The 11^th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (11^th IIICF) came to a successful conclusion today (3 December). During the two-day Forum, more than 30 keynote forums, thematic sessions and parallel forums were held, and over 170 business talks were hosted, drawing more than 1,000 people from 42 countries and regions, including diplomatic envoys in China from 32 countries. At the signing ceremony, the Chinese and foreign parties signed a total of 12 co-operation agreements, largely covering roads, buildings, photovoltaic power stations, wind electricity  and other fields.

The 11^th IIICF, collaboratively hosted by the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA) and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), held a protocol signing ceremony and a summary press conference today (3 December). Mr. Fang Qiuchen, Chairman of the CHINCA, Mr. Lau Wai Meng, President of the IPIM, Mr. Peng Tao, Deputy Director General of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Fernando Lugris, the Uruguayan Ambassador to China, Ms. Sarah J. C. Serem, the Kenyan Ambassador to China, and Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, the Indonesian Ambassador to China, attended the press conference.

Mr. Fang Qiuchen summed up the three traits of the 11^th IIICF: First, the context was unique while the theme was distinct. This year’s Forum was an international conference held against the backdrop of challenges to international infrastructure co-operation. Its theme emphasized unity and co-operation to address difficulties together. The topic of discussion was on promoting the stability and reshaping of the industrial chain, supply chain and value chain of international infrastructure, while underscoring the challenges facing international infrastructure co-operation in the new normal of pandemic prevention and control. Second, the Forum captured wide attention and active participation. As per the requirements of pandemic prevention and control in Mainland China and Macao, the organisers made corresponding adjustments to the guest invitation work to cut the number of on-site personnel, but the overall level of this year’s guests was improved compared with previous years. Third, the 11^th IIICF was innovative and novel in terms of its form. In light of the requirements for exhibition events amid the normalisation of pandemic prevention and control, the organisers made corresponding changes and innovations in the organisational form, holding this Forum both offline and offline for the first time. Foreign guests were invited to participate in the keynote speeches, special events and parallel forums through a live link-up and video speeches. The Forum also had live webcasts of major sessions such as the opening ceremony and keynote forums for the first time.

Mr. Lau Wai Meng made a summary of the 11^thIIICF on four fronts: First, it showcased that Macao is a safe convention and exhibition city and that it has the ability to integrate online and offline services in the new era. For delivering a good job in pandemic prevention and control, the 11^th IIICFonly invited diplomatic envoys in China and representatives of international organisations stationed in the Chinese Mainland, while overseas guests participated in the Forum online. The opening ceremony, keynote speeches, keynote forums and other major sessions were live broadcast. Second, in response to the pandemic, the Forum proposed directions for the recovery of international infrastructure co-operation. This year’s Forum held multiple forums extensively discussing the directions for the sustainable development of international infrastructure co-operation in the post-pandemic era. Various innovative co-operation modes were put forwardto address the difficulties and challenges faced by the industry. Third, the Forum highlighted the importance of the dynamic integration of the IIICF and Macao’s role as the Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in facilitating international collaboration. During the Forum, “The 6^thChina-LAC Infrastructure Forum”, “Developing Sustainable Infrastructure in Africa Together - Perspectives from Africa, China and Europe”, “Portuguese Speaking Countries Investment Promotion Seminar” and so on were held to discuss the opportunities for infrastructure co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as European and Latin American countries, leveraging Macao’s function as the platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Fourth, the Forum continued to incorporate Macao elements and raised the commitment of the local industry to the regional infrastructure construction. Through the parallelforum entitled “Construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area — Challenges and Opportunities of Macao Construction Industry” and the “Networking Reception of the Mainland China-Macao Belt and Road Business and Professional Services Council”,it attempted to spur the local industry to pay more attention to andplay an active role in the connectivity development plans of the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road.