[2023/10/24] [Multi-Venue Events] Making Full Use of Visa-Free Transit Policy, Exhibitors at 1st C-PLPEX from Portuguese-speaking Countries Visit the Co-operation Zone to Expand Business Opportunities Generated from Macao-Hengqin Synergy

A delegation of more than 40 exhibitors, buyers and trade visitors at the 1^st China-Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Expo (Macao) (1^st C-PLPEX) representing enterprises from Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs), including Angola, Brazil, and Portugal, visited the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin on 23 October, with the 144-hour visa-free transit policy for foreigners to Mainland China, for inspection and exchange. This visit further extended the impacts of the three exhibitions and gave full play to Macao’s role as a platform between China and PSCs, building up a channel for PSC enterprises to engage in economic and trade development in the Co-operation Zone.

Leveraging Macao’s role as a platform connecting China and PSCs to help PSC enterprises seize development opportunities

A group of about 40 representatives visited some of the Macao-funded logistics enterprises and explored the latest trends in different sectors in the Co-operation Zone, including traditional Chinese medicine, big health, business and trade. They also learnt about the investment and business environment and support services in the Co-operation Zone through a symposium.

According to an enterprise representative from Brazil, the “multi-venue events” shed light on the preferential policies and favourable business environment in the region, opening up the possibilities for Brazilian enterprises to branch out in the Chinese market. This representative will then attend the Canton Fair in Guangzhou together with another five representatives of Brazilian enterprises to further scope out the market in Mainland China with the 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

Arranging four “multi-venue events” during the three exhibitions to discover opportunities for industrial co-operation

A total of four “multi-venue events” were arranged in Macao and Hengqin during the 1^st C-PLPEX, the 28^th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (28^th MIF) and the Macao Franchise Expo 2023 (2023MFE), covering topics including business opportunities for China and PSCs, MICE exchange between Hong Kong, Macao and Hengqin, Macao-Hengqin business and trade, and brand co-operation. These events attracted roughly 160 enterprise representatives, exhibitors and buyers from Mainland China, PSCs, Hong Kong, Macao and Hengqin. The new synergetic industrial development pattern of Macao and Hengqin, featuring “Macao platform + international resources + Hengqin space + shared achievements”, was promoted via business matching sessions, promotion seminars, and visits to landmark facilities for business, trade and MICE events in Macao and Hengqin. As a result, attention was drawn to the policies and resources available in the Co-operation Zone via the MICE platform to uncover business opportunities for industrial co-operation between Macao and Hengqin, and even across the world.

One trader from Mainland China commented that he identified a slew of Macao brands with great potential through the matching sessions and visits during the “multi-venue events”, and that his company is currently looking into the possibility of setting up branches in Macao and Hengqin to introduce Macao products into the Mainland market through brand co-operation while expanding its global market.

To review the three exhibitions, please subscribe to MICE_IPIM on WeChat or visit the websites: www.cplpex.mo, www.mif.com.mo or www.mfe.mo.