[2021/06/16] 2021 Mainland-Macao Business Associations Joint Conference Facilitates New Development of Industrial and Business Sectors of Both Regions

The 2021 Mainland-Macao Business Associations Joint Conference was held today (16 June) under the theme “New Phase, New Context, New Development”. Around 40 representatives of trade promotion organisations and chambers of commerce from both regions joined the event, and exchanged ideas on topics including how Macao can participate in and contribute to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s development with its own advantages, and how to help the industrial and business sectors of Mainland China and Macao to enter a new phase of development.

In his speech, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government Lei Wai Nong expressed his gratitude to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and its affiliates for their continued support for Macao, as well as their significant effort put into boosting the economic collaboration between Macao and Mainland China by exerting the mechanism of the Joint Conference. It was hoped that all participants would have in-depth discussions on a number of topics such as the stimulation of the 14th Five-Year Plan to Macao’s economy, how to enhance the construction of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Co-operation Zone. Discussion was also made on coming up innovative ways of collaboration in supporting the growth of Macao’ key industries such as big health with traditional Chinese medicine, modern finance, technological innovation, commerce with convention and exhibition. Secretary Lei also hoped that CCPIT would continue supporting the collaboration between the commercial sectors of both regions, enabling Macao to play its role as the meeting point of the international and domestic economic cycle of the country, to integrate the city into the country’s new development framework and foster the moderate diversification of Macao’s economic development.

President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Gao Yan mentioned in her speech that China has made strategic achievement in epidemic prevention and control, as well as economic and social development, which turned China into the only major economy that reached positive economic growth last year. She also said that an information sharing mechanism had established through the Mainland-Macao Business Associations Joint Conference, which provides effective and timely information to enterprises in both regions. With concerted efforts of both regions, the mechanism has been perfecting itself and its efficacy has been getting more apparent. Not only does the mechanism facilitate the business matching among trade promotion entities, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and different commercial associations as well as the in-depth participation in various exhibitions and trade events in Macao, but also integrates the competitive edges and resources of both places. President Gao also put forward four suggestions about enhancing the implementation of the 14th Five-year Plan. Firstly, jointly constructing the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Co-operation Zone, crafting the new highlight of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Area’s development. Secondly, intensifying the development of the China-Portuguese-speaking countries platform, improving qualitative growth of the “Belt and Road”. Thirdly, accelerating the transformation and upgrading of the convention and exhibition industry, fostering the moderate diversification of economic development. Fourthly, uniting patriots who love the country and Macao to advocate the implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” in Macao.

President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) Lau Wai Meng noted in his speech that one of the key tasks of IPIM is to promote economic and trade exchange between Mainland China and Macao by serving as their intermediary and link. In the future, IPIM will continue helping Macao enterprises expand their market by grasping the opportunities offered by Guangdong-Macao co-operation in constructing Hengqin. His suggestions included stepping up efforts to promote Macao’s strengths in “tourism + MICE”; enhancing Macao as a MICE platform to further the business and trade co-operation between enterprises from Mainland China and Macao; encouraging and helping competitive Mainland enterprises to establish headquarters and branches in Macao based on the city’s industry development; and extending the functions of Macao as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to further discover the potential in their trade relations.

During the conference, leaders and representatives from trade promotion organisations and chambers of commerce from Mainland China and Macao actively shared their insights and gave advices on promoting co-operation between the two regions. Vice President of Directors Board of the Macao Chamber of Commerce Vong Kok Seng acknowledged the SAR Government’s support given to Macao’s industries including the convention and exhibition industry, traditional Chinese medicine sector and the technological innovation industry. He suggested intensifying the economic exchange between Macao’s commercial sector and their counterparts in Portuguese-speaking countries, expanding the market between Portuguese-speaking countries, Macao and Mainland China, enhancing the opening-up the Greater Bay Area and the development of the “Belt and Road”. Vice President of Board of Directors of the Industrial Association of Macau Lei Si Tai pointed out the strategic position of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the country’s development framework. In his opinion, mutual complementary co-operation and synergistic development have great potential since the land and waters of Zhuhai and Macao are connected. Since both regions had a good economic recovery after the epidemic, he hoped that these regions could contribute more to the country’s development plan.

The participating representatives also included Deputy Director of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Zhu Hong, Deputy Director of the Economic Affairs Department and Head of the Commercial Office of the Liaison Office Li Huaying, Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government Ku Mei Leng, IPIM’s Executive Directors Sam Lei, Vong Vai Lon and Vincent U, Vice-President of Directors Board of the Macao Chamber of Commerce Mok Chi Wai, President of Board of Directors of the Industrial Association of Macau Fong Son Kin, Vice Presidents of the Board of Directors of the Macau Importers & Exporters Association, Wong I Mun and Leong Kam Hong, President of the Board of Directors of the Macao Textile Merchants Association Wong Sai Man, President of the Board of Supervisors Pang Chong Leong, President of the Board of Directors of the Macau Shipper’s Association Liu Iuk Lun and Managing Director Cheang Weng San.