IPIM NEWS

THE NEGOTIATION MEETINGS ON “CLOSER ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT” (CEPA) BETWEEN MAINLAND CHINA AND MACAO SAR

Upon the approval of the State Council of Central Government, the first high-level meeting of CEPA between Mainland China and Macao SAR was convened in Beijing on June 20. Both parties agreed to proceed the discussion under the framework of "one country, two systems", in accordance with the WTO principles and rules. The main areas discussed included trade in goods, trade in services, and trade and investment facilitation measures, with views being exchanged around principals, content and progress of future works of these projects.

The head of Central Government delegation was Mr. An Min, Vice Minister of Commerce. Members included Mr. Wang Liao Ping, Director General of Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macao Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Qin Lijun, Director of Exchange Department of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, State Council. The Macao delegation was headed by Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance, members including Ms Lok Kit Sim, Director of Secretary for Economy and Finance's Office, Mr. Ng Pak Meng, Chief of Macao SAR's Delegation in Beijing, Mr. Sou Tim Peng, Acting Director of Macao Economic Services Bureau, Mr Sam Lei, Manager of Research and Information Division of IPIM and others. The Macao delegation arrived in Beijing on June 19. Apart from the CEPA meeting, they also met Mr. Chen Jian, Assistant to the Minister of Commerce, talking about the co-ordination and arrangement of the forthcoming China-Portuguese Forum in Macao.

The second meeting on CEPA of a working level was held in the Headquarter of Macao SAR Government on July 24 at 2:30 pm.

The meeting was hosted by Mr. Wang Liaoping and Ms Lok Kit Sim. They discussed about the current situation of Macao's manufacturing industry, its production capacity and future development. The Central Government Delegation also inquired about the working flowchart, supervision and penalties concerning the issuing of certificate of origin by Macao Economic Services Bureau, the inspection regulations and procedures of Macao Customs Service, the collecting statistical data of external trade by the Statistic and Census Bureau. The two parties would exchange relevant information to complete the discussion on the trade in goods part. Later, they would proceed to the discussion on the part of trade in services and facilitation of trade and investment. Hopefully all the discussion can be finished within this year and the actual "Arrangement" can take effect from January 1 next year.

Central Government Delegation for the second meeting was headed by Mr. Wang Liao Ping. Macao Delegation was composed of Ms Ms Lok Kit Sim, Mr. Sou Tim Peng and senior representatives from other relevant government bureaus. Ms Echo Chan, Senior Manager of Investor Services Department and Mr. Sam Lei, Manager of Research and Information Division from IPIM were among them.

WORLD FEDERATION OF CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS ORGANISATION SET UP ITS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE IN MACAO

In order to promote the co-operation and exchange between Chinese traders around the world and especially those in the Greater China region, the installation ceremony of the co-ordination office for the World Federation of Chinese Entrepreneurs Organisation(WFCEO) took place in Macao Business Support Centre in the afternoon of July 23. Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance, was the officiating VIP. Mr. Kein Ting Chairman of the Assembly of Presidents of WFCEO and Mr. Lee Peng Hong, President of IPIM delivered their speeches respectively. Those present also included the department heads of IPIM.

The establishment of the co-ordination office for WFCEO in Macao reflected the gradual recognition by the business community of Macao as the co-operation platform for Chinese traders around the world. Macao, as the intersecting point of Chinese traders connection networks, will contribute to the communication and exchange between Chinese business organizations and enterprises around the world.

MACAO BUSINESS DELEGATION, ORGANIZED BY IPIM, PARTICIPATED IN THE "SME MARKET DAY" IN HONG KONG

Invited by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Macao Trade and Invesment Promotion Institute (IPIM) organized the Macao business delegation of about 120 members, led by the President of IPIM, Mr. Lee Peng Hong, to participate in the opening ceremony of the "SME Market Day" at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on June 5th and the relatives activities held on the following three consecutive days.

