Up to 6:00 p.m. of the fourth day (24th October) of the Macau International and Investment Fair (MIF), the number of visitors registered was 18,902, an 9.6% over last year (17,249). A total of 305 business matching sessions were held and 23 protocols signed, including the memorandum of understanding between Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Romania Trade Promotion Center, for the establishment of trade and economic cooperation and improvement of trade information exchange between the two sides, and other cooperation agreements, namely in the catering industry, tourism and entertainment projects, investment in the construction of environmentally friendly steel pipe products, product agency and trade, brand catering franchise, medical technology research and development, and management and training, among others. The Fair attracted a large number of public today, being the first day of the long week-end. Booths at the SME Zone, offering retail sale, were especially popular. Many people brought along the whole family, to purchase food, liquor, household goods and other products. Visitors were generally satisfied with the supporting facilities. A number of visitors said that they felt a festive atmosphere at the venue. Booths with retail sale as well as professional booths provided a large quantity of information to the visitors, which will be useful for the development of the economy and trade in different markets. Some exhibitors said that the arrangements were satisfactory and stated that they have achieved the expected results, despite the fact that there is still room for improvement. Other exhibitors said that MIF provided them with an opportunity to showcase their products and also gave visitors from Mainland China and abroad to have a better understanding of Macao products. The Organizer has arranged a series of international conferences and trade promotion activities today, which attracted a large number of traders and members of the public. Response from both the exhibitors and the public was generally enthusiastic. Main activities held today were as follows: The 6th World Summit of Chinese Enterprises One of the most important components of MIF, "The 6th World Summit of Chinese Enterprises" was solemnly inaugurated this morning, attended by 1300 representatives of the Chinese business communities from 35 countries and regions, congregating to explore trade and economic cooperation and discuss about potential business opportunities worldwide, especially across the two margins of the Taiwan Strait, including Hong Kong and Macao. The Summit was organized by the World Federation of Chinese Enterprises Organization, with the support of IPIM. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Mr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region. Guests present included Mr. Chen Yunlin, chairman of the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait, Mr. Chih-peng Huang, Director General of Taiwan Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ms. Gao Yan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administration Region, Mr. Sun Yao, Vice-Governor of Heilongjiang Province, Dr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao Special Administrative Region, and Dr. Lee Peng Hong, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. 2009 (Macao) Henan Xixiang Trade & Tourism Exchange and Cooperation Fair Organized by the Xixiang Municipal People's Government, Henan Province, with the supported of IPIM, the 2009 (Macao) Henan Xinxiang Trade & Tourism Exchange and Cooperation Fair was held this afternoon. Dr. Lee Peng Hong, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Eng. João Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office, Mr. Hui Sai Un, President of the Board of Directors of Macao Chamber of Commerce and over 260 other dignitaries from Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China attended the event. As part of the Cooperation Fair, a presentation was made about the current economic situation and industrial development in Xixiang Municipality. It was also mentioned that, given its urban brand name and gradually growing economic power, Macao is ideally positioned to assist enterprises in Mainland China, including enterprises from Henan Province, to develop the markets in the Portuguese-speaking Countries as well as other markets, through its efficient and convenient platform. Mr. Jackson Chang, Executive Director of IPIM said that he hoped that through the Cooperation Fair, mutual understanding between Henan Province and Macao will be deepened in the future and that bilateral trade and cooperation between the two sides will be further intensified, for mutual benefit. "4th Anniversary of the Establishment of Macau Businesswomen Association" and "Prize Awarding Ceremony of the 3rd Session of Macao Hall of Fame. To mark the 4th anniversary of the Macao Businesswomen Association, a Prize Awarding Ceremony was held this afternoon. Dr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Ms. Gao Yan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr. Son Yanbin, Deputy Commissioner of the PRC Foreign Ministry in Macao SAR, Dr. Lee Peng Hong, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Eng. Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office and Mr. Tong Chi Kin, member of the Executive Council attended the event. Greater China Economy – a Year after the Financial Tsunami Organized by The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, with the support of IPIM, a symposium on "Greater China Economy – a Year After the Financial Tsunami" was held this morning. Teddy Kwon, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Macau, said that the financial tsunami brought an extensive impact on the Asia-Pacific, but that HSBC will assist the enterprises to develop, by providing professional management and service. Key speaker, Mr. George Leung, Advisor, Strategy and Economy, Asia-Pacific, HSBC made an analysis on the crisis facing the Greater China after the financial tsunami as well as potential opportunities, and committed to assist the enterprises to deploy appropriate development strategies to seize business opportunities. Bird Nest Investment Opportunities in Malaysia & Franchising of Cafe Serving Delicacies with Bird Nests Organized by THS Industries SDN BHD, the above event was held today, to introduce the current market situation of the bird's nest business in Malaysia and promoted the franchise business in this area. The following events were also held at the MIF today: "Camera – Cultural & Creative Industry", "7th Special Industry Seminar on how to develop a brand: Unique Business Opportunity", "Coffee Tasting", "eBay Macau Sellers Seminar" and "The 5th International Conference on Health Preservation – Cultural and Scientific Health Care Seminar – Opening Ceremony & Business Matching Session". After four consecutive days, the 14th MIF will close tomorrow. People from all walks of life and visitors from all over the world are welcome and provide us with their guidance. Against presentation of their entry ticket, visitors can enjoy 4-hour free parking at the basement car park of Venetian-Macao-Resort.
