Leaders of the Macao SAR and the Republic of Cape Verde today exchanged views on how to further expand co-operation by using Macao as the trading and business platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr José Maria Pereira Neves, at Santa Sancha, the official premises to receive important guests. Mr Chui welcomed the visiting delegation and said he was happy to know the delegation had achieved much success in the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation just held in Beijing. Based on the far-reaching historical relationship and friendship between Macao and Cape Verde, the bilateral co-operation on trade, tourism, culture, and sports would reach a new stage when Macao's role as a business platform continued to get more depth, said the Chief Executive. Mr Neves affirmed the role of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation for China and Portuguese-speaking countries with Macao as a bridge, and said that Macao and Cape Verde could enhance co-operations in many aspects including personnel training on leisure tourism, technology, medical and public administration. He stressed that the two governments could put more efforts on economic co-operations to attract more investors to do business in Cape Verde. The Chief Executive agreed that there was a need for mutual support for common development, and the need of professional training for the tourism sector. He also said the government would continue to organise field trips for Macao entrepreneurs who have interest to invest in Cape Verde. The Minister of Tourism, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr Humberto Brito, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr José Luis Rocha, the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Cape Verde in Beijing, Mr. Julio Morais, the Honorary Consul of Republic of Cape Verde in Macao, Mr David Chow, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Director of the Supporting Office to the Secretariat of China and Portuguese - Speaking Countries Economic Cooperation Forum (Macao), Ms Rita Botelho dos Santos, the Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Fung Sio Weng also attended the meeting.