The "SME Market Day" activities were mainly divided into two parts: exhibition and seminar. Over 200 booths were in the exhibition center; exhibitors were from HK and more than 60 overseas countries and regions, as well as from China, especially from the Pearl River Delta. IPIM also set up a Macao booth providing all kinds of relative information and attend to enquiries.

After the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, chaired the opening ceremony of the "SME Market Day ", he visited the Macao booth together with the Secretary of the Hong Kong Commercial, Industrial and Technology, Mr. Henry Tang Ying Yen, the President and the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr. Peter Woo and Michael Sze. They also took group pictures with the leading members of the Macao business delegation at the booth.

Members of the Macao delegation included: the Chairman of the Macao Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Mr. Stanley Au, Vice-president of the Macao Conference and Exhibition Association, Ms. Pansy Ho, Executive Director of IPIM, Mr. Eric Ho, Chairman of the Association of Advertising Agents of Macau, Mr. Wong Yee Mun, President of the International Commercial Association of Portuguese Speaking Entrepreneurs, Mr. Eduardo Ambrosio, President of the Macao Travel Agency Association, Mr. Lau Nga Wong, President of the Macao Fair and Trade Association, Mr. Tony Lam, Vice-president of the Association of Weaving & Knitting Industry of Macau, Ms. Hone Mei Ieng, Vice-president of the Macao Shipper's Association, Mr. Lai Chong Fan, and other representatives from local enterprises.

8TH MIF PRESS CONFERENCE

The press conference for the 8th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair was held in the 3rd Floor of Macao Tower. Mr Lee Peng Hong, President of our Institute, was the first speaker. He said that the co-ordination work of this year's MIF was contracted to Macao Convention & Exhibition Association, with a purpose, by uniting the professionals of local meeting industry and amassing all the relevant resources, hardware and software alike, to do a better preparation work.

Besides, there will be MOP 3000 subsidy by IPIM to every participating local exhibitor, because of the effects of SARS earlier on.

Following that, Mr. Jin Zhong Yun, President of the MCEA said that the Association hopes to contribute to the making of MIF into a internationally renowned fair and at the same by participating in the co-ordination work, to nurture and strengthen local MICE companies. According to Mr Jin, the Association had recruited 15 member companies as the 8th MIF Organising Committee . They are willing to shoulder the possible loss. If there is a profit, it will be used as a special fund for the Association to use in the development of the MICE industry.

Lastly, Ms Pansy Ho, Chairlady of the Organising Committee for the 8th MIF talked about the progress in the preparatory work. By far, there were positive intentions expressed by companies or organizations from the US, Germany, Canada, Japan, Australia, Korea, Belgium, Philippines, Malaysia, Mozambique, Taiwan, Hong Kong and many Mainland China provinces and cities.

THE 7TH WORLD CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS CONVENTION

Hosted by Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), the 7th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July 27 to 30. The Macao Chamber of Commerce (ACM) sent a delegation of 27 members to participate in this event, with Mr. Lee Peng Hong, the President of our Institute as the Adviser. The delegation was headed by Mr. Hoi Sai Iun, President of Board of Directors of ACM and other leaders from the Board of Directors, with Mr. Ma Man Kei, the President of ACM as the Honorary Head of the delegation.

There were over three thousand participants to this Convention and almost three hundred press people. Mr. Hoi said that the success of this Convention reflected the importance of Ethnic Chinese in the world economic activities. The contribution made by Chinese entrepreneurs to their host countries has been well recognized by respective governments. During the Convention the ACM delegation took opportunities to meet with other delegations and especially that of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, inviting them to Macao to have sightseeing and business tours, in order to boost Macao's tourism and economy and to create more business opportunities.

EIC NETWORK AND ASIA INVEST PROGRAMME SEMINAR (17/6/2003) AND EU-CHINA CO-OPERATION CATALOGUE SHOW (17-20/6/2003)

The seminar on "EIC Network and Asia-Invest Programme", organised by Euro-Info Centre, Macau, took place on the 17th Floor of World Trade Centre (WTC) on June 17 at 3:00pm.

