MIF SUCCESSFUL IN CONNECTING ENTERPRISES

The 21st Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) was held at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from 20 to 22 October 2016, with the theme “Co-operation – Key to Business Opportunities”. MIF plays a pivotal role in connecting the exhibitors to the international market. The exhibitors and visitors hailed the three-day event as a success.

The MIF is one of the biggest trade events in Macao. The fair attracts large numbers of exhibitors and buyers from around the world every year.

Years of hard work have enhanced MIF’s international standing. The organisers are continually introducing new concepts and adjusting strategy so the event can gradually expand. The purpose of the fair is to offer those that attend new business opportunities and nurture partnerships.

The city of Beijing has taken part in the MIF for seven consecutive years. Beijing was a “Partner City” of the latest fair, which was the first to include a “Partner City – Beijing Pavilion” and a “Beijing Time-honoured Brands Pavilion”. The “Beijing Time-honoured Brands Pavilion” displayed traditional cuisine and handicrafts that were for sale to visitors.

The “Partner City – Beijing Pavilion” contained exhibition areas where visitors were given information about opportunities for investment and co-operation. These exhibition areas included the Service and Trade Exhibition Area, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Exhibition Area, the Beijing International Horticultural Exposition 2019 Exhibition Area, the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in 2022 Exhibition Area and the Pinggu District Exhibition Area.

The “Partner City” arrangements use the complementary strengths of each jurisdiction for their mutual benefit. The arrangements achieve this purpose by forging and strengthening trade links between Mainland China, Macao and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, and by expanding the international investment market by making opportunities for co-operation in various fields.

The 21st MIF was also the first to have a “Partner Country”, Portugal. It was the first to have a Portuguesespeaking Countries Fashion Show, held in the Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition. It was also the first to have the “SME Service Corner for China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, where visitors could learn about the Economic & Trade Co-operation and Human Resources Portal between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and obtain advice about trade and investment in the Portuguese-speaking Countries markets.

In a number of ways, the latest MIF offered new opportunities for enterprises in Macao and in Portuguese-speaking parts of the world to enter markets abroad, so strengthening Macao’s role as a Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Assistant Secretary of State and of Commerce of the Republic of Portugal Paulo Alexandre Ferreira says Portugal’s economic relationship with Mainland China and Macao is strong, reinforced by Macao’s role as a Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Mr Ferreira called for more diverse forms of collaboration and for the development of co-operation in fields such as finance, support for innovation and entrepreneurship, renewable energy, maritime enterprises and environment protection, tourism and agricultural food products.

The 21st MIF had more than 1,600 exhibition booths. It attracted exhibitors and visitors from more than 50 countries and regions. More than 380 business negotiation sessions took place in the Business Matching Area, of which 110 were made through the Online Business Matching Service Platform. More than 50 contracts for projects were signed during the event.

Before or during the fair more than 40 forums, promotion meetings and seminars were held on the sidelines, including: the 2nd Young Entrepreneurs Forum of China and Portuguesespeaking Countries; the Portugal- Beijing-Macao Trade and Investment Seminar; the “Opening Ceremony of the 6th Jiangsu-Macau-Portuguesespeaking Countries Business Forum and the Introduction Meeting of the city of Changzhou; the Fujian, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Exchange Networking Session; and the “Welcoming Banquet of the 13th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs”.

The next MIF will take place from 19 to 21 October 2017.