The business meeting between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries will take place later this year in Guinea-Bissau, said Echo Chan, Assistant Secretary-General of the Permanent Office of Macau Forum.

This is the first time since the creation of Macau Forum that Bissau is hosting a business meeting between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, whilst Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), Mozambique, Portugal and Timor-Leste (East Timor) have previously hosted the annual meeting.

Echo Chan, in an interview with newspaper Ponto Final, said these meetings, which started in 2005, in Portuguese-speaking countries were an opportunity for businesspeople to extend their knowledge of the Macau Forum member countries.

“There are different markets and different sectors and the idea is to create different opportunities. We have to seek cooperation in accordance with each country’s development needs. There is the Cooperation and Development Fund between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to support infrastructure projects. In addition, the Forum provides support for scholarships and training in various sectors,” said Echo Chan.

The Assistant Secretary-General of the Permanent Office of Macau Forum also said that “the businesspeople from each country know where to invest and what their needs are,” and recalled that the Macau platform exists to facilitate knowledge and exchange and expand business opportunities between the members of the Macau Forum.

Echo Chan also said that as part of the Cooperation and Development Fund between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries two projects were underway, but indicated that 20 others are being prepared with a view to securing financial support for their implementation.

Chan also noted the importance for Forum countries of the Maritime Silk Route, launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Macau announced its readiness to participate. (macauhub/AO/BR/CN/CV/GW/MO/MZ/PT/TL)