From July 23 to 25, led by Secretary-General Ji Xianzheng, the delegation of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) visited Angola for the Entrepreneurs Meeting for Commercial and Economic Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries – Luanda – 2024 and hosted the Reception of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao. During the visit, the Secretary-General met with Zhang Bin, Ambassador of China to Angola, and Rui Miguêns de Oliveira, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Angola.

On July 23, the Reception of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao was held in Luanda. Ji Xianzheng, Secretary-General of Forum Macao, delivered a welcoming speech. On behalf of the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Angola, Augusta Frederico Fortes, Secretary of State for Commerce and Services of Angola, made remarks, followed by Zhang Bin, Ambassador of China to Angola. The representative in charge of the China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund (CPDFund) made a thematic presentation. This event was participated in by around 160 people, including the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Angola, leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Angola, the Ministry of Energy and Water of Angola, and the Ministry of Public Works, Urban Planning and Housing of Angola, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Angola, representatives from Angolan enterprises, special economic zones, business associations and media, representatives from Chinese enterprises and institutions in Angola, representatives from the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the enterprise delegation from Macao.

On July 25, organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), IPIM, and the Angolan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIA), the Entrepreneurs Meeting for Commercial and Economic Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries – Luanda – 2024 had its grand opening. It was attended by more than 300 participants, including Augusta Frederico Fortes, Secretary of State for Commerce and Services of the Ministry of the Industry and Commerce of Angola; Vicente Francisco Soares, President of the CCIA; Zhang Bin, Ambassador of China to Angola; Zhang Shaogang, Vice Chairman of the CCPIT; and representatives from enterprises in mainland China, Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs) and Macao. A cooperation agreement signing ceremony and a promotion session for investment opportunities were held during the Enterprises Meeting.

Secretary-General Ji Xianzheng said in his opening speech that amid the constantly changing international situations since the inception of Forum Macao 21 years ago, the 10 participating countries have always been committed to cooperation and mutual benefits and have stayed true to Forum Macao’s founding aspiration for joint development. The wide support and participation of the business sector of the participating countries in Forum Macao’s work have fundamentally helped the organization to realise achievements and are important for it to foster economic and trade development. Looking forward, the Permenant Secretariat of Forum Macao will upload the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits and work with all parties to put into practice the Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation of the 6th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao, therefore promoting win-win cooperation and joint development among enterprises from China and PSCs.

In the meeting with Rui Miguêns de Oliveira, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Angola, Ji Xianzheng highlighted the Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation of the 6th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao and the results China has achieved. Ji noted that the Permanent Secretariat would continue to work on trade and investment, infrastructure, SME cooperation, education and human resources, and the construction of the Macao platform. The Permanent Secretariat is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with the relevant Angolan authorities so that all parties can move forward with the consensus reached at the 6th Ministerial Conference and facilitate China and Angola to have exchanges and cooperate under the framework of Forum Macao for more results.

Minister Rui Miguêns de Oliveira acclaimed the achievements gained at the 6th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao and indicated that Angola would participate in Forum Macao’s work as usual in a proactive manner. He stated that by incorporating Angola’s national development plan, the country will analyze the key areas and the action plan stipulated in the Strategic Plan of the 6th Ministerial Conference, and cooperate with China regarding trade and investment, agriculture, fishery and SMEs. He welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in Angola.

Danilo Henriques and Casimiro de Jesus Pinto, Deputy Secretaries-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao; Li Xiaohui, Coordinator of the Executive Office; Abdú Jaquité, Coordinator of the Liaison Office and Representative of Guinea-Bissau; Agostinho dos Santos, Representative of Angola; Nuno Furtado, Representative of Cabo Verde; Cristina Mangue Abeso, Representative of Equatorial Guinea; Francisca Reino, Representative of Mozambique; Márcia Guerreiro, Representative of Portugal; Pedro Jorge de Abreu e Carvalho, Representative of São Tomé and Príncipe and António Ramos da Silva, Representative of Timor-Leste took part in the event as members of the Permanent Secretariat’s delegation.