Macao Business Delegation Visits Portugal

The "Guangdong, Macao and Portugal Economic Co-operation Forum 2004", held its first meeting in Lisbon from 14 th to 20 th October. As the meeting was jointly organised by the Government of Macao and Guangdong Province, IPIM arranged for a business delegation to make the trip to Portugal. Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary of Economy and Finance talked about Macao’s economic development and business environment. Around 22 enterprises from Macao, representing different Business Associations participated in the Forum and more than two dozen Guangdong investors had the opportunity to exchange points of views and contacts with Portuguese entrepreneurs.

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IPIM ASSIST THE Macao Young EnterprENEURS Association Business Delegation Visit to Portugal and Spain

The Macao Trade and Investment Promoting Institute (IPIM), gave full assist to the Macao Young Enterpreneurs Association, to organize a business delegation visit to Portugal and Spain on 23 to 30 of October.
This visit was also assisted by ICEP-Portugal, and also by the Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong-Trade Commission. Being co-organized by the Embassy of PRC in Portugal, the Embassy of Portugal in Beijing, by the Consulate General of Portugal in Macao, by the Economic and Trade Delegation of Macao-China in Portugal, by the Luso-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, by the Association of Traders and Industrial’s Luso-Chinese (Portugal), by the Portugal Business Association (AEP), by the Portuguese Industrial Association (AIP), by the Young Enterprises Association, Portugal (ANJE), by the Young Agriculture Association, Portugal (AJAP), by the Madrid, Spain Chamber of Commerce. The delegation, visited and signed cooperation protocol with some of the above organizations.
Some members of the Macao Young Enterprises Association Business Delegation were from the Chinese Young Entrepreneur’s Association, Jiangxi Committee of Chinese Political Consultative Conference, Liaoning Panjin Bureau of Foreign Trade & Economic Cooperation and Youth Entrepreneur Association, Jilin City, Jilin Province.
The delegation consisted of 40 delegates, and the main purpose of these visits was to make them known to the above-mentioned organizations for future cooperation’s.
Pret-a-Porter Paris 3 rd to 6 th September 2004
Pret-a-Porter Paris Fair was held from 3 rd to 6 th September 2004 at the Paris Expo located at Porte de Versailles, Paris, France. There were over 1,200 local and international exhibitors, from countries such as Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Netherlands, the P. R. of China, the Philippines, South Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the U.S.A. and 43 000 visitors from 100 different countries.
IPIM attended the Pret-a-Porter Paris Fair with eight companies from Macao. The area of the booths, which were located in the World Pavilion of section of the Fair, was 90 square metres.

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FORUM FOR ECONOMIC AND TRADE COOPERATION BETWEEN CHINA AND PORTUGUESE-SPEAKING COUNTRIES (MACAO)

Vice minister of Commerce, An Min and ministerial-level officials from seven Portuguese-speaking countries，together with nearly 1000 distinguished guests witnessed the opening of the first Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), held on Oct 11. Vice Minister An Min delivered his speech after the Chief Executive, Edmund Ho announced the opening of the Forum. The other ministerial-level officials who spoke at the ceremony were the Minister of Commerce of Angola, Victorino Domingos Hossi, Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce of Brazil, Luiz Fernando Furlan, Minister of Economy, Growth and Competitiveness of Cape Verde, Avelino Bonifácio Fernandes Lopes, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International cooperation and Communities of Guina-Bissau, João José Silva Monteiro, Miniter of Industry and Commerce of Mozambique, Carlos Alberto Sampaio Morgado, Minister Assistant to the Prime Minister, José Luís Arnaut and the Vice-Minister of Development and Environment of East Timor, Abel da Costa Freitas Ximenes.
After the opening ceremony was the Debate on economic cooperation held at the Macao Tower 3/F, chaired by Chen Jian, Assistant Minister of Commerce. During the debate, Ministerial officials and representatives of international organisations discussed around three themes: "Promoting cooperation in human resources and natural resources between governments", "Cooperation in technical cooperation" and "Studying the feasibility of signing agreement in investment protection". Mr. An min concluded the discussion.
In the afternoon at 3 o' clock, "Business Matching Session" commenced and the Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Gao Yan, deputy director of the Department of Foreign Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, Wu Xilin, President of our Institute, Lee Peng Hong, delivered their respective opening speeches.
An agreement on cooperation between trade promotions organizations and chambers of commerce were signed. For the two-day event, organisers collected 250 investment and trade projects and 70 per cent of them carried out arranged matching during the two-day session. Besides, there were also 300 other projects without prior registration being discussed. There were three co-operation intent statements signed. There were over 440 entrepreneurs participated in the business matching (representing 260 different companies), plus about 500 other participants. Besides, there also arranged five Portuguese speaking country briefing sessions, attracting 430 participants in all.
In the evening of Oct 12, Vice-premier Ms. Wu Yi this evening delivered her speech entitled "Promoting New Cooperation, Composing New Chapters" at the banquet hosted by the Ministry of Commerce. Chief Executive, Edmund Ho, Ministerial officials of Portuguese speaking countries, including VIPs from Macao, some 800 guests were invited to the banquet held at the Macao Tower.
On Oct 13, during the debate in Trade and Investment, the Assistant Minister of Commerce, Chen Jian gave his speech entitled "Strengthening Cooperation in Trade and Investment, Promoting Common Development" reaffirming Macao's role of platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr. Lee Peng Hong also gave his speech. Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam in his closing speech for the debate said that the forum is a good foundation for future cooperation between participating countries.
On the ministerial meeting held afterwards, An Min and ministers of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Portugal signed the "Economic And Trade Cooperation Action Plan" at the ministerial meeting held this morning. The Action Plan established the mode of cooperation between the participating countries in the future, covering areas such as inter-governmental cooperation, investment and enterprises cooperation, trades, agriculture and fishing, construction and infrastructure, natural resources and human resources.
They agreed to set up a permanent secretarial office in Macao for the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries and decided to hold the next round of ministerial meeting in Macao in 2006, to assess the effectiveness of economic and enterprise co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.
At the closing ceremony, Vice-Minister of Commerce, An Min delivered a speech, saying that Macao had showed significant irreplaceable importance in the economic and trading cooperation between China and the Portuguese-Speaking countries. The ministers and representatives from the participating Portuguese-Speaking countries also addressed at the closing ceremony and attended the press conference afterwards.

