This file photo dated Dec 10, 2019 shows the east square of the new Hengqin port in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

A guideline on lifting market access in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai, was published on Tuesday, in the latest move to promote integration between Guangdong province and the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The National Development and Reform Commission, the nation’s top economic planner, and the Ministry of Commerce jointly published the guideline, which comprises 20 measures covering finance, culture and tourism, technological innovation, medical health, and professional services among other areas.

Hengqin will step up transformation and application of technological achievements, and optimize the environment for entrepreneurs. The special economic zone will establish an international platform dedicated to promoting the application of advanced technologies 

The document aims to build a market access system and market environment that can better promote diversified development of Macao economy, helping the SAR better integrate into the nation’s development through pioneering reform measures.

READ MORE: Bonds between Macao, Hengqin strengthened

Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said the country will optimize the top-level design of the market access system and promote construction of a new market access system that is open, transparent, standardized, orderly and ensures a level playing field.

Pilot programs on easing market access will be carried out in Hengqin, Shanghai’s Pudong and Guangzhou’s Nansha, with a focus on improving the environment for new industries and areas, he said at a news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

According to the guideline, a series of cross-boundary financial services will be allowed in Hengqin to facilitate Macao residents to work and live there. For example, smart machines that offer Macao’s government services will be set up in Hengqin and payment in Macao’s local currency will be supported. Mainland branches of Macao banks are encouraged to set up digital facilities and service windows in certain areas of Hengqin to provide greater convenience for Macao residents. 

Eligible travel agencies registered in Hengqin that are jointly funded by mainland and Hong Kong/Macao or wholly owned by Hong Kong/Macao will be allowed to operate outbound tours for mainland residents. Eligible Hong Kong and Macao tour guides will be able to practice in the nine mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area after registration in Hengqin. 

Hengqin will step up transformation and application of technological achievements, and optimize the environment for entrepreneurs. The special economic zone will establish an international platform dedicated to promoting the application of advanced technologies. It will also introduce innovative models to attract high-end talents. The models will enable talents to live in Macao and work in Hengqin or do research in Macao and transform results in Hengqin.

In terms of medical health, market access of traditional Chinese medicine, medicine and medical devices, as well as Hong Kong and Macao medical institutions, will all be lifted in Hengqin.

READ MORE: CE: Hengqin plan significant to Macao's development

The guideline also pledged to make it easier for professional service providers from Hong Kong and Macao to operate a business in the special economic zone.

The release of the government document came days after the overall development plan for Hengqin was launched, which outlined the visionary road map for the zone in the coming years.

According to the development blueprint, which was unveiled on Dec 21, the number of Macao residents working in Hengqin will reach 80,000 by 2035. About 120,000 Macao residents will be living in the special economic zone by the same year.

Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com