Business Tour to Three Southeast Asian Countries Concluded Successfully Forging a New Bridge for Economic, Trade, and Tourism Collaboration between Macao and ASEAN Countries

MACAU, September 6 - The delegation of Macao-Hengqin and Chinese mainland economic, trade, and tourism sectors, as a member of the Macao SAR government’s official mission to Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, concluded its eight-day business exchange and inspection tour today (5 September). During the visit, the delegation participated in the “Macao SAR Government Reception” and the “Macao Economic, Trade and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminar” held in these three countries. Through a series of presentations, meetings and site visits, they have forged a new bridge for economic, trade, and tourism collaboration between Macao and ASEAN countries, injecting external momentum into the appropriate diversification of Macao’s economy.

During their trip to these three countries, the delegation facilitated over 370 business matching sessions and the signing of 189 agreements, and conducted site visits to nearly 30 local institutions and enterprises. The delegation members generally concurred that the visit’s alignment with co-operation opportunities in the Southeast Asian market would help fortify tourism and trade connections between Macao and the countries along the “Belt and Road” initiative.

189 Co-operation Agreements Signed in These Three Countries Contributed to Establishing a Long-term Economic, Trade, and Tourism Network

The receptions and promotion seminars hosted by the Macao SAR Government in these three countries led to the signing of 189 co-operation agreements between the stakeholders from Macao, Hengqin, and the Chinese mainland, and governments, institutions, associations, and enterprises from Singapore (82 projects), Indonesia (45 projects), and Malaysia (62 projects), respectively. Among them, the Macao SAR Government signed 10 agreements. The aforementioned projects span across various sectors, encompassing tourism, high technology, traditional Chinese medicine (big health), MICE, cross-border e-commerce and halal certification, Muslim-friendly tourism, as well as investment and financing services, laying the foundation for establishing a long-term economic, trade and tourism co-operation network.

In terms of tourism co-operation, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) signed memoranda on co-operation with various entities including the research organization on Muslim tourism – Crescent Rating, the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO), Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) and Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association, to foster mutual visitations and tourism exchange as well as Macao and Southeast Asia’s sustainable tourism development, widening Macao’s reach in international visitor markets.

In terms of investment promotion and co-operation, the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) of the Macao Special Administrative Region signed co-operation agreements with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association, the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), and Lyfe Capital Equity Investment Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., respectively, to establish a more comprehensive and in-depth business network between Macao and Southeast Asia, offering support for the initiation of major investment projects in Macao.

Representatives from business and commerce association and Southeast Asian companies engaged in the business matching sessions, stated that the events could build an effective cross-regional bridge for co-operation between companies in the two regions, demonstrating extensive co-operative potential. They expressed their desire to utilise the Macao Platform and the policy dividends of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin to access the markets of Chinese mainland, Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries.

Expand international visitor markets through multichannel promotions in line with Seminars in the three Southeast Asian countries

During the Macao Economic, Trade and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminars held in the three Southeast Asian countries, MGTO incorporated dance and music elements into the destination presentations for the first time to showcase the diverse appeal of “tourism +” through vibrant effects. In addition, a series of multilingual mini drama series were tailored and launched in the three visitor markets across Southeast Asia to spotlight Macao’s destination glamour; facilitated by the Office, a crossover collaboration is rolled out between two IPS and an airline; the Office partners with an e-payment platform to launch instant discounts for traveling consumers in Macao; the six integrated tourism and leisure enterprises in Macao are mobilised to present a variety of special travel offers in the three countries; MGTO continues to collaborate with travel agencies and online travel platforms there in marketing Macao tourism products. Through a variety of promotional channels and initiatives, the Office is dedicated to tapping into the Southeast Asian visitor market and unveiling the potential of Muslim travelers and consumers, as part of the endeavors to expand international markets. Nearly 60 local media from the three countries reported on the Promotion Seminars, promoting Macao’s economic, trade, and tourism resources to the ASEAN market.

The Delegation Conducted Site Visits to Local Projects Related to “1+4” Industries

The delegation comprised representatives from the political and business sectors of Macao and the Chinese mainland, spanning areas such as big health and biomedicine, high tech, finance, commerce, MICE, tourism, food, and professional services. Among them were China’s top 500 companies, listed firms, and industry leaders. During the mission, the delegation conducted site visits to nearly 30 local institutions and commercial projects, focusing on Macao’s “1+4” industries’ development, covering several industries including culture, tourism, MICE, high-tech, pharmaceuticals and big health, infrastructure, and the halal food industry.

According to some delegation members, the arrangements such as business matching sessions, networking receptions, and industry visits provided them with a deeper understanding of the current industrial chain development in Southeast Asian countries. Their exchanges with local companies, particularly concerning areas such as tourism co-operation, technology research and development, MICE, and market expansion, effectively improved the efficiency and feasibility of implementing co-operation projects.

Jointly Building the “Belt and Road” Initiative and Solidifying the Foundation for Economic, Trade, and Tourism Co-operation with Southeast Asia

The Macao SAR Government will persist in leveraging the connective influence of returned overseas Chinese and their families, actively engaging in and supporting the “Belt and Road” Initiative. By reinforcing the economic, trade and tourism collaboration network with Southeast Asian countries, and supporting Macao and Chinese mainland enterprises in seizing international business opportunities, building on the achievements of leading enterprises in expanding overseas markets and enhancing industrial connections, the Macao SAR Government is committed to driving the implementation of more tangible projects, infusing steady and ongoing external momentum into the appropriate diversification of Macao’s economy.

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