Representatives of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), also known as Forum Macao, on December 10, 2015, attended a presentation about the Co-operation and Development Fund between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Ms Jin Guangze, Director General of the Fund’s managing company, joined the event, together with other Fund representatives. She delivered a presentation on the Fund’s main work so far.

The meeting also allowed participants to exchange views on how to take advantage of Forum Macao, and Macao as a whole, in their roles as a platform to promote: multilateral co-operation; enhanced exchanges; economic and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries; and mutual private investment between those communities.

During the session, the Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr Chang Hexi, welcomed the Fund’s delegation. He then delivered a brief presentation on the work done by Forum Macao over the past year.

Mr Chang said the Permanent Secretariat has been committed to promoting exchanges and co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in economic matters, trade and other fields. He added the body has been striving to promote the Co-operation and Development Fund between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries through events in Mainland China, Macao and in Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The Secretary-General of Forum Macao also said Portuguese-speaking Countries are paying close attention to the work of the Fund. He added that representatives from those countries have expressed views on the need to accelerate approvals relating to projects supported by the Fund, and to enhance communication with Fund representatives.

Mr Chang invited the Fund to take part in the next “Meeting of Business People for Economic and Trade Co-operation Between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, to be held in April 2016, in Guinea-Bissau. He said that would further help promote the Fund.

Delegates of the Portuguese-speaking Countries at the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao attending the December 10 meeting also presented suggestions on how to address questions regarding accessing support from the Co-operation and Development Fund between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Ms Jin thanked the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao for its support in promoting the Fund. She provided details on the Fund’s latest activities, its execution rate on projects, its investment guidelines and support work.

Ms Jin expressed her support to Forum Macao as a multilateral co-operation mechanism, and highlighted Macao’s advantages as a co-operation platform. She said companies from China and Portuguese-speaking Countries could be encouraged to promote investment and co-operation – contributing to mutual economic and social development – via support from the Co-operation and Development Fund between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Other participants in the meeting included: the Deputy Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr Vicente de Jesus Manuel; the Coordinator of the Support Office to the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ms Cristina Morais; the Coordinator of the Executive Office of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ms Zhang Jie; the Coordinator of the Liaison Office of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao and Representative of Cape Verde at the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr Mário Vicente; and the Representatives of Portuguese-speaking Countries at the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao.