Mainland China imported 531.2 tonnes of food products from Portuguese-speaking countries worth 13.06 million yuan (US$1.95 million) through Gongbei Port in the first seven months of this year. Macao Daily News reported the products were mostly wines, chocolates and starch products from Portugal and Brazil.

The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) last week hosted a seminar and field trip to review inspection, quarantine and customs procedures for food imports to the mainland.

IPIM says ­about 60 businesspeople took part in the field trip to the Hengqin New Area, a special economic zone in Zhuhai, and the Nansha New Area, a special economic zone in Guangzhou. IPIM says it is working with officials in the mainland to simplify customs procedures for exporters.