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The 6th Shenzhen Anime Festival will be held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre from 16 to 20 July 2014. The Cultural Affairs Bureau will, once again, organise the participation in this event of local entities engaged in the comic and animation industry, and set up a Macao Creative Pavilion to introduce the development of these industries in Macao. The participation is conducive to promoting local brands, strengthening exchange for professionals in the field as well as encouraging regional cooperation. The Macao Creative Pavilion, inspired by the "thinking bubbles" used to express the thoughts of comic and animated characters, is a streamlined pavilion with a dynamic design. The products of participating entities shine on "imagination clouds", which represent the aspirations of these professionals to put their dreams into practice and physically showcase them to audiences. Macao participants will present their creations over the years, such as original animation videos, mobile applications, illustrations, comic magazines and comic and animation related products. There are 11 entities participating in the Macao Creative Pavilion this year, namely Master Club Toy and Gift Shop; Chun Man Publishing Co., Ltd.; Maple Studio; Force Publication Ltd.; Creative Gate 3D Animation World; Comic's Kingdom; Choo Choo Culture Creative Ltd.; Hyper Comics Society; Macau Comickers Association; Yoilo Macao Animation and Media Co., Ltd.; and Morpheus Animation Studios Co., Ltd. The Shenzhen Anime Festival has been held every summer since 2009, becoming the largest comic and animation event in the city. The Festival, this year under the theme of "Season of Anime Dreams", is divided into Experimental, Exhibition and Activities areas. The organiser hopes that this event can enrich the cultural life of young people during the summer, set up a platform for businesses to publicize their products, connect industrial chains, exchange information and facilitate trade transactions. The Festival aspires to attract the participation of worldwide professionals, national comic and animation centres, animation R&D production and training institutions, comic and animation enterprises from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas, audiovisual companies and book and magazine publishers, while also appealing to cartoon merchandise companies, toys and gifts manufacturers, e-sports, online games and comic and animation organisations, professional institutions of higher education, comic and animation associations, freelancers, risk investors, authorised manufacturers, business development groups and professionals.
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Consumer Council conducted its third 'Supermarket price survey' in July on 9 July for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 8 supermarkets in Toi San, Ilha Verde and Fai Chi Kei areas in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM's Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The 8th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 45th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting, hosted by the National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and organized by the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, will be held in Macao from 8 to 14 September. At a press conference held by the Macao SAR Government today, the Secretary-General of the Macao organizing committee for the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, Mr Alexis Tam, disclosed that the preparation work is progressing smoothly and the Government is well prepared for the event. Participants include 21 APEC economies and numerous international bodies The ministerial meeting is to be held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome International Conference Center on 12 and 13 September 2014. Participants will include the tourism ministers or their representatives from the 21 APEC economies as well as representatives from 10 international organizations such as the APEC Secretariat, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). It is anticipated that Macao will receive more than 500 delegates for the event, which is being organized with a budget of 75 million patacas. With the theme "Exploration of Asia Pacific Tourism Cooperation and Future Development", the tourism ministerial meeting will focus on exchanges between and discussions concerning integration of Asia Pacific tourism markets, facilitating transformation and growth of the tourism industry, promoting intelligent tourism with modern technology and interconnection of Asia Pacific travel, and encouraging low-carbon development and co-operation between tourism operators. The ministerial meeting will conclude with a discussion to pass the "Macao Declaration". In accordance with APEC practice, the 45th Tourism Working Group Meeting will be held prior to the Tourism Ministerial Meeting, in the Four Seasons Hotel Macao, from 8 to 11 September. Opportunity to promote Macao's features and image The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) will also arrange tours for the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 45th Tourism Working Group Meeting