The Macao SAR Government Consumer Council and the Brazilian Association of Consumer Defence (PROTESTE) signed a cooperation agreement to establish long-time partnership, the agreement brings substantial benefits to the connection of Macao and Brazil as well as consumer organizations in China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and in protecting consumer rights of citizens in both regions.
Chan Hong Sang, Full-time member of the Executive Committee of the Consumer Council, indicates that in order to fulfil its mission to serve consumer organizations in China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the Consumer Council endeavours to form partnership with consumer organizations in Portuguese-speaking countries after joining CONSUMARE. After signing a cooperation agreement with the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection (DECO) earlier, the Council and PROTESTE discussed on establishing partnership and a consensus was reached in this May. PROTESTE is a non-profit, independent consumer organization, and the largest in Brazil and Latin America. There are currently over 200,000 members under PROTESTE.
Macao Consumer Council to refer cases between China and Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and the 5th country with the highest population in the world. Macao and Brazil always have frequent exchanges in tourism and commerce. Brazil has recently announced a plan to offer visa-free policy to Chinese citizens so that tourism and consumption between Chinese and Brazilian citizens are expected to become more frequent, and the signing of cooperation agreement between Macao and Brazil makes it well prepared for future needs. The Macao Consumer Council joined the professional delegates of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) to visit Brazil and the cooperation agreement was signed on 21 November (Macao time) in Rio de Janeiro by Chan Hong Sang, Full-time member of the Executive Committee of the Consumer Council, and Maria Inês Dolci, Vice President of the Board of PROTESTE, both parties started discussion on cooperation in various aspects right away.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Irene Va Kuan Lau, President of IPIM, Jorge Neto Valente, President of the Macau Lawyers Association, and Vong Sok Hei Rosita, Secretary-General of the World Trade Center Macau Arbitration Center.
Partnership to be built between the Mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries
Chan Hong Sang indicates that aside from setting up a referral mechanism for consumer disputes to protect the consumer rights of citizens in both regions as stated in the agreement, the Macao Consume Council promises to assist Chinese and Portuguese-speaking countries consumers when consumer disputes arise, the Council believes that this case referral platform complements the objective of the SAR Government in setting up “One Platform” and helps to encourage trade, tourism and other exchange and cooperation among China, Portuguese-speaking countries, and Macao.
Cooperation between Macao and Brazil also includes personnel training, exchange of information, joint activities, etc..
The Council has signed cooperation agreement with 9 cities in the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong, as well as consumer organizations in Fujian Province, Jiangsu Province, Tianjin City, etc., consumers may resolve their disputes that happen in Portuguese-speaking countries more conveniently through the function of “One Platform”.
The Council also visited Li Yang, Consul General of Chinese Consulate-General in Rio de Janeiro and communicated with local arbitration institutions.
Consensus reached to cooperate with Mozambique
Chan also discloses that representatives from the National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE) of Mozambique visited the Council this July and suggested the signing of a cooperation agreement. The Council will continue to seek cooperation with consumer organizations in China and other countries and regions in the future to extend the function of “One Platform” to strengthen the image of Macao as an international tourism city.
