[2019/05/30] Grand Opening of the 10th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum in Macao

Hosted by the China International Contractors Association and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, the “10th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum” (IIICF) opened in Macao today (30 May), featuring the theme “Promoting Quality and Sustainable Development of International Infrastructure”. A huge number of government officials from Mainland China and overseas regions and over 2,000 political, commercial and academic figures from more than 750 entities hailing from over 70 countries and regions have been invited to discuss some of the hot topics and latest development of international infrastructure. They will also exchange information on the latest construction technologies and peripheral industries, and explore opportunities.

As said by the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Mr Chui Sai On at the Opening Ceremony, this year marks the 10^th anniversary of the IIICF. Since the inception of the IIICF in 2010, with the Central Government’s support and the joint effort of all different sectors, the event has built an effective global co-operation platform. This year’s IIICF synergises itself with the measures proposed by the “Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”, with a view to improving the high-quality infrastructure connectivity in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and crafting the GBA into a cornerstone of the “Belt and Road” development.

In his speech, the Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Bingnan said that, as motivated by the “Belt and Road” Initiative, the Chinese government is pro-actively nurturing infrastructure co-operations among enterprises. Up to now, the accumulated value of co-operation agreements signed by international Chinese contractors amounts to US$ 2.3 trillion, with US$ 1.6 trillion turnover. These projects are implemented in over 200 countries and regions, involving various industries and services including transportation, energy and electricity, industry and civil engineering, petrochemical Industry, telecommunication, design consultation, financing, maintenance. He said that China welcomes all countries in the world to jointly build up partnership of global connectivity, and motivate the high-quality development of infrastructure co-operation. He also put forward five major suggestions, namely, reinforcing strategic alignment, optimising institutional arrangements, nurturing pragmatic collaboration, strengthening multi-lateral co-operation, and creating good environment.

Minister of Local Government of the Republic of Zambia Mr Vincent Mwale said that the Chinese government provided countless help to Zambian infrastructure development, including the Tazara Railway built in the 70’s, and a series of infrastructure development and investment projects initiated in 2011, which involved a wide range of domains such as energy, public health, education, transportation, mining, aviation and agriculture. He emphasised that no country in the world can completely isolate itself from its neighbour or the outside world, and that the connection among countries has to be supported by high-quality infrastructure. He added that capital required for infrastructure construction is a huge challenge to developing countries like Zambia, which makes partnership and co-operation between developing countries and China so important.

The first day of the event offered the launch ceremony of the “Steering Committee of the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum” and the “Mainland China-Macao Belt and Road Business and Professional Services Council”, the “Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index 2019” and the “Annual Report on Development of the Belt and Road Construction (2019)”. For more information, please visit the official website of the 10th IIICF at www.iiicf.org.