Edmund Ho says Macao's economic downturn is hard to avoid economic fundamentals remain upbeat

Xinhua Beijing, June 10, according to the Hong Kong China News agency, Macao chief executive Edmund Ho, 10th in attendance at the fifth session of the Pan-Pearl forum, said that although the current Macao SAR economic fundamentals are still more optimistic, but the export of services and exports are encountering certain difficulties, the trend of economic downturn is unavoidable.　　Under the influence of the financial tsunami, Macao's GDP recorded negative growth for two consecutive quarters, and the first quarter of this year was the first in a double-digit decline since the reunification. As a result of the full support of the central Government and the concerted efforts of the Government and the public at all levels, the Macao SAR economic fundamentals are still more optimistic and the society as a whole stable, but both service exports and exports of goods are confronted with difficulties and the economic downturn is inevitable.　　In the Pearl River Delta region, the brothers and the provinces also bear varying degrees of pressure. Edmund Ho believes that it is timely and necessary for the Pan-Pearl Forum to strengthen pan-Pearl regional cooperation and deal with the international financial crisis.　　He said that, drawing on the experience and achievements of the pan-Pearl region over the past few years, and strengthening pan-pearl regional cooperation comprehensively, the parties have full confidence and sufficient ability to jointly overcome the impact of the international financial crisis. Earlier this year, the National Development and Reform Commission promulgated the "Pearl River Delta region reform and development planning outline."　　The platform clarifies the role of Macao as a World tourism and leisure centre, while promoting regional cooperation. It is clear that Macao, which has limited resources, cannot make the "World Tourism Centre" by itself, he said.　　Only in the pan-Pearl regional tourism cooperation, and based on the integration and optimization of pan-pearl tourism resources, Macao's industrial positioning can be fully realized. He said Macao will continue to strengthen the regional business services platform with the support of the central government, especially to build the Macau SAR as a quality service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, and connect it with pan-Pearl region and Beibu Gulf Economic zone.