The Macao-Taiwan Entrepreneur Business Networking Dinner.
Aiming to encourage the upgrade and transformation of Macao´s SMEs, to assist local entrepreneurs to seek business opportunities in chain operation and franchising, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) organised a Macao entrepreneur delegation of 46 to visit Taiwan from 10 to 12March, to participate in the 17th Taipei International Chain and Franchise Spring Exhibition (TICFFE2016). During the stay in Taiwan, IPIM promoted Macao´s brands and products on several occasions, aiming to help local enterprises to explore market opportunities in Taiwan and overseas through chain and franchising operation. Furthermore, visits to renowned chain and franchise enterprises in Taiwan were organised to enable delegation members to know more about related business processes, financial management and marketing techniques. IPIM setup Macao Pavilion with Macao Enterprises to Promote Overall Image TICFFE 2016, organised by the Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, was held from 11 to 14 March at Pavilion One of the Taipei World Centre. It aimed to provide an exchange platform for exhibitors from all parts of the world, to jointly create business opportunities for local and overseas branded products. This year’s event was participated by over 200 enterprises with more than 500 booths. In addition to Taiwan´s branded enterprises, other exhibitors included chain and franchising brands as well as related equipment manufacturers from Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. IPIM set up a “Macao Pavilion” covering 54 square metres to promote the Macao International Environment Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF) to be held at the end of March, the Macao Franchise Expo (MFE) scheduled for July as well as the 21st Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), which will take place in October this year. In addition, four Macao enterprises, engaging in fine ornaments retailing, aromatherapy, animation production and photography showcased and promoted their products and services at the Macao Pavilion. Macao Enterprises can learn from Taiwan franchise brands’ rich experiences In the evening of their arrival in Taipei, the Macao entrepreneur delegation participated in the “Macao-Taiwan Entrepreneurial Business Networking Dinner”, co-organized by IPIM and the “Taiwan Trade Development Council” (TAITRA), with Macao Cultural and Economic Office in Taiwan acting as supporting organisation. Over 50 representatives of chambers of commerce of different business sectors, franchise organizations and branded enterprises, including the President & CEO of “Taiwan External Trade Development Council”, Mr. Peter W. J. Huang, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of “The Friends of Hong Kong & Macau Association”, Mr. Chang Shih Shien and Vice Chairman of “Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan”, Mr. Hsu Ho Sen. During the networking dinner, IPIM´s President, Mr. Jackson Chang, and the Secretary-General of TAITRA, Mr. Peter W.J. Huang, delivered their respective speeches, Mr. Chang said that Macao and Taiwan has close business relations, trading of goods between the two places amount to 180 million USD, increase by 1.3% per annum. Flights to Taiwan accounted for 24% of commercial flights in Macao. In 2015, Macao received 1 million visitors from Taiwan, increase by 3.6% per annum, overnight visitors has recorded a 10% increase. In the long run, Macao can learn from the rich experiences that TICFE has accumulated through the years. IPIM´s Executive Directors, Mrs. Irene V. K. Lau promoted the “2016 Macao Franchise Expo” (MFE) and took the opportunity to invite the “Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan” to organize a delegation to participate in the said 2016MFE and 2016MIECF. Macao and Taiwan entrepreneurs conducted over 100 business matching sessions during the dinner. On-site visit to local branded chains On the following day, members of the Macao entrepreneur delegation visited several renowned Taiwan branded enterprises, including food and beverage chains “Easy Way Group” and “Sun Spark Group”. Apart from the field visits aiming to understand more about business processes and management, delegation members also met management personnel who shared their experience in business operation and answered queries raised by the delegation members. Rich reward for both Macao entrepreneur and exhibitors IPIM recruited 4 local companies to exhibit in the Macao Pavilion. “Kids Kingdom Foto Company Limited”, “Choo Choo Multi-Media Production House” and “Bella Ornaments Gift Shop”have exhibited in previous editions of TICFE and have returned this year because of the high quality buyers and matured branded chain market. “Kids Kingdom Foto Company Limited” said they are in touch with 2 companies from Taichung and Miaoli and will have a further meeting at their shops. “Choo Choo Multi-Media Production House” said they will open a design shop and factory in Taiwan to further develop in the Taiwanese market. First time exhibitor “Ngai Tin Enterprise-Chelsea” had business matching sessions with several clients and signed an agreement with one of the top 5 online sales company “Popular” and will start sales online and exporting to East Asian markets after settling all documents. Other than that, “Po Chi Lam” had business matching session with “Yuloong Group” and has agreed to conduct a project in Taichung.
