In order to strengthen economic and trade co-operation between Macao and Mainland China, and encourage Macao enterprises to seize development opportunities, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) joined hands with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Hebei Province and Hebei Provincial Department of Commerce to hold the “China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone Key Industries Investment Promotion Session” online on 24 June, which attracted over 20 representatives from the political and business circles of the two regions to engage in in-depth discussion.

Deputy Director of Hebei Provincial Department of Commerce Chen Yanbao remarked that Macao is an important investment and trade partner of Hebei Province, and the two regions have enjoyed close business ties and frequent cultural exchanges throughout the years. The event aims to give chambers of commerce, associations and entrepreneurs in Macao a comprehensive picture of the industrial development and business environment of the China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and promote the co-operation and exchange between Macao and the Pilot Trade Zone through key co-operation projects. He expressed his hope that the event will pave way to the establishment of a platform between the two regions that can strengthen mutual communication, business matching and in-depth co-operation, and eventually facilitate a number of preliminary co-operation agreements, to jointly establish innovative systems and further explore co-operation opportunities.

IPIM President Lau Wai Meng noted that Hebei Province has played an important role in promoting the Coordinated Development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region as the province features the highest economic aggregate and the largest land area within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hubei economic circle, whereas Macao, as one of the four core cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, enjoys the privileged location at the junction of both domestic and international economic circulation. The SAR Government has been putting in efforts to promote the moderate economic diversification of Macao in a bid to provide a more favourable business environment for investors in the city. Moreover, IPIM has set up a representative office in Shenyang whose service area covers Hebei Province, providing on-site support services for business contacts between Macao and Hebei enterprises. He believes that the two regions will enjoy very promising co-operation prospects under the new pattern of national development.

During the event, representatives from Hebei Provincial Department of Commerce introduced the planning and development of the China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone, including how the four areas (Xiongan area, Zhengding area, Caofeidian area and Daxing International Airport area) can focus on the development of key industries based on their own functional position and industrial edges. Detailed introduction to supporting policies for relevant industries was also given to increase the participating Macao entrepreneurs’ overall understanding of the China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Guests attending the meeting reported that the meeting is meaningful and that they look forward to exploring further business opportunities with the China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone that is operated under open and innovative regimes.

“China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone Key Industries Investment Promotion Session” is held on 24 June

IPIM President Lau Wai Meng delivering a speech