Macau delegation participates in GBA Forum

IPIM’s Irene Va (left) and other delegates

A Macau delegation led by the Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong participated in the “Forum on Economic Cooperation between Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau,” held as part of Asia’s Leading Food & Hospitality Tradeshow (HOFEX 2019) at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

The delegation included, among others, members of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). At the Forum, Secretary Leong pointed out that the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area Development Plan” has been presented and will gradually be implemented.

Leong said the Greater Bay Area (GBA) possesses an advantage compared to other similar projects around the world; namely, the “One country, two systems” policy in force in Macau and Hong Kong that is rooted and finds strong points in its foundations based in international standards and international rules, the IPIM noted in a statement to the press.

In the same statement, Leong also noted that, “building the Greater Bay Area could be an innovative ‘testing ground’ and an innovative community project, combining international standards and international rules with China’s efficiency and the speed advantages.”

Noting the 20th anniversary of the handover of Macau, the Secretary said that it was time to face a new pattern of regional cooperation and development for a new era, taking the “unprecedented range of opportunities” made available by the initiative to achieve a moderate level of economic diversification.

The forum, held at HOFEX 2019, was part of the opening ceremonies of the event that also included an experience shared by a Macau representative at the National People’s Congress, lawmaker Si Ka Lon.
After the session, the delegation visited the exhibition and participated in related activities including a visit to the booths of local exhibitors at the fair. RM