Macao 2013-Jul-12 – the Grand Opening of the Macao Franchise Expo 2013 (2013 MFE) took place at Hall A of the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. With the slogan "Brand Expansion Continues, Business Opportunities to be seized" this year, the three-day event continues to strive to promote international franchise and chain business, and brand co-operation through various types of means, including exposition, forum, business matching and product/ service presentation. Also, 2013 MFE promotes local brand products on an international scale and fosters a more desirable business cooperation platform for local young business starters and SMEs. A total of 551 business matching sessions was successfully conducted on July 12, with the signing of 12 cooperation protocols. 2013 MFE is jointly organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Brazilian Franchise Association (ABF), Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan (ACFPT), Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association (MIBA), Macao Chain Stores and Franchise Association (MCFA) and Licensing and Franchising Association of Hong Kong (LFA), supported by Chinese Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA), International Franchise Association (IFA) and Japan Franchise Association (JFA), co-organised by the Franchising & Licensing Association (Singapore), Korea Franchise Association, Malaysia Retailers' Chain Association and Thailand Franchise Association, and coordinated by the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao. The officiating guests at the Macao Franchise Expo 2013 included Mr. Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Mr. Gao ShangDe, Senior Assistant Director-General of Economic Affairs Department of The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Ms. Ho Teng Iat, Vice President of Board of Directors of Macao Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Terry Sio, President of Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association, Mr. Fred Ma, President of Macao Chain Stores and Franchise Association, Mr. Wilson Lee, Chairman of Licensing & Franchising Association of Hong Kong, H.E Dato' Nelson Kwok Teng Toong, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mozambique to Malaysia, President of Malaysian Retailer-Chains Association, Ms. Susan Su, Director of Franchise Committee Office of the Franchise & Entrepreneur Department, China Chain Store & Franchise Association, Mr. Benjamin Ee Boon Piao, Vice President of ASEAN Retail-Chains & Franchise Federation, Mr. David Foster, Chairman of Franchise Association of New Zealand Inc., Ms. Echo Chan, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and Mr. Keyvin Bi, Chairman of Association of Advertising Agents of Macao. The opening ceremony presided over by the officiating guests marked the kick-off of the 3-day event. In his opening speech, Mr. Jackson Chang, President of IPIM, stresses that, due to joint efforts and support from local business partners and abroad, MFE has been successfully held for the fifth year and has become Macau's most professional and largest franchising event with its gradually expanding influence and increasing partnerships. MFE is seen to have become more internationalized, professional and market-oriented. The event not only has played a positive role in promoting the diversification of Macao's economy, but also established an effective service platform for overseas entrepreneurs, investors, business starters to explore the opportunity to collaborate either through franchising and chain operation in Macao. MFE – The Expanding International Business Platform Building on foundations of previous fruitful results and experiences, 2013 MFE is the fifth year of the event and has been committed to promoting and establishing a business platform to welcome all exhibitors from diversified industries and world-renowned brands to look for business partners in Macao. With the effective promotion of the Macao government and various organizing parties, MFE has been receiving increasing attention from regional as well as European franchising industries. 2013 MFE has recruited a large number of exhibitors from fourteen different countries or regions, which include Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Britain, Portugal, Italy, France, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, attracting over 160 franchise and chain operators and brand agencies, and engaging in a variety of industries like food and beverages, leisure and entertainment, retails, services, education, strategic planning and marketing and so on, showcasing over 200 brands. Exhibitors from Italy are the first time to join this event. 2013 MFE not only gains support from promotion and media partners but also invites the Franchising & Licensing Association from Singapore as one of the co-organisers for its first time. The venue this year covers a total of 6,000 square metres, an increase of 11% comparing to last year. The number of custom-built Booth has reached to 24. MFE has been a grand business occasion from which viewers can see many different exhibitions, seminars, forum and promotions. Forums improve business performance and development During the event, three sessions of "Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands" under different themes, as well as a number of thematic seminars will be held. A series of one-stop support services will be provided, enabling local and overseas business visitors to obtain practical information on franchising operations. Prior to the grand opening, the first "Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands" was held on Thursday. With the theme of "High-end Service Industries Triggering Business Opportunities", the forum thoroughly elaborated on the topic