Mr. Lee Peng Hong, President of IPIM, Mr. Sales Marques, President of IEEM & EIC-Macao, and Mr. Herculano J. Sousa, General Manager of BNU gave their welcome speeches. Ms Yvonne Sun introduced EIC-Macao's services.

Following that, Mr. Marques gave a speech on " EIC as an Information Point" , explaining to SMEs how to make use of the extensive network of EIC connecting 284 offices across 37 countries to access the most up -to -date EU market information, so to seek more trade and co-operation opportunities in EU countries. Lastly, Mr. Michalis Rokas, First Secretary of Trade and Economic Affairs of the EU Office of the European Commission in Hong Kong and Macao, gave a presentation on the recent progress of "Asia-Invest II 2003-2007" .

The "EU-China Co-operation Catalogue Show" started after the seminar. From June 18 to 20, the Catalogue Show moved to IPIM's Information Centre, on WTC 2nd Floor. It displayed 50 European and Chinese enterprises' projects and company profiles. The co-operation projects displayed came from the 15 EU countries, covering various sectors, namely information Technology, electronics and telecommunication, plastic and chemicals, environmental protection technology, machinery and equipment, construction and materials, food and beverages, clinical and health care, wood and furniture, and steel and metals.

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.

MACAO DELEGATION PARTICIPATING THE CHONGQING " ONE FAIR, ONE FESTIVAL"

Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Chongqing Municipal Government and other relevant state government organizations, co-organised by our Institute and other organizations, the 8th China Chongqing Investment and Trade Fair & Three Gorges International Tourism Festival ( One Fair, One Festival) was held in Chongqing from July 24 to 28.

The opening ceremony was held in Chongqing Technology Exhibition Centre on July 25 and was officiated by Mr. Huang Zhendong, Party Secretary of Chongqing and other guests of honour. Our Institute, just like in the past years, set up a stand to introduce Macao's investment and business environment.

Organised by our Institute, a Macao delegation of more than 10 people went to Chongqing to participate the event from July 24 to 27. During their visit, the delegation visited Jiang Jin City and Chang Shou District, inspecting the industrial parks, large development projects there and held talks with the government officials there. Taking this opportunity, IPIM also introduced and promoted the 8th MIF, and received positive feedback.

CONSUL & SENIOR TRADE COMMISSIONER OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF CANADA IN H.K., VISITED IPIM.

Mr. David McNamara, Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner and Mr. Endy Chung, Commercial Officer of the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong visited IPIM at 3pm on 25th June (Wednesday). IPIM's President, Mr. LEE Peng Hong, Research and Information Manager, Mr. Sam Lei and Assistant Manager of Public Relations Sector, Ms Gloria Ung welcomed their arrival. Mr. Lee, briefed Mr. McNamara about the outcomes achieved in the First Western Guangdong Famous Products Fair. He stated that Canadian companies can use Macao as a back office in consideration of the lower operational costs. In addition, Mr. Lee briefed Mr. McNamara about the upcoming Macao International Trade & Investment Fair (MIF) to be held this coming October, and the Consulate were invited to participate in the MIF by holding exhibition and a country briefing section in the Fair. Mr. Lee further requested the Consulate to form an entrepreneurial delegation to take part in the MIF.

DELEGATION OF SHANTOU CHENGHAI GOVERNMENT VISITED IPIM

The delegation of Shantou Chenghai, led by the Secretary of the Shantou Chenghai Municipal Committee, Mr. Chen Guo Kuong, and together with delegates included Secretary of Chenghai Municipal Committee and Member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of Shantou, Mr. Chen Mein Sang, Director of the Cabinet of the Chenghai Municipal Committee, Mr. Huang Yi Hua, visited IPIM on 10th July and were received by the President of IPIM, Mr. Lee Peng Hong. At the meeting, both parties discussed about Chenghai's toys and premium, foreign trade and the MICE industries. The delegates also invited IPIM to participate in the International Toys and Gift Fair on 28th of October at Chenghai. Mr. Lee introduced the Macao's current trade and economic environment to the delegates during the meeting. The main products of Chenghai are arts and crafts, industrial and textile products, as well as special tour packages as Chenghai is well-equipped with good air and sea ports and road transportation, such as railways, and highways.