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OVERVIEW OF PORTUGUESE SPEAKING COUNTRIES-GRASPING THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY“FORUM FOR ECONOMIC AND TRADE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN CHINA AND PORTUGUESE SPEAKING COUNTRIES(MACAO)”

The first " Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries (Macao)", hosted by the Central Government of PRC, will be co-ordinated by the Macao SAR Government and will take place in Macao from Oct 12 to 14. Official and entrepreneur delegations from China and seven Portuguese speaking countries, including Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor will be organised to participate in this great event. It is the first time that such a high-level and large scaled international convention held in Macao, signifying the beginning of a new period for Macao acting as an economic and trade co-operation platform between China and Portuguese speaking countries.
As one of the key components of the Forum, a Business Matching Session will be organised by China Ministry of Commerce; China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). It will be held from 14:30 to 18:30 from October 12 to 13 on the 2nd floor of Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. Trade opportunities in China and Portuguese speaking countries, investment/capital/technology co-operation opportunities especially in the area of agriculture, infrastructure, tourism and service trade will be introduced and discussed during the meeting. Apart from free business matching and meeting arrangement service, there will be also country briefing sessions, exhibition areas and information desks, to promote the economic development and investment environment of different countries and obtain information about investment projects, related administrative procedures and incentive policies.
The following is an overview of the participating Portuguese speaking countries. It is hoped that local enterprises can grasp the new opportunities brought about by the Forum and the subsequent increasing economic and trade exchange and co-operation between Mainland China and Portuguese Speaking Countries to explore new space for development.
Angola has great potential to develop agriculture, currently the main exports are agricultural goods including coffee, sugar canes, cotton, peanuts, hemps. Angola is rich in petroleum and natural resources. It is the 4th biggest diamond production country. Plentiful in hydroelectric power, Angola has also great forest coverage, famed to produce ebony, African white sandalwood and purple sandalwood. Among African countries, Angola has very suitable conditions to develop its economy. Besides, as the signing party of Lome Convention ( now replaced by the Cotonou Agreement), it can be the excellent entreport to African, Caribean and Pacific countries. Its major exports are crude oil, roughly accounting for 90% of the total exports and diamonds; major imports household commodities, machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts and food.
Brazil is by far the largest and most populous country in South America, possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors. It has rich natural resources, with coffee, sugar cane and orange's production ranked no. one in the world (85% share of world orange juice market). Soybean and corn's production as well as iron ore also rank among the highest in the world. Brazil's main import goods are machinery and equipment, chemical products, oil, medicines, autos and auto parts and it has a large capacity for imported goods. Its main export goods are transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, food, paper, paper pulps and autos.
In terms of regional market, Brazil is one of the key members of Mercosur-South America Common Market. Therefore through Brazil, it is possible to open other members' market, like Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Brazil adopts a highly liberalized regime for foreign capital, with very few limitations to foreign investment. Besides, Brazil has a very prosperous tourism industry, being one of the top ten countries with highest tourist income.
Cape Verde is a group of islands in North Atlantic Ocean, poor in mineral mines or forest, rich in tourist resources. It needs to import foodstuff, industrial/capital products, transport equipment and fuels. Its major exports are salts, shoes, garments, fish and shrimps, hide.
East Timor is the youngest Portuguese speaking country. Located in the easternmost of Lesser Sundas Islands in South-east Asia, it borders with Indonesia. In the past, East Timor's industrial development was focused on agricultural products such as coffee, coconuts, cinnamon, areca nuts, paddy and other crops as well as small scaled craft industries such as wood handicrafts and woven cloth. It is rich in gold, petroleum, manganese, marble, natural gas reserves. Sandal wood can be found in plentiful quantity in its forest.
Guinea-Bissau is located in western Africa. Natural resources include fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, unexploited deposits of petroleum. It depends mainly on farming and fishing. Its industry are mainly agricultural product processing. Major exports: cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber and imports are foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products.
Mozambique is rich in natural resources, like coal, titanium, natural gas, copper, graphite. It is abundant in fishes, producing large quantities of pawns and clams. Mozambique is now carrying forward economic liberalization, opening greatly for foreign trade and investment. Its major exports are aquatic products, cashews, cotton; major imports machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs. Hong Kong is one of the key trade partners of Mozambique and cheap household commodities are the main exports of China to Mozambique.
Portugal is a member of the European Union and European Monetary Union. Despite the fact that Portugal has a rather weak industry base and relatively low agricultural production, by being a part of EU and having a rather stable economy, it has a great potential for transit trade. Also since the operational costs in Portugal are lower than other EU countries, it can be a good choice to invest directly in order to penetrate the EU market.
Currently although, China's exports to Portugal are mainly household commodities; products of higher added value like electrical appliances, PCs, telecommunication equipment, ships also have great potential market. On the other hand, Portugal's exports to China are mainly industrial products, plus copper, wine and olive oils. In addition, although Portugal's overall technology standard is not so high, it certainly has competitive edge over others in terms of glass, ceramics, pulp products, and mould, brewing techniques.
Macao should capitalize on its unique advantages like history and cultural links, the same language and similarity in legal systems to discover new areas of co-operation with these countries. It can liaise with enterprises on Mainland China to explore their markets. On one hand, basis on its industrial structure, Macao should set up certain links in the production chain of some new products. On the other hand, Macao should strengthen its function as a service platform for economic and trade co-operation.
Macao's traditional manufacturing industries (garment and textiles) is under re-structuring and moving northwards gradually. Its industry sector, therefore, needs diversification. It is possible to look for new growth points by taking into consideration of these Portuguese speaking countries, comparative advantages. Angola, Brazil and East Timor have timber resources, producing several kinds of sandalwood; Portugal has mould techniques of international high standard; Angola is the fourth largest diamond production country. Macao can import the relevant raw materials or techniques to manufacture furniture, diamond jewelry and moulds, in co-operation with enterprises in Pearl River Delta, using local designs or international famous designs, to nurture this kind of low pollution and high value added industries, providing them with marketing, packaging, accounting and other services.
In addition, Macao can provide platform services for the co-operation between Mainland China and Portuguese speaking countries. In terms of trading services, according to their respective demands and comparative advantages, Macao can develop transit trading services, insurance and fund raising services. For instance, certain Portuguese speaking countries can supply China with agricultural, livestock, and fishing products as well as raw materials like timber, beans, paper pulp, edible oils, herbals for Chinese medicines. In return, China can produce competitive daily commodities, fulfilling the needs of many Portuguese speaking countries. Also, Macao can provide training for these countries, like tourist operator training for Angola and Cape Verde. Other intermediary services for SMEs like information exchange, translation, legal and auditing services can also be considered.
For enquiry on the Business Matching Session of the Forum, please browse the web site http://www.ipim.gov.mo/english/relation/index.htm, or contact tel: 87989246 e-mail: gcheong@ipim.gov.mo for details.
This article was prepared by IPIM’s Research and Information Division.

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VISIT TO ANGOLA AND MOZAMBIQUE

Organised by IPIM, a Macao delegation visited Angola and Mozambique from August 25 to September 5.
During their visit, the delegation met with trade and tourism government officials and representatives from the private sector and exchanged opinions with them. They also attended the opening ceremony of FACIM, held in Maputo of Mozambique.
IPIM set up a booth in FACIM to promote Macao's business and investment environment as well as the two important economic and trade activities in October -" Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries (Macao)" and the "8th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair".

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Exclusive Interview with the Assistant Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Chen Jiang

The first Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) is a ministerial-level event, scheduled for October 2003, that is organised by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and co-organised by the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. The purpose of the Forum is to strengthen economic and trade relations between Macao, Mainland China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. It will cement Macao's role as a platform connecting China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, giving full play to Macao's experience as a meeting place of eastern and western cultures and its Portuguese background. Assistant Commerce Minister Chen Jian elaborates on the Forum's significance and its impact on Macao in an interview with Macao Image.

