Appreciation for Sichuan Province Earthquake Relief and Post-disaster Reconstruction (Macao) Investment Seminar

〔Photo: Macao Government Information Bureau (GCS)〕
The Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Francis Tam Pak Yuen and members of delegation from Sichuan Province attended the seminar

Organised by the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, supported by the Macao Chamber of Commerce, Macau Chinese Enterprises Association and IPIM, the Appreciation for Sichuan Province Earthquake Relief and Post-Disaster Reconstruction (Macao) Investment Seminar was held on 10 November at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre.

Those who attended the meeting included the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR, Ms Gao Yan and members of Macao’s co-ordination committee in supporting theprovince’s reconstruction.

There were more than twenty members in the the Sichuan delegation including the Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial CPC Committee, Mr. Liu Qibao, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Vice Governor of Sichuan, Mr Wei Hong; member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and the Secretary of the CPC Chengdu City Committee, Mr Li Chuncheng; and Vice Governor of Sichuan, Mr Huang Xiaoxiang.

About 120 local chambers of commerce and business enterprises attended the seminar including Macao Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Association of Macau, The Macao Association of Banks, the Macau Small and Medium Enterprises Association, The Macao Chinese Enterprises Association, Macao Fair & Trade Association, Macao General Association of Real Estate, Macao Association of Building Contractors and Developers, ACIML-International Lusophone Markets Business Association, to name a few.

Leaders of Sichuan province introduces the post-disaster reconstruction and business development opportunities

Speaking on the progress of the earthquake relief work and reconstruction in Sichuan,Mr. Liu Qibao said that the overall productivity, resources and investment environment were not totally devastated and affirmed that the impact on the province’s promising and fast track development was minimal. The abundant natural resources, solid scientific and educational strengths, ample supply of labour, low operating cost structures, vast market opportunities and the healthy political environment all contributed to foster Sichuan’s competitive edge as the destination for local and overseas industrial transfers. The major diving force for Sichuan’s rapid economic development relies on the industrial foundation comprised of priority industries including information technology, equipment manufacture, energy and power, gas and chemicals, vanadium and titanium steel, food and beverages, modern Chinese medicine, as well as potential industries such as aerospace, automobile manufacture and bioengineering.
The State Council, the National Ministries and Sichuan provincial government have launched a series of supportive policy measures and reconstruction plans, providing an advantageous and favourable policy environment for Sichuan in terms of taxation, finance, land, industries and employment. Therefore, there are still plenty of opportunities for enterprises to develop their businesses in Sichuan province.

Leveraging the advantages of Macao’s business platform to help local business in Sichuan develop the international market

The Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, pointed out in his speech that following the implementation of a series of supportive policy measures and the commencement of reconstruction work, Sichuan is developing a more competitive edge.There is closer co-operation between Sichuan and Macao in terms of economics and trade, culture and tourism. Macao will continue to provide full support to local businesses and industries wishing to invest in Sichuan as well as participating in and working with various sectors in the Sichuan Earthquake Post-Disaster Reconstruction. The trade co-operation under the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and the framework of the Pan-Pearl River Delta co-operation will further develop and strengthen co-operation between the two places, particularly in strengthening economic co-operation and exchanges between the province and Portuguese-speaking countries, thus assisting Sichuan enterprises to go global and explore international markets.

Signing of two co-operation projects
The seminar was attended by around 350 entrepreneurs and facilitated the signing of 2 co-operation projects between Sichuan and Macao, with an investment amount of US$ 95 million.