The first financial service platform for Portuguese-speaking countries in China has been established by China Construction Bank (CCB) in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

The Portuguese-speaking Countries Financial Service Platform (special section for matchmaking area) was announced Sept 20. It will capitalize on Macao's advantages in connection with Portuguese-speaking countries to provide financial services and support for trade and investment, industrial and regional cooperation, cultural and scientific exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong enterprises as well as Portuguese-speaking countries.

Launch ceremony [Photo provided by Financial Development Bureau of Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin]

The platform focuses on matchmaking for cross-border commodities and Sino-Portuguese-speaking countries investment projects, related policies and information, and comprehensive financial services. It will help Chinese enterprises open new markets in Portuguese-speaking countries and forge more extensive economic and trade ties between them and Hengqin.

A "CLAP-U Portuguese World Link" financial service program was launched the same day. Taking the Portuguese-speaking Countries Financial Service Platform as the core, the service system converges resources from the bank, merchants, and think tanks as well as cloud and international e-services. It will provide customers with integrated domestic and overseas, domestic and foreign currency, online and offline innovative financial services.

The CCB financial service platform and program will utilize the advantages of the Cooperation Zone, form a whole-industry chain service system based on trade matchmaking, and serve the needs of Macao citizens and enterprises in Hengqin. Taking Macao as the link, an integrated open business system will take shape for Hengqin and Macao as a hub-driven service platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The external contact network of Hengqin will be expanded to strengthen its role as a service support area for the "Belt & Road" initiative.

Yin Zhongwei, CEO of Hengqin-based Zhuhai Nanometals, said the company has placed new anti-epidemic products on the platform since its trail operation and reached potential overseas clients. He expressed hope that it would further promote the company's products to the world and contribute to global epidemic prevention and control and economic and trade exchanges.

CCB will use the financial service platform as a carrier and cross-border innovation to advance cross-border financing, asset transfer, and more, said Sima Jian, general manager of the International Business Department of CCB Guangdong Branch.

Relying on the collaborative efforts of the Cooperation Zone and Macao, CCB will optimize the e-service system and energize the real economy with the finance industry, added Sima.