The Macao Franchise Expo 2018 (2018MFE) concluded successfully today. With over 6,000 trade visitors, the three-day event attracted as many visitors as the previous edition did. The MFE entered into its 10th anniversary this year. Many exhibitors and participants reached co-operation agreements through the MFE to enhance their brand awareness and upgrade their businesses, start businesses or expand the market. They were satisfied with results achieved during the exhibition.
The 2018MFE is jointly organised by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), the Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association (MIBA), the Macao Chain Stores and Franchise Association (MCFA), the Brazilian Franchise Association (ABF), the Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan (ACFPT) and the Licensing & Franchising Association of Hong Kong (LFA). Taking up an area of over 6,000 square metres, the 2018MFE themed as “Brand Expansion Continues, Business Opportunities To Be Seized” attracted over 150 exhibitors from Mainland China, the Czech Republic, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Portugal, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and so on. The Expo was equipped with more than 200 booths, covering sectors such as catering, services, retail, brand agency, education, e-commerce and fashion, among others.During the three-day exhibition, a total of 111 sessions were held at the Business Matching Area. The match-making sessions were mostly related to catering, franchising, brand agencies, rebranding, data platforms, retail, education, and investment project recruitment. 10 protocols were signed during the three-day event, involving intergovernmental business co-operation, promotion of the retail industry of Macao into the strategic cooperation in the Greater Bay Area, hotel franchising, food product sales agencies, Macao brands’ participation in old district revitalisation projects, 3D printing device agencies, kids’ photography co-operation, and franchising of educational centres. Signing parties hail from Mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong.
Enterprises upgrade their brands via MFE and go beyond Macao
A local enterprise successfully established co-operative relationships with SMEs during the 2018MFE. Mr Cheng, the representative of the company, said that his company secured co-operation relationships with numerous enterprises, with plans to develop the Historic Centre of Macao into a commercial tourism area, starting from the Ruins of St. Paul’s. Mr Tsang, the person in-charge of a bakery shop that entered into co-operation with Mr Cheng, said that his shop engaged in wholesale business over decades, only enjoying a limited reputation. He expected that through this co-operation, he could upgrade his brand and establish retail stores, allowing travellers to taste traditional delicacies and recreate the scene and taste in their shared memories of delicacies of the past.
During the MFE, a local kids’ photo company successfully established co-operation with an enterprise engaged in children’s product from Zhongshan city, Guangdong province. Mr Wong, the person in-charge of the local kids’ photography company, stated that, in the coming years, the company would commit itself to the development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Apart from Zhongshan, it would also seek opportunities in Guangzhou and other second- and third-tier cities, bringing into full play the “Portuguese Style” bearing characteristics of Macao. The enterprise engaged in children’s products from Zhongshan is a traditional retail business, with chain stores across counties and districts in the city. However, with the popularisation of online shopping, the company recognises the need for transformation. As the fresh marketing concept and orientation of its partner fit for the company’s needs, it was looking forward to the co-operation between the two parties in the future.
Mr Hui from a local catering company indicated that it was the first time his company had participated in the MFE, during which he signed a protocol with a tea beverage brand from Mainland China, agreeing to become its general agent in Macao. He was impressed by the low threshold for the franchising and the fact the franchiser would provide R&D and packaging services for all its products. According to Mr Hui, a store would be opened for trial operation in the following days to investigate its future market. It was expected that a total of six franchise stores would be set up in Macao this year.
The MFE leveraged the role of Macao as the “Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”. Mr Pedro Ruiz, Vice President of the Portuguese Franchise Association, who participated in the exhibition for the first time, said fitness products and services were exhibited, in the hope of helping Portuguese companies enter the Mainland China market through Macao. He concluded that the three-day event yielded fruitful results and planned to arrange for more Portuguese enterprises to participate in the MFE next year.
The “Branding Consultation Pavilion” was set up again this year to provide consultancy services for brand upgrading, so as to support those wishing either to start or develop their own business in a franchise model. Mr Wu, a consultant stationed at the pavilion, stated that a large number of enterprises, both newly started and well-established and expected to reach out to a larger group of customers and improve the prospects for their brands, came to him with their various questions,. He suggested that enterprises could make branding as part of their investment to improve their image and competitiveness through branding and promotional activities. Sharing the concepts of his brands with the consultant, Mr Li expressed his appreciation for advice from the consultant located at the pavilion, acknowledging the role of the pavilion in assisting enterprises in solving their “problems” with rebranding.
The “ Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Business Zone” was a fresh addition to the MFE this year. The economic and trade institutions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area were invited to set up counters during the three-day exhibition to provide business consultation for participants and help enterprises grasp development opportunities within the Greater Bay Area. According to a personnel stationed in the zone, many people asked for information about making investment in cities in the Greater Bay Area, with a clear focus on preferential policies for investors in each of the cities and the various types of development polices.
The MFE continued to include the popular “Gourmet Avenue” this year. More than 20 booths of culinary specialities were set up and delicacies from Macao and Shunde were featured in the GMBPF. In addition to drawing visitors to the MFE and the GMBPF, visitors were able to taste different cuisines and explore business opportunities. Mr Huang, representing a factory producing seasoning sauces from Taiwan, noted that as a first time participant of the exhibition in Macao he had achieved satisfying results. During the three-day exhibition, numerous participants demonstrated an interest in his products and some expressed intention to co-operate in the future.
The “Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands” was held successfully on the afternoon of the first day of the 2018MFE. Franchising and international brand associations, industry leaders and enterprises from Mainland China, Japan, Portugal, Singapore and different regions were invited to the Forum to explore fresh opportunities arising from franchising industries and look into the business philosophies of consumption upgrade in the new era. In addition to hosting over 140 participants to the venue, the 2018MFE was broadcast online and on TV, attracting over 120 thousand online viewers.
The MFE was held once again concurrently with the “Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2018”. In order to improve the effectiveness of the exhibition, the organiser continued to arrange for guided tours for exhibitors to have field inspection of the local economy and the retail market in Macao. They also explored new business opportunities in the Central and Southern districts of Macao. Afterwards, they went to explore the retail market situation in the Zhuhai commercial district and visit successful entrepreneurs. This exercise boosts community economies, benefits local SMEs, and helps exhibitors gain a better understanding of the investment environment of the Great Bay Area and explore local business opportunities.
“The Macao Franchise Expo 2019 (2019MFE)” will be held concurrently with the “Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2019” (2019GMBPF) from 26 to 28 July 2019.
