MACAO - The ninth International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum kicked off on Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) to promote cooperation in the sector.

China's Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Yan said at the opening ceremony that infrastructure construction is the basis of economic development and helps improve people's livelihood.

China has actively supported and participated in global infrastructure development, and is willing to encourage more local enterprises to go global under the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, she added.

The Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2018) and the Annual Report on Development of the Belt and Road Construction (2018) were also issued at the opening ceremony, with statistical information and future prospect related to the development of infrastructure and business cooperation.

Chief Executive of the Macao SAR?Chui Sai-on said at the opening ceremony that the forum is an important platform for exchanging experience on global infrastructure development, adding that the Macao SAR has achieved fruitful results in its role as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

The two-day event will focus on discussion on promoting global infrastructure development and international cooperation through innovation and technological changes.

It attracted more than 1,500 politicians, businessmen and academics from more than 60 countries and regions, including those from Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Central and Eastern Europe.

Meanwhile, the fourth China-Latin America Infrastructure Cooperation Forum will also open at the event.

Over the past eight editions of the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, more than 50 cooperation agreements or contracts were signed, covering hydropower, roads, railways, airports, ports, housing and other infrastructure projects.