Gov’t to expand trade platform to Spanish-speaking nations

The SAR plans to expand its economic footprint by extending its trade platform for Portuguese-speaking countries to include Spanish-speaking nations during China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030).

Che Weng-keong, president of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of Macao, announced that the city will leverage its ‘One country, two systems’ framework and free-port status to bridge China with Spanish-speaking markets in Europe and Latin America. The strategy builds on the success of the Portuguese-speaking platform, which saw China-Portuguese Speaking Countries trade surge from $11 billion in 2003 to USD225.8 billion in 2025.

“Macau can serve as an important window for overseas enterprises seeking opportunities in China’s vast market,” Che said, noting the linguistic and cultural synergies between the two language groups.

To support this expansion, Macau said it will bolster partnerships with Spanish-language organizations, recruit specialized professional teams to assist Chinese enterprises, and integrate Spanish-language elements into major trade events.

This includes inviting Spanish-speaking exhibitors to October’s Macau International Trade and Investment Fair. By dual-tracking its engagement with both Portuguese and Spanish-speaking economies, Macau aims to significantly enhance its international reach and support national development goals.