Forum for Economic Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Macao) is scheduled to hold on 12-14 October in Macao, the Central Government announced today (3 September).

The Forum is organized by the Central Government and is undertaken by Macao SAR.

Assistant Minister of Commerce Chen Jian said ministerial officials of Portugal, Brazil, East Timor, Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau would participate in the event.

He added that the Forum was aimed at promoting boost trade and economic ties between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries and to use Macao as a platform for that.

The Forum is to hold every three years. It will include ministerial meetings and trade conferences.

With a population of over 200 million and rich natural resources, Portuguese-speaking countries possessed enormous potential to develop further economic ties with China, Mr. Chen said.

He acknowledged that Macao, formerly ruled by the Portuguese, possessed prominent edge to serve as the platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Secretary for Economy and Finance Francis Tam said the Forum would strengthen Macao’s role as the platform between these countries.