Infrastructure forum secures USD9.9 billion in deals, strengthens Lusophone and Latin links

Macau reinforced its role as a gateway for China-led infrastructure investment this week, with USD9.9 billion in agreements signed at a major industry forum aimed at deepening ties with Portuguese-and Spanish-speaking markets.

The 17th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum & Exhibition (IIICF), which concluded Friday at the Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo, hosted more than 250 activities, including over 200 business matchmaking sessions, organizers said.

Che Weng Keong, president of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), said the event underscored the city’s function as a platform for cross-border cooperation. “We are continuously strengthening Macau’s role as a platform and building an important bridge for high-level opening-up,” he said, noting growing engagement between Chinese enterprises and Spanish-speaking countries.

More than 200 speakers from government, industry and academia participated, with discussions centered on green, low-carbon, and digital transformation in infrastructure, according to Fang Qiuchen, chairman of the China International Contractors Association.

Fang said the forum’s international standing was further enhanced this year following certification from the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services, alongside improvements in exhibitor selection and programming.

During the three-day event, 21 cooperation agreements were signed across 15 countries and regions, covering sectors including clean energy, environmental monitoring, and urban development.

A new feature this year was a site visit to the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone for delegates from Spanish-speaking countries, aimed at promoting Macau’s intermediary role in China–Latin America cooperation.

The forum also highlighted Macau’s positioning under the Belt and Road Initiative and its role as a China–Portuguese platform, with exhibition zones showcasing integration with Hengqin and efforts to diversify the local economy.

Che also highlighted that the infrastructure and investment event generated spillover benefits for hospitality and retail, driven by high-spending business visitors, while community tours were arranged to channel foot traffic into local districts.

Alongside the main event, a China–Latin America infrastructure forum emphasized green and digital development.

Liu Dajiang, a senior official at China’s Ministry of Commerce, said discussions focused on sectors such as renewable energy, smart cities, and public services.

“During the forum, several representatives engaged in substantive exchanges on how to leverage China’s technological expertise in new energy, intelligent computing, ecological environmental protection, 5G data centers, and smart cities, focusing on agriculture, health, education, and other livelihood areas to advance Latin American countries’ industrialization, urbanization, and sustainable development goals,” Liu said.

Organizers pledged that the forum would continue to serve as a conduit for international infrastructure cooperation as China and its partners expand investment aligned with sustainability and digitalization.