From 12 to 14 March, the “Macao-Hengqin Investment Promotion Delegation” (the Delegation) made its first stop in Jakarta, Indonesia, to launch a series of investment promotion activities and have in-depth exchanges with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Indonesia, the Directorate General for National Export Development under the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association and the Sinar Mas Group, to promote economic and trade co-operation between Macao-Hengqin and Indonesia, and to explore extensive co-operation in areas such as two-way investment, introduction of headquarter and tourism.
Extensive scope for multi-party cooperation
On 13 March, the “Macao - Hengqin Investment Promotion Seminar 2023 - Jakarta, Indonesia” was successfully held, attracting nearly 100 prominent figures from the Indonesian political, industrial, academic and research sectors, leading to the signing of two co-operation agreements on site.
Known as the “Land of 10,000 Islands”, Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia in terms of area, the fourth most populous country in the world, and the country with the largest economic volume in Southeast Asia. There is ample scope for co-operation between Macao and Hengqin and Indonesia’s advantageous industries in the fields of technology research and development, biomedicine, cultural tourism and commerce, modern finance and digital economy.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association Abdul Alek Soelystio said that Indonesia and Macao have had a good foundation of interaction and co-operation over the years, and hoped that bilateral co-operation could be more and more extensive in the future. The Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association will continue to do its best to provide necessary legal and regulatory consultation services to investors visiting and setting up businesses in Indonesia.
President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute Vincent U introduced Macao’s development strategy, platform advantages and supporting policies. He also introduces the participants to Macao’s unique advantages such as its role as a China-PSC trade platform, free port and separate customs territory, which will help Indonesian entrepreneurs to invest and develop in Macao and Hengqin, creating a mutually beneficial situation and sharing the development opportunities arising from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
During the seminar, the organiser introduced the preferential policies and business environment of Macao and Hengqin to Indonesian entrepreneurs from various perspectives.
Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin Fu Yongge highlighted the open investment environment of Hengqin-Macao integration. He added that the two sides are working together to build a new model of joint development of industries – “Macao Platform + International Resources + Hengqin Space + Results Sharing”, which manifests advantages in building the domestic and international economic dual cycle, linking the domestic and international markets. He expressed his hopes that the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association would serve as a bridge that deepens the co-operation between Indonesia and China, especially between Macao and the mainland. Macao and Hengqin will also provide all-round support and protection to Indonesian enterprises and various services to help Indonesian enterprises explore business opportunities and make investments.
Active response from Indonesian delegates
In the afternoon of 13 March, the delegation also held the “Indonesia-Macao Business Matching Session”, which attracted 80 local Indonesian enterprises to attend and meet with representatives of Macao enterprises on site, resulting in nearly 100 matching sessions covering various sectors including cultural tourism and leisure, business and trade, finance, food and beverage brands, food, logistics and furniture.
From 13 to 14 March, the delegation visited the Sinar Mas Group and the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association to have detailed discussion on industrial co-operation areas, diversified co-operation models, the organisation of field inspections in Macao and Hengqin, and the establishment of a mechanism for regular mutual visits.
During the investment promotion series activities in Indonesia, representatives from many enterprises and the Macao-Hengqin Investment Promotion Delegation had an exchange of enthusiasm and extensively discussed industrial co-operation, talent exchange, technology innovation and other aspects. Many enterprises expressed that the open investment environment and the unique development model of Macao and the Co-operative Zone provide Indonesian enterprises with positive imagination and development opportunities to invest in China, and they are willing to visit Macao and Hengqin in the near future.
The delegation was comprised of representatives from the Executive Committee of the Co-operation Zone, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, the Economic Development Bureau of the Co-operation Zone and representatives from enterprises in Macao and Hengqin. The delegation included Deputy Directors of the Executive Committee of the Cooperation Zone Fu Yongge and Su Kun, President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute Vincent U, Director General and Deputy Director General of the Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone António Lei and Zhang Ge, and representatives from the industrial and commercial sectors, including Chairman of the Macau Association of Banks Li Guang, Vice President of the Macao Chinese Chamber of Commerce U Kin Cho, and Vice President of Industrial Association of Macau Ian Soi Kun.