12 May 2023 - SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM”) supported the 9^th celebratory gala dinner of the Macau European Chamber of Commerce (“MECC”) as a Platinum Sponsor for the 9^th consecutive year. The event, held at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau (“Grand Lisboa Palace”) on 12 May 2023, was themed as “Viennese Waltz”, and attracted over 300 guests for networking and exchange.

The gala dinner was attended by Ambassador Thomas Gnocchi, Head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao and Honorary Chairman of the MECC, Mr. Rui Pedro Cunha, President of the Board of Directors of MECC, Mr. Isidor Nikolic, Austrian Deputy Consul General for Hong Kong and Macao, Ms. Cristina Ho, the Standing Committee Member of Board of Directors of Macau Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourist Office, Dr. António Lei, Director of Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Mr. Zhang Yinan, Deputy Director of Department of Policy Research of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr. Timothy Fok, Chairman of SJM and Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM. Ambassador Thomas Gnocchi, Head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao and Honorary Chairman of the MECC delivered the speech.

Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, expressed in her welcome speech, “SJM’s collaboration with Europe will reach new heights with our two new hotels, THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU and Palazzo Versace Macau”, she added, “SJM will continue to support Macau’s role as China’s integral platform in the facilitation of Sino-European trade and cultural exchanges and champion public-private partnerships in Macau and the In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin under the ‘1+4’ policy blueprint.”

Dr. Ambrose So, Honorary Consul of Portugal in Hong Kong and Honorary Chairman of MECC, said in his speech, “Over the past year, in spite of the lingering pandemic, MECC has continued to be active in the Macau community. Since our ninth anniversary reception in February, MECC has held frequent meetings with European delegations and local governmental organisations, dedicated to promoting the role of Macau as a business and cultural exchange platform between China and Europe.”

Ambassador Thomas Gnocchi, Head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao and Honorary Chairman of the MECC, said in his remarks, “After a long absence from Macau due to COVID, the EU is catching up. Today is my fourth visit to Macau. In March, I met with Macau’s Chief Executive, Mr. Ho Iat Seng, to discuss EU-Macau relations and local developments. Later that month, I also met with The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr. Lei Wai Nong. We exchanged views on Macau’s economic developments and ways to strengthen our economic relations. These recent exchanges and visits are testimonies of the importance of the EU-Macau relationship. Indeed, according to Macau’s statistics, the EU is now Macau’s largest trading partner in goods, ahead of mainland China. So far, the EU accounts for as much as 32% of Macau’s total trade in goods. European businesses are in a very strong position to support as well as benefit from Macau’s economic diversification.”

Mr. Rui Pedro Cunha, President of the Board of Directors of MECC, said in his speech, “This year I hope that the new regulations that will take effect on July 1st, will make it easier to hire the foreign talent that Macau desperately needs. It is now time to look to the future and decisively take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead in the diversification of the economy, in Macau and also through Hengqin”.

The Chamber presented the 9^th MECC Awards for EuroExcellence at the gala dinner. Palazzo Versace Macau at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort received the EuroExcellence Award in Luxury, in recognition of its for its elegance and luxury through signature and creative design, and its commitment to excellence, providing an exclusive experience to guests. Mr. Timothy Fok, Chairman of SJM received the award for the company.

The MECC Awards for EuroExcellence honours the highest local achievements in Luxury, Food and Beverage, Innovation, and Greater Bay Area Sino-Europe Cooperation, in appreciation of their significant contributions to Macau’s sustainable development, global business networking, and promotion of the city’s unique Sino-Western cultural exchange.