Collaborations between Macao and the European Union
Official relations between Macao and the EU have been steadily built on the foundation of the Macao-EC Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed in 1992. Macao has maintained good relations with the EU in terms of economic and trade affairs ever since the establishment of the MSAR. The Macao Economic and Trade Office at the Brussels headquarters of the EU seeks to enhance Macao’s relationship with the organisation.
Under their agreement, Macao and the EU may cooperate in areas including industry, investment, science and technology, energy, information, and training. A joint committee established by both parties holds meetings to review the implementation of the agreement and discuss its future development. The meeting venue alternates between Macao and Brussels, and 23 such sessions have been held to date.
Cooperative projects between EU and Macao have included: Training for the Tourism Industry (1999-2001); European Programme Scheme (1999-2001); Services Development Programme (1999-2001); Asia-Invest Programme (2001 and 2002); EU-Macao Legal Cooperation Programme: Phase One (2002-2007), Phase Two (2010-2013) and Phase Three (2016-2019); Immigration 187Macao Yearbook 2024 Services Training Programme (2006-2007); EU Business Information Cooperative Programme (2009-2012); Chinese-Portuguese Translation and Interpretation Training Programme (2010-2014); the EU Academic Programme (2012-2016); Chinese-Portuguese Translation and Interpretation Training Programme (2013-2016); Chinese-Portuguese Translation and Interpretation Training Cooperation (2016-2020); and Horizon 2020 (2016-2020).
Other joint projects inaugurated by Macao and the EU were: the Macao-Europe Centre for Advanced Tourism Studies (ME-CATS) and the Institute of European Studies of Macao.
In 2023, the total value of Macao’s exports to the EU was 150 million patacas, while imports from the EU were worth 44.61 billion patacas.
To enhance relations with EU member countries and increase economic and trade relations with them, the first- and second-term Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah led delegations to visit Portugal, France, Belgium and Germany in 2000, 2001 and 2004. During 2006, Edmund Ho Hau Wah led a delegation to Portugal and Belgium, including the EU headquarters in Brussels. In 2012, the third- and fourth-term Chief Executive Chui Sai On led a delegation to the EU.
In April 2023, the Chief Executive of the fifth Macao SAR Government, Ho Iat Seng, led a delegation to Portugal, Luxembourg and Belgium, aiming to strengthen and deepen mutual cooperation and ties regarding the economy and trade, tourism, education, culture and other areas, as well as to further promote Macao in Europe.
Source:
Macao Yearbook 2024
