The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 9th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum.
The International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF), being held in Macao, is an important platform via which all countries and places involved in the “Belt and Road” initiative can share their experience of cooperation, and the fruitful results that have arisen from such activity.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today also pledged the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government’s determination to promote Macao’s platform role, so as to seize the huge opportunities for cooperation in terms of infrastructure construction that are envisaged under the “Belt and Road” initiative.
Mr Chui delivered a speech today at the opening of the 9th edition of the IIICF. The event is taking as its theme “Fostering New Drivers of Development to Boost Infrastructure Construction and Connectivity”.
By giving full play to its platform role and its advantages, Macao would be able to gain new experience and technological know-how and enhance its competitiveness, and eventually contribute to collaboration on infrastructure with countries and places covered by the “Belt and Road” initiative.
In his opening remarks, Mr Chui said the past seven editions of the IIICF held in Macao had not only led to it growing into an authoritative and influential branded event in the sector, but also had offered synergies in terms of Macao’s role as a commercial and trade cooperationservice platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Mr Chui said the two-day IIICF attached importance to boosting innovation in provision of infrastructure facilities; social capital investment in infrastructure; and enhancement of Macao’s unique function in terms of advancing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Prior to this morning’s opening ceremony, Mr Chui held a meeting with about 50 officials from the mainland and overseas who are in Macao attending the IIICF.
During the meeting, the Chief Executive said the Macao SAR Government hoped the IIICF would serve as a link point for Macao and for countries worldwide, so as to boost the city’s contribution to the “Belt and Road” initiative and to explore further development opportunities.
“Unimpeded trade”, “financial integration” and “people-to-people exchanges” were the three main cooperation goals regarding Macao’s participation in the “Belt and Road” initiative, he added.
Vice Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, Ms Gao Yan, said in the meeting that the IIICF had been playing a crucial role in fostering the “Belt and Road” initiative and facilitating cooperation on infrastructure internationally.
She added the Ministry of Commerce planned to establish a comprehensive mechanism to promote further connectivity and cohesion in planning and policymaking, with countries and places taking part in the “Belt and Road” initiative.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Mr Francisco Pascual Obama Asue, spoke highly of the functions of the IIICF, adding he looked forward to its growing success and widening scope in future editions.
Other attendees at today’s meeting included: the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Zheng Xiaosong; the President of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR, Mr Ho Iat Seng; and the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office of the Macao SAR, Ms O Lam.
The 9th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum is being held from today until Friday (8 June) inclusive, with a number of discussions, exhibitions and activities to exchange strategic thinking and insights between the participants, and to explore opportunities and seek cooperation among them.
The IIICF’s advisors are the Ministry of Commerce; the Macao SAR Government, and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR.
The Forum was founded in 2010 and was initially held in Beijing and has been held in Macao since 2012.
