Strengthening cooperation and boosting Macau's economic development were the main themes of the meeting that the Chief Executive held on Monday in Beijing with the Vice-Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen.

A press release from the Government Information Bureau mentions that in the meeting with Vice Minister of Commerce, Ho Iat Seng expressed thanks to the Ministry for its long-term interest in, and support of, the economic development of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), and the enhancement of Macau people's livelihoods. In particular, the Ministry had helped in recent years to ensure a stable supply of daily goods to Macau, from the mainland.

The convention and exhibition sector was a pillar of Macau’s appropriate economic diversification, and Macau was stepping up effort to resume such business at the post-pandemic period. The International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum and the Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macau) had become signature Macau events, respectively attracting participants from places as far away as South America, and from Portuguese-speaking countries. The Government was pressing ahead with organisational effort regarding the next editions of the events, and was hoping to draw on the Ministry’s expertise for further guidance.

Regarding development of the Guangdong-Macau Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, the Chief Executive said that, with the strong support of the Central Government, a number of important policies had been introduced to foster the development of the Cooperation Zone. Macau enterprises would be able to take advantage of those policies, to use the Cooperation Zone as a new space for development. He additionally said Macau’s traditional Chinese medicine industry had achieved a solid foundation, and the MSAR Government would work further to inject vitality into the industry to build it as a signature economic activity for Macau.

Speaking in the meeting, Vice Minister Wang said he attended the meeting in representation of the Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, and stressed the Ministry of Commerce had paid close attention to the development of Macau. Macau had seen a gradual recovery in its economy and had a stable and harmonious society. These were indispensable to the leadership role of the Chief Executive in terms of him uniting the local community.

Ho Iat Seng’s visit to the Ministry would further bolster the two sides’ close ties. The Ministry would give its full support to assisting Macau in strengthening development of its convention and exhibition sector; and the city’s work at attracting investment to the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.