The seminar for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, which is hosted by the China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Co-operation and Development Fund and the China-Africa Business Council, with support of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, was held at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex (“the China-PSCs Complex”) in Macao on September 20.

 Mr. Paulo Jorge do Espírito Santo, Deputy Secretary-General of Forum Macao, remarked in his speech that as one of the cooperative initiatives announced by China at the third ministerial conference of Forum Macao, the China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund has invested in a total of eight projects since its establishment, with contributions and commitments of approximately 400 million USD, which have driven Chinese investments in Portuguese-speaking countries exceeding 5 billion USD, covering projects in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, and Macao across various sectors such as infrastructure, new energy, agriculture, and finance. The Fund has played a significant role in guiding and supporting Chinese enterprises investing in Portuguese-speaking countries. It is hoped that this seminar will facilitate more collaboration opportunities and business prospects for all parties involved and promote more willing enterprises of the participating countries at the Forum to accelerate economic and trade projects with the support of the Fund, so as to continuously enhance the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Guinea-Bissau’s representative, Mr. Abdú Jaquité, and Cabo Verde’s representative, Mr. Nuno Miguel Melo Furtado, introduced the business environment and investment opportunities in their countries. A representative from the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) presented the benefits of Macao’s role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, as well as the IPIM’s corporate services. A number of companies from mainland China and Macao shared their experiences of conducting business in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Approximately 40 participants attended the seminar, including members of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, the China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund, member enterprises of the China-Africa Business Council, representatives from Macao enterprises, and representatives from the IPIM. Participating guests shared their experiences and exchanged insights on the advantages of Macao’s role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, enterprises’ business related to Portuguese-speaking countries, and the investment environment and opportunities in these countries.