The beginning of construction of several Government-recommend projects in the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Industrial Park strengthens the cooperation ties between Guangdong Province – including the Zhuhai Prefecture – and Macao.
The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, made the comments today when attending the ground-breaking ceremony of such projects on Hengqin Island, part of the mainland’s Zhuhai Prefecture.
The Government would continue pressing ahead with measures to promote the diversification of the city’s economy by taking advantage of the growing number of available opportunities in terms of regional cooperation, said Mr Leong.
Today’s ground-breaking ceremony included a total of 12 Macao-funded projects that plan to set up facilities in the Industrial Park. The projects represent an aggregate investment of 9.65 billion yuan and cover a total area of 330,000 square metres. Such investments include projects related to: tourism and leisure; culture and creative industries; logistics; trade cooperation; and technology. The first of these projects is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2018.
The Government recommended in April 2014 a total of 33 projects from Macao for the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Industrial Park. Of these, 19 projects have already signed cooperation agreements regarding their projects.
The Secretary said the Government would continue to provide comprehensive services to Macao investors that show interest in establishing a business in the Industrial Park. Such services include assistance and support in the application, construction and operation stages. The Government would also provide assistance to investors if they encounter operational problems, Mr Leong stated.
The existing cooperation arrangements – such as the annual Zhuhai-Macao Cooperation Conference, and the Zhuhai-Macao cooperation mechanism regarding the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade (FTZ) Zone of Hengqin Area of Zhuhai – have allowed the Government to further tighten cooperation ties with its Guangdong and Zhuhai counterparts, added Mr Leong.
The Secretary said the Industrial Park provided favourable business opportunities for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), professionals and young entrepreneurs from both Macao and Zhuhai. The Industrial Park also contributes to a closer cooperation between the two sides, as also do other inter-regional projects, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and the development of the FTZ in Guangdong, he added.
Asked by reporters, the Secretary said the Government encouraged more SMEs to be involved in the projects recommended for the Industrial Park. The Government would pay close attention to the involvement of SMEs when those projects started operation, he added.
Mr Leong also commented on the promotional campaign entitled “Macau Loves Locals”. He said the city’s six casino operators launched the campaign without any subsidy from the Government.
The Government was pleased to see the initiative, which was in line with the Government’s strategy to promote diversification of the city’s economy, he said.
The “Macau Loves Locals” campaign was launched this week and offers discounts and promotions to Macao residents – who bring along a valid identification – when enjoying non-gaming offerings at hotels and resorts operated by the city’s six casino operators.
Mr Leong also said he noticed that the organisers of the promotional campaign issued a statement reminding the participating units not to collect personal information from the identification cards presented by Macao residents.
