For the fourth consecutive year, the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) will organize, from 31st March to 2nd April this year, another edition of the Macao International Environmental Protection Exhibition and Forum (MIECF). MIECF´s objective is to continue to promote Macao´s role as an environmental protection platform between the Pan-Pearl River Delta and other countries of the world, and the dissemination of the environmental protection concept. This year´s activities aim to meet the current national and global sustainable development and the direction of climate changes while coinciding coincide with Macao´s urban planning and future development. The 2011MIECF features the theme “Green Opportunities – Low Carbon Urban Development”, advocating “Green Cities, Smart Technology, Sustainable Growth”. Through a series of activities, including professional exhibitions, high-level forums and other related events, such as “Green Business Co-Operation”, business matching activities and “Green Public Day”, MIECF aims to promote the cooperation between Macao and other countries and to share with the participants the latest environmental technologies and solutions, thereby creating business opportunities to the enterprises, and spreading the “green” spirit. Since 2008, three previous editions of the MIECF were held, with significant success. Improvements were made over the years, with regards to the number of participating enterprises, area of the venue as well as the number of members of the participating business delegations. Last year, MIECF attracted over 5900 representatives of organizations from Mainland China and 47 other regions and countries. The area of the venue was increased to 13,400 square metres to accommodate 362 participating entities. This clearly shows that MIECF has become an important platform for the development of the green industries in South China and the Pan-Pearl River Delta. When designing the future urban planning of Macao, the SAR Government has the vision to transform Macao into a “Low Carbon, Green Living City”. In its Policy Address for this year, the local government mentioned the creation of an environment protection and energy conservation fund, with a start-up capital of MOP 100 million and also tax benefits for light electric vehicles up to a maximum of MOP 60 thousand. These measures will further encourage the local industries to introduce advanced environmental technology, product and services from Mainland China, thus providing more business opportunities, and assist MIECF to push forward the development of the environmental industry in Macau. This year´s MIECF will comprise several areas, including the Zone of the Provinces and Municipalities in the Pan-Pearl Delta River, European Pavilion, USA Pavilion and the International Pavilion, as well as four thematic pavilions, showcasing, namely, green building, electric vehicles, low-carbon city (energy saving and green building technology) and clean energy. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to participate in the exhibition through five major categories: renewable energy, green transportation, energy efficiency, environmental protection and integrated services. The event covers several major projects in the green industry, including solar (photovoltaic and thermal), bio-energy, hybrid energy systems, electric cars and hybrid vehicles, charging stations, battery and storage solutions, building technology, facilities management, smart grid, waste disposal, water conservation, air pollution control, noise control, project finance and consulting. Internationally renowned companies, including BYD and Halo, will mark their presence at the MIECF. The Organizers have prepared a series of green business matching activities, in order to assist the participating exhibitors and enterprises to find suitable partners. At present, several local public utilities companies have agreed to participate in the business matching sessions as professional buyers. Furthermore, several companies in the environmental protection field from Mainland China and abroad have already confirmed their participation. In accordance with the information submitted by the participants, the Organizers will assist them in finding suitable partners for their projects, products and services, through a dedicated on-line business matching platform and other related field activities. Up to the moment, the Organizers have gathered over 100 investment and cooperation projects, including wind power generation, sewage treatment, electric vehicles and LED lighting, out of which, 64 are from Mainland China, 23 from Macao, 11 from Hong Kong, 4 from Europe and 1 from Australia. Last year, the business matching activities achieved extraordinary results, with 416 sessions held, culminating with the signing of 24 projects, totalling 3.1 billion Patacas. Internationally renowned guest speakers are being invited to the event, including Mr. Joschka Fischer, former Vice-Chanceller and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany and Mr. Klaus Toepfer, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and former Executive Director of United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). Both speakers are very prestigious figures and exert influence in the environmental protection field, in the United Nations and Europe, especially Germany. The number of conferences to be held in conjunction with the 2011 MIECF will be increased form five to six this year, with the following topics: “Exploring Green Business Market Opportunities”, “Opportunities in Green Sectors” Urban Planning and Eco City Development”, “Low Carbon Urban Industries: Sustainable Tourism”, Buildings: Foundations of a Low Carbon, “Energy Generation and Consumption”. In addition to covering low-carbon city development, the conferences will also explore the urban planning and development of Macao into a low-carbon city. Furthermore, the Organizers also intend to invite national and overseas researches and industry leaders to share their research results and practical experience with the participants. According to the Organizers, the “Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020)”, promulgated by the State Council has clearly put forward the idea of building a “Pan-Pearl River Good Living Quality Circle”. In the proposal for the 12th 5-year plan, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party´s mentioned the building of Macao into a world-class tourism and leisure centre. The Macao SAR Government, in its Policy Address for Financial Year 2011 has clearly indicated that the development of Macao into a world tourism and leisure centre will be a key to sustainable development. Therefore, the Organizers hope that through the topics explored in the conferences, the concept of low-carbon developed in Mainland China and abroad could be introduced to Macao, so as to achieve sustainable tourism development and becoming a low-carbon city. For further enquiries, please contact 2011MIECF Secretariat, Tel: (853) 8798-9675, fax: (853) 2872-7123, e-mail: miecf@ipim.gov.mo, or visit MIECF´s website: www.macaomiecf.com.
