The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, agreed to strengthen cooperation with Hong Kong, in a bid better to grasp opportunities arising from the nation’s development.

Such cooperation would be especially helpful in what was a consolidation period for the economies of the two SARs, he added.

The comments were made on Thursday (18 February), during a meeting in Macao with the Hong Kong Government’s Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam Chi-yuen, who was on an official visit.

Issues discussed at the meeting included the nation’s 13th Five-Year Plan; cooperation within the Pan-Pearl River Delta; opportunities in the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone; and policies to support youth entrepreneurship.

Mr Tam also paid a courtesy call to the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam, at Government Headquarters.

In addition, the Hong Kong delegation toured community facilities at Seac Pai Van Public Housing Estate, better to grasp the latest developments in Macao’s public housing. The visitors were accompanied by the Vice President of the Housing Bureau of Macao, Ms Kuoc Vai Han.