Hengqin Free Trade zone opens

The Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong attended the opening ceremony of Guangdong’s pilot free trade zone (Hengqin area) yesterday. Leading Macau’s delegation in Hengqin, he assured attendees that the government is committed to improving the efficiency of Macau-Hengqin cooperation projects.
The MSAR and Zhuhai signed a protocol to create a mechanism for the development of the Hengqin area as part of Guangdong’s pilot free trade zone.
Mr Leong said that the development of a pilot free trade zone in Guangdong meets the MSAR’s developmental needs and helps to enhance strategic cooperation projects between both regions.
Therefore, he said Macau’s government will fully support local companies and residents of both cities to develop projects in the area.
Mr Leong stressed that the promotion of business development in the Hengqin area, namely in the tourism, leisure and cultural fields, will reinforce the MSAR’s role as “a platform.” He added that the development of the Hengqin area within Guangdong’s pilot free trade zone will lead to common benefits and advantages in both regions.
According to a statement issued by the secretary’s office, he confirmed that the government will step up efforts to improve cooperation between Macau and Guangdong “at all levels,” focusing on the implementation of Hengqin-Macau cooperation projects and on building advantageous conditions for the development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
The secretary outlined Macau’s action plan for the Hengqin area, stressing that first competent authorities will be invited to hold information sessions in Macau to share details on the free trade zone’s projects and policies. Competent services will also be moving forward with the revision of relevant laws in close collaboration with the business sector and Macau citizens. The government will also strive to speed up the construction of the Guangdong-Macau Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park.
China has set up three new pilot free trade zones, namely in Guangdong, Fujian and Tianjin, which began official operation recently. CP

macau vehicles closer to entering hengqin

The Hengqin New Area Administrative Committee’s director-general Niu Jing has revealed that the new free trade zone (FTZ) is ready to receive entries of Macau-licensed vehicles, and a more specific arrangement will be announced within the year. With the free trade zone inaugurated yesterday, Niu said the scheme’s implementation is getting closer and closer, and that preliminary work has already been done. As for the MSAR government’s intention of purchasing land in Hengqin to build high-end elderly homes, Niu responded that negotiations between the two authorities are progressing smoothly.