News

The 15th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) was opened to trade visitors today. A series of trade and economic activities including forums and seminars have drawn the participation of trade visitors. As at 6 p.m. on 21st Oct, a total of 14,000 visitors were recorded. During the day, 264 sessions of business matching have been held (including 56 sessions of purchase meetings and 15 investment projects, 87 sessions for products/services supply, 45 sessions for franchising/brand distribution, and 61 specialized matching sessions). A total of 17 agreements have been signed, which include “The Strategic Cooperation Agreement between CCPIT Wunan Sub-council and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute”, “Investment project development of "Jiang Xi Dong Jiang Ecology & Agriculture Technology Garden" cooperation”, “Contract of acquisition of equity”, “Intention on sales cooperation of Motorcycle to Africa and Portuguese Speaking Countries markets”, “Intention on sales cooperation of Bicycle's tire to Africa and Portuguese Speaking Countries markets”, “Contract for the research and development co-operation for Chinese Herbal Medicine and Health Food Products”, “Agreement on establishing Chongqing Catering in Macau”, “Agreement on establishing Chongqing Catering in Macau”, “Intention on the sole agency of Italy and Thailand commercial fridges for the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao region”, “Agreement of the sole agency of crab and wine for the Guangdong, Fushan and Macau region”, “Sendai Products Logistics Agreement”, “Sendai Beef Supply Agreement”, “Academic Exchange and Cooperation Program between Macao and Japan Agreement”, “Healthy footwear accessories cooperation agreement”, “Sales agent in Macao for the highly natural health food brand product, Only You Honey pomelo preserved fruit”, “Sales agent in Macao for the highly natural health food brand product, Jia Jia Grapefruit products”, and “Wuyisan Rock Tea Production and Marketing Cooperation Agreement”. The signing parties come from Macao, Mainland China, Hong Kong, U.S.A., Taiwan and Japan. On 21st Oct, the MIF has organized a series of forums, seminars and presentations. The “International Trade and Investment Forum 2010”, held at 3 p.m. on 21st Oct is a key component of MIF this year and is jointly organized by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Investment Promotion Agency of Ministry of Commerce, P.R.C., All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, and Macao Chamber of Commerce. The Forum has the theme of “New Horizons, New Opportunities” and provides an opportunity for participants to explore the ways to reinforce regional cooperation, improve competitiveness and exploit new business opportunities under the new international circumstances. Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute pointed out in his speech that the Forum had invited the top government officials of several countries/regions as well as business leaders to give their insights and share their experience, which will be beneficial to better mutual understanding, closer cooperation for collaborative development. Organized by Fujian Macau Economic Co-operation Promotion Committee, Fujian Provincial Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, Fujian Province Economic and Trade Commission, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and co-organized by International Lusophone Markets Business Association, Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Macau Chamber of Industry and Commerce Brazil-China, São Paulo Chamber of Commerce, the “Portuguese Speaking Countries－Fujian－Macao Economic and Trade Exchange, Fujian Electrical Machinery, Electronic Products and Watches Round-table Conference” was held at 4 p.m. on 21st Oct. By means of a round table form of meeting, the Conference adequately advances the role of Macao as a trade and business service platform in opening up the markets of Portuguese-speaking countries, strengthening and broadening cooperation between Fujian and Macao, while providing an opportunity for exchange and cooperation among the government authorities for trade and commerce, chambers of commerce and enterprises of Portuguese-speaking countries, Fujian and Macao to jointly explore new business opportunities. In the meantime, a signing ceremony of Fujian-Macao cooperation projects related to such areas as natural health food, brands cooperation and environmental protection was held. The presentation session “Philippines, and Agribusiness Opportunities”, organized by Philippine Department of Agriculture, was held in the afternoon of the first day. During the presentation, the Philippines’ country profile and agricultural production were presented. It also carried out an analysis of the growing, trading and export markets of the major crops, including the future prospect of trades in bananas, mangos, pine apples and coconut oil. Participants in the presentation deemed that the investment opportunities in the Philippines’ agricultural and comprehensive industries are worth expecting. “Macao Fashion Festival 2010”, jointly organized by Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM) and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute held its opening ceremony which included such activities as “fashion shows” and the “Creative Chic” staged by the Macao Local Designers’ Society, which showcased the creations of local designers. Besides, there was also a fashion show for the works of the graduates from the Diploma Course in Fashion Design and Production of CPTTM. There are some shop window designs on display in this area