On April 18, the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) participated in a meeting between representatives from Hunan and high-profile trade-sector representatives from Macao, as part of the 2019 Hunan-Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Investment and Trade Conference.

Prior to the event, the Secretary-General of Forum Macao, Ms Xu Yingzhen, met with the Vice Governor of Hunan Province, Mr He Baoxiang. They exchanged views on how to: boost cooperation between provinces and municipalities; encourage companies to take advantage of Macao’s role as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and of Forum Macao as a multilateral mechanism; and tap into the markets of the Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The Investment and Trade Conference is organised by the Government of Hunan and takes place from April 15 to 19. It features a series of activities in Hong Kong, Macao and Shenzhen. The Macao segment has included the meeting with high-profile representatives from the Macao trade sector.

Vice Governor Mr He stressed in his speech at the meeting that, given the economic and cultural ties between Hunan and Macao, both sides shared a solid foundation for future cooperation, and that such links had great prospects. Hunan should widen its cooperation and exchange channels with Portuguese-speaking Countries through Macao, and all involved should join the effort to promote the “Belt and Road” initiative. This would open a new era for cooperation between Hunan, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries, said Mr He.

Secretary-General Ms Xu said in her speech that the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao maintained close cooperation with authorities in Hunan Province. In April 2017 the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation, looking to promote Forum Macao as a multilateral mechanism and a cooperation platform. A number of exchange and cooperation activities had been carried out, covering areas such as economic matters, culture and education. Within the strategic framework of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Permanent Secretariat would continue to support mainland Chinese provinces and municipalities, including Hunan, in promoting trade cooperation and investment in Portuguese-speaking Countries , Ms Xu said. Such effort would be on the basis of using Macao as a platform.

Representatives from Macao’s trade and industrial sectors, including people from the tourism, finance and architecture businesses, attended the meeting. Those taking part discussed how to promote cooperation between Hunan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.