participants, with itineraries covering the landmarks of the World Heritage - Historic Center of Macao, to showcase the 400-year cultural heritage of Macao to the members of the APEC economies and guests. A tour around Taipa and Coloane will also be organized for attendants and guests of the tourism working group meeting so they can experience the customs and traditions of the Islands District. A fireworks display will be held on the evening of 13 September. The MGTO will also promote the event through co-operating with Greater China, overseas and local television stations, online networks and printed media, and distribute news and updates about the meeting via global tourism websites and international magazines. Various publicity channels will also be used in Macao to update local residents and visitors on this international event. Official website for the event to be launched soon The official website of the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting https://www.apec-tourism.gov.mo will be launched at 9 am (Beijing time) on Friday (11 July). The main contents will include program schedules, meeting venues, media information and travel information. The website will also feature a registration system, to enable APEC economy members and delegates to register online. Media center to serve journalists The ministerial meeting will attract journalists from various local, mainland and overseas media. All media organizations covering the events may register online immediately after the official website is launched at 9 am on 11 July. The closing date for registrations is 11 August. Media organizations can download the registration form from the official website, fill in the required information and submit the application by e-mail, together with attachments of required photos in the required formats and electronic copies of personal identity documents, to media@apec-tourism.gov.mo. During the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, the Government Information Bureau will set up a media center in the Conrad Macao Hotel Cotai Central. The media center will open from 12 to 14 September, offering 160 working seats, essential facilities, and light refreshments. The organizer will also provide a shuttle bus service between the media center and the event venues to facilitate the media in covering most of the activities. Significance of Macao's role as organizer With China serving as the APEC host country for the first time in 13 years; it is of great significance for Macao to host the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. This will be the highest-level multilateral economic summit hosted by China since its new leadership assumed office. The choice of Macao as the meeting venue reflects the full support of the Central People's Government for the Macao SAR Government. Through the organization of this ministerial meeting, APEC economies will have a better understanding of the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" in Macao, and enrich their knowledge of Chinese and Western cultural heritage in Macao. This will help foster the future co-operation and development of Macao and the APEC economies and generate momentum for shaping Macao as a world tourism and leisure center. The Secretary-General of the Macao organizing committee, Mr Alexis Tam, said the ministerial meeting is one of the most important events to mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, and a golden opportunity to promote Macao's image to the world. The Government will seize this opportunity, when tourism ministers from various countries are gathered in Macao, to let them appreciate the diversity of Macao, with the hope of exploring more potential co-operation and scope for development. Chief Executive leads preparation work Last November, while attending the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation Between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macao, Vice Premier Wang Yang announced that the Central People's Government had given approval for Macao to organize the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in 2014. Early this year, to make sound preparations for organizing the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and proceed with all related arrangements as soon as possible, Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On signed an Executive Order establishing an organizing committee for the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. He personally leads work related to the meeting, promoting co-operation among all government departments and ensuring their devotion to the task. After six months of intensive preparations, the Macao organizing committee has held numerous co-ordination meetings with the National Tourism Administration and relevant departments, to discuss the detailed arrangements for the ministerial meeting. Encouraging results have been achieved in the preparation work on venue arrangements, hospitality for visiting delegations, media coverage and security issues. Officials attending today's press conference included the Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office, Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, and the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping.
