Macau European Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 9th Anniversary
(Macau, 9 February 2023) The Macau European Chamber of Commerce (herein referred to as “MECC” or “the Chamber”) commemorated this evening the ninth anniversary of its incorporation at a cocktail reception held at the D’Ouro Restaurant at the Roosevelt Hotel, celebrating the special moment with distinguished guests and members.
The celebratory reception was attended by Mr. Tai Kin Ip, Director of Economic and Technological Development Bureau; Ms. Yang Hao, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR; Counsellor Gao Yuan, Director of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macau SAR; Mr. Agostinho Vong Vai Lon, Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute Board of Directors; Mr. Carmello Ficarra, Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong and Macau; Dr. Alexandre Leitão, Consul General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong; and Mr. Mircea Ciulu, Acting Consul General of Romania in Hong Kong.
Serving as a facilitator of relations between European businesses and Macau, the Chamber actively organised visits to local businesses and institutions in the past year, where leaders of the community and government officials were invited to share their insights with MECC members.
Ambassador Thomas Gnocchi, Head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao and Honorary Chairman of MECC, said in his speech, “We hope to see a new area of growth and business opportunities now that borders are reopened. The EU economy is doing well – supported by EU policies on Covid, climate change, sustainability, digital and economic solidarity. EU Trade plays an important role in accommodating our ambitious policies: In 2021, EU’s share of world trade was over 14%, or EUR 4.3 trillion, of which 700 billion with China, EU’s largest trading partner. Estimates for 2022 show that EU trade with the world increased by around 30%. Trade will thus remain an important engine of EU growth and support our key policies.
As far as Macao is concerned, in 2022, the EU became Macao’s largest trading partner in goods, ahead of mainland China. This accounted for 30% of the SAR’s total trade in the first 11 months, totalling EUR 1147 million. The EU is Macao’s fourth-largest source of foreign investment.
With the border reopening we expect an economic rebound in Macao, on the back of increased flows of visitors, trade fairs and business opportunities.”
Dr. Ambrose So, Honorary Consul of Portugal in Hong Kong and Honorary Chairman of MECC, said in his speech, “The Chamber has been preparing its next stage of activities, including visits to government departments, as well as to local enterprises with European connections. Hengqin development is part of the ongoing effort of MECC. Through this new platform, we aim to promote more business and cultural exchange to further boost the diversification of Macau’s economy.”
President of the Board of Directors of MECC, Mr. Rui Pedro Cunha, said in his speech, “Businesses are struggling to hire both qualified and non-qualified workers, and Macau now has to face steep competition from the neighbouring cities that have already set up programs to attract thousands of talents from abroad.
It is now time to strengthen the cooperation between the private sector and the government, so that we can work together in building the diversified economy that Macau needs, and take advantage of the opportunities that arise from Hengqin and the Greater Bay Area.”
The newly appointed Consul General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, Dr. Alexandre Leitão, honoured MECC by accepting to become Honorary Chairman of the Chamber.
The MECC’s ninth anniversary cocktail event was supported by SJM Resorts, S.A., as Premium sponsor; Banco Nacional Ultramarino, S.A., as Honorary Sponsor, and has received generous sponsorship from multiple companies in the private sector.
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(Left to right)
- Mr. Rui Pedro Cunha, President of the Board of Directors of MECC
- Ambassador Thomas Gnocchi, Honorary Chairman of MECC, also Head of European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao
- Counsellor Gao Yuan, Director of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macau SAR
- Ms. Yang Hao, Deputy Director General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR
- Mr. Agostinho Vong Vai Lon, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute Board of Directors
- Dr. Ambrose So, Honorary Chairman of MECC, and Honorary Consul of Portugal in Hong Kong and
- Dr. Alexandre Leitão, Honorary Chairman of MECC, and Consul General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong
- Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM Resorts, S.A.