Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong Vai Tac pledged on Thursday that the government will further promote the development of the convention and exhibition industry, with priority being given to the organisation of conferences.
Leong also vowed that the government will strive to bring more “good quality” international conventions and exhibitions to the city.
Leong made the remarks in a speech at the opening ceremony for the 13th China Expo Forum for International Co-operation (CEFCO 2017) at the Venetian in Cotai. The event ends tomorrow.
Leong pointed out that the national 13th Five-Year Plan – announced early last year – stipulates that the central government will support the development of the convention and exhibition sector in Macau.
Leong also pointed out that Premier Li Keqiang, during his inspection visit to the city in October, announced a string of measures to support Macau in the development of the convention and exhibition sector, adding that the measures include support for Macau to create a number of “branded” conventions and exhibitions that are “internationally influential”.
Leong said the measures announced by Li also include helping Macau bring to the city conventions and exhibitions that are internationally renowned.
Leong said that the government would develop the convention and exhibition industry in a way that makes good use of the city’s unique advantages, adding that one of the government’s strategies to develop the sector is to prioritise the organisation of conferences.
This is the first time that CEFCO has been held outside the mainland. The annual CEFCO was first held in Beijing in 2005. During the opening ceremony for CEFCO 2016 in Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in January last year, it was announced that Macau would be hosting CEFCO 2017.
According to Leong, about 800 local and visiting representatives of the convention and exhibition sector are attending the three-day CEFCO event this time.
CEFCO is co-organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and the Society of Independent Show Organisers (SISO).
CEFCO 2017 is being held in collaboration with the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) and Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM).
(Macau News / The Macau Post Daily)
