he thought Macao could become an important gateway for Thailand to access markets in southern China, benefiting from the launch of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the “Belt and Road” initiative and the development of the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) region.
In the afternoon, the Chief Executive met with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Somkid Jatusripitak, and stressed the importance of enhancing regional cooperation.
Mr Chui said Macao would strive to transform itself into a gateway for Thailand to promote trade cooperation and tourism in markets within the PPRD region. He added that the city’s links with Portuguese-speaking countries would also facilitate sustainable cooperation between Macao and Thailand.
Mr Chui said Macao and Thailand had already in place a good foundation for close cooperation. He added he was looking forward to strengthening ties in tourism and financial services.
Mr Jatusripitak said during the meeting that Macao played a crucial role in connecting the PPRD region with Thailand. He added that Thailand planned to position itself as a gateway for the PPRD region to explore opportunities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. To achieve that, Thailand planned to use Macao as a connecting point within the PPRD region.
The Thai Deputy Prime Minister suggested the establishment of a communication channel between Thailand and the provinces in the PPRD region as well as the cities of the Greater Bay Area. This aimed to boost ties with all parties, namely on investment and trade, education and tourism.
Aside from the meetings with the Thai Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, the SAR Government delegation also attended today the opening of the 2018 Traditional Medicine International Development Forum (Thailand). The delegation also toured a photo exhibition on the achievements of the "One country, two systems" principle and on Macao's participation in the "Belt and Road" initiative. The delegation also hosted a special reception in the Thai capital.
During the 2018 Traditional Medicine International Development Forum (Thailand), the Chief Executive witnessed the signing of five agreements between public departments of the Macao SAR Government and the Thailand government; and between commerce chambers and associations.
