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IIICF HELPS GLOBAL COMPANIES CONNECT AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION

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The 8th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF) was held successfully in Macao on 1 and 2 June 2017. Among those attending were representatives of government departments from Macao and elsewhere, academics and corporate representatives, who exchanged information and opinions on infrastructure construction. The IIICF helped Macao strengthen its role as a Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries and as a pivotal point of the “Belt and Road” initiative.

During a speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum, Macao’s Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, said that this year’s event was the sixth to be held in Macao, with the event becoming increasingly influential for the city. This is also the first in which the Macao SAR Government was an adviser, which further exerts the complimentary effects of the event and of Macao’s role as a Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. The event helps local and overseas contractors and financial institutions to participate in the construction of the nation’s “Belt and Road” initiative and the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Great Bay Area”.

This year’s Forum attracted more than 1,700 participants from 63 countries and regions, including 57 participants at ministerial level. Others were from the international infrastructure industry. Among them were representatives from 65 organisations on the ENR Top 250 International Contractors list, and 73 of the world’s top 500 enterprises also sent executives and representatives to attend the event. Meanwhile, executives from 32 international financial institutions, representatives from 30 or more international organisations and the leaders of industry business associations also took part.

The theme of the 8th IIICF was “Collaboratively build a diversified, innovative and sustainable infrastructure with industry connectivity”. The focus was in the in-depth discussion about several topics, including construction linked to the “Belt and Road” initiative, international co-operation on industrial capacity, infrastructure construction, industrial modernisation, financial industry innovation, co-operation among industrial investors, developing smart cities and creating infrastructure sustainably, participants could explore the possibilities of future collaboration and development of international infrastructure facilities.

During the 8th IIICF, 14 thematic and concurrent forums were held. More than 220 business-matching sessions were organised and 24 contracts, framework agreements or memorandums of understanding were arranged. Seven of the agreements were linked to enhancing the collaboration between Mainland China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. This fully illustrated Macao’s function as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

During the event, the “Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2017)” and “The Report on the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2017)” were launched. The publications provide an indicative reference for the global infrastructure industry.

The Ministry of Commerce, the Macao Government and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR acted as advisers for the event. The 8th IIICF was jointly organised by the China International Contractors Association and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). Next year’s IIICF will be held on 7 and 8 June in Macao.

The 8^th IIICF was held in Macao on 1 and 2 June

Exchanging information

Founded in 1958, Guangxi LiuGong Machinery Co. Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturer of construction machinery based in Liuzhou, Guangxi. The company and its subsidiaries currently employ approximately 13,000 people. The latest IIICF was the third in Macao attended by Guangxi LiuGong Machinery President Zeng Guangan. Mr Zeng said he believed IIICF was one of the few high-level conferences in the world for the infrastructure industry, judging from the fact that the event was attended by government representatives, bankers, contractors, manufacturers and media.

Many of the participating companies were customers of LiuGong Machinery, Mr Zeng said. That meant LiuGong Machinery executives could interact with its customers without the need to travel to big cities in Mainland China such as Beijing and Shanghai. It was also possible for the participating companies to know more about global investment and development trends and acquire the latest information about macro-economy and investment. They could also promote their brands to global government representatives attending the event and get in touch with potential new customers in countries covered by the “Belt and Road” initiative.

Mr Zeng praised Macao for acting as a stepping-stone in the implementation of the “Belt and Road” initiative. He hopes Macao can fully use its advantages in terms of services and language skills to promote closer ties between Mainland China and other parts of the world.

The executive also said he was going to analyse the information he had received during the 8th IIICF about the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Co-operation and Development Fund, to find a possible chance of future collaboration.

Twenty-four agreements and contracts were signed during the 8^th IIICF

Corporate values

Global construction equipment manufacturer Volvo Construction Equipment signed a memorandum of understanding with the China International Contractors Association during this year’s IIICF. Volvo Construction Equipment Senior Vice-president Tomas Kuta said the event had allowed Volvo to demonstrate its core values, which includes an emphasis on environmental protection.

Mr Kuta said IIICF offered the opportunity to meet representatives of governments and major contractors in Mainland China and elsewhere, and to reconnect with long-term partners that took part in the event.