of the prospect of franchise industry and high-end service in a cosmopolitan. The event also invited internationally renowned business leaders and renowned experts from France, Italy and Portugal for its first time to share their insights on how to create business opportunities out of high-end services, attracting over 180 audiences to attend the forum. In her speech, Ms Echo Chan, IPIM's Executive Director, articulated that Macao is a highly open service based economy, with the service sector accounting for over 93% of Macao's GDP. Last year, trade in services amounted to US$57.2 billion, among which, tourism constituted an indispensable part. Macao's steady economic development in recent years has stimulated the prosperous growth of various industries including retail, hotels and restaurants. Many world-renowned brands and enterprises are tapping the Macao market through franchising, chain operation and patent licensing. It has not only enriched the local business environment and market, but is also beneficial to Macao's enterprises in promoting their signature products and services to the rest of the world through chain operation. The second forum today with the theme of "Franchise and Business Opportunities in Digital Era" was held today and numerous experts and scholars from the mainland China and Taiwan met with local counterparts to jointly explore the regional franchising opportunities and discuss how to improve business operation model in the light of current technological advancement. Meanwhile, an award ceremony was held during the forum to give recognition to all those who have contributed and excelled in franchising in various fields of industries. Another forum with the theme of "How to Start Your Business through Franchising", hosted by the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao, will be held with the theme of brand building at 3 p.m. on July 13 Saturday on the aforesaid venue. All are welcomed to join. 12 Cooperation Protocols Signed On the First Day In the first day of the event, a total of 551 business matching sessions is successfully conducted and has contributed to the signing of 12 cooperation protocols, including franchise and chain restaurant, branded games shop, branded crystal and jewellery store, Japanese brand boutiques and brand merchandise agent. Cooperating parties are from Macau, China, Hong Kong and other regions. Industry experts and professionals offer brand re-packaging consultancy to enhance product advantage In 2012 MFE, a substantial number of examples of overseas brands being re-packaged successfully were on display at the Brand Re-packaging Pavilion, in which local business starters and SMEs can seek advice from industry experts. Due to the benefit of the Pavilion and the positive public response, the organiser continues the idea and specially invites representatives from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and local counterparts, who are expertise in brand packaging services, to share their insights and provide opinions tailored to individual needs, including business internal management and restructuring. The brand consultants will provide their services free of charge to illustrate and explore a wide range of techniques and skills, including business planning, management regulating, product packaging and strategies to make the brand more international, with an objective of achieving an innovative and attractive product and examining how brand packaging strategically enhances the brand value. SMEs and business starters are welcome to make an appointment in advance for the consultancy service. MFE multi-functional area to boost atmosphere for business matching MFE Plaza – a multi-functional zone, in which the kick-off ceremony of the three-day event took place, is set up to serve as a platform for both organiser and exhibitors to promote, demonstrate their products and boost the atmosphere for business matching. Food tasting zone & special programmes fit for all ages Based on the past experiences, food and beverages and retail franchisors received most attention. Therefore, the organizer has invited more brands and franchisors from these two areas to participate in 2013 MFE. As in previous MFEs, there will be a Food and Beverages Tasting Zone, together with a series of fabulous programmes and shows for a wonderful summer holiday mood. There will be retail sales as well as free giveaways during 2013 MFE Special programmes such as Darts competitions, B Duck "Free Hugs Activity", Fashion Show – Children's wear, Indian Kitchen Cooking Show and more will be held at different times at the expo. This will certainly be a kids-and-family-friendly event for some wonderful summer fun. One-stop support service to assist enterprise development and financing In accordance with the Organiser's theme, 2013 MFE presents the following supporting services for exhibitors, including marketing strategy, financial consultancy, real estate consultancy businesses, which can provide professional advisory services to those who are interested in starting the chain and franchising business. Free Admission. Don't Miss the Opportunity! Admission is free and open to the public tomorrow (on Saturday) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. while the opening hours on July 14 Sunday will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For public convenience, two routes of shuttle bus service will be available on Saturday and Sunday. Round trip shuttle 1 goes between Estrada Marginal do Hipodromo (near Royal Supermarket, Areia Preta) and MFE venue. Round trip shuttle 2 goes between Avenida Doutor Mário Soares ( Macao Square ) and MFE venue. For other enquiries, please contact the secretariat of 2013 MFE, Tel: (853) 6212 88ll or visit the MFE official website: www.mfe.mo.
