Several departments of the MSAR Government will form delegations to participate in and attend the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), held in Shanghai from 5 to 10 November 2018.

This is to make use of this international platform to demonstrate Macao’s positioning as a world centre of tourism and leisure as well as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies), leverage its functions to engage in and facilitate the implementation of the “Belt and Road” initiative, and continue playing the role of an important gateway between China and the world in the new era.

The CIIE is the world’s first national level, large-scale expo with import trade as the theme. Jointly hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the CIIE is held with the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization as organising partners.

The CIIE comprises the expo and a forum. The expo includes the Country Pavilion for Trade and Investment and the Enterprise and Business Exhibition; while the forum is titled the Hongqiao International Economic and Trade Forum. The MSAR Government and its departments will set up exhibition booths and attend the forum during the expo period.

The MSAR Government will set up a Macao exhibition area within the China Pavilion of the Country Pavilion for Trade and Investment. The exhibition is organised by the Government Information Bureau (GCS), and titled “Macao Hub”; it features photos, text, videos and multimedia to tell the story of how Macao developed from a fishing village in the 16th century to an international trading port where east meets west. After its unification with the motherland in 1999, Macao is fully supported by the Central People’s Government to seize opportunities arising from the advantages and policies of “One country, two systems” to develop towards its goal of being “Centre and Platform”, integrated into the overall national development plan, and continue playing the role of an important gateway between China and the world.

Exhibitors from various industries will also participate in the Enterprise and Business Exhibition, through an arrangement between the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), the Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Cultural Industry Fund.

The IPIM has arranged for Macao food and beverage enterprises to join as exhibitors at the “Trade in Goods – Foods and Agricultural Products Zone”, to introduce foods and drinks that are produced in Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries. Meanwhile, it also organises local enterprises, which provide professional services for Portuguese-speaking markets, to participate in the “Trade in Services – Integrated Services Zone”, with the aim to promote Macao’s function as a platform.

The MGTO is cooperating with representatives of the tourism industry to promote Macao’s branded tourism products.

The Cultural Industry Fund is cooperating with many enterprises to participate in the event, to promote and facilitate business matching between Macao's cultural industry and overseas counterparts, especially those along the “Belt and Road”. It is hoped that local cultural enterprises can expand their markets through exchanges and collaboration.