Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam, said that the establishment of Macao Business Support Center helped to strengthen Macao serves as a regional-service center and stimulated the local economy.

Mr. Tam today (1 August) visited the Macao Business Support Center on the first day of its operation. 17 companies from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United States had started operation in the Center.

Mr. Tam said that the Center enable the local businessmen to communicate with the foreign investors, encouraging the local businessmen to make use of the Center so as to promote Macao's economy.

The Business Support Center, which is under the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, in collaboration with many government bureaus, acts as a service platform for overseas enterprises starting and developing business in the MSAR.

The Centre, in particular, has a series of one-stop business support measures available including enquiry service on various government administrative procedures. It also serves as a vehicle to reduce the initial setup costs for foreign investors, enabling them to be familiar with Macao's business environment and the relevant administrative procedures in a relatively short time.