24 May 2019
Overwhelming community support for the
Macau European Chamber of Commerce 2019 Gala Dinner
has once again exemplified a deepening of multilateral relations
The 2019 celebratory gala dinner of the Macau European Chamber of Commerce (herein referred to as “MECC” or “the Chamber”) was held at the Grand Lisboa Macau today for its sixth consecutive year with honourable guests and members in attendance, marking a memorable night and another encouraging year for MECC in boosting multilateral progression among the European Union (“EU”), China and Macau communities.
Supported by Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A. (“SJM”) as Platinum Sponsor, this year MECC was proud to deliver a French “noir” themed dinner, where guests indulged in delicate French exoticism and fineness. Over 300 distinguished guests maxed out the ballroom facility, including representatives of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR and the Macau SAR Government; Consuls General of European countries in Hong Kong and Macau; and members of prominent local business communities.
Reaffirming its commitment to recognising local entities with a high level of European standards and motivating Macau businesses to engage in EU connectivity, the Chamber presented the 5th MECC Awards for Euroexcellence on this night, honouring the highest local achievements in Luxury, Food and Beverage, and Innovation respectively, as an appreciation for their significant contributions to Macau’s sustainable development, global business networking, and the promotion of the city’s unique Sino-Western cultural exchange.
The MECC Awards for Euroexcellence this year went to: 1) MECC Award for Euroexcellence in Luxury: Grand Lisboa Macau of SJM, for its commitment to delivering ultimate luxury and extraordinary elegance with its impeccable hospitality services; 2) MECC Award for Euroexcellence in Food and Beverage: Clube Militar de Macau, for its long-term contribution in promoting Portuguese culinary finesse; 3) MECC Award for Euroexcellence in Innovation: Macau Pass S.A., in recognition of its pioneering and ongoing initiative in introducing electronic payment technologies to Macau, bringing better and more convenient life to its citizens. (For more information about awardees, please see the attached appendix.)
Dr. Ambrose So, Honorary Consul of Portugal in Hong Kong and Honorary Chairman of MECC, said in his welcome speech that Macau and Europe enjoy a very strong partnership, contributing beyond the city’s relative size to fostering cooperation and exchange between China and Europe.
He remarked that MECC, combining efforts with the local and European business communities, will continue to play a key role in Macau’s development, as China’s Greater Bay Area development grows in significance, and as the Belt and Road Initiative further spreads prosperity.
Ambassador Carmen Cano, Head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macau and Honorary Chairwoman of the MECC, said in her remarks: “The thriving European business community in Macau is testimony of the EU’s robust engagement with the city, and this vibrant relationship should not be affected by on-going trade tensions. The EU complements an extensive negotiating agenda with staunch support to the multilateral trading system, which is facing an existential crisis. We are calling on all WTO members, including Macau, to step up to the challenge and support the WTO by actively engaging in its reform. The EU wants to partake in the opportunities that will open up and support Macau in its efforts to diversify the economy, and we trust that the government of Macau will allow European businesses to fully play a constructive role in its economic development.”
Ambassador Paulo Cunha Alves, Consul General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong and Honorary Chairman of MECC, said, “The EU has been one of Macau’s most important trading partners for decades. EU companies are well positioned to contribute to the diversification of the Macau’s economy through the application of skills and continued investment, while supporting Macau SAR Government’s commitment to facilitating local small and medium enterprises. The Macau-EU flagship projects, namely the Third Macau-EU Cooperation Programme in the Legal Field and the training programme of conference interpretation in Chinese and Portuguese, continue to work well. The opportunities to further deepen our bilateral relations are tremendous as Macau’s economy continues to evolve. The MECC has a key role as the intermediary to foster networking, mutual knowledge and information exchange.”
President of the Board of Directors of MECC, Professor Kevin Thompson, said in his speech, “With elections taking place across Europe, tonight’s Gala Dinner comes at a propitious moment. Whatever the results, the contributions of our seven European Chambers determine the nature of business diversity and vitality in Macau and the Greater Bay Area (“GBA”). European Chambers complement the GBA’s common wealth. They contribute to sharing the best European practices, innovative collaborations, unravelling of novel ideas, neoteric technologies, and new entrepreneurial openings across the GBA. These inform people’s life-choices, transform lifestyles, patterns of employability and leisure; they enable smart cities, bring forth opportunities as advances in technology reshape our world. In a year which marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to the Motherland, we celebrate the birthdays of two of the foremost captains of their age, who saw their first action within a year of one another. In the interests of impartiality, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the Duke of Wellington, were born 250 years ago in 1769.”
The 2019 MECC Gala Dinner received a full house attendance thanks to the support from all of the esteemed sponsors including its Platinum Sponsor: SJM; Gold Sponsors: BNU, MGM, and Ocean Gardens; and Silver Sponsors: Bank of China Macau Branch, CESL Asia – Investments & Services Limited, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Sands China Ltd., and Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A..
During the gala dinner, guests were captivated by entertainment including mime art, magic tricks and relaxing opening French jazz music performed by the ensemble Café 852. Soon after, the ambiance was livened up with an enthusiastic and artistic French Can Can performed by dancers from the Crazy Paris Show at SJM’s Grand Lisboa Macau.