to introduce the latest trends of local fashion brands. The fashion show area also provides business matching service for the fashion industry, so organized to showcase the talents of local designs, with the aim of promoting bi-lateral trade and investments or service cooperation in domestic and overseas markets. The Fair has also arranged a series of agreement signing ceremonies related to such areas as environmental protection and technology. The second day of MIF this year will be the first day open to public. The major activities include a series of trade and economic seminars and presentations, namely “Seminar and Biz-talks on Beijing-Macau Economic Cooperation”, “SME International Business Days Opening Ceremony and Protocol Signing Ceremony”, “Printing Leadership Forum”, the Forum entitled “The High Degree of Decision Horizon: Gold BRICs’ grows up, where Macau is going?”, “Investment Opportunity in Zhuhai Hengqin New Area”, and “Macao Brand Show”, “Inner Mongolia & Macao Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference”. The Main Hall will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., while the SME Exhibition will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free shuttle buses will be provided to facilitate the professional visitors and the general public in getting to the MIF venue. Urban terminals for 3 different routes of the public shuttle service will be located, respectively, at Avenida Doutor Mário Soares (Macau Square), Estrada Marginal do Hipodromo (Royal Supermarket, Areia Preta Branch) and Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida (at the Pak Vai bus stop, near Rua de Gago Coutinho). From 22nd to 24th October, visitors to the MIF can enjoy 4-hour free parking at the Venetian-Macao-Resort-Hotel upon presentation of the MIF entrance ticket.
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The 15th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) was inaugurated today (21st October) at 11:00 AM at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel with a grand Opening Ceremony attended by an impressive number of guests and visitors.
The dignitaries who officiated at the Opening Ceremony included: Dr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Bai Zhijian, Director General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr. Ba Teer, President of People’s Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Mr. Zhou Bo, Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr. António Serrano, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Fisheries of Portugal, Mr. Lu Shumin, Commissioner of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Ms. Gao Yan, Deputy Director General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr. Ye Shuangyu, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Fujian Province, Mr. Meng Qiliang, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Guizhou Province, Mr. Zhao Bin, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Hubei Province, Mr. Chen Weigen, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Jilin Province, Mr. Cai Lifeng, Deputy Director of Hunan Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee, Mr. Cristiano da Costa, Vice Minister of Economy and Development of East Timor, Ms. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Undersecretary for Special Concerns, Department of Agriculture of Philippines, Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR, Mr. Dong Songgen, Vice chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Mr. Liu Zhiqiang, Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce, Mr. Tang Bingquan, Vice Chairman of Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Xu Guangju, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Chairman of Zhejiang Federation of Industry & Commerce, Mr. Chui Sai Cheong, Vice President of Macao Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Cheong Chou Weng, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. In his speech at the Opening Ceremony, Francis Tam Pak Yuen said MIF is Macao’s annual trade and economic event as well as an important exhibition.. Throughout these years, MIF has enjoyed strong support and widespread participation from governments plus industrial and trade sectors around the world. Today, MIF has become an international brand name exhibition which facilitates bilateral investment and trade co-operation. MIF has been playing an increasingly important role in promoting economic regional integration and the participation of enterprises in international and regional collaboration. MIF this year adopts the theme of ‘Co-operation – Key to Business Opportunities’. While further enhancing the ties between Macao and mainland provinces, Portuguese speaking countries and the European Union, the Fair also showcases the business opportunities presented by regional collaboration and the prospect of moderate diversification of Macao’s economy. The MIF this year is attended by 318 delegations from over 60 countries and regions who participate in the exhibition and the conventions. More than 30 pavilions of specialized themes with over 1,400 booths are set up. There will be 38 sessions of international forums, conferences, seminars and presentations. The 15th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), held from 21st to 24th October, 2010 (Thursday to Sunday), is organized by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and co-organized by four government departments, namely Macao Economic Services Bureau, Macao Government Tourist Office, Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province and Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission, and 