14 July 2021
Organised by the Macau Delegation of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCILC-Macau) and co-organised by the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, AICEP Portugal Global Trade & Investment Agency and MdME Lawyers, the Seminar on the Investment and Development Status of Luso-Chinese Relation Under COVID-19 rounded off at Dr. Stanley Ho Auditorium, Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong on 14 July.
As COVID-19 has changed the global investment landscape, the seminar aims to explore the status quo and future trends of Luso-Chinese relations. Keynote speakers included Mr. Carlos Cid Álvares, CEO of BNU Macau, Ms. Wong Un I, Portuguese qualified lawyer and Special Counsel of MdME Lawyers, and Mr. Antonio Trindade, CEO of Macau's CESL Asia Investments and Services, and the moderator Mr. José Carlos Matias, Director of Macau Business Magazine.
In his welcome speech, Bernie Leong, President of the Board of Directors of CCILC-Macau, expressed his gratitude to Portuguese Consul-General in Macau and Hong Kong Paulo Cunha Alves for his attendance and letting the seminar to be held in such as charismatic venue, also the support from all parties in making the Seminar a success. The Seminar aims to explore the status quo and future trends of Luso-Chinese relations. Facing the pandemic, both countries are adapting and transforming to upgrade the economic structure. The prospects for cooperation of both sides are not only challenging but also very promising. He believes that with the joint efforts, Luso-Chinese relations will achieve high quality developments in the future.
At the Seminar, Mr. Carlos Cid Álvares expatiated on how Portugal and China have built a solid relationship over the years, and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic the two countries have strengthened ties, which he believes are advantages that Portugal-funded companies must seize. He expects that as the pandemic eases, trade and investment opportunities will abound with the pushing ahead of the Belt & Road Initiative as well as the development of the Greater Bay Area.
Ms. Wong Un I stated that the two countries' collaboration intent and their attachment to the partnership had not been affected by the pandemic. The friendship between the two countries plays an important role in enhancing the collaboration and development between China and Europe, she added. With the positive effects of China’s investment in Portugal over the years, it is foreseeable that the two countries will continue to deepen their collaboration and expand it to cover more areas, thus driving economic recovery.
Mr. Antonio Trindade said that economic activity between China, Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries, with Macau as a platform, have yet to be strengthened as it promises higher social and economic returns to China and Macau than the Gaming industry. He believes that China and Macau governments are right to make bold adjustments to the Macau economy and divert part of the direct and indirect support that is now allocated to the gaming industry. The most promising future for Macau is achieved by supporting the development of local companies in the context of Greater Bay Area and Macau Platform initiatives.
The Seminar came with a question and answer session, where participating business leaders were enthusiastic in raising questions. In the future, CCILC will proactively support the Macau SAR Government’s initiative of integrating into the GBA development in order to forge closer bonds between the two countries, will continue to play its role as a bridge to foster the economic and trade ties between Portuguese and Chinese investors. Portuguese Consul-General in Macau and Hong Kong, Paulo Cunha Alves, Director of AICEP, Portugal Global Trade & Investment Agency, Maria Carolina Lousinha and Managing Partner of MdME Lawyers, Rui Pinto Proença, were also present at the event. Please log onto the Facebook page of CCILC-Macau or MdME Lawyers for a revisit of the Seminar.