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Consumer Council conducted its second 'Supermarket price survey' in July on 7 July for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Iao Hon Market and the Border Gate area (Portas do Cerco ) in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM's Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The initiative organized by the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (MACAO), in partnership with the University of Saint Joseph that has the collaboration of Catholic University of Portugal takes place from July 6th 2014 to July 20th 2014 in Portugal. The opening ceremony of this colloquium was held on July 7th 2014 in the Catholic University of Portugal in Lisbon with the presence of the Deputy Secretary General, representing Macao Special Administrative Region, of the Permanent Secretariat for the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries in Macao, Ms. Rita Santos; Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Dr. Luís Campos Ferreira; Representative of the Ambassador of China to Portugal, Consul for Economic and Commerce, Ms. He Ding; Ambassador of East Timor, Ms. Maria da Costa; Representative of the Ambassador of Angola, Ms. Maria Perez; Representative of the Ambassador of Cabo Verde, Ms. Filonmena Lopes; Vice –Rector of Catholic University of Portugal, Professor Isabel Gil; Registrar of University of Saint Joseph, Dr. Ricardo Rato; Head of the Economic and Commercial Delegation of Macao stationed in Lisbon, Eng. Raimundo Rosario; Former Governor of Macao, General Vasco Rocha Vieira; Representative of the Brazilian Mission to the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, Dr. Durval Luís Pereira; Coordinator of the Liasion Office and also as Representative of Angola delegation at the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries in Macao, Dr. Joaquim Gama; participants of the Colloquium and other public and private institutional representatives taking part in the colloquium. The Deputy Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat from the Forum, Ms. Rita Santos; Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Dr. Luís Campos Ferreira; Vice –Rector of the Catholic University of Portugal, Professor Isabel Gil; Registrar of the University of Saint Joseph, Dr. Ricardo Rato and the student representative of the colloquium delivered their opening speeches respectively at the opening ceremony where over 80 participants attended which included 9 scholarship holders studying at higher education institutions in Portugal from Macao. The "Colloquium for the Conception and Management of Community Cooperatives in the Portuguese – Speaking Countries" included themes chosen by representatives of Portuguese-Speaking Countries based on the advantages of Macao and respective countries. It was the first time that the Centre for Training at the Forum (Macao), based on the recommendation of members in the Portuguese-Speaking Countries, implementing a course in one of the member of Portuguese-speaking countries of the Forum. The Colloquium takes place in Portugal with a total of 25 participants whom are chiefs or technicians of public services from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor. The Deputy Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat from the Forum, Ms. Rita Santos emphasized the importance of this topic and the materials that will be the subject of study is the exchange of experience in the topics such as "Diversification of production with the aim of import substitution and promotion of exports"; "Challenges and Strategies for Successful Brand Management"; "Venture Capital in Agriculture" etc. Further, the theme is also illustrated with specific case studies of Portuguese- Speaking Countries such as: "Challenges of development in post-conflict society faced by Angola", "Challenges and opportunities of agribusiness in Brazil" and "Economic Promotion in the agricultural and agro-industrial sector with focusing in Mozambique and other countries in the African Continent". She also reinforces that this colloquium solidifies the plan for the cooperation of development in education and human resources of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries and also reinforce the role of Macao as a promotional exchange and service platform for China and Portuguese-Speaking. The speakers in the colloquium include, Deputy Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat, representing Macao Special Administrative Region, from the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries in Macao, Ms. Rita Santos; Nuno Cardeal, Pedro Celeste and Ricardo Reis of Catholic University of Portugal – Católica Lisbon; Belarmino Jelembi, Director General of the Angolan NGO – ADRA (Action for Rural and Environmental Development), Firmino Mucavele, Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, Leticia Costa from INSPER, Brazilian Institute of Education and Research. The participants of the colloquium will also go on site visitis, those included: Lezirias Company which is one of the major agricultural – fauna companies of Portugal with 177 years of history; Adega Maior, a tourist destination for wine tasting and olive oil production & storage; Guided tour of the Alqueva Dam, the biggest potential zone for agriculture in Portugal; Visit one of the most innovative examples of strategic regional planning institutions in Portugal, the Coordination and Development Commission in the Region of Alentejo; The colloquium will also meet with AICEP - Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal and IAPMEI - Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation and visit to COKART, corkage factory and various sites within the cities of Lisbon and Porto.
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The Macao SAR Government is hosting the 17th Annual Meeting of Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) from the 15th to 18th of July, 2014 at the Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Strip. More than 350 delegates from 41 member jurisdictions, together with delegates from international organisations and other observers, will gather in Macao, China to discuss anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) issues of common interest and share experiences in fighting such crimes. This is the second time that the Macao SAR hosts this event after it hosted the 6th APG Annual Meeting in 2003 The APG was founded in Bangkok in 1997 as an autonomous international organization that fosters cooperation and compliance with internationally recognized standards, in particular the Forty Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), among Asia-Pacific jurisdictions, in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing crimes. The Co-Chairs of the APG are Australia and China. China completes its term as Co-Chair after the Macao meeting and will be replaced by New Zealand.