10 non-government organizations, including Macao Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Association of Macau, Macau Importers and Exporters Association, Association of Knitting and Spinning Industry of Macao, Macau Shipper´s Association, Macau Association of Banks, Macao Association of Building Contractors and Developers, the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Macau, the Macau Chinese Enterprises Association and The Chinese Manufacturers´ Association of Hong Kong, and include as its partners, the Permanent Secretariat for the Forum on Economic and Trade Co-operation Between China and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Macao), International Lusophone Markets Business Association, World Federation of Chinese Entrepreneurs Organization and Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association. Macao Convention & Exhibition Association, Macao Fair & Trade Association and the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao are entrusted to coordinate the current edition of the MIF.
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Macao Post announces that the Temporary Post Counter for the “Open Day of Government Headquarters of the MSAR”, that scheduled on 23rd to 24th October from 9:00 to 18:00 in front of Government Headquarters, Avenida Doutor Stanley Ho, according to the weather forecast, will now be postponed to 30th to 31st October.
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INNER MONGOLIA YOUTH CHOIR CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE MACAO CULTURAL CENTER SMALL AUDITORIUM ON 22 OCTOBER 2010 If the typhoon warning signal No. 8 is hoisted one hour before the performance or if it is going to be hoisted in the next few hours, the performance will be postponed to 23 October, at 4pm at the same venue. Ticket holders are welcome to attend the performance on 23 October with the same tickets. The Cultural Affairs Bureau accepts to refund ticket holders in case the concert cannot be held on 22 October. The arrangements regarding tickets’ refund will be announced later. Further information will be published on the CAB website www.icm.gov.mo. You may also call the Festival information hotline at 83996699 during office hours.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (104.66) for September 2010 increased by 3.83% year-on-year, attributable to the price increase in Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Miscellaneous Goods & Services and Clothing & Footwear. Analyzed by section of goods and services, Clothing & Footwear (+8.40%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+6.82%); Health (+5.78%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.09%); Recreation & Culture (+4.68%) and Transport (+4.56%) recorded notable increase on account of dearer prices of men’s clothing, women’s shoes, gold jewellery, fresh seafood, vegetables, gasoline and airfares; as well as rising charges for outbound package tours, out-patient medical services and meals bought away from home. As for other sections, price index of Education rose by 1.29% as the increment of tuition fees of the schools not joining the free education network was higher than that of the Government subsidies. On the other hand, reduced charges for mobile phone services caused the price index of Communication to fall by 3.60% year-on-year. The CPI-A (104.25) and CPI-B (104.78) for September 2010 increased by 3.52% and 3.97% year-on-year respectively. The Composite CPI for September 2010 increased by 0.27% month-to-month, with the price indices of Education; and Miscellaneous Goods & Services rising by 1.22% and 1.01% respectively on account of higher tuition fees in the new academic year and dearer prices of gold jewellery. However, price index of Recreation & Culture fell by 2.07% due to lower charges for outbound package tours after the Summer Holidays. The Composite CPI for the third quarter of 2010 increased by 3.11% over the same quarter of 2009, with marked increase in the price indices of Clothing & Footwear (+7.07%), Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+6.40%), Recreation & Culture (+5.63%) and Heath (+5.49%). The average Composite CPI for the first nine months of 2010 increased by 2.43% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended September 2010, the average Composite CPI rose by 1.78% from the preceding period. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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The Social Security Fund, which had been supervised by the Secretary for Economy and Finance since the establishment of the MSAR in 1999, will be under the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture next year. The new social security system, coming into effect 1 January 2011, will provide basic living and retirement guarantees to all the people of Macao, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen said. The transfer of supervision takes into consideration the closer links of the fund and departments under the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture in the future, such as the Social Welfare Bureau. Adjustment to the function and structure of the fund will also be made, Mr Tam said. Meanwhile, the Government today gazetted the appointment of Mr Ip Peng Kin, the current President of Social Welfare Bureau, as President of Administrative Committee of Social Security Fund, starting 1 November. Mr Tam said Mr Fung Ping Kuen, the current President of Administrative Committee of the fund, will assume the post of Deputy Director of the Centre of Sino-Western Cultural Studies Centre of the Macao Polytechnic Institute.