M.I.: What is the biggest significance of holding the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao)? What do you expect from the event?

Mr. Chen: Portuguese-speaking countries have between them a population of more than 200 million, rich natural resources and great development potential. These countries have always been important co-operation partners of China, the largest developing country in the world. There are indeed huge prospects for co-operation between the two sides. The Macao Special Administrative Region of China has historically been very close to those Portuguese-speaking countries, so it indeed has a role to play as a bridge connecting the Mainland with those countries.

We initiated the first Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, which will be held in the Macao Special Administrative Region this year, to make full use of Macao's role as a bridge and platform for the Mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries and to strengthen China's economic and trade links with those countries. We hope and we believe the Forum will be a great success.

M.I.: What kind of Forum is it? What will be on the agenda and who will be represented at the event? How are the preparations going?

Mr. Chen: The Forum is a non-political event, organised by the Central Government, about international economic and trade co-operation, with economic co-operation and development as its central themes. Its purpose is to strengthen China's economic and trade links with the Portuguese-speaking countries, giving full play to the role of Macao as a platform connecting China and those countries and to achieve development for China, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Its members are ministerial-level officials in charge of foreign trade and economic co-operation from China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Related international organisations, chambers of commerce and business associations will also be represented at the Forum. The Forum will also include events such as ministerial meetings, an economic co-operation seminar, a trade and investment seminar, and business matching session between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Delegates can meet to talk about different ways of economic co-operation and identify the future direction of economic co-operation through the adoption of a framework document on economic and trade co-operation.

Portuguese-speaking countries have responded positively to the event and given their support to its preparations. Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique and Portugal have all confirmed that they will send ministerial-level delegations to the Forum. Preparations are proceeding smoothly and according to schedule.

M.I.: What will the Forum bring to Macao?

Mr. Chen: I hope the success of the Forum will enable people to learn more about Macao and to come to do business, to invest or to use Macao as a launching pad for their efforts to open up new markets.

As a follow-up action of the Forum, we plan to continue our consultations with Portuguese-speaking countries on the organisation of different kinds of economic and trade activities. Such activities can be held on the Mainland, in Macao or in some of the Portuguese-speaking countries. We hope that Macao can make full use of its advantages and fulfill its role as underlined by Chief Executive Edmund Ho Wah in his 2003 policy address, so as to promote Macao's economic development.

M.I.: What makes Macao a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries? What else does Macao need to do to strengthen its role as a platform for the Portuguese-speaking countries?

Mr. Chen: Historically Macao has extensive and close linguistic, cultural and people-to-people links with Portuguese-speaking countries.

Macao's strength as a bridge for economic and trade co-operation between the Mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries lies in the following factors: Macao's legal and administrative framework, which is similar to that on the European Continent, helps the Mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries understand each other better. Chinese and Portuguese are both official languages in Macao. There are Portuguese newspapers, magazines, radio and TV programmes, as well as Portuguese education and courses. Thanks to the close linguistic and cultural links, a large number of local Macao people have migrated to Brazil and Mozambique, which gives them knowledge of the cultures and customs there. Businesspeople in Macao have good knowledge of the market conditions and culture of the Mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Professionals in the fields of legal services, accounting, business, marketing and business consultancy make Macao well equipped to participate in international co-operation and to promote economic and trade links between Mainland China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

We are very happy to see the increasingly closer links between the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Mainland since its handover. The Macao Special Administrative Region Government has taken a string of measures to improve the local business environment, including the promulgation of better investment policies, gaming concessions, and urban development. We hope the Macao SAR will use this Forum as a good opportunity to strengthen its role as a platform promoting common development of Mainland China, Macao and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

M.I.: What is your impression of Macao?

Mr. Chen: We held the second meeting of the Forum's Organising Committee in Macao at the end of July. During our stay in Macao, we saw for ourselves that Macao is doing extremely well since its handover under the leadership of the Special Administrative Region Government headed by Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah. Macao has maintained social stability and sustained economic growth. Its external economic and trade links have been on the rise. Its people live a happy life. We are fully confident that under the stewardship of the Special Administrative Region Government and through the joint efforts of the Macao people, the Macao SAR will surely give full play to its unique strengths and welcome a brighter future.

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Mainland and Macao Have Shown 䥲reat Vision?to Hold Forum, says Portugal's Consul-General in Macao, Mr. Pedro Moitinho de Almeida

Macao Image exclusive interview with Portugal's consul-general in Macao, Mr. Pedro Moitinho de Almeida, about the first Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

M.I: What are your expectations about the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macao in October 2003, considering that the event is the first of its kind?

M.A: This initiative by the People's Government of China has as its objective to take advantage of the huge potential that the historical, cultural and linguistic capital of Macao has in the knowledge and special relationship with the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Portugal is Macao's Number-One Foreign Investor

M.I: How do you see the future of Portuguese investment in, and trade with Macao, considering that Portuguese companies are particularly strong in Macao's banking sector and the areas of telecommunications, aviation and utilities, as well as certain manufacturing areas, such as biomedical products?

M.A: Well, according to the latest statistics available, Portugal in 2001 was the second external investor in Macao, right after Hong Kong. The figures are, per se, not very big but in comparison with others we are, as I said, in second position, which is a very good indication. Macao is, of course, a very small market, so the figures are low, but with this idea of expansion and the idea of creating a big Pearl River Delta region, and the strengthening of ties with the new [Pearl River Delta] bridge, we think that there are huge possibilities in the future for continuing growth of Portuguese commerce and investment in Macao.

M.I: Actually, what you said means that Portugal is Macao's number-one foreign investor in Macao?

M.A: Exactly, Portugal is the number-one foreign investor in Macao. Anyhow, Macao is not only trying to have better relations and serve as a platform between China and the Lusophone [Portuguese-speaking] countries, but Macao is also doing other things to increase its potential in the region in which it is included. All those things together will create the conditions for not only a brighter future for Macao and its people but also for its external trade, and Portugal as Macao's number-one foreign investor is well placed to continue to have this relevant role in Macao's external trade relations.

M.I: While Portuguese investments in Macao remain relatively strong, merchandise trade between the two sides continues to be relatively weak. What could be done to improve the situation?

Portuguese Exports to Macao are Once Again on the Rise

M.A: Well, also in the area of trade the fact that Macao by itself is a limited market, of course, does not allow trade figures to be huge. We must point out that after a small decrease in trade between Macao and Portugal [following the 1999 handover], things are now picking up, and we are now already back to the figures before the handover. We think this is a very good sign, and we see this, for instance, very much in the wine exports and other foodstuff. Things are very much on the rise, and we see that the people of Macao are not only going back to their old habits but they are also creating new habits of drinking Portuguese wine, eating Portuguese food. There has also been an increase in tourists visiting Macao and the development of the tourism industry. Knowing what is going to happen with the creation of all the new casinos, and the expectations about individual travelers from the Mainland, we think that the conditions have been created for an even bigger expansion of the exports of these traditional goods from Portugal.