After the meeting, the delegation visited the Macao Business Support Center during which they obtained information about the services and facilities provided to foreign investors.

The Senior Manager of the Promotional Activities Department, Mr. Jackson Chang and the Assistant Manager of the Public Relations Sector, Ms. Gloria Ung, were also present in the meeting.

DELEGATION OF XINHUI DISTRICT (JIANG MEN CITY) GOVERNMENT VISITED MACAO

After the new election of Xinhui Municipal Committees board, Mr. Lin Chong Zhong, the new appointed Member of Standing Committee of Jiangmen, Party Secretary of Xinhui District and Executive of the National People's Congress of Xinhui District, Mr. Song Bo, Vice Party Secretary of Xinhui District and District Govenor and other delegates visited IPIM on 11th July and were received by the President of IPIM, Mr. Lee Peng Hong.

At the meeting, the delegates briefed about current economic situation of Xinhui in 2003 and a number of successfully attracted investment projects such as the famous paper manufacturer from Singapore - Kam Ying Group, the Li Fan Motor Company from Chongqing, Da Cheong Logistics, Value-added Products of Lee Kam Kei Oyster Sauce, as well as some drinks, frozen meat, fruit and transportation company.

Mr. Lee said that because of the "Western Guangdong Famous Products Fair", co-organized by the nine cities from Western Guangdong, held in Macao on April this year, the nine co-organized cities in Western Guangdong of the captioned Fair were interested in developing their logistic industry. With the objective of understanding more about the area of the logistic industry and looking for more business opportunities, IPIM had arranged a delegation of local logistic professionals to visit the Western Guangdong cities after the Fair. Mr. Lee said that further cooperation opportunities can be explored in the logistic industry.

IPIM’s Senior Manager of the Promotion Activities Department, Mr. Jackson Chang, Manager of Research and Information Division, Mr Sam Lei and the Assistant Manager of the Public Relations Sector, Ms. Gloria Ung, were also present in the meeting.

SEMINAR OF THE MACAO & HONG KONG ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONALS

In order to promote the academic exchange between the accounting professionals from Hong Kong and Macao, helping the Hong Kong counterparts to get a better knowledge of Macao's economic situation and business environment, and seeking possible cooperation, the "Seminar of the Macao & Hong Kong Accounting Professionals", organiser by the Macao Society of Registered Auditors, Macao Society of Certified Practising Accountants, Macao Society of Accountants and Macao Society of Registered Accountants, took place on July 12 in the conference room of Macao Chamber of Commerce (4/F). Mr Lee Peng Hong, President of IPIM, was invited to the seminar as a guest speaker, being also present at the seminar, as invited, Mr. Lourenço Cheong, Executive Director of IPIM, Ms Irene Lau, Senior Manager of Offshore Services Department, Mr. Sam Lei, Manager of Research and Information Division, and Ms Gloria Batalha Ung, Assistant Manager of Public Relations Sector.

Mr. Chui Sai Cheong, representative of the sponsors and President of Macao Society of Registered Auditors, opened the seminar with a welcome speech, which was followed by speeches of Mr. Ieong Tou Hong, Vice Chairman of the Board of Macao Association of Economic Science, and that of Mr Lee Peng Hong. Mr. Lee focused on Macao's environment for investing and tax incentives, IPIM's services and the advantages of Macao as a service platform for exchange and cooperation, especially between the ethnic Chinese businessmen worldwide, for the Portuguese-speaking countries and the Mainland China, as well as for the Western Guangdong business and trade.