Some of the key international organizations who participate with, and support, the efforts of the APG in the region include the FATF, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, OECD, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Asian Development Bank and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.
APG members and observers, including Macao, China, are committed to the effective implementation and enforcement of internationally accepted standards against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Macao joined the APG in 2001 and since then has been an active participant. During its years of membership, Macao has been proactively enhancing its AML/CFT efforts, the most important of which being the enactment of Laws n.° 2/2006 and n.° 3/2006 for the prevention and suppression of money laundering crimes and terrorism. In addition, supervisory and law enforcement agencies have also been developing their AML strength through the issuance of guidelines, proactive supervision and increase of resources in investigation and prosecution of these offences. Another major step was the establishment of Financial Intelligence Office, which serves as a centre of collection, analysis and dissemination of suspicious transactions reports, coordinator of an interdepartmental working group dedicated to the implementation of AML policies and a major contact point with international bodies and intelligence exchange. Moreover, the formal establishment of the interdepartmental AML Working Group enables a more effective collaboration of efforts in anti-money laundering among the relevant government agencies. With the revision of FATF Recommendations in 2012, the focus of AML/CFT combat has shifted to proof of effectiveness of AML systems. Jurisdictions have to prove that they have proper polices and capabilities to implement AML/CFT laws and regulations and understand their own risks and weaknesses so as to develop risk mitigating measures. The National Risk Assessment is thus now an important element in the framing of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing policies and design of specific mitigating measures, an exercise in which Macao is currently working on. Money laundering and terrorist financing never confine themselves to domestic borders and almost always involve international movements of funds. Macao always stays vigilant for the emergence of new ML/TF trends and threats associated with new technologies, and will introduce measures to mitigate the risks associated with them. In addition, through the interdepartmental AML Working Group, participating government agencies can efficiently exchange information regarding crimes and ML trends, explore training opportunities and share experience and opinions on AML policy issues. Different government agencies have also enhanced international cooperation with overseas counterparts in terms of information exchange, experience sharing and joint-actions to suppress cross-border crimes. It is expected that the APG Annual Meeting 2014 will produce fruitful outcomes as it has in previous years.
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Macao Franchise Expo 2014 (2014MFE) concluded successfully today (6 July). This year's MFE saw an improvement in the number of exhibitors and also in the range of activities, as compared to previous years. The organisers say that as a platform of regional cooperation for chain and franchising business, MFE's name is becoming synonymous with role with satisfactory outcomes. With the slogan "Brand Expansion Continues, Business Opportunities to be Seized", 2014MFE continued MFE's tradition of promoting international franchising, chain business and brand co-operation by attracting international brands to MFE's exhibition platform in Macau. The aim is to generate more exchange of trade and more business cooperation opportunities for local young business starters and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with enterprises from neighbouring regions. The level of the international involvement in MFE has been gradually expanding. That was seen at 2014MFE, which attracted enterprises and organisations from a range of countries and regions. That also helped to boost attendance by the general public. The participation of media partners also strengthened the promotion of 2014MFE on a regional basis. Social networking websites and other emerging media helped to attract a substantial number of exhibitors from different fields. During the three-day event, a total of about 14,000 visits were recorded. With a total exhibition area of 6,000 square metres and 215 booths, the event brought in 167 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions. They included Mainland China, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. Exhibitors covered a variety of industries. Among them were food and beverage merchants, retailers, service professionals, educationalists, strategic planners and marketers, as well as consultants in investment, finance, and real estate.
A total of 1,304 on-site business matching sessions were arranged over the three days of 2014MFE, 16 of them with participants from Portuguese-speaking countries. To improve exchanges between industries, 2014MFE arranged 14 networking meetings, involving a total of 115 entities. A total of 6 cooperation protocols were also signed at 2014MFE, including agreements on franchise catering, branded chain stores, brand sales agencies, branding promotion and collaborative agreements of governments.