We are not just happy with what has been exported [from Portugal to Macao], we would like to have other products that have the right quality to be exported to Macao. We think the Forum will also be a good opportunity for Portuguese companies to convey that message and try to find mainly local partners for that increase in the level of commerce. We have an ICEP Delegation in Macao [ICEP functions as Portugal's trade commission overseas], and in our view they are doing a good job to promote Portuguese products and Portuguese companies, such as through trade shows, wine tastings, and the participation in the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) and other fairs, such as in the area of building construction. We think that the Forum will increase the potential for commerce between the two sides to increase.

M.I: What do you think about Macao's desired role as a business-service platform for trade and investment-related ties between the whole of China and the Portuguese speaking world?

China's Decision to Hold the Forum in Macao is a ery Good Initiative?

M.A: Well, I think the convening of the Forum by China, with the organisation by Macao, is a very good initiative, and in my view it? the right road for Macao. This shows great vision by the people who decided it in Beijing and Macao, about what Macao can do to be useful to the whole of China. For all the reasons, Macao has special relationships with all the Portuguese-speaking countries, not only in linguistic and cultural terms but also historically. I think it's absolutely certain to say that there are nationals of the eight Portuguese-speaking countries living in Macao. For instance, we can see the participation at the Lusophone Festival in Macao every June not only of Macao's Portuguese-speaking communities but also by the local Chinese community.

The Forum is, as I said, a very good idea, particularly at this juncture, with the building of the bridge between Hong Kong and Zhuhai and Macau, the Pearl River Delta will be a huge market. All this will be to the great advantage to Macao and the rest of China to increase their relations with the 220 million Portuguese-speaking people who are potential buyers and consumers of Chinese products. But it will also be a very good opportunity for the Portuguese-speaking countries to penetrate the huge Chinese market. The new external trade law that Macao is adopting is also an incentive to increase the relationship between the eight Portuguese-speaking countries and China. The Forum will give a chance even to the tiny Portuguese-speaking countries to be present, such as Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau. Brazil, of course, has already important and strategic ties with China, and Portugal has also a historical presence in China.

Portugal has a very good knowledge of markets and local conditions in the African Portuguese-speaking countries. Joint ventures could be created between Chinese, Portuguese, Angolan, Mozambican, Cape Verdean or other companies, and the Forum will be a good opportunity to do that.

Iunderstand that East Timor will send a very big delegation. There is big potential for co-operation between Macao and East Timor. A Macao tourism delegation went recently to East Timor to explore possibilities of co-operation. Macao's power supply company, CEM, has a management service contract with East Timor's electricity company. Especially in the area of training of East Timorese there is big potential for Macao. Even in its geographical position, Macao has good conditions to help East Timor. [Mr. Moitinho de Almeida was Portugal's representative in East Timor before he took up his current position as Portuguese consul-general in Macao].

M.I: What do you think would be the best investment and trade opportunities for Macao companies in Portugal as a gateway to Europe?

Macao Investors are ery Welcome?in Portugal

M.A: There is one big investor from Macao in Portugal, Dr. Stanley Ho, and he is also successful with his investments. I think he could be an example for other investors. He has invested in tourism, construction, shipping, and as far as I understand he is happy with his investments in Portugal. And we are happy with his commitment to Portugal and his continued interest in investing there. This is a good example that shows that it is possible for other Macao investors to go to Portugal. We think that the Forum could be the right moment for an exchange of views by Portuguese entrepreneurs and politicians to make sure that more companies and businessmen from Macao could invest in Portugal. They are very welcome!

As I said before, the Portuguese Consulate-General in Macao has been trying to help the local authorities to make sure that the Forum will be a success. We think the Forum is important for Macao, for China and for the Portuguese-speaking countries. We hope that the Forum will be the beginning of a series, and we very much hope that the Forum will be a success.

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FOCUS ON THE FORUM: The Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Macao) will create new business opportunities

With the deepening of China's economic reforms, increased participation in global economic co-operation has become the direction of China's future economic development. On the other hand, the Portuguese-speaking countries, spread over four continents, with an overall consumer market of 220 million people and advantageous geographical locations in their respective areas and rich in natural resourses, have great potential to co-operate with China, based on their respective comparative advantages. In view of Macao's long-standing economic, tourism and cultural links with Portuguese-speaking countries and its sound legal framework, its dynamic trade and economy and its advantages as a free port and a separate Customs zone with low operational costs, the Central Government supports Macao's efforts to develop itself into a platform for economic and cultural co-operation between the Mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Therefore, the first Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao)? which has been initiated and that will be hosted by the Central Government of the People's Republic of China, will be co-ordinated by the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. The Forum will take place in Macao on Oct 12-14.

At the first press conference for the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), which was held in Beijing on September 3, 2003, Assistant Minister of Commerce of P.R.C., Mr. Chen Jian, said, ?The Portuguese-speaking countries have responded positively to the Forum, and they support our preparatory work. Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor will send ministerial officials to attend the Forum.?

Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region's Governmnet also pointed out that Macao had maintained long-standing economic, trade, tourism and cultural links with Portuguese-speaking countries and that the choice of Macao as the Forum's venue bore testimony to its role as a platform for economic and trade co-operation between Mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Since Macao was chosen as the Forum's venue, the Macao SAR Government has actively co-operated with the Preparatory Committee in making preparations. Various government departments have also been involved in the preparations by participating in the work of the Forum's Preparatory Office.

When addressing the press conference, the ambassadors of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique and Portugal accreditated in China pledged their support and co-operation. They also said that they believed the Forum would help strengthen economic and trade links and co-operation between the Portuguese-speaking countries and China.

The first Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries (Macao) will be comprised of two seminars. The first seminar, conomic Co-operation and Development? which is scheduled to be held on Sunday morning, October 12, will be attended by government delegations and representatives of international organisations. The seminar will focus on a debate on economic co-operation and development. The second seminar will comprise a debate on 孏rade and Investment.?It is scheduled to be held on Monday morning, October 13. All delegates are welcome to attend the seminar. Its topic will focus on trade, making full use of complementary advantages and promoting trade growth, and investment,improving the investment environment and facilitating two-way investment.

As one of the components of the Forum, a two-day Business Matching Session will be organised by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). The session will be held between 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm on 12-13 October on the 2nd floor of Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. Trade opportunities in China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and investment/capital/technology co-operation opportunities will be introduced and discussed during the sessions. Co-operative projects will involve areas such as tourism, infrastructure, trade, financing, and the processing industry. Apart from free business matching and appointment arrangement services, there will also be country briefing sessions and exhibition areas and information desks to promote the economic development and investment environment of different countries and to supply information on investment projects, bureaucratic procedures and incentive policies. An conomic and Trade Opportunities (China - Portuguese-speaking countries)?business matching database will also be set up to enlarge the scope for further co-operation.

For details please browse the web site:
http://www.ipim.gov.mo/english/relation/index.htm

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EAST TIMOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT SEMINAR

The East Timor delegation headed by Mr. Jose Ramos-Horta, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nelson Santos, Co-ordination Officer of Bilateral Political Affairs, and Ms Leonor Mota, Adviser of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, came to Macao on June 20 on a five-day visit. The East Timor Trade and Investment Seminar was therefore co-organised by the delegation and our Institute in Macao Business Support Centre on June 20. Mr. Lee Peng Hong, our Institute's President, Mr. Lourenço Cheong and Mr. Eric Ho, Executive Directors, and representatives from different departments of IPIM were all present.

