The 2nd Beijing Macao Economic and Trade Exchange Symposium acts as an important platform to strengthen co-operation between Macao and the Mainland, especially in the areas of health, sports and creative industry. Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Symposium themed "Deepen Co-operation and Exchange and Promote Mutual Development," the Chief Executive Mr Chui said today that based on success of the previous symposium, this year the two governments would once again join hands to broaden the room for co-operation with new and better elements. In order to meet the needs of social and economic development of the two areas to raise the standard of people's livelihood, the Chief Executive said it was necessary to step up co-operation on tourism, business and trading, science and service for medium-sized enterprises. Mr Chui re-iterated that the boost of economic development and improvement of people's livelihood are important governance of the SAR Government. Moreover, the government actively participates in regional co-operation and keeps close contact with Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries, Romance-speaking countries and the European Union in efforts to expand Macao's competitiveness to achieve substantial growth. The Symposium is organised by the People´s Government of Beijing Municipality and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The event consists of six major components, namely, the opening ceremony and the signing of co-operation protocols, Seminar for Co-operation and Exchange and Promotion of Special Projects, co-ordination in co-operation and exchange projects and a photo exhibition entitled "Charming Beijing", Beijing-Macao Ethnic Concert and Beijing-Macao Youth Sports Exchange.
