The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said he was confident that – under its new leadership – the Customs Service would strive to provide the city with better services, namely regarding the management of Macao’s maritime waters, thus contributing to the city’s development.

Mr Vong Iao Lek was sworn in this afternoon as Director-General of the Macao Customs Service. The ceremony was held at the Government Headquarters and was presided over by the Chief Executive.

Mr Chui stressed the need to ensure a smooth leadership transition and to maintain the regular operations of the Customs Service.

The Chief Executive convened a work meeting on Saturday (20 February) – following the announcement of Mr Vong’s appointment – to review the leadership transition in the Customs Service. Mr Vong and the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, attended the meeting. Mr Wong served as interim Director-General of the Customs Service since 31 October 2015.

Mr Chui said today that the work of the Customs Service was of particular importance to the development of Macao, especially following the demarcation of the city’s maritime boundaries. Such boundaries include a newly demarcated area of 85 square kilometres of maritime waters to be administered by Macao.

The Customs Service will also play an important role in helping the city to take advantage of the development opportunities arising from the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and contribute for Macao to become a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (known as “Centre and Platform” policies), Mr Chui added.

Asked by reporters, the Chief Executive reiterated that Mr Vong had been nominated to lead the Customs Service after careful and comprehensive consideration of his capabilities and past experience in leadership roles. The State Council ratified Mr Vong’s nomination on Friday (19 February).

Mr Chui said that the Macao SAR principal officials do not necessarily have to be appointed from the field they are put in charge. He added that there had been similar cases to that of Mr Vong in the past, with those appointed achieving successful results. The main factors under consideration when selecting a candidate for a principal official position included policy-making abilities, sense of responsibility, and management and execution skills, the Chief Executive added.

During today’s ceremony, Mr Vong said that to head the Customs Service is a challenging position. He added that, with the support of a professional and united team, he was confident to contribute for Macao’s stability and help achieve the Government’s vision for the city.

Mr Vong’s priority at the Customs Service would be to ensure the proper management of the city’s newly demarcated maritime area. Building an effective and efficient team – making use of modern equipment and facilities – would help achieve that goal, he added.

Earlier today – prior to the swearing-in ceremony – Mr Wong and Mr Vong met with the top management of the Customs Service. During the work meeting – held at the Customs Service headquarters – the Secretary urged all staff to support Mr Vong; he added that his office would give full assistance to the Customs Service whenever needed.

The Secretary extended his gratitude to all staff of the Customs Service for their work during the period he headed the service.