Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai and a host of guests preside over the opening ceremony of the 31st MIF, the 2026PLPEX and the 2026MFE.
The 31st Macao International Trade & Investment Fair (31st MIF), the 2026 Portuguese Speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition (Macao) (2026PLPEX), and the Macao Franchise Expo 2026 (2026MFE) were concurrently launched yesterday (21 October). At the opening ceremony, the Global Services Trade Development Index Report 2026 (English edition) was released outside the Chinese mainland for the first time, and nine co-operation agreements were signed on-site. A total of 74 agreements were inked on the first day of the three exhibitions, covering high technology, traditional Chinese medicine and big health, featured finance, cross-border e-commerce, and product agent and procurement services, to further enrich Macao’s “1+4” key industries and inject momentum into Macao’s appropriate economic diversification.
Building on Macao’s unique strengths as a gateway between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, the four-day exhibitions have brought together business representatives, including exhibitors, trade visitors, and expert speakers, from 55 countries and regions. The exhibitions showcase products and achievements from Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa in areas such as cutting-edge technological applications, new consumer trends, and modern agricultural innovations. These are complemented by over 90 diverse economic and trade activities, including forums, matching sessions and inspection tours, which are expected to tap into global business opportunities. Through the “Exhibition + Inspection + Matching” model, the three exhibitions aim to foster in-depth exchanges and co-operation on products, technology and investment between domestic and overseas enterprises, and to fully unleash the clustering, spillover and empowering effects of Macao’s flagship exhibitions.
Harnessing the synergies of the three exhibitions to enhance international economic and trade co-operation
The joint opening ceremony was officiated by Sam Hou Fai, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR); Zheng Xincong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Bian Lixin, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Cheong Weng Chon, President of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR; João Moura, Secretary of State for Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Portuguese Republic; and numerous senior officials at or above vice-ministerial level from Jiangsu Province, Fujian Province, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and other regions.
In her address at the opening ceremony, Ng Wai Han, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, stated that this year’s three exhibitions demonstrate Macao’s role as a bridge connecting markets at home and abroad through its MICE platform, and are a major commercial gathering in their own right. In terms of strengthening global connectivity and industry matching, this year’s MIF has established the “Spanish-Speaking Countries Industry Pavilion” for the first time to forge closer trade and business ties with Spanish-speaking countries. PLPEX has brought together featured industries, products and services from nine Portuguese-speaking countries. Meanwhile, MFE will effectively facilitate targeted matching between domestic and international brands and distribution channels through enhanced brand co-operation and first-store promotion initiatives, helping businesses explore new market opportunities. While consolidating Macao’s established role as a Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, the SAR Government is actively extending the reach of its business and trade co-operation network to encompass Spanish-speaking countries, Southeast Asia and other overseas markets. It has also continued to promote an innovative model combining government-enterprise collaboration, Macao-Hengqin synergy, and the “shared voyage” approach to collaborative overseas expansion, working alongside enterprises to explore new markets and achieve tangible results. The “Exhibition + Inspection + Matching” model has been further enhanced through multiple multi-venue events in Macao and Hengqin and related inspection and business matching activities, in order to facilitate effective matching among MICE participants, business resources and investment opportunities while creating more mutually beneficial business opportunities.
First-ever international release of the Global Services Trade Development Index Report 2026 (English edition)
The Global Services Trade Development Index Report 2026 (English edition) was released outside the Chinese mainland for the first time during the opening ceremony. According to the report, China has shown an upward trend in its global ranking for the comprehensive development of trade in services, with Macao ranked 6th globally. This reflects Macao’s highly service-oriented economic structure and its overall competitiveness. Furthermore, the report provides a valuable reference for various sectors to analyse trends in service trade and foster collaboration in related fields.
Open to the public free of charge from tomorrow, with four shuttle bus routes available to facilitate public access
The first day is dedicated to trade visitors, focusing on business matching and project implementation through a series of economic and trade activities, including the Mainland–Macao Economic and Trade Co-operation Forum, the Spanish-Speaking Countries Business Opportunities and Co-operation Forum, and the First-Store Economy and Brand Investment Business Matching Session.
From 22 October, the exhibitions will be open to the public free of charge for three consecutive days. Over 20,000 exquisite gifts will be available for visitors, alongside diverse interactive experiences. Visitors will be able to interact up close with various innovative AI products and experience the distinctive products and cultural atmosphere of Portuguese-speaking, Spanish-speaking and Southeast Asian countries. They can also take part in boutique coffee tastings, thematic workshops and fashion festival performances, and learn about IP brands and emerging consumer trends. Visitors can also explore the exhibition areas by following a themed check-in map and redeem selected speciality products, immersing themselves in the charm of the three concurrent exhibitions. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
To facilitate travel for residents and tourists, four free shuttle bus routes will operate between the venue,the northern and central districts of the Macao Peninsula,and Taipa. For the latest updates on the exhibitions, please visit www.mif.com.mo, www.cplpex.mo or www.mfe.mo, call (853) 2882 8711 (31st MIF), (853) 2822 8289 (2026PLPEX) or (853) 8798 9654 (2026MFE), or follow the official WeChat account “MICE_IPIM”.
