The active participation of Macao enterprises in the 2nd China International Import Expo (CIIE) illustrates the Shanghai event is effective in promoting their business, said today the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac.

The Secretary was speaking to reporters in Shanghai during his visit to the exhibition area organised by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), and to booths of Macao enterprises. The IPIM exhibition area is in the “Trade in Goods – Foods and Agricultural Products Zone” of CIIE.

CIIE provided Macao businesses with fresh opportunities to reach out internationally, and to participate in the fast-track growth of the country’s economy.

CIIE was also a platform for Macao to promote internationally its current social and economic achievements which began two decades ago following the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). Participation in CIIE additionally helped promote externally information about Macao’s future prospects – as well as the city’s effort to diversify its industrial base – and to explain the city’s strides towards boosting trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

As a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, Macao was stepping up effort to introduce a greater number of products from Portuguese-speaking countries to the mainland, in order to serve the need for quality products in that market, said Mr Leong.

Secretary Leong noted that not only were Macao companies trading in goods participating in the Expo, but also some local banks that provide financial services for buyers and purchasers. This demonstrated Macao’s industrial ecosystem was gradually taking shape, added Mr Leong.

He went on to say that the IPIM exhibition area at this year’s CIIE was larger than in the previous year’s edition. Mr Leong also noted there had been more than 600 business negotiation sessions arranged this year. Such uptake this year showed the Macao business sector’s recognition of the effectiveness of last year’s CIIE.