A delegation led by Assistant Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China Ren Hongbin visited Macao from 21 to 24 July to attend the 12^th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (12^th IIICF) and gave suggestions regarding enhancing international infrastructure co-operation and building consensus among all parties, as well as inspirational advices for the development orientation of future editions of the IIICF.

Assistant Minister Ren Hongbin participated in the opening ceremony of the Forum, “The Third Working Meeting of Steering Committee of IIICF”, “The 7^th China-LAC Infrastructure Forum”, and the parallel forum “Giving Full Play to Macao’s Role as Platform, Promoting China and Portuguese-speaking Countries to Jointly Advance the Belt and Road Co-operation”. He also visited the exhibition area and exchanged views with all parties. During the event, he remarked that infrastructure investment and co-operation are expected to embrace new development opportunities. The concept of green, low-carbon and sustainable infrastructure is gradually emerging, while new infrastructure construction represented by digitalisation and intelligence injects fresh impetus into economic development. He encouraged all circles in Macao to stretch their competitive edges, take the initiative to keep in line with the country’s 14^th Five-Year Plan, partake in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and deepen economic and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. It is also expected that the IIICF can gradually expand its functions and strive to be a top-notch event.

During his stay, Assistant Minister Ren visited the Portuguese-speaking Countries Food Products Exhibition Centre at Tap Seac Square. The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) introduced him to the Economic & Trade Co-operation and Human Resources Portal between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries and Macao’s positioning as a food product distribution centre for PSCs. It was mentioned that the total volume of trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in 2020 hit US$ 145.1 billion, an increase of nearly 60% compared with 2016, while the overall merchandise trade between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries also showed a growing trend. In 2020, the total volume of trade between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries totalled MOP 700 million, giving full play to Macao’s role as a Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.