The seminar aimed to reinforce the information exchange, develop the economic and trade ties between Macao and East Timor. Mr. Horta introduced East Timor's political and economic situation and he exchanged information on many investment projects in the field of tourism, telecommunication and transportation with Macao representatives.

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Felipe Santos, president of the Macao Delegation of the Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, describes the Forum as a "very important event"

Macao has traditionally maintained close ties with the Portuguese-speaking world

The Portuguese-speaking world comprises some 220 million inhabitants in eight countries on four continents. These countries are still widely untapped markets that all have great potential for development. Macao has traditionally maintained close ties with Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries. Many civil servants and some businessmen in Macao are fluent in Portuguese.

The Portuguese-Chinese Chamber, which was established in Lisbon in the mid-1980s, is headed by Mr. Murteira Nabo, who chairs Portugal Telecom. Mr. Nabo is a former acting governor and under-secretary for economic affairs of pre-handover Macao. He is widely respected for his deep knowledge of China in particular and Asia in general. In June 2003, the Chamber comprised some 280 corporate members in Portugal and some 36 associate members in Macao.

Mr. Felipe Santos, who chairs the Delegation of the Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Macao, pointed out that the first Economic Forum between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macau in October 2003 is a "very important event" to promote economic and commercial ties between the two sides.

Mr. Santos, who has worked in Macau for two decades, is the Asia-Pacific Regional Director of Portugal Telecom Asia and Director of Strategy and Business Development of CTM. He is also a member of the Macau SAR Government's Economic Council and Science and Technology Council.

According to Mr. Santos, the Forum should include private business meetings involving four to five specific business sectors every three years, such as information technology and textiles. He underlined the fact that the Chinese-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce will promote the Forum in Portugal through its newsletter, Info China, as well as mailing campaigns and updated information on its website.

"We propose the creation of a Federation of Chambers of Commerce and similar associations of Portuguese-speaking Countries in China," Mr. Santos said, adding the Forum should also assist the public and private sectors in establishing co-operative ties, such as by arranging working meetings between private businessmen from the Portuguese-speaking countries and Chinese officials.

Mr. Santos stressed the Forum could also help setting up a professional information system on business market conditions and certain business sectors' strategies in China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Mr Felipe Santos proposes creation of a special fund to promote investments among Forum's members

"We also recommend the creation of an investment fund," Mr Santos said on behalf of the Chinese-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, stressing the fund would be earmarked to "support our poorest members from Africa and East Timor, in order to promote their trade relations."

Mr. Santos also proposed the establishment of business-oriented organisations in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangdong to help countries from the Portuguese-speaking markets find business partners and trade and investment opportunities in China. "The organisations could lobby for Portuguese-speaking companies in China and prepare market and feasibility studies, as well as arrange financing projects," Mr. Santos said, adding that the establishment of an adequate legal infrastructure was also an important factor in the promotion of economic and commercial relations between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

According to Mr. Santos, the Forum should also assist in the preparation of "strategic business alliances" between Chinese and Portuguese-speaking companies. He said the Forum's first meeting should focus on certain business sectors, such as telecommunications, information technology, energy, forestry products, environmental engineering, and foodstuffs.

" We should concentrate first on just a few provinces and cities in China, such as Guangdong, Beijing and Shanghai, because the whole of China is just too big for Portuguese companies," Mr. Santos said, stressing that the setting-up of working groups was vital to ensure the Forum's proper "follow-up" action.

Source: Macau Image Issue no.38, June 2003

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Important Economic Co-operation Forum between China and Portuguese-speaking World to be Held in Macao in October

The first Economic Co-operation Forum between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries is scheduled to take place in Macao in October 2003. The ministerial-level meeting, the first of its kind, will be organised by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government being the event co-ordinator. The forum's principal objective is to promote and strengthen trade and economic co-operation among Macao, mainland China and the Portuguese-speaking world.

The forum, which is planned to be held every three years, is an initiative of the Central Government in Beijing. The Macao Government has set up a special office to co-ordinate the organisation of the event. The office is headed by Rita Santos, an experienced civil servant of Macao's public administration. The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) will provide both the forum and its co-ordination office with financial and managerial support.

At the first meeting of the forum's organising committee , which was held in Beijing in March 2003, Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, headed Macao's delegation. The committee proposed that Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea-Bissau and the world's newest nation, East Timor, be invited to the event. Apart from government delegations, invitations will also be sent to international trade organisations, and multi-national companies, as well as national and bilateral chambers of commerce. Mr. Tam stressed the forum would not only promote economic and commercial ties between China and the Portuguese-speaking world but also raise Macau's status as an international business-support centre.

Observers expect the forum to produce concrete results in the area of trade, investment and other types of business and economic ties among the participating countries and their respective business communities. The forum will certainly also further enhance Macau's role as a business-service platform between China, namely the western part of Guangdong Province, and the Portuguese-speaking world.

Macao has traditionally maintained close ties with the Portuguese-speaking world
The Portuguese-speaking world comprises some 220 million inhabitants in eight countries on four continents. These countries are still widely untapped markets that all have great potential for development. Macao has traditionally maintained close ties with Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries. Many civil servants and some businessmen in Macao are fluent in Portuguese.

The Portuguese-Chinese Chamber, which was established in Lisbon in the mid-1980s, is headed by Mr. Murteira Nabo, who chairs Portugal Telecom. Mr. Nabo is a former acting governor and under-secretary for economic affairs of pre-handover Macao. He is widely respected for his deep knowledge of China in particular and Asia in general. In June 2003, the Chamber comprised some 280 corporate members in Portugal and some 36 associate members in Macao.

Felipe Santos, president of the Macao Delegation of the Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, describes the Forum as a "very important event"

Mr. Felipe Santos, who chairs the Delegation of the Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Macao, pointed out that the first Economic Forum between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macau in October 2003 is a "very important event" to promote economic and commercial ties between the two sides.

Mr. Santos, who has worked in Macau for two decades, is the Asia-Pacific Regional Director of Portugal Telecom Asia and Director of Strategy and Business Development of CTM. He is also a member of the Macau SAR Government's Economic Council and Science and Technology Council.

According to Mr. Santos, the Forum should include private business meetings involving four to five specific business sectors every three years, such as information technology and textiles. He underlined the fact that the Chinese-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce will promote the Forum in Portugal through its newsletter, Info China, as well as mailing campaigns and updated information on its website.

"We propose the creation of a Federation of Chambers of Commerce and similar associations of Portuguese-speaking Countries in China," Mr. Santos said, adding the Forum should also assist the public and private sectors in establishing co-operative ties, such as by arranging working meetings between private businessmen from the Portuguese-speaking countries and Chinese officials.

Mr. Santos stressed the Forum could also help setting up a professional information system on business market conditions and certain business sectors' strategies in China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Mr Felipe Santos proposes creation of a special fund to promote investments among Forum's members
" We also recommend the creation of an investment fund," Mr Santos said on behalf of the Chinese-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, stressing the fund would be earmarked to "support our poorest members from Africa and East Timor, in order to promote their trade relations."

