The Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), Ms Xu Yingzhen, led a Forum Macao delegation to join a meeting between representatives from the Guangdong Provincial People’s Assembly, the Macao SAR Legislative Assembly and local assemblies from Portuguese-speaking Countries. The event was held in Guangdong Province.

The Forum Macao delegation’s visit to Guangdong Province took place between December 6 and 8. The visit was aimed at: promoting co-operation between provinces and municipalities as envisioned in the Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (2017-2019); supporting the deepening of co-operation between Macao and Guangdong; nurturing closer economic and trade ties between Guangdong Province and Portuguese-speaking Countries – through the Macao Platform – in order further to enhance regional co-operation between Mainland China and Portuguese-speaking Countries; and promoting Forum Macao’s activities.

During the first two days of the trip, the Forum Macao delegation toured several places and companies in Hengqin Island, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, including, among others: the Hengqin Free Trade Zone; Guangzhou Lifeng Culture Technology Company, Ltd.; Hytera Communications Corporation Ltd.; and the Qianhai Free Trade Zone. These visits contributed to improving knowledge of the delegation members on the operations and strategic positioning of the free trade zones in Guangdong Province. Representatives of Portuguese-speaking Countries that are members of Forum Macao also delivered presentations on the business environment of their respective nations.

During the morning of December 8, the Forum Macao delegation members participated in a meeting between representatives from the Guangdong Provincial People’s Assembly, the Macao SAR Legislative Assembly and local assemblies from Portuguese-speaking Countries, which took place in Guangzhou. The Chairman of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Assembly, Mr Huang Longyun, and the President of the Macao SAR Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng, each delivered a speech during the event. The Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, was also in attendance.

Forum Macao’s Secretary-General Ms Xu made a presentation at the event about Forum Macao, the economic and trade relations between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and the Macao Platform. Other speakers included Brazil’s Consul-General in Guangzhou, Mr José Vicente da Silva Lessa, the President of Mozambique’s Maputo Provincial Assembly, Mr João Matola, and the President of Portugal’s Municipal Assembly of the Oporto City Council, Mr Miguel Pereira Leite.

During an economic and trade promotion session – held in the afternoon of December 8 – Representatives of Portuguese-speaking Countries that are members of Forum Macao delivered presentations on the business environment of their respective nations. A business matching session between Representatives of Portuguese-speaking Countries and Guangdong companies interested in investing in those countries was also held. Participating companies came from several sectors including: infrastructure, construction, extraction of minerals and metals, heavy machinery, motor vehicles, international trade, wholesale, energy, environment protection, biotechnology, services for conventions and exhibitions, translation services and law offices.

The visit and exchanges allowed the strengthening of contacts between the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao and: the Guangdong Provincial People’s Assembly; public bodies in Guangdong Province; local assemblies from Portuguese-speaking Countries; and companies from Mainland China. They also contributed to enhancing the knowledge of Guangdong’s companies regarding: the business and investment environment of Portuguese-speaking Countries; the work of Forum Macao; and the role of Macao as a platform. The visit additionally paved way for future co-operation opportunities between provinces and municipalities respectively from Mainland China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.