The Government has set up an Office for the Organizing of the Economic Cooperation Forum between China and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries, according to a Chief Executive Order published in the Macao SAR Gazette Monday, 3 March.

The Office headed by a coordinator, is responsible for the promotion, coordination of the activities related to the Forum which is expected to be held in the second half of this year.

The coordinator will be appointed by the Secretary for Economy and Finance Francis Tam Pak Yuen.

The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) will give financial and administrative supports to the Office and the Forum.

The Macao SAR Government has outlined that the MSAR will be developed as a trade and service platform for the small and medium-sized (SMEs) enterprises in mainland China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

The ministerial-level Forum is aimed at promoting and enhancing the trade and economic cooperation between Macao, mainland China the Portuguese-speaking countries.

The central government has expressed its support to the organization of the Forum.