Mr. Santos also proposed the establishment of business-oriented organisations in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangdong to help countries from the Portuguese-speaking markets find business partners and trade and investment opportunities in China. "The organisations could lobby for Portuguese-speaking companies in China and prepare market and feasibility studies, as well as arrange financing projects," Mr. Santos said, adding that the establishment of an adequate legal infrastructure was also an important factor in the promotion of economic and commercial relations between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

According to Mr. Santos, the Forum should also assist in the preparation of "strategic business alliances" between Chinese and Portuguese-speaking companies. He said the Forum's first meeting should focus on certain business sectors, such as telecommunications, information technology, energy, forestry products, environmental engineering, and foodstuffs.

" We should concentrate first on just a few provinces and cities in China, such as Guangdong, Beijing and Shanghai, because the whole of China is just too big for Portuguese companies," Mr. Santos said, stressing that the setting-up of working groups was vital to ensure the Forum's proper "follow-up" action.

Source: Macau Image Issue no.38, June 2003

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BUThe First Meeting of the Organising Committee for the " China- Portuguese Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Co-operation Forum (Macao)"

Led by Mr. Francis Tam, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, a Macao delegation went to Beijing from March 27 to 29 to participate the first meeting of the organising committee for the " China- Portuguese Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Co-operation Forum(Macao)" . The delegation was received by Mr. Lu Fuyuan, Minister of Commerce of China. The meeting was held by Mr. Chen Jian, Assistant to Minister of Commerce of China and Mr. Tam. The Forum will be held once in three years and the first will be held in Macao from September 4 to 6. Name list for all the organising committee members was passed during the meeting. Also, operating mechanism, proposed plans and preparation plans were discussed.
Members of the Macao delegation included Ms Lok Kit Sim, Chief of the Cabinet of Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr. Ng Pak Meng, Chief of Office of MSAR in Beijing, Mr. Lee Peng Hong, President of IPIM, Ms Rita Santos, Co-ordinator of the Forum's Preparatory Office, Ms Echo Chan,Senior Manager of Investor Service Department of IPIM and senior officials from other government bodies.

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The Inauguration Ceremony of the Co-ordinator of the Preparatory Office for “China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Co-operation Forum”

“ China- Portuguese Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Co-operation Forum” will be held in September in Macao. The co-ordinator of the Forum's preparatory office, Ms Rita Santos assumed office in her temporary office inside MBSC on April, 1 and the inauguration ceremony was officiated by Mr Francis Tam, the Secretary for Economy and Finance.

The Office is not only responsible for the preparation and organisation of the Forum, but also for the referral of enterprises which intend to develop business in Macao to IPIM. IPIM is responsible to provide technical, administrative and logistics assistance for the Office.

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THE PORTUGUESE CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (PCCCI) VISITED IPIM

Chairman of the PCCCI, Mr. Francisco Murteira Nabo, Vice-President, Mr. Ilidio Serodio and the Secretary General, Ms. Fernanda Ilheu, with other members of PCCCI visited IPIM on 31st October. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the relationship between Portugal and Macao, as well as to discuss how to adequately utilise Macao as a regional trade and economic co-operation platform between Portuguese Speaking Countries and Macao.
During the meeting, the delegates said that Portugal enterprises were very interested in investing in China, so they believed that by using Macao or the neighbouring areas as a steppping board, they would have better opportunities to invest in China. Moreover, President of IPIM, Mr. Lee Peng Hong, suggested that PCCCI could help to build up contacts so that Macao and China enterprises are able to invest in Portuguese speaking countries. After the meeting, the delegates visited Macau Business Service Centre (MBSC). Mr. Lee gave a briefing on the services provided by MBSC, Mr. Franciso Murteira Nabo said that PCCCI was very interested in setting up an office at MBSC.
Representatives from IPIM that welcomed the visitors included President, Mr. Lee Peng Hong, Executive Director, Mr. Lourenco Cheong, Senior Manager of the Offshore Department, Ms. Irene Lao and Assistant Manager of the Public Relations Sector, Ms. Gloria Ung.

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OFFICAL VISIT TO MOZAMBIQUE TO STRENTHEN BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP

The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administration Region, Mr. Edmund Ho, headed a delegation to Mozambique between 21and 27 September 2002. Members of the delegation included various government officials and some Macao business related entities. The purpose of this visit was to enhance the bilateral co-operation between Mozambique and Macao and utilise Mozambique as an economic platform, enabling Macao businessmen to venture to the African market.
During the course of this visit, the Chief Executive visited the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr. Joaquim Chissano. Moreover, a pact of co-operation was signed by both governments in regard to pharmaceutical product development. The members of the delegation also paid courtesy visits to the Prime Minister and other government ministers.
The President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) Mr. Lee Peng Hong, together with the members of the delegation, called on various commercial organizations, including the Center of Promotion of Trade, the Mozambique Institute of Export Promotion and the Mozambique Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the possibility of strengthening further co-operation.

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THE MACAO CHINESE ENTERPRISES ASSOCIATION DELEGATION VISITED MOZAMBIQUE, PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

Organized by IPIM and assisted by the Economic Department of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Macao, the Macao Chinese Enterprises Association delegation made a business trip to Mozambique, Portugal and Spain in the beginning of September. The above delegation was led by the President of the Macao Chinese Enterprises Association Mr. Wu Yek San, who is also the President of the Nam Kwong Group, with Mr. Lourenco Cheong, Executive Director of IPIM and Mr. Yip Iat Sun as advisers. This delegation was composed of 14 members, professionals in the fields of trading, aviation, tourism, insurance, and construction projects. IPIM was responsible in arranging contacts with the commercial organizations and organizing business activities.
The Prime Minister of Mozambique met the delegation at Maputo International Fair (FACIM). The delegation had the opportunity to visit the Ambassador of China in Mozambique, Minister and Vice-Minister of Labour, the Investment Promotion Center (CPI), Mozambique Institute of Export Promotion (IPEX) and other ministries of the Mozambique Government on separate occasions. Contacts were also made with the influential Mozambique Chamber of Commerce, and business meetings were arranged in area of construction development, timber materials and processing. During their stay in Portugal, a courtesy visit was made to the Ambassador of China in Portugal. Also meetings were held with the 1st. Vice-minister of Economic Affairs, the Vice-President of the Portuguese Institute of Promotion of Trade and Tourism (ICEP), and members of the Portuguese Entrepreneurs Association (AEP). During the visit to Spain, meetings were held with the Spanish Institute of Promotion of Trade and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce based in Barcelona. The delegation also met with the members of the Chinese Spanish Medium Enterprises Co-operation Association and the Chinese Ambassador in Spain.

