The 17th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) opened its door to the general public today (19th) and continued to hold a series of forums, seminars and presentations, as well as cultural shows and performances. While the different pavilions were drawing patronage of constant streams of residents, the sales areas were making good business. During the day, a total of 591 sessions of business matching were conducted and 34 protocols were signed. Support to SMEs in Achieving Upgrade and Transformation
The "SME International Business Days Opening Ceremony and Macao Ideas Website Launching Ceremony" were held at 12:30 PM today, during which Mr. Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Mr. Kou Ming, Deputy Director of Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Ms. Echo Chan and Ms. Irene V. K. Lau, Executive Directors of IPIM, were present, among other guests. In his welcome address, President Jackson Chang said IPIM would provide "One-stop Service" to the enterprises and investors who intended to set up companies in Macao. The services include the provision of free office premises for up to 6 months, policy consultancy, business secretarial service and assistance for setting up a company in Macao, etc., so as to help SMEs lower the business start-up costs. The "SME Days" this year features a wide range of activities, including the launch of a brand new 3D website of Macao Ideas (Macao products display centre), SME Service Corner, orientation and consultancy services for "branding" and "franchising", with the aim of encouraging SMEs to seek good business opportunities through the MIF. In particular, in the new "3D Virtual Tour of Macao Ideas", visitors are able to have a 360-degree view of the exhibits and experience the fun of a "seated tour of Macao Ideas". At the same time, it provides an instant information platform for entrepreneurs who seek business partnership about the latest updates and products inside "Macao Ideas". More Economic and Trade Activities Being Held
On the second day of the 17th MIF, the activities held included the "Seminar on EU-Macao Business Opportunities - Unlocking Cultural and Creative Industries' Potential", "The 2nd Jiangsu-Macau•Portuguese-Speaking Countries Business Forum", "The 7th Anniversary of the Establishment of Macau Businesswomen Association And The 6th Macau Honor Board – Creative Decoration Cake Shop Awards Ceremony" and "Cultural & Artistic Performance Showcase", among others. The entire MIF has been filled with an atmosphere of economic and trade negotiations and participants preoccupied with networking activities. Splendid Traditional Arts & Crafts and Cultural Shows
Meanwhile, in the exhibition pavilions with the theme of culture and creation, masters of Chinese traditional arts and crafts have been invited to showcase their products and skills, such as the silk and cotton painting from Anhui province, innovative paper cutting method for Chinese paper-cut artworks, Chinese calligraphic art demonstration and embroidery skills from Hunan province. The master of crystalline glaze ceramics from Taiwan, Mr. Peng Wen Xiong, was onsite to sign autograph for visitors and personally introduced the unique, superior and amazing skills and techniques of his fellow-masters of arts in producing their exhibits which portrait the universe with brilliant and distinctive creativity, giving the spectators an awesome experience. Other highlights in the exhibition hall included the Chinese Ethnics Groups, cultural and artistic performances, and the splendid shows in the US Pavilion and Macao Fashion Festival, to name a few. The Second Day Conducts Over 500 Business Matching Sessions
Today, as many as 591 sessions of business matching were carried out onsite resulting in the signing of 34 protocols, which were related to investment in developing commercial real estate, joint development of the Greater China market, cooperation between trade associations, cooperation in the exploitation of software, development of an eco-tourism spring resort, hosting of a themed exhibition of Chinese calligraphic tablets, establishment of a seafood restaurant, agricultural cooperation project, production of grain and oil, manufacturing, environmental protection, opening shops for brand name handbags, jewelry and clothing, and distributorship for products of environmental protection technology, brand name lighting products, electronics products, food and wines, etc. Numerous key activities have been scheduled for tomorrow, which include "The 9th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs", "How to Choose an Excellent Headquarters to Cooperate With?", "Utilizing Social Network and Media to Promote Your Business", "The Value of Design" and "Macao Brand Show", and more. To facilitate residents to visit the MIF, free shuttle buses will continue to provide service to and from the MIF venue. Meanwhile, for tomorrow and 21st Oct, visitors to the MIF may park their cars at the public car park of the Venetian Hotel for a maximum of 4 hours upon presentation of the MIF admission ticket. For further enquiries, please call 853-28828711 or visit our website at www.mif.com.mo
