The Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), also known as Forum Macao, held gatherings on March 16 with, respectively, representatives of the Central Government in the Macao SAR and with members of the local media.

Both meetings were attended by the Secretary-General of Forum Macao, Ms Xu Yingzhen. Deputy Secretary-General, Mr Ding Tian, and Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Echo Chan, were also present at the meetings.

Secretary-General Xu thanked those attending the gatherings for the support of that sector in covering the work done by the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao. Ms Xu also noted in comments to both meetings that this year marked the 15th anniversary of the establishment of Forum Macao. She said the Permanent Secretariat would organise several activities related to that celebration, under the guidance of national development strategies, namely the “Belt and Road” initiative.

Over the past 15 years, Forum Macao had achieved remarkable results and had encouraged various interested parties jointly to devise a development plan for the future, bringing benefits to the business sector and society, and deepening cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Ms Xu stated that intergovernmental cooperation had been strengthened over the years, with rapid growth in trade and investment. Such ties had become increasingly pragmatic and the areas of cooperation more comprehensive, she noted. Additionally, Forum Macao had become more effective in its role, contributing further to the development of Macao as a Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

On March 21, the “Seminar on the 15th Anniversary of the Establishment of Forum Macao and the Development of the Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” will take place in Macao. Several business leaders and government officials are expected to attend the Seminar, which will review the work done by Forum Macao over the years, and offer an opportunity to discuss the body’s future development.

Ms Xu said additionally that Forum Macao would continue to promote cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, by following the principle of “uniting efforts towards cooperation, jointly building the Platform, sharing the benefits of development”; and by adhering to the new “Strategic Action Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation”; by deepening Macao’s role as a cooperation platform; and by promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

In the future, the Permanent Secretariat would focus its efforts on providing support to the Macao SAR Government in building Macao as a Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, with the aim of obtaining fresh attention and support from the media.