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MACAO BUSINESS DELEGATION VISITED EAST TIMOR

The Macao Business Delegation organised by our Institute visited East Timor from 25 - 29 June.
The President of East Timor, Mr Xanana Gusmao and the Prime Minister, Mr. Mari Alkatiri, as well as the Ministers of Transport and Public Works, Agriculture and Fisheries, and representatives of various associations welcomed the delegation. Mr. Shao Guan Fu, Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China in East Timor met the delegation. The President and the Prime Minister and local associations showed an interest in participating in the 7th Macao International Trade & Investment Fair.
Local businesses and banks were visited; these included an ice factory, a brick factory and a coffee co-operative. IPIM organised business matching between local associations and members of the delegation. FELP signed protocols of co-operation with the local associations.
Members of the Macao Business Delegation included IPIM’s President Mr. Lee Peng Hong, and Executive Director, Mr. Lourenco Cheong; Macao entrepreneurs: Mr. Wang Kia Cheung, Mr. Lou Kam Un, Ms. Lei Sok Leng, Mr. Wong Pan Seng, Mr. Frederico Nolasco, Mr. Eduardo Ambrosio, Mr. Wu Zhiliang, Ms. Rita Botelho dos Santos and an entrepreneur from Xinhui China, Mr. Chen Fuquan.

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Eduardo Ambrosio, Head of the Forum of Portuguese-speaking Entrepreneurs in Macao, is Adamant that Untapped Markets in Portuguese-speaking Countries Have Great Potential for Development

Portuguese, which is one of Macao's two official languages, is spoken by around 200 million people in eight countries on four continents, namely, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and the world's newest nation, East Timor. These countries are still widely untapped markets that all, however, have great potential for development.

Macao has traditionally maintained close ties with Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries. Most civil servants and a number of businessmen in Macao speak Portuguese.

The Forum of Portuguese-speaking Entrepreneurs (Forum dos Empresarios de Lingua Portuguesa/FELP), was set up in Portugal as a non-profit and non-governmental organisation in 1998. FELP now has branches in seven Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as in the Macao Special Administrative Region. There are plans to open a branch in the Democratic Republic of East Timor soon after the territory regains its independence in May 2002. The organisation's main objective is to strengthen ties between the world's Portuguese-speaking business communities and trade links, as well as relations between Portuguese-speaking countries and territories and the rest of the world.

FELP's Headquarters Move to Macao
FELP's top representative in Macao, Mr. Eduardo Ambrosio, told Macao Image that his organisation is scheduled for restructuring in 2002, and that it planned to move the headquarters from Lisbon to Macao in June, based on Macao's increasingly prominent role as a bridge between China, a full member of the World Trade Organisation, and the Portuguese-speaking world.

Mr. Ambrosio is one of Macao's most prominent businessmen, proficient in Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Portuguese, was appointed Head of FELP's Macao branch in May 2001. According to Mr. Ambrosio, his organisation is determined to establish closer links with the Chinese mainland after the headquarters have been moved here, FELP also plans to increase its membership in order to strengthen its position as a business-orientated entity. Mr. Ambrosio stressed that new members ¡§do not necessarily have to speak Portuguese in order to qualify for membership. As long as you do business with the Portuguese-speaking nations, you can be a member.¡¨

Macao exported many products to Africa in the 1960s, unfortunately, trade was later affected by civil war and other social problems on the continent. Mr. Ambrosio is, however, upbeat about new trade and investment opportunities there, he stressed that ¡§given the recent stability in Africa, Macao should re-enter the African market. Moreover, many Chinese producers want to export to markets other than Europe or the United States. That's why Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola and Brazil can assist Chinese products to gain access to African and South American markets. Then China will no longer need to depend on South Africa for access to the whole African market. In the same fashion, Portuguese-speaking countries in Eastern, Western and Northern Africa can function as gateways for Chinese goods to enter other African markets.¡¨

Huge Potential in Portuguese-speaking Markets
Over 200 million Portuguese-language speakers around the world do, in fact, represent a huge market. Mr. Ambrosio is convinced that Macao can be an entrepot for trade between the greater China area and the world's Portuguese-speaking countries, he pointed out, quite rightly, that ¡§Brazil, the world's fifth largest country in terms of area and population, is the biggest Portuguese-speaking country with a population of some 180 million. They have a strong demand for motorcycles. Chinese producers may find some difficulty in exporting their motorcycles since they do not speak the language and do not have sufficient knowledge about local market conditions. Macao can be very helpful in making arrangements for the proper import procedures and the translation of all the necessary documents. All this will facilitate the whole process.¡¨ According to Mr. Ambrosio, FELP provides a wide range of services, including market research, arbitration settlements, consultancy, oral and written translations, and the organisation of fact-finding missions, FELP's members are veterans of doing business with Portuguese-speaking countries.

Situated on an island in the Timor Sea, East Timor was ruled by Portugal for four centuries until 1975, when Indonesia invaded it. The territory, which has some 800,000 inhabitants, finally regain its independence in May 2002. Macao has traditionally maintained very close ties with East Timor, during its occupation by Indonesia, several hundred East Timorese sought shelter in Macao. In early 2002, there were still some 100 Timorese in Macao. Based on his first-hand experience during a fact-finding mission to East Timor in March 2002, Mr. Ambrosio pointed out that ¡§East Timor continues to be affected by poor infrastructure. The East Timorese hope to draw foreign investment in manufacturing in order to create new jobs. East Timor is a good destination for investment, based on its vast and inexpensive land resources and cheap labour.¡¨

FELP holds a seminar in Macao every year, and it has also hosted meetings in Beijing, Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province and Guangzhou in recent years. According to Mr. Ambrosio, 80 Portuguese-speaking entrepreneurs were present at the meeting in Macao in 2001, he hopes to welcome some 150 to 200 participants in 2002. FELP also plans to send Chinese business delegations to several Portuguese-speaking countries in the near future.

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MACAO DELEGATION'S VISIT TO EAST TIMOR

Mr. Louren?o Cheong, the Executive Director of IPIM, headed a Macao delegation, including Mr. Lei Song Fan, Member of the Board of Macao Foundation, Mr Eduardo Ambrosio, Macao Representative of FELP and Mr. Joaquim Ribeiro Madeira de Carvalho to visit East Timor from March 17 to 21. During their visit, the delegation paid visits to Mr. Ovidio de Jesus do Maral, Transport and Communication Minister, Mr. Cesar Vital Moreira, Minister of Public Works, MR. Natonio Bianco, Minister of Internal Administration, Mr. George Teme, Vice Minister of Foreign Exchange and Co-operation and Mr. Xanana Gusm?o, East Timor's pro-independence leader. Also the delegation made investigations on East Timor's infrastructure, transport and communication, tourist industry, trade and industries, with a purpose to explore investment and co-operation opportunities for Macao enterprises and institutions in the area of business, administration and professional training.

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Portugal's Trade Commissioner for Hong Kong & Macao, Manuel Geraldes, Says the Special Administrative Region Functions as an Important Service Center and a Bridge for Trade, Investments and Tourism

Portugal's dynamic Trade Commissioner for Hong Kong and Macao, Mr. Manuel Antonio Geraldes, is convinced that the Special Administrative Region can play a vital role as a bridge between the Greater China area and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries. Mr. Geraldes, a former senior member of staff of Macao Security Forces, has lived in here for 14 years. He assumed his present position as head of ICEP- Investments, Trade and Tourism of Portugal in Macao in August 2001.

ICEP, which is the Portuguese abbreviation for Investmentos, Comercio e Turismo de Portugal, operates 47 branches worldwide, and the Macao was set up in 1987.

