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By "placing the gaming and tourist industries at the head of the main economic push, closely followed by the service industry, with the parallel development of other sectors", the overall economy of the Macao has entered a new phase of development after the liberalisation of the gaming industry in 2002. The real growth of Macao’s economy in 2004 was increased to a record high of 28% while 2005 marked the start of an adjustment period in it's development. In view of circumstantial changes, Government of Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) stated that the 2006 administrative priorities for the economy and finance areas were "consolidating, sharing, adjusting and upgrading". Specifically aimed at consolidating the foundation of economic development and maintaining its competitive edge, allowing more Macao citizens to enjoy the benefits of the current economic development and improving living standards, modifying the structure of industry and pursuing the right degree of diversification in our industrial growth, enhancing the economy and its competitiveness so that eventually sustainable expansion can be achieved. The Convention and Exhibition Industry has become a key component in the diversification of the industrial development, facing plenty of opportunities and challenges ahead.
Following the rapid growth of Macao's economy, the Convention and Exhibition Industry has also experienced vibrant and prosperous development. The MSAR has pointed out in its 2006 Policy Address:
* to fully develop and reinforce the advantages of the Convention and Exhibition Industry, utilising the branding effect of MIF being admitted as an "UFI approved event" and launching the operations of professional institutions in the Convention and Exhibition Industry and incentive travel, working closely with the industry to organise effective, specialised, professional and high-quality exhibition events, to actively attract international buyers and business partners to take part in local exhibitions.
* to continue its effort to assist local entrepreneurs to make use of the development opportunities provided by the third stage of CEPA, organise delegations to take part in various local and international trading and investment activities, and to promote partnerships between local entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Pan-PRD and further develop external markets.
Organisation of international conference and development of business travel industry
Government departments and the Convention and Exhibition Industry have organised various international conferences recently, namely the Conference for the Commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries (Macao), the 54th Pacific Asia Travel Association Annual Conference, JCI Asia Pacific Conference Entrepreneurs in Action and the 13th Teochew International Convention. The 19th Asian Trade Promotion Forum (ATPF) organised by IPIM will be held in Macao on 23 and 24 February this year. The Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) initiated ATPF with the first forum being held in Tokyo in 1987. Members of ATPF includ trade promotion organisations from 21 Asian countries and regions. The objectives of ATPF are to enhance trade in the region through information exchange, implementation of co-operative projects and strengthening networks among ATPF members.
In 1995, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute organised the first Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) and it has become an important economic event. Afterwards, various themed fairs have been organised: EUREKA (Meets) Asia, wedding gowns, jewellery, hotel products and some smaller trade fairs. In 2003 the Macao SAR Government organised with 9 Guangdong cities the "West-Guangdong Famous Brand Exhibition", moreover, many international exhibition companies are planning to organise exhibitions in Macao, showing that the style and scale of the events and the Convention and Exhibition industry is diversifying.
In 2005, the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) was admitted by Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) as an "UFI approved event", and it is also the first Fair from Macao to be approved.
The branding effect of UFI has helped to sharpen MIF and Macao's Convention and Exhibition Industry's competitive edge. The industry can share UFI networking and resources, acquire knowledge about the latest development trends and knowledge about the Convention and Exhibition Industry while sharing experiences with different UFI members around the world, so as to enhance the level and quality of the local Convention and Exhibition Industry. IPIM will continue to strengthen its co-operation with trade promotion organisations on the Mainland and Portuguese-Speaking Countries as well as local trade associations. In addition, it will also strengthen it's liaisons with world renowned exhibition organisations through UFI and establish diversified, high-quality themed exhibitions, in order to attract more international buyers to take part in trade fairs in Macao and thus enhance the international status of MIF.
IPIM strengths exchanges and co-operation with the regional exhibition industry though active participation in the Exhibition Industry Commitee of the ATPF.
Moreover, IPIM has been organising delegations from enterprises to take part in overseas exhibitions. While there were over 60 exhibitors in 2000, the number has increased to over 100 exhibitors in 2005. During the period of 2000-2005, IPIM has organised delegations from over 800 enterprises and subsidised more than 100 enterprises to take part in exhibitions held in the cities of the United States, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Mainland.
New Tendency, New Trends
Macao is an internationally known tourist destination and entertainment city; apart from business, it has plenty of leisure and entertainment for travellers. Its free port policy makes the procedures for import and export trade of goods simple, free flow of funds and personnel, which in turn creates advantageous conditions for holding exhibitions. Along with the steady growth in the development of enterprises in recent years, advantages for the exhibition industry increases:
* A raft of modern Convention and Exhibition facilities have become operational. Presently, Macao Forum, Macao Tower, Macao East Asian Games Dome, Macao Fisherman’s Wharf between them have around 15,000 square metres of exhibition space. When the Cotai Strip project is completed, Macao’s exhibition space will be 80,000 square metres, five times that of the existing area and the total number of exhibition booths will be over 4,000. The new facilities will contribute to the development of Macao’s Convention and Exhibition Industry so as to modernise and strengthen it.
* In 2005, the Historic Centre of Macao was inscribed as a World Heritage Site, which added to the international recognition of Macao as a tourist destination.
* The operation of various entertainment facilities has been enriched by Macao’s Las Vegas style gaming industry.
The challenges ahead
As compared with other competitors in the region, the Convention and Exhibition industry in Macao started to develop at a relatively later stage and the development is comparatively slower than those of the markets in the region. Many cities in the area have already developed a number of renowned exhibitions of their own. As far as Macao is concerned, the challenges ahead are how to make the best of its unique features and develop attractive and effective exhibitions with market potential.
There is currently a shortage of human resources in the Convention and Exhibition industry, especially those in operation. There is an acute demand for these highly professional talents and it is hoped that the provision of professional training may be the way to solve the problem.
Training, Research and Sharing of Experiences, conducted by IPIM
In March 2005, representatives from IPIM attended a Convention and Exhibition training forum in Germany. In August 2005, a professional exhibition management training course was organised to improve the quality of service provided by Convention and Exhibition operators.
From 11 to 13 January this year, IPIM took local delegations to the China Expo Forum for International Co-operation 2006 (CEFCO) and the China International Exposition and Conference (InterExpo China) jointly organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM) and Society of Independent Show Organisers (SISO). The conferences were also co-organised by Guangzhou CCPIT, China Association for Exhibition Centres and International Exhibition Co., Ltd. During the event, members of the delegation of the Macao Convention and Exhibition industry, Mr. Wan Jifei, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Mr. Tang Bingquan, Executive Vice Governor of Guandong Province as well as others leaders of economic entitites discussed on the co-operation and development of Convention and Exhibtion industry.
IPIM has been working closely with the Convention and Exhibition Industry and has organised various activities in accordance with the information and ideas provided by the industry, in order to achieve the objective of improving standards and strengthening its competitive edge.
An Exhibition Corner has been established at the IPIM Information Centre, with over a hundred local and foreign publications, periodicals and directories. The Information Centre also provides computers, which are linked to the Internet for public use. Up-to-date Macao, Mainland and overseas exhibition information will also be downloaded on to IPIM’s homepage to provide comprehensive technical support for the Convention and Exhibition Industry. Interested parties can visit the Information Centre on the second floor of the World Trade Centre during office hours or contact Ms. Wong, on 87989131 for further details.
This article was prepared by IPIM’s Research and Information Division.