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The 15th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held from 21st to 24th October, 2010 (Thursday to Sunday) at the Venetian-Macao-Resort-Hotel. The 15th MIF is organized by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and co-organized by four government departments, namely Macao Economic Services Bureau, Macao Government Tourist Office, Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province and Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission, and 10 non-government organizations, including Macao Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Association of Macau, Macau Importers and Exporters Association, Association of Knitting and Spinning Industry of Macao, Macau Shipper´s Association, Macau Association of Banks, Macao Association of Building Contractors and Developers, the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Macau, the Macau Chinese Enterprises Association and The Chinese Manufacturers´ Association of Hong Kong, and include as its partners, the Permanent Secretariat for the Forum on Economic and Trade Co-operation Between China and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Macao), International Lusophone Markets Business Association and World Federation of Chinese Entrepreneurs Organization and Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association. Macao Convention & Exhibition Association, Macao Fair & Trade Association and the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao are entrusted to coordinate the current edition of the MIF. Macao International Trade & Investment Fair is a UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) approved event. After 14 years of continuous development, MIF has become an international, comprehensive large-scale economic and trade event in Macao, comprising trade and investment exhibition, high level political and economic forums, international business and trade conferences, business matching, international sourcing and professional presentations, thus functioning as a regional platform for economic and trade services. This year, the 15th MIF takes the theme of “Cooperation – Key to Business Opportunities”, with a view to showcase the diverse economic development and dynamic corporate environment of Macao to the participants from home and abroad. It also aims to promote Macao as a platform for cooperation and exchange between Macao, Mainland China, Portuguese-Speaking Countries, European Union, ASEAN and other countries and regions of the world and to assist the local and foreign companies to expand their market networks and explore new areas for the development of their commercial activities. According to the statistical data, the MIF venue will occupy an area of 30,000 square metres, with 760 exhibitors from home and abroad and 1,400 booths, corresponding to a 30% increase over the last edition. For the first time, Beijing will take part in this year´s MIF. Besides, new areas for exhibition of electrical appliances and cultural and creative industries have been added for the first time, in addition to areas for the exhibition of the investment projects in Hengqin (Zhuhai) and in the International Tourist Island of Hainan. The above-mentioned data clearly denotes that MIF’s function of reliance upon Macao as a trade and economic services platform is continuously improving. Exhibitors from more than 60 countries and regions, comprising 330 delegations and over 3,600 delegates will be present at this year´s MIF, which include several entities of the Central Government, several provinces and regions from Mainland China such as Inner Mongolia. In addition, there will also be delegations from Portugal, East Timor, the Philippines, Thailand, Nigeria and Indonesia led by ministerial level officials. This is a clear indication of the increasing prestige and influence of the MIF both at home and abroad. THE SCALE AND THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE MIF IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY There has been a significant improvement in this year´s MIF, in terms of scale as well as in the level of internationalization. The content of this year´s MIF has been enriched with the introduction of several improvements and highlights. In this regard, the venue will be divided into two functional areas, to facilitate not only the display of products and services but also exchange and conduct of business transactions. The debut participation of Beijing will generate more business opportunities for the MIF. This is the first time that Beijing is participating in a major international trade and economic event in Macao. The Beijing participation will encompass Image of Beijing, Exhibition of Foodstuff, Exhibition of Innovative Articles, Exhibition of Cultural and Creative Articles as well as Exhibition of Tourist Resources. As many as 40 enterprises from Beijing will take part in the event, which includes such activities as exhibition, promotion, business negotiation and the signing of cooperation agreements.
