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Under the theme of “Brand Expansion Continues, Business Opportunities to Be Seized”, the Macao Franchise Expo 2019 (2019MFE) will be held at the Venetian Macao from July 26 to 28, attracting 180 branded enterprises from Macao and the rest of the world. The 2019MFE is jointly organised by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, the Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association, the Macau Chain Stores & Franchise Association, the Brazilian Franchise Association, the Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, and the Licensing and Franchising Association of Hong Kong, and is supported by the China Chain Store & Franchise Association and the Japan Franchise Association. Reaching the 11th edition this year, the MFE continues progressing steadily. In particular, in November 2018, the MFE had the honor of becoming the first franchise expo in Greater China that is acknowledged by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). The internationalisation, professionalism, and brand operation of the MFE have been comprehensively recognised, which further motivates the MFE to become a better platform that helps enterprises expand their businesses.
Having learned from the experience of last 10 years, this year’s MFE offers the following exhibition zones: “Gourmet Avenue”, “Special Brands Area”, “Portuguese-Speaking Countries Pavilions”, “New Retail and Business Support Zone”, “Branding Consultation Pavilion”, among others. In addition, there are also business matching services arranged by the 2019MFE, “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Business Zone”, as well as relevant activities and services such as promotion seminars and forums, all of which will enable the MFE to fully function as a trade platform for chain and franchise businesses that helps enterprises and investors explore business opportunities.
This year’s MFE has an exhibition area of about 6,000 square metres. There are 200 exhibition booths from 11 countries and regions including Mainland China, Brazil, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Portugal, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, covering a wide range of industries such as catering, retailing, service and education. Many of the exhibitors are internationally-renowned brands and publicly traded companies.
Diversification Enhances 2019MFE’s Effectiveness
As one of the highlights of the 2019MFE, the “New Retail and Business Support Zone” puts together financing services, IT solutions specifically designed for business management and modern logistical systems for retail optimisation provided by various companies, which facilitate enterprises’ upgrade. Also, the “Branding Consultation Pavilion” will provide professional brand consultation service to help small and medium-sized enterprises re-shape their brand image, and offer one-on-one solutions with free and professional advice on branding.
The newly added “Special Brands Area” includes the “Guangdong Time-Honored Brands Zone” and “Macao Local Brands Zone”. In addition, exhibition area for Portuguese-speaking countries at the 2019MFE has been enlarged, drawing more than 20 exhibitors from Brazil and Portugal.
More Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Elements at the MFE
In line with the “Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”, this year’s MFE contains more elements about the Greater Bay Area. Entities such as the Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Commerce, the Jiangmen Bureau of Commerce, the Guangdong Time-honored Brands Association, the Guangdong East Chamber of Commerce of Importers & Exporters, the Guangzhou Food Industry Association, and the Federation Economic and Commerce of Hong Kong participate in the 2019MFE. The “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Business Zone” offers consultation services with respect to relevant legal regulations and business affairs in the various municipalities. In the Multi-Functional Area, discussions will be held on topics such as specialised knowledge of franchising, opportunities for brand development, food safety management in the Greater Bay Area. This year, tours in Zhongshan will be organised, during which the participants will visit and learn from some of the successful local chain stores in Zhongshan and Macao enterprises located in Zhongshan.
A Number of Concurrent Events Enrich the MFE
On the first day of the MFE, the “Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands” will be held. The two themes of the forum are: “Financing Analyses: Financing Strategy for Franchising Business” and “Inno Star: Harnessing Innovation for Development & Inno Tech for Branding”. Representatives of enterprises and institutions from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, Portugal, Brazil and more regions are invited to share their experience in developing chain and franchise business in their respective regions, and the latest market information.
Aligning with the Macao Year of Gastronomy, the MFE continues to offer the “Gourmet Avenue” at the venue, bringing together 25 specialty cuisine booths. Together with Guangdong and Macao delicacies showcased at the Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2019, the Gourmet Avenue is expected to attract more visitors to the two fairs, and to enable participants to seek business opportunities while tasting different kinds of featured dishes.
The MFE Further Promotes “Macao MICE Pass”
To further facilitate the development of “green” exhibition and to reduce waste of resources, this year’s MFE will continue to mainstream the use of “Macao MICE Pass” among trade visitors.
The 2019MFE will be held concurrently with the “Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair”. These two events will jointly generate synergy that amplify their efficacy. The 2019MFE offers free admission to trade visitors on the first day (July 26), and to the general public on July 27 and 28. To encourage the use of public transportation, free shuttle bus to the venue will be provided. Free parking zones are available in the Halls D and E at the Venetian Macao on a first-come-first-served basis due to limited availability. For more information, please visit our official website www.mfe.mo, call us at 853-82946885, email us at expo@mfe.mo, or subscribe “MFEMacau” on WeChat.