Macau’s unique strengths to drive national development, says Secretary Tai

Pointing to Macau’s key advantage as its “strong support from the motherland and close connections with the world,” Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai has pledged to contribute to Chinese modernization with Macau’s unique characteristics and promote the city’s distinct story to the world.

Yesterday marked the opening of the 16th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF), where Tai delivered his remarks.

At the opening ceremony, the Secretary emphasized President Xi Jinping’s call for Macau to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that the IIICF plays a vital role in enhancing and professionalizing Macau’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry on a global scale.

“Since the IIICF relocated to Macau in 2012, it has focused on key issues in global infrastructure connectivity, established a leading platform for professionals, and become a significant annual event in international infrastructure cooperation. Additionally, it has strengthened and internationalized Macau’s convention and exhibition industry, enabling Macau to play a more impactful role in the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.

Tai also highlighted the Macau government’s development strategy, focusing on the “Macau + Hengqin” positioning.

“The Special Administrative Region government is prioritizing the ‘One Center, One Platform, One Base’ policy and the ‘1+4’ diversified industrial development strategy, advancing four major projects in phases to inject new momentum into Macau’s sustainable economic and social development,” he said.

The Secretary also outlined Macau’s future prospects, emphasizing the importance of leveraging the ‘One country, two systems’ principle to enhance global openness, develop key markets, and explore emerging ones, with the aim of “better integrating into and supporting national development strategies.”

IIICF opens with six keynote speeches

The IIICF, an esteemed annual forum, concluded today at the Venetian Macao, centered on this year’s theme: “Enhanced Connectivity for Win-Win Cooperation.”

The event opened yesterday with keynote speeches by senior officials representing various countries and regions.

Yan Dong, vice minister of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, stated: “In 2024, China’s overseas contracting projects achieved a remarkable contract value of USD166 billion, sustaining a growth rate of over 3%. Additionally, the new contract value reached a record high of USD267.3 billion, reflecting the nation’s commitment to global collaboration.”

Said Ahmed Alkali, minister of the Federal Ministry of Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, highlighted the partnership between Nigeria and China in infrastructure development, citing the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Railway project as a prime example.

“[It] is a flagship initiative under Nigeria’s railway modernization undertaken by the China Civil Engineering Company.”

Óscar Salvador Mojica Obregón, minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Nicaragua, expressed his commitment to becoming a reliable and sincere partner with countries such as China, noting: “We stand ready to become a reliable and sincere partner and work with partners, including China, toward a peaceful, prosperous and united world. We have received tremendous support from China as we pursue our goals and central projects.”

Mohamed Abdulkarrim Daghhar, principal secretary of the Ministry of Roads and Transport of the Republic of Kenya, emphasized the importance of collaboration among countries to enhance connectivity and transport services: “The provision of real-time information is key to transport logistics. Toward this end, Kenya continues to collaborate with many countries, especially those participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.”

Enver Iskurt, deputy minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey, stressed the need for trust and mutual loyalty among nations, stating: “We are excited to receive the China-Europe development initiative. The project is set to be a development and competitive trade corridor connecting the Basra border to Europe.” He highlighted Turkey’s strategic role in the Three Seas Initiative and its importance in international communication infrastructure.

Ros Vanna, secretary of state of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of the Kingdom of Cambodia, referenced his country’s longstanding partnership with China: “We have transformed this relationship into a deep diamond cooperation framework. Among the most transformative aspects of this partnership is our collaboration in infrastructure – roads, bridges, railways, energy systems, water systems, special economic zones, and sanitation facilities that protect people, markets, and the future.”