A Successful Entrepreneurs Meeting for Commercial and Economic Co-operation between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries - 2005 held in Luanda, Angola last month.

The Entrepreneurs Meeting for Commercial and Economic Co-operation between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries - 2005 (Angola), was held in Luanda International Fair Centre, in Angola, from 28^th to 30^th of last month. His Excellency Prime Minister of Angola, Mr. Fernando da Piedade Dias "Nando" was the chief guest at the opening ceremony on the morning of the 28^th.

His Excellency the Prime Minister of Angola said during his opening speech that his government had made a major effort to develop the macro-economic stability and reconstruct the country focusing on the urgent necessity to establish and strengthen the public and private partnership and incentives for business co-operation in order to bring about the speedy rehabilitation of Angola´s economy and to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade - CCPIT, the Permanent Secretariat for the Economic and Commercial Co-operation Forum between China and the Portuguese Speaking Countries, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Exportations Promotion Agency of Brazil (APEX), Promotion of Investment Agency of Cape Verde (CI), Department of Private Investment Promotion of Guinea-Bissau (DPIP), Institute for Exportation Promotion of Mozambique (IPEX) and ICEP Portugal organised delegations or designated representative to participate in the said Meeting which totalled more than 550 participants.

Among the participants, the CCPIT delegation headed by Mr. Dr. Dong Songgen, the Secretary-General of CCPIT composed of 39 Chinese Enterprises, while IPIM´s delegation headed by the President, Mr. Lee Peng Hong consisted of 32 business representatives. The Permanent Secretariat for the Economic and Commercial Co-operation Forum between China and the Portuguese Speaking Countries had four representatives at the event, including Mr. Wang Cheng An, Deputy Secretary-General.

The Meeting provided an opportunity to increase mutual understanding and business exchanges between the representatives from different Portuguese Speaking Countries, China and Macao. The first and second working days were for Angolan academics and technical specialists to explain the ways to provide business co-operation in Angola, the presentation of Portuguese Speaking Countries trade and investment promotion institutions, the Social Situation of the said Countries, as well as China´s presentation on "The Economic Development of China the co-operation perspectives between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries Macao´s role as a platform" by Mr. Yang Pingan, the Deputy Secretary-General of CCPIT, Ms. Rita Santos, Co-ordinator of the Permanent Secretariat for the Economic and Commercial Co-operation Forum between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries and Ms Echo Chan, Executive Director of IPIM, which all received a great deal of feedback from the participants, who all showed great interest in exploring new markets.

Regarding the Business Matching session, it had provided the perfect opportunity for participants to meet each other. Before the closing ceremony a business co-operation agreement signing ceremony was held and three co-operation agreements signed: a co-operation protocol between the International Chamber of Commerce of Portuguese Speaking Markets and CCIA, a statement of intent between the Fábrica de Produtos Farmacéuticos Hansgrand Lda. de Macao, Mr. Francisco Viana ( "CosmoNet - Comunidade Global de Negócios" ) and a purchase and sales agreement between "Wenzhou Deqing Import & Export Co. Ltd." da China e a "Dilangue Comércio & Indústria".

The Meeting resulted in a majority of the entrepreneurs expressing positive opinions and allowing for a better understanding of the investment environments of the other countries participating. This should permit them to penetrate the new, dynamic markets of Portuguese speaking countries.

On this business trip a meeting was arranged between the participants of the Trade Promotion Organisations/Associations during the said Entrepreneurs Meeting, with the objective of following up what the "Co-operation Protocol between the Investment and Commerce Organisations and the Chambers of Commerce" had accomplished since the signing of the Commercial and Economic Co-operation Forum, held in Macao SAR in October 2003. Discussions were had on the future guidelines and activities obtained by past experiences. Apart from the success of the meeting all participants and representatives contributed positive and constructive opinions on the plans for future activities.

During this trip, the Chinese and Macao business delegation took the opportunity to visit the P.R.C Embassy in Angola where the Ambassador Zhang Beisan held a banquet in honour of his guests.. Besides this His Excellency the Prime Minister of Angola, His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, His Excellency the Minister of Fisheries and other high-ranking officials granted interviews to the delegation and also had made brief presentations on the activities in their portfolios. During the meeting, the delegation also had the opportunity to meet and have constructive exchanges with the Cape Verde business delegation, which contributed to the strengthening of the mutual understanding between the enterprises of both sides.