The delegation led by Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, visits the headquarters of the State Government of Rio de Janeiro, and is received by Vice Governor Mr Francisco Dornelles； the Secretary for Economic Development and Chief of Staff Mr Sérgio Pimentel； and representatives from economic and tourism departments of the State Government.
On the morning of 26 June the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, met with Vice Governor of Rio de Janeiro, Mr Francisco Dornelles. It was one of the final stops on Mr Leong’s combined trip to Portugal and Brazil. Later in the morning of June 26, Mr Leong and a Macao delegation toured the operations centre of the Municipal Government of Rio de Janeiro to gain a better understanding of its work.
The first stop that day of the delegation led by Mr Leong was the headquarters of the State Government of Rio de Janeiro. The group was greeted by Vice Governor Mr Dornelles; by the Secretary for Economic Development and Chief of Staff, Mr Sérgio Pimentel; and by representatives from economic and tourism departments of the State Government.
Mr Leong briefed the delegation’s State Government hosts on Macao’s participation in China's master development plan, including: the realisation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area project; the “Belt and Road” initiative; advancement of the “Centre and Platform” policies as part of Macao’s development; and the evolution of Macao as a renminbi currency-clearance centre for Portuguese-speaking countries.
Mr Leong said Brazilian enterprises should seize an unique opportunity to enter – through what he termed a ‘soft landing’ – the Chinese market using Macao as a platform. As the mainland China economy was rapidly evolving and growing, those who kept abreast of updated market information could more easily seize available opportunities. Macao would make use of its functions as a platform in order to provide governmental departments in Brazil and Brazilian enterprises with the latest information about the mainland China market. This would enable Brazilian entities to enter the Chinese market.
Secretary Leong further noted that the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund had established its headquarters in Macao. In future, this fund would promote investments between China, Brazil and Macao. To this end, the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance; the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; and the Supporting Office to the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation Between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, would jointly work with the Secretariat for Economic Development of the Rio de Janeiro Government in order to implement the related work.
Mr Leong mentioned that the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government was actively promoting Macao’s adequate economic diversification and fostering nascent industries. These included specialised financial services, and the convention and exhibition industry, with a particular focus on conventions. He invited the State Government of Rio de Janeiro to organise delegations of government departments and industries to visit Macao, and participate in three major convention and exhibition events held in the city: the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF); the Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum (MIECF); and the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF).
Vice Governor Mr Dornelles said that the State Government of Rio de Janeiro had always highly valued Macao’s role as an economic and trade services cooperation platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. He also recognised that Macao had an important function in promoting economic and trade development between Brazil and China. Looking forward, both sides would enhance cooperation in trade and commerce, tourism, culture and education. He believed that a closer mutual relationship would be established and achieve fruitful results.
Mr Dornelles also agreed that direct contacts between his colleague Mr Pimentel and the relevant departments of the Macao SAR Government could help promote bilateral cooperation.
During the visit to the operations centre of the Municipal Government of Rio de Janeiro, the Macao delegation was received by the Municipal Secretary of Finance of Rio de Janeiro, Mr César Augusto Barbiero. The visitors were briefed by an officer of the municipal government operations centre, about its work, including the use of advanced operational practices.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Fábrica de Startups, a local centre supporting young entrepreneurs. The delegation members exchanged views with the leaders of four entrepreneurship projects.
In the evening, the delegation attended a dinner that took as its theme economic and trade cooperation and exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
The delegation led by Mr Leong concluded its combined tour to Portugal and Brazil on 28 June, and left that day for Macao.
