AC:
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The main industries of Macao over the last 10 years have been civil construction and textiles. 80% of exporting industry is concentrated in the textile business. However, the development of the Far Eastern market has given rise to other industries, such as plastics, optical material, photographic equipment, toys, electronics, radios, telephones, tape recorders etc. It is important to continue the diversification of exports.
Culture
AC: One of the objectives of the government of Macao has been to revive Portuguese culture, although the conditions are not favourable. The influence of Chinese culture is very strong, and also the influence of the Anglo-Saxon culture, although more recent. The Regional Government has provided the financial resources for the promotion of Portuguese culture which requires constant action.
Portuguese Language
DP:
What are the future prospects for the Portuguese language spoken by nine thousand Portuguese among a population of three hundred- thousand Chinese?
AC: People who visit Macao often criticise the fact that Portuguese is spoken by hardly anyone. The fact is that the Portuguese population is a minority and the Chinese population has grown explosively over the last few years. But the interest of the Chinese in learning Portuguese has increased in the last two years. Portuguese teaching is being promoted in schools. Recent legislation approved enables Chinese students whose basic language in schools had been English or Chinese, to proceed with the Portuguese system. The Supplementary System of Portuguese Language will come into force in 1983. Some companies and certain public departments have promoted Portuguese teaching.
Commercial Opportunities for Portugal
DP:
Given the huge size of China and the economic and financial weight of Hong Kong, what are the opportunities for Portuguese businessmen?
AC: As far as Macao is concerned, over the last few years, expectations concerning opportunities for Portuguese firms have been too great. People are now beginning to have the idea of what really is possible. The distance, the financial and currency exchange difficulties for several Portuguese companies, and the sophistication of Far Eastern markets, do not favour the competiveness of Portuguese products. Macao has had high rates of economic development and growth. Nevertheless, Macao is a platform that can be used by some Portuguese firms to penetrate the East, as long as they know the techniques of marketing and the rules of competition. I think that Portuguese products can only penetrate the Far East if they form general trade companies with public and private capital. Macao could also be considered as a field for the 'mobilisation' of investment in Portugal.
/DP