Macao’s annual major trade and economic event, the 19th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) was officially opened on Thursday (23 October 2014).
This year, MIF is again being held under the theme “Co-operation – Key to Business Opportunities”. The event floor covers 30,000 square metres containing 1,900 exhibition booths, attracting exhibitors and trade visitors from a total of more than 50 countries and regions. Exhibitors from Peru and Indonesia have joined MIF for the first time.
The first day of the event was a success, organised a total of 600 business matching sessions and 29 project agreements were signed.
The opening ceremony of 19th MIF was held in the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel on Thursday morning, and was attended by representatives and delegates from over 50 countries and regions.
Officiating guests at the ceremony included the Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Chui Sai On; Deputy Director General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Yao Jian; Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr Feng Tie; Deputy Minister of Labour and Promotion of Employment of Peru, Mr Daniel Ysau Maurate Romero; State Secretary for Foreign Trade of Angola, Mr Alexandre David de Sousa Costa; State Secretary of Planning and Regional Integration of Guinea-Bissau, Mr Degol Mendes; Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Jiangsu Province, Mr Fu Zi Ying; Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Hubei Province, Mr Gan Rong Ku; Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Ms Zhao Yu Fang; Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR, Mr Tam Pak Yuen; Chairman of AICEP Portugal Global, Mr Miguel Frasquilho; Vice Minister of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Mr Luo Li Ming; Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Mr Lu Peng Qi; Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Mr Su Zhi Gang; and President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Mr Jackson Chang.
Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, said in his opening speech that with the support of the Central Government, its relevant departments and other agencies from different business sectors in Macao, MIF had become a famous international exhibition in the region and a key platform for business and trade exchanges and co-operation around the world. He added that MIF in its turn would continue to provide services and support to all those seeking new business opportunities.
First day full of exceptional activities
Given the proximity between Macao and its neighbouring city Zhuhai, a common goal is to deepen co-operation between the two places andand to take advantage of the potential and opportunities of Hengqin Island. During the first day of MIF, the Zhuhai Municipal People’s Government, supported by IPIM, organised a seminar under the theme “Hengqin, the Highlights of Cooperation between Zhuhai and Macao”. The seminar introduced the business environment and investment opportunities in Hengqin, including the opportunities for Macao citizens to make investments in Hengqin and promote economic diversification.
Macao Fashion Festival 2014 also launched on day one of MIF. Two fashion seminars and six fashion shows will be held during MIF, and 13 different fashion designers will feature in the Macao Fashion Festival Exhibition Zone. The opening show is called “Style – Encounter Moment”.
Macao Goldsmith’s Guild, The Macao Academy of Flower Arrangement Designers, plus designers from Hangzhou and Taipei have also been invited to present an event called “New Fashion – Creative”, featuring fresh ideas in jewellery and fashion, and. The objective of the activity is to promote cross-strait co-operation and exchanges between fashion and jewellery sectors.
First day promotes business matching sessions and new agreements
The first day of MIF has already been a success. According to preliminary data, about 600 business matching were held during the first day of the event and 29 agreements were signed, including: Co-operation agreement between CCPIT Jiangxi Sub Council and IPIM, Co-operation Agreement between Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province and Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute to Provide Consultancy Services, Co-operations between governments and business chambers, Co-operation Agreement on Guangdong and Macao TCM Park Investment(Land-Rental), Agreement on payment services for an international online shopping platform, Sales Agreements on pharmaceutical products, branded cars, golf products, wine, printed fabric products, as well as other co-operation projects on establishment of food science and technology research base, Sichuan Macao Street.
MIF opens to the public from 24 to 26 October
This year, many new exhibition zones have been set up. The Portuguese-speaking Countries Enterprises Exhibition Zone displays for the first time a Pavilion of Food and Beverages from Portuguese-speaking Countries. There are also a Macao Floral Carnival Zone, an Arts and Creative Industry Exhibition Zone; Macao (Shenzhen) Electronics Fair and Chinese Medicine Exhibition Zone.
The main features for Friday include the SME International Business Days Opening Ceremony, including a cocktail reception and protocol signing ceremony.
There is also a SME Service Counter providing consultancy services on marketing, entrepreneurship and business operation, as well as a catalogue show on brand re-packaging and branded products.
There are also other sessions and seminars planned for the day, including the “Jiangsu-Macao – Portuguese-speaking Countries Educational Cooperation Roundtable Conference”; “Jiangsu-Macao – Portuguese-Speaking Countries Agricultural Cooperation Roundtable Conference”; “Latin American Business and Investment Series”; and “How to Build and Leverage your Brand Value”.
The 19th MIF is open to the public from 24 October to 26 October. Free shuttle bus service to the venue is available at different locations for the convenience of exhibitors and the public during MIF. Pickup points on Macao Peninsula include Estr. Marginal do Hipodromo (Areia Preta Royal Supermarket), Av. Dr. Mario Soares (The Macau Square), Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira da Almeida (near Pak Wai bus stop), and Taipa at Avenida de Guimarães (Parque Central da Taipa). Schedules are as follows:
24-25 October: 9:30am to 7pm; 26 October: 9:30am to 5pm, departing from the pickup points to the MIF venue.
24-25 October: 10:30am to 8:30pm; 26 October: 10:30am to 6:30pm, departing from the MIF venue to the pickup points.
Visitors may also park in the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel’s public car park. Alternatively, visitors can park at the Central Park of Taipa, then take the shuttle bus there to the venue.
