The four-day 18th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) concluded successively today. Featuring a wide variety of contents, this year's MIF achieved fruitful results both in terms of exhibition and sale, attracting over 116,000 visitors. During the event, more than 2,000 business matching sessions were concluded and 98 protocols were signed while 51 forums, seminars and promotion conferences were organised. Comprising over 1,900 exhibition booths and an exhibition area of 30,000 square meters, the MIF was joined by participants from over 50 countries and regions, of which Russia, Italy, Seychelles and Republic of Moldova are the first time to set up pavilion or send delegation to participate in this event. Moreover, the pavilions and exhibition zones of this year also possess a distinctive style. Today (Sunday) was the last day of MIF. Many citizens and tourists took the last chance to visit and make purchase at the MIF. A participating SME noted that their sales were satisfactory and their anticipated goal has been achieved as many citizens and tourists flocked to join the shopping spree on the last day. A citizen buying lots of commodities said that the MIF has seen a larger scale and a wider variety of products for sale, some of which are less commonly seen in the market and he also planned to revisit next year. Another participating enterprise expressed that via the SME International Business Day, they have benefited a lot and had a better understanding of the tastes and needs of local customers upon listening to the analyses on international market and business information given by the counsellors and experts from the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong. An exhibitor from Portugal noted that the MIF enables them to better understand the situations of investing in Macao and helps them expand the Mainland market via the role of Macao as a trade and business platform between China and Portugal. A participating enterprise from the Mainland said that the promotion of characteristic cultural products from various places is conducive to opening foreign markets. A trade visitor noted that via the MIF, he was given professional advice on relevant product/service re-packaging and business promotion. The four-day event attracted a total of 116,000 visitors, an increase of 12% year-on-year. The "One-Trip, Multi-Stop" service and the "Convention and Exhibition through Train" plan are also effective to help participating merchants in networking and developing business opportunities. During the MIF, more than 2,000 business matching sessions were concluded (an increase of 11.69 year-on-year), 98 protocols were signed (an increase of 11.36% year-on-year). This year, a number of co-operation agreements were signed between countries or regions, which further highlights the role of MIF as economic and trade platform and the role of Macao as a conduit for opening overseas markets and promoting regional co-operation. For instance, the signatories of these agreements include countries or regions from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, European Union, Southeast Asia, e.g. Russia, Romania, Switzerland, Dubai, Madagasca, Italy, Germany, the Philippines, etc. The projects signed cover construction and machinery co-operation between Macao and Russia, agency of European brand products, tourism promotion and co-operation, travel agency co-operation, etc. Other projects include some emerging industries, such as traditional Chinese medicine, cultural and creative industry, education, brand retailing, sports, etc., which fully demonstrate the effectiveness of MIF in promoting Macao's economic diversification. Furthermore, 51 forums, seminars and promotion conferences were held during the MIF, including the International Trade and Investment Forum 2013, 10th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs, Portuguese-Speaking Countries, Fujian and Macao Economic Exchange Networking Cocktail Reception, etc. The number of visitors also exceeds that of last year. The MIF also organised a grand Lucky Draw this year. Results will be published on 22nd October 2013 (Tuesday) on Macao Daily and MIF's official website www.mif.com.mo. The 19th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair is planned to take place from 23rd to 26th October 2014.
