Finance Secretary studies Hainan’s free trade experience

Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong has led a delegation to Hainan Province to study its experience as a free trade port, among other topics.

Lei conducted the visit also in his capacity as the director of the Executive Council of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (the Cooperation Zone).

He first thanked the Hainan government for assisting with the visit, and explained that the Cooperation Zone has an area of 106 square kilometers, which is set to become a new home for Macau residents. “A new system on par with Macau’s standards and openness is being constructed,” he said.

Lei then cited the province’s experience as a free trade port, complimenting the orderly progression of special customs operations on the island province, the accelerated formation of a modern industrial system, the continuous strengthening of new drivers of economic development, and the continuous optimization of the business environment, which will provide experience and reference for the establishment and improvement of the Guangdong-Macau co-consultation, co-construction and sharing system.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Ni Qiang of the province underlined that it is the ardent desire of the Party Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping to jointly promote the mutual development of Guangdong and Hainan, and to promote the joint development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port.

The delegation visited Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pioneer Area to witness the permanent International Innovative Medicine and Equipment Exhibition. They also made visits to understand the basic situation of the industrial development of the Yangpu Development Zone, and the implementation of the province’s special tariff policies, as well as the situation of Yangpu port special operations and construction projects.