The Training Centre of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was launched today after the signing of the Action Plan of the Forum’s Third Ministerial Conference.

Speaking at the centre’s launching ceremony, the Secretary of Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, pledged that the centre would tap into Macao’s resources and expand manpower training for members of the Forum.

Mr Tam added that the centre would also serve to enhance human resources co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, thereby boosting mutual exchanges.

Apart from the establishment of the training centre, the Action Plan calls for the promotion of Macao as a centre for arbitration of commercial disputes between enterprises on the Mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries.

The Action Plan also re-affirms Macao’s role in bringing China and the Lusophone world ever closer together and acknowledges Macao’s contribution to the Forum.

According to the Action Plan, Macao will continue to play an active part in strengthening China-Lusophone exchanges, particularly in the areas of trade, logistics, investment, fishing and agriculture, natural resources, infrastructure, health and telecommunication.

The significance of the co-operation and development fund between China and Portuguese-speaking countries is also highlighted in the Action Plan, which encourages financial institutions of the Forum’s members to participate in the fund on a voluntary basis.

The Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum closed this morning; the next ministerial conference will be held again in Macao, in 2013.