The 2013 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Exhibition and Forum (2013 MIECF) will take place from 21 to 23 March at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The theme of this year’s MIECF is “Sustainable Cities – The Way Towards a Green Future”. The Macao SAR Government aims to continuously promote the concept of Thinking Green, Going Clean and Living Cool through this major annual green event by organising a series of green activities, including forums and seminars, an exhibition, business matching, Green Public Day and technical visits.
Green Forum and Green Exhibition are two key elements in MIECF, this year, there will be a series of forums and seminars, for which environmental protection experts, scholars and professionals will share their insights on a variety of environmental issues, as well as promoting exchanges between the participating representatives from different governments, commercial organisations and social groups. At the same time, thematic workshops will be held to further enhance the effectiveness of the event. A great deal of effort has been put into attracting environmental enterprises and institutions in the environmental field, from local and abroad, to participate as exhibitors, in a bid to increase international participation in the event. The Green Exhibition will focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, green transport, waste and water management solutions and environmental services, to promote technological exchange and co-operation between environmental protection industry operators in Macao, the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region and the international market, thereby creating business opportunities for exhibitors from all over the world.
Furthermore, 2013 MIECF will continue to provide a series of activities, including: 1. Green Business Matching, to assist enterprises from around the world to promote their products and services; 2. Hosted Buyer Programme, under which, buyers recommended by the exhibitors will be invited to take part in the event through different channels, with the objective of identifying potential buyers and projects developers, and arrange business meetings with the other exhibitors; 3. Professional promotion seminars, to provide opportunities for the exhibitors to showcase their environmentally friendly products and solutions, as a means to create business opportunities; 4. Green Gala Dinner and exchange activities to serve as a networking platform for people from different sectors; 5. Green Public Day, which will take place at the last day of the event, and include a “Green Bazaar”, to sale of environmental friendly and water and energy saving products, as a means to raise public awareness and encourage participation in this green international event.
Sine its inception in 2008, five editions of the MIECF was held. According to statistical data of the past five events, in the first year there were 2,000 visitors, with the number increasing to 8,000 in 2012. During the same period, professional visitors increased from 2,000 in the first MIECF, to 6,000 last year. From 164 exhibitors from eight countries and regions in 2008, these numbers were increased to 398 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions, in last year´s MIECF. At the 2012 MIECF, there were 130 local exhibitors, accounting for nearly one-third of the total. The area of the venue was also largely expanded, from the original 6,900 square metres to 16,000 square metres.
Last year´s MIECF attracted 6,400 trade visitors from 53 countries and regions. Over 1,200 people participated in the forums and seminars, 702 business matching sessions were held, which contributed to the on the spot signing of 35 co-operation agreements. These figures clearly show that since its inception, MIECF has developed steadily and has received recognition from the industry. As a matter of fact, MIECF has gradually become an important platform for the Pan-Pearl River Delta and the international environmental protection industry to promote a green economy and technology.
Looking ahead, Macao SAR Government will continue to organise this annual event, to further strengthen co-operation and exchange in the field of environmental protection, strengthen the investment role of the MIECF platform, enhance the Hosted Buyer Programme at home and abroad, as well as the professional level of the exchange activities, to jointly build sustainable and low carbon cities.
