The Business Meeting between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, which ended on Monday in Guinea-Bissau, resulted in the signing of 11 co-operation protocols between government entities, enterprises and associations, newspaper Jornal Tribuna de Macau reported on Wednesday.

According to the media outlet, approximately 280 entrepreneurs took part in the event held in the Guinean capital, Bissau.

China’s Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau, Huang Wa, said – as quoted by the newspaper – the business meeting was successful, but he warned “it is not easy to turn protocols into ongoing projects”. He added: “[People] need to be united and determined to overcome difficulties.”

Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Presidency, Baciro Dja, was quoted saying the Guinean Government perceived the meeting “as an encouragement and proof that Guinea-Bissau is not alone in [facing] the challenges related to development”.

The 11th Business Meeting between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries had gathered representatives from Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mainland China and Macau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor. The next meeting will be next year in Cape Verde, according to the newspaper.