The 13th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) was inaugurated today (23rd October) at 11:00 AM at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. 15 dignitaries, namely the Chief Executive Mr. Ho Hau Wah of the Macao S.A.R. Government and 14 others from around the world jointly officiated at the Opening Ceremony, which received the impressive attendance of more than 1,000 guests from 57 countries and regions.
The dignitaries who officiated at the Opening Ceremony included: Mr. Edmund Ho, Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Li Ben Jun, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Zhou Bo, Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr. Jiang Zengwei, Vice Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Luís Amado, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Mr. Cadmiel Filiane Mutemba, Ministry of Fisheries of Mozambique, Mr. Lu Shumin, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Ye Shuangyu, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Fujian Province, Ms. Bu Xiaolin, Vice Governor of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Mr. Jing Junhai, Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province, Mr. Rui Hanjam, Vice Minister of Economy and Development of East Timor, Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Tang Bingquan, Vice Chairman of Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Dong Songgen, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Dr. Lee Peng Hong, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM).
Lee Peng Hong said in his welcome address that being hit by the financial turmoil, the financial markets and economies all over the world are currently facing a severe challenge. This has resulted in numerous uncertainties to the business operations and development of the enterprises. The 13th MIF will see a higher level of internationalization. He hoped that through the MIF platform, all participating fellow entrepreneurs can seize business opportunities, build up friendly co-operations and achieve a win-win situation for all.
The theme of this year’s MIF is: An Efficient Business Platform to Leverage the Advantages of Regional Co-operation, featuring a total of 886 booths and 272 trade and economic delegations from 57 countries, namely the Mainland, Europe, the Americas, Asia, Portuguese-speaking countries. While the 13th MIF has extended and enriched the contents of themed pavilions and conferences carried forward from the past editions of MIF, the Organiser has introduced this year new themed pavilions including the Taiwan Hall, Latin-American Pavilion, Franchising Pavilion, World Expo 2010 Shanghai China Pavilion, and more. In particular, many international organisations and professional institutions came to participate in MIF for the first time, which include: WAIPA - World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies, IFA – International Franchise Association, and AFECA - Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Associations.
During this year’s MIF, the “International Trade and Investment Forum 2008”, organised by the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce of PRC, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Macao Chamber of Commerce and IPIM, with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) as the Special Supporting Organisations and the Taipei World Trade Centre (TWTC) as the Co-organiser, was held this afternoon, after the grand opening.
Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary of Economy and Finance of the Macao S.A.R. Government and Mr. Jiang Zengwei, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce, P.R.C. were present to officiate at the Forum and deliver speeches. Leaders of trade promotion organisations (TPOs) and renowned business figures from Macao, the Mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries also gave speeches on the theme of the Forum, which was : “To Enhance Cross-regional Enterprise Co-operation”.
The Forum explored the interactive relationship between regional economic development and international trade, how to make use of Macao’s strength in promoting co-operation and business opportunities across the region, introduction of trade and economic co-operation business opportunities and marketing potentials in various regions, as well as the roles of TPOs and investment promotion organisations (IPOs) in cross-regional economic co-operation.
Another major activity in the programme of the 13th MIF, “The Macao International Convention and Exhibition CEO Forum 2008” and “2nd Forum of Exhibition Co-operation of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao” was also held this afternoon. Leaders and representatives from the convention and exhibition industry from around the world congregated in Macao to explore development trends and co-operation opportunities in the industry.
In the Seminars & Presentations area, activities held today included “Wine & Gourmet Asia 2008 Press Conference”, “Briefing on Tourism Industry Promotional Environment and Opportunities in Portuguese Speaking Countries”, and “Hubbot --- An Epitome of China's Economic Success”, etc. As at 6:00 PM, a total of 9,271 visitors were registered. As many as 220 sessions of purchase negotiations and business matching were conducted on site, and 12 agreements or contracts signed.
In order to reinforce efforts in assisting the SMEs to develop new markets and improve operational competitiveness, the 13th MIF is organising “SME International Business Days” for tomorrow (24th October), with an inauguration ceremony to be held at 10:00 AM. Other major activities for tomorrow will include “Portuguese speaking countries-Fujian-Macao Counterpart Seminar & Briefing on Fujian's Industries and Products” and “Grasping Franchising Business Opportunities Conference”, and more.
