Macao had been enjoying significant economic growth since the Handover in 1999, with its GDP surging from 45 billion patacas to more than 80 billion patacas in 2004, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah said Tuesday in Nanchang, Jiangxi.

Having arrived in the morning for his three-day visit, Mr Ho met the Secretary of Jiangxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr Meng Jianzhu, and Governor of Jiangxi Province, Mr Huang Zhiquan.

After visiting a few scenic spots, Mr Ho the Macao delegation attends a meeting with the high-ranking officials of Jiangxi Province, headed by Mr Meng Jianzhu, and Mr Huang Zhiquan in the afternoon.

Addressing the officials of the province, Mr Ho said the introduction of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and the Facilitated Individual Travel (FIT) scheme had fueled the development of Macao, especially in the tourism and gaming sectors.

Mr Ho said the introduction of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional (PPRD) co-operation had enhanced the relationship between Macao and Jiangxi, adding that businessmen from Macao had set up 88 companies and invested more than US$200 million in the province.

He also praised the Jiangxi people for the development of the province since the reforms and opening up of the Mainland, especially in their effort to streamline their industries and increasing employment.

Mr Ho said he hoped that his visit would further strengthen the relationship and understanding between the businessmen of Macao and Jiangxi, and would forge a foundation for further co-operation.

Macao was eager to assist Jiangxi province and other provinces to develop connections and trade with the Portuguese-speaking countries, he said.

During the meeting, officials from the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) signed Memorandums of Understanding with their counterparts of the Jiangxi Provincial Government for further co-operation.

Mr Ho and the Macao SAR delegation is scheduled to visit Jinggang Mountains Wednesday, a popular tourist destination in the province.

(Gov.cn January 18, 2006)