The 2017 Macao Franchise Expo (2017MFE) opened today (28 July) at Exhibition Hall A of the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Hundreds of franchise and chain operators, as well as brand representatives are attending the three-day event, which takes as its theme “Brand Expansion Continues – Business Opportunities to be Seized”. MFE, a major annual event promoting international brand co-operation, serves as an important platform to promote franchise and retail chain business co-operation for participating exhibitors and professional visitors. During the first day of 2017MFE, a total of seven co-operation protocols were signed, involving chambers of commerce and associations. The deals covered projects in several sectors, including: food and beverage; agency services for marketing branded products; and franchising of commercial brands.
Officiating guests at the opening ceremony of 2017MFE included: Jackson Chang, President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), who was also representing Macao’s Secretary for Economy and Finance at the event; Chen Xing, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department and Head of the Commercial Office of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Mr Jaman Wong, Chairman of the Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association; Mr Kevin Ho, Vice Chairman of the Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association; Mr Wilson Lee, Chairman of the Licensing & Franchising Association of Hong Kong; Mr Ben Ke, Deputy Secretary-General of the Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan; Mr Bruno Amado, Project Manager for the Brazilian Franchise Association; Ms Cristina Maria Matos, General Manager of the Portuguese Franchise Association; and Mr Albert Kong, Committee Member of Singapore’s Franchising and Licensing Association.
More than 200 booths in 6,000-square-metres of exhibition area
IPIM’s President Chang said in his opening speech that MFE had registered a stable growth since its inception in 2009, recording substantial achievements in terms of size and how international it had become, as well as in the level of participation of local enterprises. The total exhibition area has tripled to 6,000 square metres in 2017 compared to the first year of MFE. He noted that each year the event attracts a number of franchise and chain operators and brand representatives.
More than 200 booths have been set up this year’s MFE, attracting over 155 exhibitors from Brazil, Mainland China, Finland, Hong Kong Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Mozambique, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. ,. These exhibitors cover a variety of industries: retailing; food and beverage; education; leisure and entertainment; consulting and brand agency services. Through this professional exhibition, President Chang said the organisers aimed to provide opportunities for local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve and transform their businesses, aiming to promote the economic diversification of Macao.
Seven protocols signed, over 600 negotiation sessions organised
During the first day of 2017MFE, 63 business-matching sessions were organised via the existing business-matching service platform. According to figures from the organiser, 540 business negotiation sessions were conducted for specially invited professional visitors. A total of seven co-operation protocols were signed, involving chambers of commerce and associations. The deals covered projects in several sectors, including: food and beverage; agency services for marketing branded products; and franchising of commercial brands. The signing parties came from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.
‘Gourmet Avenue’ to promote food and beverage businesses
The 2017MFE will be held concurrently with the 2017 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair. This year the MFE organisers are launching a “Gourmet Avenue” to promote food and beverage products from Macao and to help the manufacturers of those delicacies to expand their businesses abroad. In addition, the “Brand Repackaging Pavilion” will be reprised at this year’s MFE, providing consultancy services to those willing to start or expand a business via franchising.
Free Wi-Fi and shuttle bus services
To enable 2017MFE exhibitors and visitors to communicate more effectively online, there will be free Wi-Fi service available during the three days of the event. Both the Wi-Fi network and password are “MFE-GMBPF”.
Entry to MFE is free and open to the public on Saturday and Sunday (29 and 30 July). To encourage the use of public transportation and ‘green commuting’, the MFE organisers have provided free shuttle bus services to and from the venue. Public parking is available, although space – at Exhibition Hall D and E – is limited and on a first come, first served basis. The free shuttle bus service will run between the exhibition venue and designated locations: Macau Square, Avenida Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, Rua do Mercado de Iao Hon, Taipa Central Park, Taipa Square Hotel, Grandview Hotel, Regency Art Hotel and Pousada Marina Infante Hotel.
For more information about 2017MFE, please visit the official website www.mfe.mo or contact the organisers by either: on (853) 8294 6885; fax – (853) 8294 6701; or e-mail – sec@mfe.mo. WeChat users can subscribe to MFE’s WeChat account via MFEMacau.
