“SME International Business Days” (“SME Days”) were among a wide range of events taking place on Friday (24 October) during the 19th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF).
It was the first of three consecutive days the fair is open to the general public. A total of 800 business matching sessions were successfully arranged, with 15 protocols and contracts signed.
Business Opportunities Embedded in SME Days
"SME Days" is one of the signature events of MIF, helping SMEs to expand their customer network and explore markets at home and abroad. The services on offer were well received and included the SME Service Corner, services on marketing advice and business operation, two seminars on branding, entrepreneurship and SME operation, promotion events on SME incentive packages and "Macao Ideas" products, as well as the “Franchise & Chain Stores Catalogue Show”.
The organiser of “SME Days” also invited several brand consultants, entrepreneurs and business mentors from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, to provide complimentary consultancy services on creating brand image, product and service packaging, as well as to provide advices on enterprises’ overall operation. A corporate consultancy service is also being offered during MIF by China Business Advisory (Guangdong). On the second day of MIF, a number of relevant enquiries by local enterprises were received during the event.
The second day of the fair also saw a seminar called "How to Build and Leverage your Brand Value". Cynthia Lee, a designer of deluxe packaging for the China and Taiwan markets, explained the importance of brand image in differentiating one product from another and in promoting a business.
Professor Jacky Hou Po-Hsien, Assistant Professor of Department of Creative Product Design of Tungnan University, in Taiwan, pointed out that the key to brand establishment is to produce quality products. Only with outstanding products can one enhance brand value, said the academic.
Seizing business opportunities
The second day of MIF, and first day of public access, included a wide range of seminars, forums and business matching sessions, providing exhibitors and visitors with information on investment environments across the world as well as about opportunities for co-operation across different industries.
The "Latin American Business and Investment Series" showcased the trade and investment potential in Latin America from three different perspectives.
Other events included the "1st Happy Wedding Urban Tourism Cultural Development Forum,” and the “Happiness Industry, Wedding Industry and Cultural Tourism Commercial Estate Summit". A keynote speaker for that segment pointed out that Macao, taking advantage of its role in developing a world centre of tourism and leisure, can become a major destination for weddings.
In other parts of the fair, the "Jiangsu-Macao – Portuguese-speaking Countries Agricultural Cooperation Roundtable Conference" enabled enterprises to explore business opportunities through promotional exchange and negotiation sessions.
In the Macao Fashion Festival event, the session “William Tang: The Intelligence in Fashion”, shared insights into experiences of working in and creating designs for, that creative industry.
Business matching sessions concluded with multiple protocols signed
First estimates are that over 800 business matching sessions were conducted and 15 protocols and contracts were arranged on the second day of MIF, covering the fields of co-operation in conventions and exhibitions; cultural exchange and promotion, global market expansion, cultural and creative industry investment, printing, investment promotion by the European Trade Centre, marketing of tobacco, wine and sake, brand image authorisation, and the marketing of relevant products, technology and research and development of environmentally-friendly clothing materials.
Enriching activities to explore
The first public day of MIF attracted good numbers to several thematic exhibition zones. They included the Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Food and Beverages Exhibition Zone, Macao Floral Carnival Zone, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Exhibition Zone, and the SMEs Exhibition and Trading Zone.
On Saturday (25 October), activities at MIF include the "11th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs", "Cultural and Creative Industry Networking Meeting", “Macao Convention and Exhibition Industry Networking Meeting”, "Youth Entrepreneurship & SMEs Operation Seminar", "Asia-Pacific Economic Leaders (Macao) Summit" and "Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Food and Beverages Networking Meeting". In addition, there are also two fashion brands shows, which will introduce the latest designs made by over 10 renowned local fashion designers.
As MIF encourages green commuting, visitors may take free shuttle bus service at the following pickup points: Estr. Marginal do Hipodromo (near Royal Supermarket at Areia Preta), Av. Dr. Mario Soares (Macao Square) and Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira da Almeida (near Pak Wai bus stop) on the Macao peninsula; and Avenida de Guimarães (Parque Central Da Taipa) on Taipa Island.
Bus schedules are as follows: 9.30am to 7pm on 25 October and 9:30am to 5pm on 26 October running from the pickup points mentioned above to the MIF venue at Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel’s CotaiExpo; 10:30am to 8:30pm on 25 October and 10:30am to 6pm on 26 October running from the MIF venue to the pickup points.
Alternatively, visitors may also park their cars at the public car park of the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel (charges of MOP15 per hour apply). Visitors may also consider parking at the Central Park at Taipa (charges of MOP3 per hour apply) and take a shuttle bus there to the MIF venue. For more information, please visit the MIF official website www.mif.com.mo.
