“The 8th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum” (hereinafter “The 8th IIICF) commenced in Macao today (1 June). The theme of this forum was “Collaboratively Build a diversified, innovative, and sustainable infrastructure with Industry Connectivity”. More than 1,700 leaders from industrial sectors in 63 countries and regions were motivated to participate in the event.
Chui San On, Chief Executive (CE) of Macao SAR, Yu Jianhua, Vice Minister of Ministry of Commerce of China and Deputy China International Trade Representative, Yao Jian, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People 's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Ye Dabo, Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, and Leong Vai Tac, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR officiated over the opening ceremony, together with a large number of ministers from different countries and guests from international financial institutions.
The CE said in his speech that the infrastructure connectivity is priority in the construction of “The Belt and Road”. In October last year, Premier Li Keqiang, of the Central Government, during the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries pointed out in his keynote speech that the Chinese government will fully support Macao to function as the pivot of “The Belt and Road”, and it will also support Macao’s holding of annual activities such as “International Infrastructure Forum”. The support of the Central government encouraged Macao considerably, and is making a greater effort to initiate the related work, in order to turn the “International Infrastructure Forum” into an important platform for Macao to be involved in the construction of “The Belt and Road”.
Meanwhile, on the CE pointed out that as the “International Infrastructure Forum” has held Macao for six years, it has gradually become a very influential convention and exhibition event. This year, it is also the first time that the Macao SAR is the adviser in the name of the government of Macao SAR, so as to further illustrate the combined effects of the “International Infrastructure Forum” and Macao’s “services platform for commercial co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, and helps project contractors at home and abroad, and international financial institutions to be involved in the national development plans such as “The Belt and Road” and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.
Fang Qiuchen, Chairman of the China International Contractors Association, in his speech encouraged the international industrial sectors to fully use the platform of the “International Infrastructure Forum” and grasp the opportunities brought about by “The Belt and Road”, so as to achieve mutually beneficial results and joint development.
In addition, Yu Jianhua, Hartwig Schafer, Vice President of the World Bank (Operations Policy and Country Services), Rafael C. Yabut, Senior Undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways of the Philippines, Ding Xiangqun, Vice President of the China Development Bank, Sun Ping, Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of China and Tomas Kuta, Senior Vice President of Sales of Volvo Construction Equipment delivered keynote speeches concerning the theme of this forum. Meanwhile, the “China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Co-operation and Development Fund” Headquarters Unveiling and Protocol Signing Ceremony was also held in the same venue. This now is the official location of the “China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Co-operation and Development Fund”. In the forum, “The Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2017)”and “The Report on the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2017)” were also launched, so as to provide an indicative reference for the global infrastructure field.
More than 1,700 leaders from the industrial sectors in 63 countries and regions, including 57 ministerial officials, executives of 32 international financial institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and representatives of more than 630 enterprises such as the International Contractors Association, contractors, equipment manufacturers, advisory services institutions, and industrial services chain providers, were also motivated to participate in this forum.
There are 14 thematic forums and parallel forums to be held today and tomorrow (2 June). More than a hundred representatives of governments and enterprises from countries and regions along “The Belt and Road”, executives of international financial institutions, ENR 250 large international contractors, international advisory bodies, engineering equipment manufacturers and professional institutions will be the guest speakers. Meanwhile, a signing ceremony and press conference will also be held tomorrow.
