The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, led an official delegation to Beijing today to attend the First Beijing Macao Economic and Trade Exchange Symposium, which opens tomorrow.

On his departure, Mr Chui told reporters at Macau International Airport that the Symposium was the fruit of the dedication of Beijing and Macao.

More than 100 business units from Macao would actively participate in the event, and agreements on some 16 co-operative projects would be signed, said Mr Chui.

He said that the Beijing authorities would come to Macao to jointly host the event next year, and that this would further strengthen the co-operation between Beijing and Macao in the future.

The first ever symposium, to be held from 27-30 September, is jointly hosted by the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, the Macao SAR Government, and undertaken by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Council for Promotion of Trade of Beijing, and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute.

During the four-day event, a string of activities will be held including a forum on Beijing and Macao’s development, special presentations, trade negotiations, signing protocols and the sale of Macao’s feature products.