A High-Level Seminar on Tourism and MICE between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was held on November 13 at MGM Macau’s hotel.

The Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), also known as Forum Macao, organised the event, with the support of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Macau Government Tourist Office.

Several guests took part in the Seminar’s opening ceremony, including: the Macao SAR Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Yao Jian; the Deputy Coordinator of the Policy Research Office of the Office of the Commissioner of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao SAR, Mr Li Yang; the Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr Chang Hexi; the Minister of Tourism and Arts and Crafts of Guinea-Bissau, Mr Malam Jaura; the Secretary of State of Public Administration of Cape Verde, Mr Romeu Fonseca Modesto; the Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of Mozambique, Ms Ana Comoane; the Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office, Ms Maria Helena Senna Fernandes; IPIM’s Executive Director Ms Irene Va Kuan Lau; Trade Advisor to the Consulate-General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong, Ms Maria João Bonifácio; and Administrator of the Dili Convention Centre in East Timor, Mr Mario Chang.

The Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr Chang Hexi, delivered an opening speech during the event.

The High-Level Seminar on Tourism and MICE between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was held on the sidelines of the Macau International Travel (Industry) Expo.

Other guests at the Seminar included high-level officials from several Portuguese-speaking Countries in the fields of tourism and conventions. Representatives from the business sector and members of several associations from Mainland China and Macao also attended the event.

The Seminar aimed to promote new areas for regional economic co-operation between Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries under the “One Platform, Three Centres” principle. The Seminar also allowed for closer exchanges between the partners in the field of tourism.

The tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) sectors can play a significant role in promoting economic diversification both in Macao and in Portuguese-speaking Countries. These sectors also contribute to the strengthening of Macao’s role as a services platform, and help to develop the Macao-based Convention and Exhibition Centre – one of the “Three Centres” for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries under the “One Platform, Three Centres” strategy.