Mr. Geraldes, who says he is ¡§very happy¡¨ to have been entrusted with this very important position by the Portuguese Government's Economic Affairs Ministry, kindly consented to a special interview by Macao Image at his spacious office in the historical-heritage building of Portugal's Consulate-General. Mr. Geraldes' portfolio also includes trade, investment and tourism relations with the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong and Chinese-Taipei.

Q: How would you describe your role as Portugal's Trade Commissioner in Macao?
A: Well, I am doing my very best to improve Portugal's economic relations with Macao and Hong Kong, in the area of trade, investments and tourism. By doing so we can take advantage of the historical relations of Portugal with this region, especially Macao; this background makes our work much easier.

Q: Do you think that Macao can play the role of a bridge between China and Portugal?
A: Well, I think Macao can have a very important role to play, based on its special knowledge of the Portuguese after their historical presence of more than four centuries in this Chinese territory. As we all know, one of the official languages in Macao is Portuguese. Macao can surely play a very important role, namely with regard to relations with the Portuguese-speaking countries. In my opinion, Macao has certainly the best conditions to really be a gateway to Mainland China, and this is not something that we say here without having any special meaning. Macao has really very good conditions. First of all, we have here in Macao a number of very important Portuguese companies providing services, such as banks and lawyers. And since Macao is a rather small territory, so people are more close to each other and, thereby, can better establish relations with each other, which allows people to have close knowledge of their potential partners for business. So it's easier to make contact and to create confidence. That's why I would like to repeat once more that Macao has really very good conditions, and we are working on further providing information for the Portuguese business community about this added-value background that gives them significant business opportunities. There will be an important meeting of businessmen from all Europe, including Portugal, in June. We are fully committed that there will be a significant presence from Portugal at that meeting. The meeting will be jointly held by several local organisations.

Q: What are the main Portuguese investment areas in Macao?
A: Well, as you know there are several Portuguese banks in Macao. There are investments in the area of communications by Portugal Telecom, who is a shareholder of CTM. We have Portuguese investments in Macao's electricity company, CEM, and also in the Macau International Airport and Air Macau. Portugal is certainly linked to all major infrastructures and important enterprises in Macao. On the other hand, there are also several Portuguese insurance, project design and consultancy companies in here. And all of them have good business. The Macao Government trusts Portuguese companies. Things are really improving for Portuguese companies in Macao. Besides this, we also have a very successful Portuguese pharmaceutical company, Hovione, that is very happy to be here. And there is also a Portuguese company producing electrical and electronic equipment and maintenance services in Macao, EFACEC.

Q: What about trade relations between Portugal and Macao?
A: Well, trade is also improving, namely Macao's imports from Portugal. Generally speaking, I expect the situation of trade relations between the two sides to improve even further in the future. I expect the export of Portuguese building materials and electrical goods to Macao to rise after the opening-up of the gaming industry when many new construction projects will be launched.

Q: What about your relations with the Macao Government and its Chief Executive, Edmund Ho Hau-wah?
A: The relations are excellent. Chief Executive, Mr. Edmund Ho Hau-wah, for many years, always has a very good relationship with the Portuguese community in Macao and most of us, look at him as a good friend and as an outstanding leader of Macao SAR. This relationship brings confidence and stability to the Portuguese living and working in Macao and, for sure, is a very important basis for stronger mutual relations of trust, giving confidence to the Portuguese business community which is trying to find business opportunities in this region.

As you can imagine, we have a very special relationship with the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), because we closely co-operate with each other in a number of areas, such as joint initiatives to make the relationship between Portugal and Macao stronger and stronger. We also have a special relationship with other organisations, such as the Forum of Portuguese-speaking Entrepreneurs (FELP) in order to increase commercial and economic relations with the community of Portuguese-speaking countries. We have a very long-standing relationship with IPIM that is really excellent, and they always give us all their support. We are trying to increase the presence of Portuguese companies at this year's Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF). Last year's Portuguese presence at the MIF was actually quite good, but we hope to have even more involvement this year. MIF is a very good chance for Portuguese companies to show their products and services to the visitors, especially those coming from mainland China. In this way, Macao Government and IPIM are working very well because some particular mainland Chinese provinces and cities are invited to be present at the fair. It is very easy to work with IPIM because they have very good management and are always open to co-operation and new initiatives. IPIM is really very good. That's why Macao can certainly also be a gateway to mainland China. In this regard, we have plenty of support from IPIM and the Government's Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, who has always been very kind to us. Mr. Tam understands very well our situation in Macao, and he supports our efforts to increase commercial and economic relations between Macao, Portugal, China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. In this context, we are preparing plans to organise a delegation of local businessmen and local trading companies to participate in fairs in Portugal, as well as bringing Portuguese companies here to get a better knowledge of the region's new business opportunities .

Q: What other types of activities do you have?
A: Our office provides, on a daily basis, business information and market research to both local and Portuguese companies and business organisations, that need our service. I can say that everyday, companies from both sides establish communication and build new relationships, using ICEP as interface.

In another way, we are planning to invite some business experts from China to Portugal, so that they can explain to the Portuguese businessmen there the importance of China's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO). There is no doubt that China's entry will open up many new business opportunities, and Macao can certainly play an important role in all this.

Q: What about tourism?
A: The flow of tourists from Macao and Hong Kong to Portugal is increasing. We are in contact with local travel agencies to promote Portugal's tourism to increase the flow even more. There seems to be quite a lot of curiosity among residents in Macao, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland about Portugal, so I am quite optimistic.

Q: We all know that Portugal has left a rich heritage in Macao. Can it benefit Macao's economy?
A: Of course, Portugal's heritage here is now Macao's capital. Many tourists are attracted to Macao, a city where the tourism industry has an increasingly important role, with its ¡§Mediterranean¡¨ architectural style and the richness and diversity of its cuisine. This also benefits Portugal because all these make the export of Portugal's wine to Macao the second highest export commodity, ranking after electrical goods and ahead of foodstuffs.

Q: Could Macao function as a service centre for Portuguese companies in Asia?
A: Yes, of course. There are several consultancy, construction material and project design companies from Portugal that are based here to develop business relations also with mainland China, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. For all these companies, Macao functions as an important service centre for the whole region. Portugal's presence in Macao is certainly relevant to the local economy.

Q: What about relations between Macao and East Timor?
A: East Timor has very close historical relations with Macao. We have a common official language - Portuguese - and there are East Timorese that know Macao very well and local Chinese and Portuguese who know East Timor very well, too. That's why Macao has all the conditions to play an important role in the future economic development of an independent East Timor, and it can surely be a bridge between China and East Timor for future relations. Besides, Macao has also very close historical links and important business connections with Mozambique.

Trade of Portugal with Macao

Year 1995 - 2001Trade of Portugal with Macao

Source: Macau DSEC
* Portugal's Exports to Macao
* Portugal's Imports from Macao
Major Portuguese products exported to Macao :
wine, foodstuff (sausage, mineral water, dried fish-bacalhau canned fish, frozen fish, olive oil ), pharmaceutical products and antibiotics, electric equipments, textile
Major products imported from Macao :
textile & garments, footwear, electrical equipments, antibiotics, toys

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