The Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2014 (GMBPF 2014) was officially opened today (31 July) at the Macau Fisherman's Wharf Conference and Exhibition Centre and will last for four consecutive days. The Fair is not only a grand event marking the ongoing development of co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, but also a demonstration of the two regions complementing each other’s strengths with great potential for economic and trade co-operation, through which both parties can work together to further develop and expand various exhibition channels.
Prior to the opening ceremony, the guests were guided to visit the pavilions and carried out simple exchanges and extended greetings with the exhibitors. A simple but solemn lighting ceremony was presided over by the officiating guests which include Zhao Yufang, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Wang Xindong, Director-General of Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Guo Yuanqiang, Director of Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Ma Iao Lai, President of Macau Chamber of Commerce, Li Yangchun, Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Chen Biao, Deputy Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, Wu Guojie, Deputy Mayor of Jiangmen Municipal People’s Government, Li Rifang, Deputy Mayor of Yangjiang Municipal People’s Government, Yang Rungui, Deputy Mayor of Maoming Municipal People’s Government, and Wu Haiyun, Deputy Mayor of Yunfu Municipal People’s Government,
Economic and trade co-operation between Guangdong and Macao brings complementary benefits into full play
In her opening speech, Zhao Yufang, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province said that the economic and trade co-operation between Guangdong and Macao has entered the “fast track” as the import and export volume of the two regions reached US$2.15 billion last year, indicating an increase of 14% and the trade volume in the first half of this year showed an increase of 5.8% despite the critical foreign trade condition, which demonstrated the complementary benefits and broad space of economic and trade co-operation between the two regions. She further noted that in the future the two will work together to further develop and expand various exhibition channels, extensively develop cross-border e-commerce, break down the barriers in the aspects of logistics and customs, facilitate trade in services between Guangdong and Macao, in particular the liberalisation of trade in business services, focus on expanding the Guangdong and Macao business and trade chains in overseas markets, in particular the Portuguese-speaking countries, and enhance the scale and standards of the import and export sectors between the two regions.
Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, noted in his speech that GMBPF is not only a grand event marking the ongoing development of co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, it has also become a branded event in economic and trade co-operation jointly developed by Guangdong and Macao, providing a valuable opportunity and platform for enterprises in the two regions to jointly promote their quality products, expand market, conduct business matching and seek business opportunities. He continued saying that it is also a major event embracing travel, shopping, leisure, entertainment and cultural exchanges, which can help Macao promote itself as a World Tourism and Leisure Centre.
Four co-operation agreements signed on the first day
Following the opening ceremony, four co-operation agreements were signed today at the GMBPF with signing parties from Macao, Shenzhen and Jiangmen. The agreements include a Memorandum of Co-operation of the 2014 Macau-Jiangmen Famous Products Fair signed between Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Jiangmen Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation Bureau, a Co-operation and Agent Agreement on Wanglaoji Products between Macao and Shenzhen enterprises, a letter of intent on co-operation for energy-saving lighting agent and a letter of intent on co-operation for hotel supplies agent. Moreover, 65 business matching sessions were conducted today.
Shenzhen and Macao jointly explore economic and co-operation opportunities
To promote trade and economic co-operation between Shenzhen and Macao and enhance enterprises’ understanding of Shenzhen’s development environment, the Shenzhen & Macao Economic and Trade Co-operation Seminar 2014, organised by the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, was held at the Rocks Hotel in the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf. The event aimed at building a networking platform to jointly explore co-operation opportunities between Shenzhen and Macao. Speeches were given by Chen Biao, Deputy Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government and Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute respectively. With closer economic and trade links between Shenzhen and Macao, the two regions are now facing new co-operation environment and opportunities, and in view of this, Shenzhen hopes to make use of the GMBPF platform to seek more opportunities and further expand the international markets, and at the same time, Macao will also further utilise its role as a economic and trade service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, promote exchanges and co-operation in economy, trade, culture and tourism between Shenzhen, Macao and the Portuguese speaking countries and achieve mutual benefits and development.
Come and enjoy a variety of offers and programmes at GMBPF
The Organisers of the GMBPF cordially invite business visitors from home and abroad, local residents as well as tourists from around the world to join this summer shopping carnival, an event combining business opportunities and entertainment. A wide variety of programmes will be available at the GMBPF tomorrow, including performance by Macao singer Rico Long, magic show, folk dance and Latin dance performances, as well as the live cooking demonstration by famous TV cooking show hostess Maria Cordero. Furthermore, the Guangdong and Macao Enterprises Procurement Meeting will be held at the Grand Hall of the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the objectives of strengthening exchanges and co-operation among enterprises from the two regions. Admission to the GMBPF is free; opening hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from 1 to 3 August (Friday to Sunday). For more information of the Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2014, please call (853) 8798 9636 or visit the official website www.guangdongmacaofair.com.
