During the 8th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum that took place in Macao, the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) organised a networking reception on May 31, at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel.

The reception was coordinated by the Secretariat for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), and had the support from the Monetary Authority of Macao and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. The Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR, Mr Leong Vai Tac, and the Secretary-General of Forum Macao, Ms Xu Yingzhen, respectively delivered speeches during the reception. The event was attended by more than 200 guests from Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries, including government officials and representatives from large-scale companies in the infrastructure and financial sectors.

Secretary Leong said that the Macao SAR strove to fulfil its role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, with the aim of strengthening the connection and communication between different parties, and functioning as a “bridge” for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Following a plaque-unveiling ceremony that signalled the inauguration of the headquarters of the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund in Macao, Mr Leong said he expected the commercial and financial sectors of Macao to enhance their support for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, as well as to participate in the construction of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative.

The networking reception aimed at fully utilising the advantages of Macao as a platform for officials, entrepreneurs and representatives from governmental departments, financial institutions and different sectors of society from Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries to communicate and exchange opinions. The objective was to foster friendship and mutual understanding between all the parties, which would be beneficial for the promotion and strengthening of exchanges and cooperation in several areas between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.