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.
