Macao and Zhuhai have agreed to work closer together on urban planning and transportation, border crossing and the development of the trans-border industrial zone.

The Zhuhai-Macao Co-operation Working Group held its first meeting in Zhuhai today, jointly chaired by Macao‘s Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, and the Vice Mayor of Zhuhai, Mr Chen Honghui.

The meeting was attended by officials from the two places and representing departments of urban planning, transportation, infrastructure, economy, customs, public security, inspection and quarantine, health, culture, education and tourism.

They have agreed to set up three sub-working groups under the Zhuhai-Macao Co-operation Working Group to work on the development of the Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone, the co-ordination on urban planning and transportation network, and the optimisation of their border crossing facilities.

The Zhuhai-Macao Co-operation Working Group was established last December after the signing of a memorandum during the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2008. The working group was established to enhance communication and co-operation between the two places.