6 november 2013, Macau Daily Times http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo
(China, Macau)
China wants to increase the volume of commerce with the
Portuguese-speaking countries.
(PSC) and believes that Forum Macau should play a more relevant role in
achieving it. This intention was reiterated by the Chinese Minister of
Commerce, Mr Gao Hucheng, who said that the economic and trade relations
between the parties are expected to amount to USD160 billion in 2016. He said
that the PRC’s new power structure “attributes great importance to these
exchanges.”
Gao Hucheng was speaking at the Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macau) held yesterday at the East Asian Games Dome. At the round table, which journalists could only attend for a short while, the Minister of Commerce stressed that Beijing’s exports to the PSC are above average compared to other countries.
Gao Hucheng kicked off his speech by arguing that Forum Macau’s cooperation areas have been extended. He presented figures indicating that China has sent 150,000 workers to African countries where Portuguese is an official language.
A economic and trade cooperation action plan covering the period between 2014 and 2016 was signed after
the two-hour round table discussion.
(Representatives of China and the PSC pose for their handshake shot after signing the Economic and Trade Cooperation Action Plan)
At the following press conference, the representatives of the participating countries highlighted the importance of the Forum, some of them with more enthusiasm than others.
The most enthusiastic representative was probably the Portuguese Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Luís Campos Ferreira, who said that the “Forum can inclusively change our people’s livelihood, strengthening the Portuguese-speaking countries.” But instead of focusing on trade figures, he emphasized that “cooperation is not just for the economy but also includes other sectors, like health and education.”
Ferreira pledged that the Forum should strive to “create a culture that benefits the business environment.”
The Portuguese politician enthused that the action plan, signed minutes before, was “a fantastic development cocktail” and “introduces an extraordinary instrument: the fund.”
The USD1 billion fund, which was announced at the previous Ministerial Conference was also briefly mentioned by Gao Hucheng, who said China has been “setting up the fund over a number of years.” The fund will provide financing for economic and social development programs of Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa and Asia.
On Forum Macau’s tenth anniversary, Gao opted to highlight the organization’s role “as an important platform to promote the exchanges between China and the PSC.” The Minister said that China has lent large amounts of money to the PSC in Africa and Asia (the advanced figure was CNY2.76 billion). Additionally, China has increased the availability of medical equipment, while also promoting cooperation in fields like agriculture, media and professional training. Projects in these areas have been included in the new action plan (see page 6). The setting up of three business centers, including the center for PSC food products distribution (previously hinted at by the president of the Portuguese Agency for Foreign Investment, as the Times revealed yesterday) was also mentioned, but no timeframe for their implementation was provided.
The establishment of an arbitration center in Macau to resolve disputes between Chinese and PSC companies is also under discussion. “We need to discuss with each other how we will set up those centers,” Gao said.
Other attendant ministers spoke briefly, praising the Forum’s role. The Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Angola, Mr Rui Mangueira, noted that the action plan, “in some aspects, is innovative.” Representing Cape Verde, the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Energy of Cape Verde, Mr Humberto Santos de Brito, praised the results of the conference: “We held very in-depth discussions and reached multiple consensuses.”
Mozambique, a country facing a deep crisis that some say could lead to a new civil war, was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Oldemiro Balói. He commented that the plan is relevant to them in fields like education, culture and sport, also including initiatives related to the private sector. “The forum has unique features, including countries from four continents.”
Representing Macau, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam, said that, “the conference demonstrates that the PSC have recognized Macau’s role as a platform.” He mentioned that the local government “will continue to support” the Forum’s Permanent Secretariat.
During the short Q&A session, the Chinese Minister of Commerce, Gao Hucheng, took center stage. All questions were directed to him, despite the moderator’s attempts to redirect questions to other participants. Gao was faced with such extensive media interest that he had to say that he “didn’t intend to monopolize the conference.” Asked about the Forum’s relevance – since China has bilateral deals with all the countries involved – he replied that the forum “is a very effective mechanism and has been recognized by China and the PSC.” He later added, “Of course, we do not exclude bilateral agreements.”
Commenting on the USD160 billion target, Gao said that it will be “quite easy to achieve” in 2016, since the trade relations amounted to USD120 billion last year.
It will only take several billions more...
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