After that, Mr. Paul M. P. Chan, head of the Hong Kong Society of Accountants delegation and Ms Ho Mei Va, representative of the organiser and President of Macao Society of Certified Practising Accountants, expressed their formal thanks. The members of the Hong Kong delegation were eager in asking questions about the local investment environment and different incentives, which were answered the organiser's representatives and the guest speakers.

DELEGATION OF THE MACAU YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR ASSOCIATION VISITED IPIM

The Macau Youth Entrepreneur Association (MYEA), formed by the Macao district members of the China Youth Entrepreneur Association, Guangdong Youth Entrepreneur Association and Guangzhou Youth Entrepreneur Association, held it's first meeting in June 2003 and the board of members were elected. The newly appointed President of the MYEA, Mr. Ho Wing Cheung and delegates including the Vice President, Mr. Lee Yui Hang, the Chief Secretary, Mr. Wong Wing Him and the Chairman, Mr. Ma Ji Ngai visited IPIM on July 17 and were received by the President of IPIM, Mr. Lee Peng Hong.

At the meeting, the representatives of the MYEA introduced the association's mission - working for business co-operation among the local Macao entrepreneurs, with those in the greater China area, and of the Portuguese Speaking Countries. The MYEA also invited IPIM to attend the "China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, Youth Entrepreneur Seminar" which will be held in the coming September. Entrepreneurs from these four areas of the greater China will be invited to attend the seminar.

In order to support the 8th MIF, MYEA decided to organize its first member election ceremony on October 22nd.

Mr. Lee appreciated the support of MYEA. He also mentioned that IPIM would organize Macao delegations to visit Portuguese Speaking Countries such as Angola, Mozambique and Brazil in later this year and MYEA will be invited to join the delegations.

Executive Director of IPIM, Mr. Lourenço Cheong, Senior Manager of the Promotional Activities Department, Mr. Jackson Chang and Assistant Manager of the Public Relations Sector, Ms. Gloria Ung were also present in the meeting.

"LIAONING PANJIN -MACAO ECONOMIC AND TRADE SEMINAR" AND THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY

In order to promote the economic and trade exchange and co-operation between Panjin of Liaoning province and Macao, Panjin government delegation visited Macao and held a "Liaoning Panjin -Macao Economic and Trade Seminar" in Macao Business Support Centre at 4:00 pm on July 21, to briefly introduce the city.

After the seminar there was a contract signing ceremony. An "Agreement of friendly economic and trade co-operation and exchange of technique knowledge and information" was signed by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation of Panjin and Macao Youth Entrepreneur Association. Also an "Agreement of co-operation intention on city public transportation" was signed by Mr. Wang Bingkuan, Vice Mayor of Pan Jin and Mr. Kwok Tong Koi, Director and General Manager of Harvest City Ltd. Mr. Lee Peng Hong, our Institute's President and Mr. Sam Vong, Vice President of All-China Youth Federation were among the guest of honour witnessing the ceremony.

MACAO AIR FREIGHT FORWARDING ASSOCIATION VISITED THREE CITIES IN WEST BANK OF PEARL RIVER

Upon the request of Macao Air Freight Forwarding Association, under our Institute's arrangement and assistance, a delegation of 24 people composed of representatives from our Institute and the Association went to Zhanjiang, Zhaoqing and Jiangmen to visit from June 11 to 13. It is hoped that through this visit, understanding about the logistic network, throughput of cargo, products, export channel, ways of transportation and distributed markets of the west area to the Pearl River can be deepened.

During the visit, seminars were organised between the delegation and transportation companies and relevant organizations, with different views on the air freight and forwarding industries expressed and exchanged, to develop more space for future co-operation with Macao as the business co-operation platform for Western Guangdong region.

HONG KONG FASHION WEEK FALL/WINTER (14TH - 17TH JANUARY)

Hong Kong Fashion Week was held form 8th to 11th July 2003 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. There were 11 countries, over 510 local and international participants from countries including: Mainland China, Taiwan & India. IPIM attended the Hong Kong Fashion Week with 15 companies in Macao. The area of the booth was144 square metres.