A delegation from the CIFIT Organizing Committee, headed by Shen Shunwen, Deputy Director of China (Xiamen) International Investment Promotion Center, attended the 14th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) from October 22 to 25. The delegation took advantage of MIF to promote the 14th CIFIT next year, to consolidate ties with Portuguese-speaking countries, and to expand CIFIT’s channels for overseas cooperation. During their stay in Macao, the delegation also visited the Economy Department of the Central Government Liaison Office and the secretariat of the China-Portuguese Forum. 

The 14th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) was held at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from October 22 to 25, 2009. MIF, Macao’s largest annual economic and trade event, is devoted to the same themes as CIFIT and comprises exhibitions, forums, project matchmaking, procurement negotiations, and investment promotions.  

During their stay in Macao, the delegation also visited the Economy Department of the Central Government Liaison Office and the secretariat of the China-Portuguese Forum.

Zhou Zhikui, Director of the Economy Department of the Central Government Liaison Office, and Gao Shangde, Assistant Director, met with the delegation. Mr. Zhou has participated with Gao Yan, Director of the Central Government Liaison Office, in several CIFITs. He sang high praise of CIFIT’s role in promoting international investment and its outstanding services, saying that CIFIT is China’s largest, highest-level and most fruitful government-sponsored trade event. During the meeting, Mr. Shen first thanked the Central Government Liaison Office for its support for CIFIT over the years, and then briefed Mr. Zhou on the results of the recently-concluded 13th CIFIT and his visions for the 14th CIFIT. Mr. Zhou pledged to continue supporting CIFIT’s promotion in Macao.  

At the secretariat of the China-Portugal Forum, Directors Pang Jian and Yao Taosi and representatives from Cape Verde, Mozambique, East Timor and Angola met with the delegation and reviewed Portuguese-language speaking countries’ opening of a dedicated exhibition area in the 12th CIFIT, where they registered more than 10,000 visits.  

Mozambique has been a regular CIFIT participant. The Angolan representative expressed interest in taking part in next year’s CIFIT to explore enterprises cooperation opportunities, in particularly in the hospitality, civil engineering, fishery and port industries. The representative of East Timor, an emerging nation, also expressed interest in attending next year’s CIFIT to attract more Chinese enterprises to his nation. The representative of Cape Verde, who speaks fluent Chinese, stated that his nation enjoys a solid partnership with China and has obtained a great deal of support of China. He said that his nation boasts plentiful tourism resources and ample investment opportunities in the hospitality industry. So far, no Chinese enterprise has invested in Cape Verde’s hospitality industry. Cape Verde relies on imports to meet its demand for energy, and despite the nation’s rich wind power and solar energy resources, there is no equipment manufacturer. The nation also faces water shortages, which means significant investment potential. As such, Cape Verde is looking to cooperate with Chinese enterprises in these areas. Cape Verde’s products can be exported without duties to EU countries, the U.S, and Canada, and Chinese enterprises investing in Cape Verde will be given the same treatment.