Joint Chinese Mainland–Macao Business Delegation Deepened Infrastructure and Industrial Co-operation in Portugal and Spain

MACAU, November 9 - The “Delegation of Mainland and Macao Enterprises for Going Global”, jointly organised by the China International Contractors Association and the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (“IPIM”) of Macao, brought nearly 50 enterprises from Chinese Mainland and Macao to Lisbon, Portugal and Madrid, Spain from 24 October to 1 November. The delegation aimed to further leverage Macao’s role as a platform, to deepen economic and trade co-operation with Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries, and support these enterprises in expanding into overseas markets. The delegation members included representatives from government agencies, central and state-owned enterprises, the financial and construction industries, and professional business associations.

Exploring New Avenues of Co-operation to Support Central and State-Owned Enterprises in Going Global

At the investment promotion seminar in Portugal, Yan Zhigang, a Level II Bureau Rank Official (Deputy-Bureau-Director level) of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce, stated in his speech that taking advantage of the highly complementary economic and trade strengths between China and Portugal, the visit was intended to enhance the mutual understanding between business communities in the two countries, thereby laying a solid foundation for deeper China-Portugal economic and trade exchanges and co-operation. He hoped that enterprises from both countries would actively expand co-operation in emerging fields such as green and low-carbon development, digital economy, new energy, advanced manufacturing, modern agriculture, and infrastructure. He added that the China-Portuguese economic and trade co-operation can be advanced through the collaboration mechanism of the Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries and strengthened communication and co-ordination on investment policies and rules.

At two promotion seminars held in Portugal and Spain, IPIM Director Leong Wa Fong highlighted Macao has always been playing the role as an important gateway for the Chinese mainland’s external co-operation. He noted that Macao proactively supports central and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), as well as leading mainland companies, in expanding overseas through Macao. The “Summit on Chinese Central SOEs Supporting Macao as Co-operation Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” has been held twice. Currently, Central state-owned enterprises have played a pivotal role in Macao’s economic development and have successfully expanded their businesses into the EU and Portuguese-speaking countries through the Macao platform. Macao maintains close economic and trade co-operation with Portugal and Spain, actively supporting Chinese-Portuguese enterprises and Chinese-Spanish enterprises in exploring business opportunities. Leveraging its strengths in the service and trade sectors, Macao provides solid support for enterprises seeking to establish precise connections with the industrial and supply chains in the EU and Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries.

At the event, Leong Wa Fong emphasised three edges of Macao’s professional services. In the MICE sector, Macao has received many international accolades, including the “Best Convention City in Asia” for several years in a roll. It also has 13 internationally recognised branded exhibitions certified by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), such as the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF). In science and technology sector, Macao has four State Key Laboratories that form a core part of its research capabilities. Through the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Science and Technology Exchange and Co-operation Centre (CSTCP), Macao actively promotes the industrialisation and commercialisation of scientific and technological innovation outcomes, helps “bringing in” scientific and technological innovation projects, and assists national high-tech enterprises in “going global”. In terms of air logistics, the Macau International Airport has received the “Best Airport in Asia” award for cargo logistics and supply chain management on multiple occasions. With the ongoing expansion of the airport and the establishment of the Pre-clearance Cargo Terminal in Hengqin, Macao will support the development of an international air transport hub (port) on the west bank of the Pearl River.

Chow Shing Yun, Vice President of the Macau Association of Banks; Leong Chin Kio, Head of Policy Co-ordination and Research at the Financial Development Department of the Monetary Authority of Macao; and Tang Hoi Man, Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Service Centre for Economy and Trade between China and Portuguese/Spanish-speaking Countries, introduced Macao’s financial strengths from the perspectives of banking practice, financial regulatory research, and economic and trade services. Apart from presenting Macao’s functions interns of facilitating corporates’ cross-border financing and international business development through the city’s financial services, they also outlined practical and feasible implementation paths for Chinese and Portuguese enterprises to leverage Macao’s platform advantages in pursuing bilateral and third-market co-operation.

Gaining Insights into Industry Trends and Deepening International Infrastructure Co-operation    

The delegation comprised nearly 50 representatives from enterprises and institutions in Chinese mainland and Macao, spanning diverse industries including financial services, construction, engineering and commerce. The Macao delegation included members from the Monetary Authority of Macao, the Macau Association of Banks, the Macao Lawyers Association, the Macau Construction Association, the Macau Construction Machinery Engineering Association, the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Macao, the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau, and the Service Centre for Economy and Trade between China and Portuguese/Spanish-speaking Countries. During the visit, the delegation had in-depth discussions on infrastructure co-operation needs, and the latest infrastructure vision and plans between China and Portugal, as well as China and Spain. The delegation also had site visits to large-scale engineering projects, innovation centres and industrial parks, gaining deeper insight into the latest infrastructure plans, collaborative projects and related supporting policies in these two countries.

Representatives from Macao’s engineering enterprises and financial sector participating in the delegation stated that through the investment promotion seminars—combined with the collaboration cases and experience-sharing of local business representatives—they gained a more comprehensive and thorough understanding of the investment environment and development prospects in Portugal and Spain, as well as relevant arrangements such as financial services and foreign exchange settlement. At the same time, the event allowed them to understand the latest industrial development trends and business opportunities in Portugal and Spain, which helps connect local business resources, expand international communication networks, broaden professional horizons and connections across various fields, and fosters expectations to jointly explore co-operation opportunities in infrastructure, construction, electronic information, renewable energy, and other fields in the future. In addition, certain state-owned enterprises expressed optimism about Macao's unique function as a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as its business environment advantages. They look forward to leveraging Macao's platform to expand their international business footprint, enhance resource allocation efficiency, lower comprehensive operating costs, and simultaneously strengthen risk management and control.

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