The high degree of professionalism associated with MFE was maintained at this year's event. It allowed Macao to extend its role as a platform to attract international brands and chain store operators, thus fulfilling the organisers' aim against the backdrop of a busy and lively event.On-site activities, including free food and beverage tasting provided by some exhibitors, attracted businesspeople as well as the general public. A series of forums, seminars and presentation sessions during the three-day event provided education and insight into how to seize business opportunities through chain and franchising operations. The Brand Repackaging Pavilion, Franchise Consultancy Service and "One-stop" Service to support enterprises, Franchise Academy, Branding Workshops and Sharing on Franchise Start-up also featured at 2014MFE.
Macao Franchise Expo 2015 (2015MFE) is scheduled to be held in July next year. The next edition will continue to actively promote the franchising business, and collaborate with business communities both at home and abroad to create more prospective business opportunities.
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The Macao Franchise Expo 2014 (2014MFE) ended today (6 July), attracting many exhibitors, companies and members of the general public. A number of activities were hosted on the last day of the event. They included a demonstration by the football school operated in Macao by Brazilian football club São Paulo F.C., the 2012 champion of the Copa Sudamericana. As the world has its eyes on Brazil, currently hosting the FIFA World Cup finals, the 2014MFE organised a football demonstration with young players from the football school in Macao of São Paulo F.C. It gave them a chance to show off their skills. The school was established in April and is a franchise project involving Macao investors and the Brazilian club. Part of the negotiations on the partnership took place during last year's MFE, with the deal highlighting the event's role as a business platform for Macao and Brazil (one of the Portuguese-speaking countries). "The next step is to enter Mainland China, starting with Guangzhou in 2015, always using Macao as our base," says the school's head coach, José Arlindo Filho. He is known in football circles in Macao as Josecler. São Paulo F.C. previously had a football school in Thailand, but the Macao franchise is currently the first one in Asia. The football school welcomes children from the age of three up to ten years old, and aims to develop their basic football skills. It also has plans to establish a team with teenagers between 15 and 16 years old, with the goal of eventually taking part in the fourth division of the Macao senior football championship, says Josecler. The Brazilian coach has long experience working in football schools in Macao. He also won Macao's top senior football championship as head coach in 2012. For this new project, he went to Brazil for two weeks, to get familiar with the training methods of São Paulo F.C. and the club's overall strategy. "Football today is the number one sport in the world," says Josecler. "We will base our work on three to four training sessions per week, which is very important for these children to properly develop their skills," he adds. The football school project also includes exchange programmes with other schools linked to São Paulo F.C. in Brazil. This is the first step by the football club to promote its brand and boost its fan base in China. As MFE gets more international, the event is increasingly becoming an important regional platform for franchising and chain operators, allowing young entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises to look for new business opportunities. The event will continue actively to promote franchising as a business model, and collaborate with business communities both at home and abroad to generate more business opportunities.
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Macao Franchise Expo (MFE), in its sixth year, attracted greater numbers of exhibitors from both home and abroad than in previous editions. Franchisors said that they attended the event with the purpose of expanding their market opportunities in Macao, Hong Kong, Mainland China and other parts of Asia. From contacts made at the event, franchisors said they believed there would be a good chance of finding ideal matches and realising new business opportunities.
Attendees said consultation services had been effective in assisting investors as well as enterprises. There was an acknowledgement among visitors that MFE had created exceptional opportunities. This year the overseas exhibitors included a hair salon brand from Malaysia, which said it already had franchisees in six jurisdictions and is expecting to expand into three more this year. The franchisor concerned said it sets up a clear system for its franchisees, assisting them with opening stores, doing promotion, training and ongoing support. The franchisor said it had moderate success in finding potential partners during the course of 2014MFE.
Also at the expo was a Latvian skincare brand that features natural products. The brand has 12 franchisees in Mainland China and expects to recruit 20 more in Mainland China this year. It is targeting expansion in Macao and Hong Kong. The firm was upbeat about business opportunities although it had not received a lot of inquiries. A Japanese company specialising in comic characters and animation said it already has a good reputation in Macao and Hong Kong but has not yet recruited any franchisees in these regions. It wishes to expand in Macao, Hong Kong, Mainland China and other Asian markets via franchising. The firm said it had achieved satisfactory outcomes in terms of levels of interest among attendees.
