The 11th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF) plays a positive role in promoting the high-quality and sustainable development of international infrastructure, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said in a speech on Wednesday.
Ho gave the speech at the opening ceremony for the event at the Venetian in Cotai.
Ho noted that the forum was launched in 2010 and has been held in Macao annually since 2012, adding that it has become one of Macao’s most impactful expos.
Ho pointed out that this time the two-day forum’s theme is “Responding to challenges and promoting global infrastructure development”, adding that the event will cover hot topics such as developmental changes and trends in the international market for infrastructure in the post-pandemic era. He also said the aim of the event was to encourage countries to come together as one to overcome the current difficulties and strive for sustainable global infrastructure developments.
Ho said that the city’s export-orientated service economy has been challenged by the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, he stressed, thanks to the support by the central government, Macao’s social conditions and economic activities have been recovering gradually.
According to Ho, the forum provides strong stimulation to revitalise Macao’s meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry and peripheral sectors. He added that the forum has been a key platform for Macao to participate in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and integrate itself into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Ho pointed out that a number of public infrastructure projects have been launched this year to sustain Macao’s economic development. Moreover, he also said that there are regional infrastructure projects such as the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system link to Hengqin checkpoint that will strengthen the connection between Guangdong and Macao and facilitate the highly-efficient flow of people and goods.
Ho concluded his speech by vowing that Macao will further contribute to the country’s “dual circulation” economic policy and promote its economic diversification and development.
“Macao will play a more productive role in the country’s new round of high-quality economic development while enriching the practice of ‘One Country, Two Systems’,” Ho said.
(The Macau Post Daily/Macao News)
Photo by Government Information Bureau (GCS)
