The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today met with the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Jiang Zengwei, and exchanged views on boosting Macao as a trading and service platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Mr Chui started by having expressed his appreciation for Mr Jiang’s presence at the presentation session of a special fund for co-operation and development between China and Portuguese-speaking countries held yesterday.

He said the setting up of the special fund could further consolidate Macao as a trading and service platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and that would enable Macao to co-operate better with these countries.

Mr Chui also expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Commerce’s long term support, especially in the diversification of Macao’s economy.

Mr Jiang said that with the joint effort of the Macao Government and the people, Macao’s overall development was encouraging. He said that the aim of this visit was to enhance the co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and he believed the special fund could foster bilateral trading relations.

He said that according to the instruction from Premier Wen Jiabao, China and Portuguese-speaking countries could further promote trading co-operation by using the advantage of Macao’s traditional relationship with Portuguese-speaking countries.

The Secretary for Economy and Finance Mr Tam Pak Yuen, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam also attended the meeting.