Local exhibitors at the expo included a photography studio specialising in portraits of children. The business is making its third appearance at an edition of MFE. It wishes to recruit franchisees via a range of franchising models. The studio offers to assist franchisees in opening chain stores by providing operational training. The firm is also willing to consider partnerships with investors that already have a photography studio, and can also link franchisees with clients seeking photography services in Macao. The studio also recruits franchisees in the distribution of children's clothing.
The franchisor accumulated experience from past MFE events and designed its own franchising model, hoping to find ideal matches. It achieved the desired outcomes this year, with a number of visitors showing interest in becoming franchisees. A catering company had its first exhibition this year, hoping to network with other exhibitors, accumulate experience and develop its reputation. It is still exploring the options in franchising and chain operations. As a result, it has not done any deals so far. The exhibitor believed it had met its objective of obtaining experience through the expo, and this will help the company's future expansion. Professional visitors said that MFE had achieved a sustained growth in the number of exhibitors year–on-year, with increased international exhibitors and a wider variety of sectors. Local visitors also indicated that not only does MFE provide co-operation and franchising opportunities, but also expert consultation services this year, assisting enterprises intending to expand their market through franchising and chain operations. The event gives a better understanding to visitors about franchising prospects in various sectors, bringing business opportunities to business starters.
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The Mainland China market is of great potential to many enterprises. Retailers in particular would like to enter it. However, after many years of development, competition in the franchising sector has become intense in Mainland China's 1st- and 2nd-tier cities, with comparatively high operational costs compared to other parts of the country. That has led the franchising sector to move to 3rd- and 4th-tier cities in recent years. Ms. Susan Su, Director of Franchise Committee Office of the Franchise & Entrepreneur Department, China Chain Store & Franchise Association, pointed out that lower costs is the major reason why franchisors started to expand in the 3rd- and 4th-tier cities. With the progress of China's urbanisation, the purchasing power in those cities has been substantially improving. That has drawn the franchisors to intensify their network in those target areas. At Macao Franchise Expo 2014 (2014MFE), Ms. Susan Su stated franchising is a benefit to enterprises, not only in terms of outsourcing responsibility for staff recruitment, but also to build up a brand's image by developing the brand's franchisees. She said franchising requires cooperation with people from different fields, involving communications, property rights, financing and manpower. A franchisor therefore needs to find franchisees with the same skills and level of ambition. Training is a necessity, to develop better communication between franchisors and franchisees, she added. As for investors, starting a business through franchising with the support from the franchisor can offer a better chance to achieve success than to initiate a business independently. Ms. Susan Su also pointed out several matters that require attention when entering the Mainland China market. One of them is the protection of intellectual property rights. Franchisors need to protect their intellectual property rights to avoid hampering the enterprise's growth. Moreover, the franchisor should have a mature operations model and at the same time provide sufficient support to the franchisees enabling them to make their right choices, Ms. Susan Su added. Mr. Wilson Lee, Chairman of the Licensing & Franchising Association of Hong Kong, said that the 1.3-billion population market of Mainland China certainly attracts enterprises to invest and explore. Some franchises even recorded revenue of double-digit growth in Mainland China in recent years. That appeals to many Macao and Hong Kong enterprises and even international brands, he added. Being unfamiliar with the Mainland market, many international brands collaborate with Macao and Hong Kong enterprises or seek their advice to help penetrate into Mainland market. Mr. Wilson Lee also brought up several other matters needing attention when enterprises are seeking to expand into Mainland China. Firstly, franchisors need to register their intellectual property rights, including trademarks, and to apply in China for any relevant patents. Intellectual property rights are not currently fully protected there, he said. Therefore, franchisors need to ensure their legitimate rights and ideas are as well protected as possible, in order to reduce the chance of ideas – such as the formula for food and beverage products and other commercial secrets – from being stolen.
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