The Cultural and Creative Industry Exhibition is one of the highlights of the MIF. Images, products and projects from cultural and creative houses from home and abroad will be on display, to promote exchange and to provide opportunities for the cultural and creative industries operators to conduct business negotiations and to explore business opportunities in the cultural and creative areas. On the other hand, the Zhuhai-Hengqin Investment Pavilionand the Hainan Investment Pavilion, where the business environment, main projects and investment policies of the said locations are presented, will constitute another highlight of the Fair. To continue the mission of promoting Macao as a platform for export of Chinese products, a special zone for exhibition of electrical appliances was set-up. Said initiative has attracted the participation of over seventy branded electrical appliances companies from Mainland China, aiming to capture the attention of the sourcing agents from home and abroad. Carrying forward the series of PMEs-related activities held in the past editions of the MIF, namely the “SME International Business Days” and the “SME Exhibition”, the Organizer is expanding the “SME Exhibition” to encompass the “Macao Enterprises Pavilion”, the “Taiwan Pavilion”, the “Digital Imaging & Photography Equipment Pavilion”, and the “China’s Ethnic Groups Pavilion”. A specialized business transaction zone will also be set-up for business promotion and exchange. MACAO FASHION FESTIVAL 2010 TO BE HELD CONCURRENTLY Macao Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM) has been invited to co-organize a “Macao Fashion Festival 2010” during the MIF. Said festival will include professional fashion shows to present the dynamic vitality of the garments industry in Macao and abroad aiming to create an exchange and cooperation platform for the operators of the apparel and franchise industries, as well as to the fashion designers and fashion houses, so as to promote cooperation and exchange between the chain store operators. The professional fashion show will be the main highlight of the “Macao Fashion Festival 2010”, which will gather branded names in the apparel field, to showcase the capacity-building and talent of the local designers. Also, in another show organized by the Macao Local Designer´s Society, named “Creative Chic”, 14 local designers will present their creations. Also during the MIF, 15 graduates from the Diploma Course in Fashion Design and Production of CPTTM will present the results of their training received locally. As an added attraction, there will be eleven shop window designs on display in this area, to introduce the latest trends of local fashion brands. The Fashion Show Area will also provide business matching services for the garment industry with the objective of improving cooperation opportunities for the participants. In addition to the above-mentioned highlights, more efforts were also made to attract a greater number of professional visitors, especially the buyers, special invited trade visitors, and enterprises of the thematic pavilions, by making available incentive plans, which drew tremendous attention from the professional visitors, on account of the enquiries received. In order to assist the SMEs to actively participate as exhibitors, IPIM continues to make available to the SMEs several types of incentives. Based upon the experience gained from the past editions of the MIF, improvements were made to the “One-trip, Multi-stop” program. Under the said program, visitors will now be encouraged to attend other fairs in the neighbourhood, including the Canton Fair, and to conduct a visit to Hengqin (Zhuhai), for on-site inspection of the investment opportunities available. FORUMS AND CONFERENCES TO EXPLORE DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES The large-scale and high-level forums and seminars held in the past MIFs will be maintained while several new forums of special interest to the investors have been added, which include the “International Trade and Investment Forum 2010”, where government leaders and chambers of commerce´s representatives have been invited to discuss regional trade and economic cooperation and strategy for industrial development, the “World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs” and the seminar on the “Investment Opportunity in Zhuhai Hengqin New Area”, the latter to be presented for the first time under the MIF umbrella. Other forums and seminars will be held concurrently, including the “Portuguese-Speaking Countries-Fujian-Macao Economic and Trade Conference and Electrical and Electronic Products Sourcing Round Table” and the “EU-Macao Business Opportunity Seminar”, and the “Cross-Strait Forum on the Development of the Printing Industry 2010” seminar. PRE-REGISTRATION OF BUSINESS MATCHING TO FACILITATE BUSINESS COOPERATION To encourage cooperation and exchange between the exhibitors and visitors, the Organizer provides business matching and negotiation services to the