The 17th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), the annual trade and economic event of Macao, which integrates exhibitions, high level forums and professional conventions, business matching, sourcing and purchasing activities, inaugurated today (18th October 2012) at the Macao Venetian Convention and Exhibition Center. Grounding on the success of the last 16 editions, the MIF this year has risen to a new level in terms of internationalization and professionalism. The scale of the themed pavilions and the quality of commodities have also achieved new improvements with more outstanding features. Accompanied by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr. Tam Pak Yuen, the President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr. Cheong Chou Weng and other guests, the Chief Executive of Macao SAR, Dr. Chui Sai On visited the MIF venue before the opening ceremony, which took place afterwards at Macao Venetian Convention and Exhibition Center -- Sicily Hall at 11:00 AM today. Officiating guests included Dr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macao SAR, Mr. Zhou Bo, Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Ms. Gao Yan, Deputy Director General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr. Feng Tie, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr. Kenneth Viagem Marizane, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, Mozambique, Mr. António Almeida Henriques, Secretary of State Assistant to the Minister and of Economy and Regional Development, Portugal, Ms.Veneranda M. Lemos Martins, Secretary of State for Support and Promotion of the Private Sector, East Timor, Mr. Wong Rong, the standing member of CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and the Secretary of CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Ms. Bu Xiaolin, Vice-Chairman of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Government, Mr. Xu Ming, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Jiangsu Province, Mr. Shi Dagang, Vice-chairman of the Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Mr. Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR, and Mr. Cheong Chou Weng, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. More Internationalized with More Remarkable Results
With the theme of "Cooperation – Key to Business Opportunities", the MIF this year has followed closely the trends of the international markets and developments of Macao's economy, highlighted Macao as a service platform, especially the role of a service platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Thus, the features of the MIF this year are more prominent and more internationalized with more remarkable results, said Tam Pak Yuen in his opening address. Exhibitors from Many Countries and Regions Made their Presence with Specially-Decorated Pavilions and Booths
The MIF this year is strongly supported by the participation of exhibitors from Mainland China and overseas countries and regions. Over 1,800 exhibition booths have been set up, an increase of 9% over the same period last year. Among the exhibitors, the countries which are participating for the first time include Cyprus, Bangladesh and Madagascar. Meanwhile, more cities are now served by our "Convention and Exhibition Through Train Service" resulting in a boost in the number of participating trade visitors. This shows that the impact of MIF on its target markets has been on the rise over the years. Scale of Themed Pavilions Expanded to Showcase Rich and Colourful Exhibits and Programmes
Meanwhile, the industry-specific or themed pavilions feature more varieties of exhibits and programmes. In addition to the themed pavilions such as Macao Pavilion, Macao Manufactures and Trades Pavilion, Macao – Ideal Place to Live, International Brands Pavilion, International SME Exhibition and Sales Area and Digital Imaging and Photography Equipment Pavilion and Macao Fashion Festival 2012, the 17th MIF also features some new pavilions for cultural and artistic performances, packaging design, arts and crafts, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao exhibition and Shenzhen Cultural Industries Fair, while the Macao Creative Pavilion and other pavilions such as Beijing, Anhui, Jiangsu and Taiwan, which have culture and creation as their main theme are presenting an vast array of artistic performances and creative programmes. A Brief, Grand Opening Ceremony Unveils a Series of Remarkable Forums and Conventions
Moreover, the MIF comprises a wide range of activities and programmes. The activities held today included the "International Trade and Investment Forum 2012", "Portuguese-Speaking Countries, Fujian and Macao Economic Exchange Networking Cocktail Reception, "EU Wine & Food Products Promotion", "The Promotion of Hunan Essence", "The 5th Guangzhou / Hong Kong / Macao Exhibition Industry Cooperation Forum & The 1st Pearl River Delta Region" and the opening ceremonies of numerous pavilions. Among others, the "International Trade and Investment Forum", with the theme of "New Horizons for Regional Cooperation", has invited Mr. Zhang Wei, Vice chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Mr. Zheng Yuewen, Vice Chairman of All-China General Chamber of Industry & Commerce, Mr. Ma Iao Lai, President of Macao Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Kenneth Viagem Marizane, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade of Mozambique, and Mr. António Almeida Henriques, Secretary of State, Assistant to the Minister and of Economy and Regional Development of Portugal, to deliver keynote speeches. Some 280 guests attended the Forum. On the other hand, as many as 584 sessions of business matching were held resulting in the signing of 25 protocols related to tourism, film and television, construction materials and food products. The activities of tomorrow will include the "SME International Business Days Opening Ceremony, Macao Ideas Website Launching Ceremony and Protocol Signing Ceremony" and "Emotional Design for Uplifting Brand Image", to name just a few. In the meantime, the MIF this year has introduced new elements of culture and artistic performance. Over the four-day Fair period, the pavilions of Beijing, Hunan, Digital Imaging and Photography Equipment Pavilion, Guangzhou Chimelong Group and China's Ethnic Groups Pavilion will stage an abundant variety of cultural and artistic performances. The 17th MIF will be open to public in the next 3 days, from tomorrow (19th) until 21st October. To facilitate visitors to the MIF, the Organiser has arranged free shuttle buses to and from the MIF venue, which stop at Estr. Marginal do Hipodromo, Av. Dr. Mario Soares (The Macau Square), Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida (in Macao) and Rua Foshan (Grandview Hotel) in Taipa. From 19th to 20th October, the shuttle buses (onward route from Macao/Taipa to MIF venue) will run from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM, while the return route will run from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM. On 21st October, the onward route will run from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and the return route will run from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Meanwhile, residents 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
