The 2012 Macao International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition (2012MIECF) will be held for three consecutive days, from 29 to 31 March (Thursday to Saturday). This year´s MIECF has attracted more than 390 organisations and enterprises from 28 countries and regions to participate in the exhibition. Not just that there is increasing international participation in the event, there is also a rise both in the number of exhibitors and participating countries. Besides, the total area of the venue has been enlarged to accommodate more exhibitors. At the end of last year, MIECF has been awarded the UFI Approved Event Status. This year, the venue will cover an area of 16,511 square metres, a slight increase over last year, which was 16,511 square metres. The Green Showcase will cover six aspects namely energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, e-mobility, waste and water management, and other related services. At the same time, there are different zones in the venue, such as the Exhibition Zone of the Provinces of the Pan-PRD Region, European Pavilion, USA Exhibition Zone, International Exhibition Zone and Macao Exhibition Zone. In addition, there is a "Distinguished Exhibitors Zone" to display technically advanced branded products of prime enterprises. There is increasing international participation in this year's MIECF with over 390 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions, such as Nigeria and Cambodia, which are participating for the first time. The ten Distinguished Exhibitors are BYD Auto Sales, Ao Lung Electric Machinery Development Co., Ltd., Green Mobility Innovations Ltd., Shenzhen Wuzhoulong Motors, Nam Kwong Natural Gas Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., JCAM Advanced Mobility Co., Ltd., NEC Hong Kong Limited, Melco Crown Entertainment and ResoPark (Resopre). Products on display include electric vehicles, energy-saving products, power management, smart parking system and green hotels. The Organiser continues to support the activities organised by the Macau Fair and Trade Association and the Macao Association of Environmental Protection Industry, such as "Turn Green Into Gold", "Green Booth" and "Green Electricity Rebate Scheme", and encourage the exhibitors and companies to use environmentally-friendly construction materials and promote the concept of green exhibition in the design and construction of exhibition booths. This year´s MIECF has attracted various electric vehicle manufacturers to participate in the exhibition. Four manufacturers of environmentally-friendly vehicles will provide a variety of electric and hybrid vehicles for the public to test drive. A number of companies producing energy-saving products will also take part in the Green Showcase, particularly those engaged in LED lighting, kitchen waste disposal equipment, heat recovery equipment and solar products. Two networking cocktail receptions are arranged specifically for companies of electric vehicle and energy-saving equipment respectively, in order to provide an exchange and co-operation platform for the exhibitors and buyers. Taking into account the status of Macao as a regional business service platform, the Organiser will continue to provide free business matching service to visitors from around the world. Through the on-line business matching platform, participants may identify potential business partners in advance. During the MIECF, the Organiser will also provide assistance to the visitors, through various channels, in the promotion of their environmental products and technologies as well as establishing clientele contacts and seek for business opportunities. At the same time, several government agencies and private companies will also participate in green business matching. A Hotel Green Procurement Area will be set up with representatives from 20 local prestigious hotels and green hotels to conduct procurement of products and services including environmentally-friendly hotel supplies, energy-saving system, renewable energy, green building and solutions and equipment for waste and water management. It aims to strengthen the involvement of government agencies and different sectors of the community and create more business opportunities for the environmental industry. Last year´s green matching service has organised 574 business matching sessions, which resulted in the signing of 31 co-operation agreements, involving parties from Macao, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Portugal and Canada. Up to March 26, the Organizer has collected a total of 570 investment as well as product marketing and agency projects, coming from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Malaysia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, USA, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan, among other countries and regions, mostly in the fields of energy-saving products, hydroelectric power, air purifiers, sewage treatment, electric cars and lithium battery technology. Related projects has already been uploaded to the MIECF´s website (www.macaomiecf.com) and the on-line business matching service of IPIM (http://bm.ipim.gov). Interested parties are welcome to visit the websites for further information and make appointments for business matching. The Organiser will continue to collect environmental co-operation projects and intentions. Enterprises are welcome to provide their projects and intentions to the above-mentioned sites. Macao small and medium-sized enterprises are also invited to grasp the opportunities provided by the MIECF. For further information, please call +853 2872 8328. For enquiries about the content of this press release, please contact the 2012MIECF Secretariat, tel.: (853) 8798-9675, fax: (853) 2872-3332, e-mail: miecf@koelnmesse.com.hk or visit the official MIECF website: www.macaomiecf.com