participants, free-of-charge. For better results, the MIF Organizer has put more emphasis on the early-stage preparations prior to the MIF and will pre-match the projects through the MIF on-line business matching service platform. Up to the present, around 2000 commercial projects were received for matching purpose and over 900 business matching sessions have been scheduled. To provide highly-efficient and appropriate matching, the Organizer has also arranged for on-site business matching in specialized area and also organized a series of negotiations in sourcing, in addition to promotion seminars, to provide more opportunities for cooperation in investment and trade. MIF TO PROVIDE A DIVERSE RANGE OF EXHIBITION SERVICES On 21st October, MIF is reserved for professional visitors. Visits by the public are welcome from 22nd to 24th October. Opening hours: Vide em anexo! As in previous years, free shuttle buses will be provided to the visitors. Routes for the general public and the official MIF hotels will be offered, to facilitate the professional visitors and the general public. Urban terminals for different routes will be located, respectively, at Avenida Doutor Mário Soares (Macau Square), Estrada Marginal do Hipodromo (Royal Supermarket, Areia Preta Branch) and Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida (at the Pak Vai bus stop, near Rua de Gago Coutinho). From 22nd to 24th October, visitors to the MIF can enjoy 4-hour free parking at the Venetian-Macao-Resort-Hotel upon presentation of the MIF entrance ticket. A survey will be conducted by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the University of Macau to get more scientific data on the activities organized in connection with the MIF, so as to improve and perfect the capacity-building and the level of organization of the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair. No efforts have been spared by the Organizer to offer to the visitors from home and abroad comprehensive and high-quality services. In this connection, during the MIF, a wide range of services will be provided at the information counters, including travel, postal, telecommunications and on-site transportation, to ensure greater ease and efficiency for exhibitors and trade visitors from home and abroad. For further enquiries about Macao International Trade and Investment Fair, please contact the Organizer through the hotline number (853) 2882 8711, fax (853) 2882 8722 or navigate to MIF’s officialwebsite: www.mif.com.mo.
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The “Macao International Trade and Investment Fair” (MIF), being the annual international event, will be held on 21 to 24 October 2010. Since 2008, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute has joined hands with numerous entities and business associations from mainland China, overseas and Macau to organize the “SME International Business Days” concurrently with MIF, enabling SMEs to take full advantage of the business opportunities presented in the MIF international platform. To sustain the mission of assisting SMEs to open up client network and broaden business opportunities through the MIF international platform, the “SME International Business Days” this year comprises three theme elements: SME Service Corner to provide multi-dimensional enquiry and information services, E-commerce and Franchising promotional activities. Three themed pillars to help SMEs obtain information, seek partners and exploit business opportunities u SME Local and Mainland China Business Enquiry Services
The debut SME Service Corner inside the Macao Pavilion demonstrates the brand new service concept and image of SME Service Center and highlights its mission - “Take Service as a fundamental and SME as a Priority”, while taking advantage of MIF to foster exchanges among SMEs. Staff of SME Service Center will provide a wide array of information and enquiry services: including “One-Stop Service” enquiry on Macau and Mainland China (include consultancy services provided by China business advisor, Zhuhai and Jiangmen representatives), exhibition incentives, SME business promotion package and E-commerce Promotion Incentives. u Franchising Business Opportunities
With the successful close of “Macao Franchise Expo 2010” (2010 MFE) and the increasing popularity of franchising businesses, the SME Day this year has increased its effort on encouraging SMEs to open up franchising and brand licensing market with a series of franchise-themed activities. Franchise oftentimes remains a common strategy for retail, food and beverages, as well as service industries to expand in many countries and regions around the world. The concept of franchising lies in its low cost and rapid expansion strategy, at the same time provides systematic operation and management essentials as well as brand assurance for franchisees. Its mode of operation is suitable for business starters and SMEs seeking business transformation. The “Franchise Catalogue Show” will showcase information of franchise brands and supplementary services from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, United States, Malaysia and other countries; representatives of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau franchise associations will provide consultancy services to help SMEs obtain franchise industry trends and business opportunities. u E-Commerce Business Platform
