[2020/12/04] Second Working Meeting of IIICF Steering Committee

The IIICF Steering Committee convened its second working meeting.

Vice-Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China Wang Bingnan, put forward three suggestions at the meeting. Firstly, he called for full support for the establishment of a functional platform for the “Belt and Road”. With concerted efforts, the Forum’s influence continues to expand. The Steering Committee should will continue to provide policy support and service guarantees for the Forum, strengthen the role of the platform, and build the Forum into an important platform for the nation to promote the “Belt and Road” construction and carry out international infrastructure co-operation. Secondly, exhibitions can be used as a medium to contribute to the diversified and sustainable development of Macao’s economy. It is expected that the IIICF will become a business card for Macao to create an internationally renowned exhibition brand, so as to seek more opportunities for local enterprises to participate in the “Belt and Road” development and provide more momentum for Macao’s moderately diversified economic development. Third, all member units of the Steering Committee should make good use of the meeting mechanism. They should communicate and plan well regarding the long-term development of the IIICF, so that the Forum can better serve the national development strategy, and better assist Macao in its joint construction of the “Belt and Road” and in its moderately diversified economic development.

Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government Lei Wai Nong, said in his speech that as a significant intersection along the “21^st Century Maritime Silk Road”, Macao plays a pivotal platform role in the country’s development and opening-up, especially in the co-operation and exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Central Government has endowed Macao with the positioning of “One Centre, One Platform and One Base”, which has laid a solid foundation for Macao to make full use of its role as a platform at the intersection of domestic and international economic cycles through conventions and exhibitions such as the IIICF, and realise its high-standard and high-quality participation in and contribution to the Belt and Road construction. Bearing its positioning as “One Centre, One Platform and One Base” in mind, Macao will make full use of the tremendous opportunities brought about by domestic and international economic cycles, meet the needs of the nation, and give into full play its strengths, continuously spurring the infrastructure construction in the Macao SAR Government while accelerating the construction of the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road, including co-operation in the fields of infrastructure, capacity co-operation, and financial supporting services. It will also engage itself in the MICE industry and improve its matching services to assist in China’s opening-up and economic cycles, shouldering a more important mission for the Belt and Road construction in the new era.

According to Chairman of the China International Contractors Association Fang Qiuchen, against the complex backdrop of 2020, the IIICF Steering Committee held a working meeting with its members in Beijing to study the preparations for the Forum and to provide guidance and assistance in resolving the difficulties and problems facing the Forum, which played a crucial role in the smooth convening of this year’s Forum. In the next five years, under the leadership of the Steering Committee, the organisers will improve the preparation and organisation of the Forum in the following three aspects: First, further exploring new ways of development and enhancing working mechanisms to enrich the content of the Forum and bring forth new ways to hold this event. Second, strengthening the Forum’s services and improving the content and level of services to meet the co-operation needs of the parties involved to the greatest extent. Third, further highlighting the elements of Macao to continuously expand Macao’s international influence and enable it to play a greater role in the “Belt and Road” construction.

President of the IPIM Lau Wai Meng remarkedthat the IIICF Steering Committee provides policy guidance, support and service forthe sustainable development of the Forum, whileofferingsolid support for Macao’s engagementin the Belt and Road construction and itsmoderately diversified economic development. As one of the membersfrom Macao, IPIMwill spare no effort infollowingrelevant national policies such as the “Belt and Road” Initiative and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, maintainingclose contact with national ministries,commissions and co-operatingunits, and carryingout the preparation and organisation of the IIICF in accordance with the instructions of the Steering Committee, so as to improve the level and international influence of the Forum,make due contributionsto China’sall-roundopening-up and the Belt and Road construction, and seize opportunities for Macao’sfuture development.