The development of western China will create business opportunities for the Macau entrepreneurs, said Francis Tam, the Secretary for Economy and Finance on 16 May.

Mr. Tam said that Chongqing, which plays an important role in the development of western China, is an ideal investment place for Macau entrepreneurs, adding that the SAR government will assist them if they encounter any problems.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Chongqing Municipality Committee of the Chinese Communist Party He Guoqiang said that Chongqing looks forward to cooperate with Macau, which is a bridge connecting China with the European Union and Portuguese-speaking nations. In this way, economic cooperation between Chongqing and those nations would be facilitated.

The Chongqing-Macau Association for Economic Promotion was established last June. Since then, the economic and cultural ties between Macau and Chongqing were reinforced.

About thirty local enterprises have invested in Chongqing. Investment included infrastructual construction and real estate projects totaling up to about US$1.1 billion.

Four cooperation agreements, which included a television transmission project and pharmacy, were signed during the conference.

The press conference about the development of Chongqing and Western China was held on 16 May.