In a clear attempt to project Macau as a strategic platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, the region's Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai, announced his intention to attract technology and science companies from the member states of the CPLP to set up in Macau territory or in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
"We want to actively attract excellent science and technology companies from Portuguese-speaking countries," the leader declared, according to a statement from the local Government released on Tuesday.
The Hengqin zone, created in 2021 by the Chinese Central Government, covers about 106 square kilometres and is run under a co-administration arrangement between Macau and Guangdong province. This area is an integral part of Macau's economic diversification strategy, which seeks to reduce dependence on gambling and tourism.
In parallel, Sam Hou Fai stressed that Macau will also support science and technology companies from mainland China that wish to expand into international markets. To that end, he highlighted the role of the four leading state laboratories located in the city, specialising in traditional Chinese medicine, lunar and planetary science, microelectronics and the Internet of Things. These research centres are based at the University of Macau and the Macau University of Science and Technology.
During a meeting with China's Minister of Science and Technology, Yin Hejun — who visited the region to oversee the restructuring of the laboratories — the importance of Macau as an international platform was reinforced. Yin called for the recruitment of foreign talent, taking advantage of the territory's open and multicultural environment.
Hours later, the Macau Government announced that Sam Hou Fai will make his first official trip abroad since taking office last December. Between 16 and 23 September, the leader will visit Lisbon and Madrid, on a tour that will include businesspeople from Macau's industrial, commercial and financial sectors, as well as representatives of certain mainland Chinese companies.
In an earlier address in May, the Chief Executive stressed that Macau must continue to "welcome foreign friends" willing to invest and "realise their dreams", particularly in high-tech fields. "As long as they are in favour of economic diversification, they are always welcome," he stressed.
Sam Hou Fai also made an appeal to local business initiative, encouraging Macau entrepreneurs to explore Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking markets, as well as those of Africa and the Middle East.