This series of E-commerce promotional activities include seminars organized by Alibaba Hong Kong, eBay Hong Kong Limited, Macao Post eSign Trust Certification Services and Directel Macau Ltd. Topics cover sharing sessions in online promotion experience, business trends and strategies, low cost expansion and electronic certification. The opening ceremony of the “SME International Business Days” will be held at 11:30 am on 22 October, 2010 at the Protocol Signing Center of Macao Pavilion of the 15th MIF held at Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Interested parties are cordially invited to participate. For more details, please visit the MIF website at www.mif.com.mo or contact SME Service Centre (SMEC). Enquiry hotline: 2872 8212.
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From October 10 until 5p.m. today (Oct 18) the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed one premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally and seized one operator, one managing staff and one overstayer at the premise.
Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 953 premise-checks were conducted, involving 658 premises, of which 77 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 105 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found 12 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, the operations involved more than 745 occupants, among whom 342 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 15 overstayers and 12 illegal immigrants. 12 operators, 10 touts, 10 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (managing staff) and 4 occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were seized. Among the four occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation, only two have paid the fine. MGTO has notified the Financial Services Bureau to enforce the collection of fine on the other two and informed PSP that the involved occupants should pay the fine or their reentry into Macau will be denied. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
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To make the best use of Macao’s strength as a business service platform and foster trade and economic communication and co-operation between the EU and Macao’s creative industries, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) will be co-organising the Seminar on EU-Macao Business Opportunities - Fostering co-operation and exchange in cultural and creative industries with various local and overseas EU-related organisations during the 15th MIF. The Seminar on EU-Macao Business Opportunities is jointly organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Institute of European Studies of Macau (IEEM), European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (ECCHK) and the European Union Business Information Programme (EUBIP). The Seminar will be held from 2:30-4:30pm on 23 October 2010, in the Sicily Room at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The theme of the Seminar is Fostering co-operation and exchange in cultural and creative industries, major topics include: positioning of Macao’s Cultural and Creative Industries, discussions on the development trends of EU countries’ cultural and creative industries and the inspiration for Macao, exploring the prospects of the EU-Macao creative industry co-operation. Thematic speeches and a panel discussion will be organised as well as the setting up of a business-matching area to assist entrepreneurs’ in their search for potential business partners. Representatives from local and overseas EU-related organisations, chambers of commerce and enterprises have been invited to give speeches on topics including EU-Macao trade and economic communication and co-operation, expansion of the EU market and creative industry development. Moderator of the Seminar is Dr. José Luís de Sales Marques, President of Institute of European Studies of Macau. Guest speakers include Mr. Pal Pang, Director of Another Design (a European-funded designing company), Ms Mary Kwok, Commercial Director – Asia Pacific of Folli Follie, Ms. Lisa Wong, Managing Director of Lasvit Hong Kong office, Mr. Wilson Lam, CEO and Creative Director of Macau Creations Limited and Mr. James Chu, Curator of Arts for All Society (AFA) Anyone interested is welcome to attend the Seminar. A simultaneous translation service is available in Cantonese, Putonghua and English. For further enquiries and registration, please contact Ms. Kuan of IPIM’s Research and Information Division on 8798 9127, Fax: 2859 0309 or email: winnievai@ipim.gov.mo.
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