The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Jiang Yaoping, to exchange views on further promoting Macao to integrate into regional co-operation through the implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Mr Chui welcomed Mr Jiang's presence at the signing ceremony of the Supplement IX to CEPA held today at the Government Headquarter. He said the Central Government has launched a string of policies to support the substantial development of Macao SAR since 2003, of which CEPA was one of the important measures. The Supplement IX to CEPA enabled Macao to accelerate the integration into the regional co-operation, especially in the Guangdong pilot measures and Hengqin Island innovation policy which is focused on the liberalisation of trade in services. He said the supplement would also help Macao banks, service providers and small-and-medium sized businesses to start businesses in Hengqin. He said that with the efforts of a working group led by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, Macao would further participate in the development of Hengqin and Guangzhou Nansha and he believed Macao would achieve new developments in those projects together with joint efforts of the Macao Government and the society. Mr Jiang said that the two governments signed Supplement IX to CEPA within a short time has shown the Central Government high regard for Macao's development. He said the supplement involved many liberalisation of trade in services which was tailor-made for Macao's enterprises to start businesses on the Mainland. He also said the new arrangements may accelerate the liberalisation of trade and achieve mutual benefit. The Director of Exchange and Co-operation of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Qian Lijun, the Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mr Sun Tong participated in the meeting. The Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in MSAR, Mr Bai Zhijian, the Deputy Commissioner of the Foreign Ministry in Macao, Ms Zhang Jinfeng, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, the Director-General of the Macao Customs, Mr Choi Lai Hang, the the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam were also present.
