This Issue’s Topical Story

Developing a Trading Platform for Franchising, International Chain and Franchising Brands in Macao

MFE serves as a platform and help enterprises go global and attract investment

Franchising is a common practice in business expansion and is particularly popular in the food and beverage, retail and service industries. Following the growth in Asian consumers’ income, franchising operations have significant potential for development, and Mainland China has great potential for growth of all the Asian franchising markets.

Enterprises Explore New Markets by Franchising

Driven by the development of the tourism industry, Macao’s hotel, retail, convention and exhibition, as well as food and beverage industries have experienced accelerated growth. A total of 32.61 million visitors were recorded in 2017, showing a year-on-year increase of 5.4%. Retail sales totalled MOP 66.26 billion, a 12.6% rise compared to the previous year. The franchising market has also experienced sustainable growth in recent years and a number of world-renowned franchising brands have opened in Macao. Some local enterprises, original designer brands have also been upgrading or transforming their businesses through brand co-operation, chain operation or finding agents, with the aim of going global through partnerships and tapping new markets in neighbouring regions.

As franchising and chain operations have become increasingly popular among entrepreneurs and young business starters. Capturing the operation models of “Internet+” and the application of “Big Data” comprehensively and precisely is beneficial to the industry and helps to explore new business opportunities both regionally and internationally.

To be in line with the Macao SAR Government’s policy objectives of supporting SMEs development, IPIM has embarked upon a series of initiatives to promote brand building and chain operation in recent years. A number of corporate training and fact finding trips have been conducted since 2011 and the delegations have visited Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan as well as various cities in Guangdong province with the activities being well-received by SMEs and young entrepreneurs. IPIM has been organising the Macao Franchise Expo since 2009 and various thematic seminars as well as workshops on E-Commerce, branding strategy and youth entrepreneurship have been held for the SMEs.

Business-matching service helps enterprises explore business opportunities

Many enterprises broaden their business networks through the MFE platform

2018 Macao Franchise Expo (2018MFE) Celebrates the 10^th Anniversary

Since its inception in 2009, the exhibition has achieved considerable results in terms of its size, becoming more international and the participation of local enterprises. MFE has become a major trade and business event of exhibition, forum, business-matching and promotion seminar as well as attracting a large number of exhibitors and trade visitors annually. The 2018MFE will continue to be held concurrently with the 2018 Guangdong-Macao Branded Product Fair. Highlights of 2018 MFE are:

New elements in chain operation: the exhibition area and the forum are complementary and inter-related, introducing online and offline resources being linked to the new chain operations through the MFE platform, and how enterprises can utilise and improve existing operations and create more business opportunities.

Asian Gourmet Avenue: This year’s MFE will again be held concurrently with 2018 Guangdong-Macao Branded Products Fair. The two events will work together to launch a larger Gourmet Avenue which link the two exhibition areas and provide buyers with a comprehensive experience based in Macao while covering Asia in its entirety.

Youth entrepreneurship and business start-up: This year’s “Start-up Launchpad” Day targets young entrepreneurs and business starters. Basic start-up information is provided to business starters, representatives of successful brands are invited to share their experience.

Buyer delegation: The MFE organiser will organise local and overseas corporations to visit some of the successful local brands and chain stores, to enable participants to have an understanding of the latest development and trends in chain operation.

2018 MFE, to be held from 27 to 29 July at the Venetian Macao, is positioned as an event incorporating a number of services and roles. It gathers together franchising and chain operation brands from around the world and expands the trade and economic platform. In the long run, MFE and the Macao market will be developed into an access point and a demonstration centre of franchising and chain operation which enables Macao SMEs and enterprises in the neighbouring areas to enhance networking and liaisons through the exhibition which serves as a franchising and chain operation trading platform. This year’s MFE will be participated in by industries including food and beverage, retail, services, education, marketing, consultancy, investment projects, finance and real estate.

Guests share their story of success on “Start-up Launchpad” Day

The Gourmet Avenue attracts many trade visitors

Contract signing ceremony

Visitors at the MFE

The “Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands” is one MFE’s major activities