[2019/03/12] PPRD Region delegation gains fresh insights into green industries during Portugal and Luxembourg visits

A delegation from the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Region has concluded visits to Luxembourg and Portugal respectively. The tour aimed to establish closer ties with the commercial environmental sector, especially ‘green finance’ businesses that are based in the two countries.

The two-nation tour – from 3 to 11 March – was organised by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). The nine-day visit also aimed to promote the “2019 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition” (2019MIECF), an event to be held in Macao from March 28 to 30 with the theme “Promoting Ecological Civilization and Green Development”.

The PPRD Region delegation’s visit to Europe sought also to advance within China “green development” as defined in the outline development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area); and to ensure the PPRD Region’s alignment with the global effort to promote environmental sustainability.

During meetings in Portugal and Luxembourg, the head of the PPRD Region delegation, Mr Vong Vai Lon, Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, briefed the participants regarding Macao’s latest efforts to boost links between China and Portuguese-speaking countries; and spoke about how Macao had been advancing its regional cooperation effort and participating in the development of the Greater Bay Area.

Mr Vong also shared information regarding the Macao SAR Government’s effort in pressing ahead with development of specialised financial services in the city, and in particular the Macao SAR Government’s intention to develop ‘green finance’ services.

While in Portugal, the delegation visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in that country; and held meetings with, respectively, officials of APA – the Portuguese Environment Agency; Banco de Portugal, the central bank of the Portuguese Republic; commercial bank Millennium BCP; and Energias de Portugal, an energy supplier.

Additionally during the Portugal leg of the tour, the Monetary Authority of Macao; the city’s Environmental Protection Bureau; and the Portugal Global – Trade & Investment Agency (AICEP), jointly organised a session to enhance exchanges between green finance businesses and environmental enterprises from Portugal and the PPRD region.

In Luxembourg, the delegation paid visits to a number of public bodies, gaining fresh insights on economic development, environmental protection policies, and green finance, especially businesses relating to ‘green bonds’.

The delegation had approximately 50 members, including officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, and representatives from environmental authorities, as well as officials from economic and trade departments of public authorities in the PPRD Region.

The PPRD Region, also known as the “9+2”, consists of nine mainland provinces, namely Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan; plus the Hong Kong SAR; and the Macao SAR.

The PPRD Region delegation pays a visit to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Portugal.

The PPRD Region delegation attends a briefing by a financial institution in Portugal.

Members of the PPRD Region delegation and officials of APA – the Portuguese Environment Agency pose for a group photograph after a meeting in Portugal.

A member of the PPRD Region delegation and a representative of a green finance and environmental protection company in Portugal exchange business cards.