2nd CONGRESS | Engineers from Portuguese-speaking countries discuss further cooperation

About 800 engineering experts and professionals from several Portuguese-speaking countries are gathering in Macau this Thursday and Friday, for the 2nd Congress of Portuguese Speaking Engineers taking place at The Venetian Macao.
The Congress will be looking at how cooperation could be furthered, particularly regarding renewable energies, transport infrastructures, agriculture management, electric transportation, as well as waste treatment, and academic and professional certification, said Mr Wu Chou Kit, Council president of the Macau Institution of Engineers.
In a press conference held yesterday, António Trindade, president of the 2nd Congress of Portuguese Speaking Engineers, said that the congress works as a platform for communication between engineering professionals from various Portuguese-
speaking countries. “This is a privileged platform for contact with representatives from enterprises, labs, and associations (…) aimed at contributing to social and economic development.”
The congress comprises twelve sessions, focused on furthering cooperation on social, political and economic matters. Mr Trindade reiterated that the congress is not only addressing these Portuguese-speaking nations, but also regions within the Pearl River Delta, namely Macau and Hong Kong.
Organizers are confident that the congress will also further business opportunities, in line with one of the MSAR’s greatest aims: to diversify its economy, while boosting cooperation with other regions.
Mr Wu added that this is a long-
term goal: they wish to further cooperation with Portuguese-
speaking countries in the long run, hence the promotion of sustainable development in the industry, and promotion for the exchange of opportunities. He added that they hope to establish new cooperation mechanisms.
Furthermore, Mr Wu recalled that China and the Portuguese-
speaking countries have extensive natural resources, and each has its own geographic advantage. “We could take advantage of these quite good conditions to further our cooperation and develop the economy,” he said.
He has also advocated that Macau play a greater role in this platform, given its historical and cultural features.
Mr Trindade stressed that this year’s theme will focus on looking at engineering as “a decisive element” on the cooperation process. About 800 participants are attending the congress, 300 of whom are foreign engineers.
Secretary-General of Science and Technology Council of the Macau Government, Leong Pou Fong, revealed that a Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Science and Technology Cooperation Joint Conference will also be taking place this morning.
In its twelfth edition, the conference will see leaders of each Pearl River Delta region talk about how to continue promoting cooperation on science and technology. 38 people will be participating in today’s conference.