Twenty-one infrastructure cooperation agreements were signed during an international forum that closed in Macao on Friday, with an accumulated value of $9.9 billion.
During the three-day 17th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum and Exhibition (IIICF), over 200 business meetings and matchmaking sessions took place, resulting in the successful signing of a number of agreements covering projects across 15 countries, said Fang Qiuchen, chairman of China International Contractors Association.
“The cooperation projects span different sectors including transport infrastructure, construction, energy, power transformation, mining, and non-ferrous metal smelting,” he said.
Organized by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the China International Contractors Association, the event drew some 3,500 delegates from over 70 countries and regions, including nearly 60 ministerial-level officials, under the theme “Boosting Green Digital Infrastructure Connectivity”.
Over 800 enterprises, ranked among Fortune Global 500 companies, attended or exhibited at IIICF.
“The event fully demonstrated the latest result of the international infrastructure industry in green and digital innovation while offering Chinese wisdom and solutions to international infrastructure connectivity,” said Fang.
IPIM President Che Weng-keong said participation from Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries rose by about 20 percent compared with last year.
About 20 percent of the exhibitors joined the IIICF for the first time, which is the highest proportion on record, he said, adding that the event has demonstrated Macao’s unique advantage in connecting Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries and its position as an international exhibition platform.
The event this year arranged the first site visit to the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation zone in Hengqin for key guests, said Che.
To further enhance Macao’s role as a “precise connector” between China and Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries, Che said the IPIM has already made plans in its future programs, including engaging with the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair scheduled for October.
During IIICF, the 12th China-LAC Infrastructure Forum, organized by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, was held concurrently to focus on the collaboration between China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries in the infrastructure sector.
Liu Dajiang, deputy director general of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said over 300 attendees engaged in discussions on cooperation in new energy, smart grids, as well as the role of infrastructure development in promoting industrialization and urbanization in LAC countries.
Xavier Emanuel Harry, minister of infrastructure and public utilities of Vanuatu, said the exchanges of knowledge and technology during IIICF are essential in helping countries identify practical solutions to the development challenges and allow small island developing countries to connect directly with international partners.
“No country can address the infrastructure challenges in isolation,” said Harry. “Success requires partnership built on mutual respect, shared objectives, innovation and commitment to sustainable development.”
Felix Bladimir Granados Echegoyen, vice minister of transport and infrastructure of Nicaragua, said the country needs to enhance cooperation with China on infrastructure and connectivity.
Aravinda Senarath Vitharana, deputy minister of land and irrigation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation of Sri Lanka, introduced the country’s plan to promote agricultural modernization, water safety, renewable energy, and tackle climate change and poverty. He encouraged international partners to jointly build a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Contact the writer at kelly@chinadailyapac.com
