A delegation from the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) visited Fujian Province from May 16 to 18 to take part in the “Dynamic Macao Week” activities in Fuzhou Prefecture. The programme included setting up a “Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Pavilion”, visits to local companies and other economic and trade promotion activities.

The visit aimed to: support the SAR Government’s efforts in promoting Macao; deepen economic and trade cooperation and exchanges between Fujian, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries; boost awareness of Forum Macao’s work; and promote the respective business and investment environments of the Portuguese-speaking Countries.

During the trip to Fuzhou, the Permanent Secretariat delegation promoted the social, economic and investment environments of each of the eight Portuguese-speaking Countries, namely Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Principe, and Timor-Leste. It set up a Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Pavilion at the Fuzhou Strait International Conference and Exhibition Center, featuring product displays, photographs, descriptive texts and videos. One of the goals of the pavilion was to promote the work of Forum Macao and Macao’s role as a service platform.

Each Portuguese-speaking Country offers unique and distinctive products, and opportunities for cooperation. These are attractive factors for firms and people in Mainland China.

During its stay in Fuzhou, the Permanent Secretariat delegation joined the Opening Ceremony of the Dynamic Macao Week in Fuzhou, and the Opening Ceremony of the Presentation Session on Products and Trade Opportunities from Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The Permanent Secretariat delegation toured the facilities of Fuzhou Hong Dong Fisheries Co., Ltd, where Forum Macao representatives of Portuguese-speaking Countries outlined their respective countries’ fishery resources, and discussed with company executives the feasibility of fishery-related projects in Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The Permanent Secretariat delegation also joined a trade meeting between representatives from Fujian, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries, organised by the Fujian Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Officials’ Training Center. During the meeting, the Forum Macao delegation members held exchanges on trade with more than 20 governmental and other representatives from Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao used the activities in Fujian to promote the investment and business environments – and related policies – of Portuguese-speaking Countries, while promoting the work of Forum Macao and Macao’s role as a cooperation platform. By making the most of Macao as a Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, interested parties can deepen economic and trade exchanges between Fujian Province, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and promote business cooperation.

The Forum Macao delegation included: Deputy Secretaries-General Mr Rodrigo Brum and Ms Gloria Batalha Ng; Coordinator of the Liaison Office and Representative of Timor-Leste, Mr Danilo Henriques; the Representative of Angola, Mr Belarmino Barbosa; the Representative of Cape Verde, Mr Nuno Furtado; the Representative of Guinea-Bissau, Mr Malam Becker Camará; the Representative of Mozambique, Ms Francisca Reino; the Representative of São Tomé and Príncipe, Mr Gualter Cruz; and Advisor of the Executive Office, Mr Niu Huifeng.