Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) and Banco Nacional Ultramarino de Macau are strong believers and supportive of the Chinese and Macau governments’ mission to make the territory a platform for closer commercial relations between China and Portuguese speaking countries, said Wednesday CGD Chief Executive Officer, Paulo Macedo.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the 115th anniversary of BNU in Macau, Macedo reaffirmed the total engagement of both CGD and BNU to the strategy of Macau government to promote the territory as a unique platform between China and the Portuguese speaking Countries.
“BNU is ideally placed to promote bilateral trade and investment between China and Portuguese speaking countries in line with the “Belt and Road Initiative” he said.
In the ceremony, presided by Chui Sai On, Macau Chief Executive, Paulo Macedo remembered that CGD “clearly understand that the bulk of trade and investment relations with Portuguese speaking countries is through China. With the opening of BNU branch in Hengqin and our Representative Office in Shanghai, CGD Group will play an even more active role in promoting business between Macau, China and Portuguese speaking countries.”
CGD is present in seven Portuguese speaking countries with a leadership position in five, namely, in Portugal, Mozambique, Cabo Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste.
BNU Chief Executive Officer, Pedro Cardoso said that the main challenge “in an immense market” like China, in the process of internationalization and expansion, is “knowing how to choose carefully the immediate opportunities in the medium and long term. ”
Pedro Cardoso also said that the great Chinese infrastructure project “One Belt, One Road” is “a great opportunity in Africa for CGD group and BNU.”
During the event attended by hundreds of guests Vong Lap Fong,Executive Director of the Administrative Committee of the Monetary Authority of Macau, mentioned the continued efforts and significant contributions of BNU over the past 115 years to the Macau society.
Hong said that “BNU actively responds to the government’s call on the development of the Macau’s characteristic financial industry, RMB clearing center for the Portuguese speaking-countries and the financial services platform between China and the Portuguese speaking countries.”
“Leverage on the CEPA and the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area”, BNU is the first Macau local banks to open a branch in Zhuhai Hengqin in the early 2017.” he said.
