From October 18 to 19, 2024, the Faculty of Business (FOB) at City University of Macau, in collaboration with the Oeiras Valley Investment Agency (OVIA) from Portugal, successfully held a two-day event themed “Unlocking Business Opportunities in the European Union.” The first day of the event took place at the Cultural Centre, Taipa Campus, while the second day was held in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Among the distinguished guests were Mr. Alexandre Leitão, Consul General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong; Mr. António Martins da Cruz, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal and President of OVIA; Professor Jun Liu, Rector of the City University of Macau; Mr. Huang Zhongjian, Deputy Director of the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin; Ms. Nelma Fernandes, President of the Confederation of Enterprises of Portuguese-speaking Countries; Mr. Carlos Cid Alvares, Chief Executive Officer of Banco Nacional Ultramarino; Mr. Pedro Matias, Chief Executive Officer of ISQ Portugal; Mr. Chan Kuong In, Deputy General Manager of China Construction Engineering (Macau) Company Ltd.; Professor José Alves, Dean of the Faculty of Business of the City University of Macau; Mr. João Barata, Director of Magnify Afterburner Capital Partners; Mr. Sérgio Afonso, Advisor of Magnify Afterburner Capital Partners; Mr. Gonçalves Neves Lestro, International Senior Associate at Nuno Simões & Associados; and Professor Rui Gomes Pedro, Invited Associate Professor at CELSA of Sorbonne University. The workshop was hosted by Dr. José Pinto, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Business and attended by faculty and students from the Faculty of Business.
The workshop commenced with opening remarks from Rector Jun Liu, Ambassador Alexandre Leitão, and Ambassador António Martins da Cruz.
Rector Liu Jun extended a warm welcome to all attendees on behalf of CityU. He emphasized the critical role of international business cooperation in the face of an increasingly complex global business landscape, highlighting Macao’s unique geographical and cultural advantages as a pivotal conduit for business exchanges between China and Portugal.
Rector Liu underscored the positive impact of interactions among entrepreneurs from mainland China, Macao, and Portugal on global prosperity. He encouraged participants to broaden their global perspectives and explore new business opportunities through enhanced collaboration.
Ambassador Alexandre Leitão highlighted Macao’s ongoing economic diversification, with a focus on the international expansion of local multinational corporations. He underscored the vast markets of Portuguese-speaking countries, especially, Portugal, with its stable society, beautiful environment, lower cost of living, and advantageous EU market access with zero tariffs, presents an ideal gateway for investors seeking to enter the European market.
Drawing on his extensive diplomatic experience, Ambassador António Martins da Cruz offered insights into Europe’s current geopolitical and economic landscape. He noted Europe’s enduring appeal as a consumer market and technological hub, with China and the EU enjoying a robust trade and investment relationship. Amidst global uncertainties, Ambassador Cruz stressed the importance of forging and maintaining strong ties between China and Europe.
Dean José Alves discussed the role of university education in driving business development. Mr. Carlos Cid Alvares shared insights into the financial dynamics between Portugal and Macao. Mr. João Barata provided an overview of investment opportunities in Portugal, with a particular focus on the country’s Golden Visa program.
The roundtable discussion, moderated by Dean José Alves and Professor Rui Gomes Pedro, featured Mr. Pedro Matias, Mr. Chan Kuong In and Mr. Gonçalves Neves Lestro, who engaged in a dialogue on the business environments in Macao and China, and investment opportunities between China and Portugal. The atmosphere was lively, with participants sharing insights and experiences that fostered the exchange of ideas.
The following day, accompanied by Dean José Alves, Ambassador António Martins da Cruz, and the delegation visited the Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone in Hengqin to inspect the development on-site. They visited the exhibition hall of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and the Huafa Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Park. Under the host of Director Antonio Lei of the Economic Development Bureau of the In-depth Cooperation Zone, the guests met senior managers of companies based in Hengqin and looked forward to future cooperation.
Source: Faculty of Business
Photo credits: CityU Reporters
