At the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) organised a delegation of Macao entrepreneurs to take part in the 2009 China Trade in Services Congress in Beijing from 22 to 25 November. IPIM representatives took the opportunity to visit various government departments as well as trade and economic organizationss, such as the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), CCPIT, and the European Union Delegation of the European Commission to China, to introduce the organization work of the 2010 International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition (2010 MIECF). On 24 November, the Macao delegation led by IPIM attended the 2009 China Trade in Services Congress which was co-organised by MOFCOM and CCPIT. The International Seminar on Trade in Services, held on the first day of the Congress with IPIM as one of the co-organisers, aimed to focus on environmental services and financial services under the theme of “China Services, Globally Shared”. Participating representatives from local and overseas governments, chambers of commerce, environmental and financial institutions and entrepreneurs discussed and exchanged views on the development of trade in environmental services. In addition, the China International Cooperation Forum on Environmental Services, China International Cooperation Forum on Financial Services, and the First China International Environmental And Financial Services Forum were also held on the same day. Mr. Lee Peng Hong, IPIM’s President, gave a speech at the China International Environmental Services Cooperation Forum and said that, “the Environmental industry is a sunrise industry being the focus of the world’s attention, and also an important component in Macao’s moderate economic diversification. Environmental products and technology are not only beneficial to Macao’s convention and exhibition, tourism, food and beverages industries in terms of cost reduction and enhancing overall efficiency, the promotion of green exhibitions and green hotels can further enhance Macao’s international reputation which will help to establish Macao as a tourism and leisure centre and a regional business service platform. In the same token, Macao service industry can also provide financial, marketing and development backup support to the environmental industry”. In addition, Mr. Lee invited the participants to take part in the 2010 MIECF and visit Macao to gain first-hand experience on the development of Macao SAR over the past decade and Macao’s strength as a business and trade cooperation service platform. Visits to NDRC and MOFCOM and Introduce Organization Work of 2010 MIECF Apart from the participation in the 2009 China Trade in Services Congress, the IPIM delegation also visited NDRC, MOFCOM, CCPIT, European Union Delegation of the European Commission to China, China Association of Environmental Protection Industry, China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association, Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency Beijing Representative Office and the Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region in Beijing, to introduce the organization of 2010 MIECF and invited leaders of the afore-mentioned government departments and organizations to take part in the event. Friendly discussions were made on topics such as speakers recommendation, delegation organization and exhibition participation etc. MIECF, hosted by the Macao SAR Government with IPIM as one of the official co-ordinating organizations, has been organized in Macao annually since 2008. The 2010 MIECF will be held from 8 to10 April next year. The event aims at utilizing Macao’s strength in the region to promote cooperation between China and the international community, particularly European countries, and introduce international environmental technology to local enterprises, to achieve the goal of diversification of development in convention and exhibition as well as the environmental industries. Members of the Macao delegation include Mr. Lee Peng Hong, IPIIM’s President, Ms. Echo Chan, IPIM’s Executive Director, Mr. Sam Lei, Senior Manager of Promotional Activities Department, Ms. Gloria Ung, Senior Manager of External Cooperation Department, Mr. Lou Kuok Keong, Member of Standing Committee of Directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Jennie M.F. Kong, President of MIGOU, Mr. John Ramos, Chairman of Macao Energy Saving Association and Mr. Jeffery S. O. Lok, Executive Director of the Association of Macao Environmental Protection Industry etc.
