“Backing SMEs to Seize Opportunities, Boosting Business Growth and Competitiveness” – “SME International Business Days” to be held during the 14th MIF

The “Macao International Trade and Investment Fair” (MIF) is the largest annual international event in Macao for promoting bilateral trade and investment. In this year’s MIF, we will have more than 200 delegations from 50 countries and regions to participate. Having the regional cooperation advantages, Macao plays a major role as a connection between mainland China, Portuguese speaking countries and international business community through exhibitions, project matching sessions, investment negotiation and proposing cooperation agreements, to achieve the integration of funds, resources, markets and technologies and to promote multi-industrial developments at a greater extend. To encourage SMEs to take full advantage of the business opportunities presented in the MIF international platform, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) will hold the “SME International Business Days” (23/10/2009 – 24/10/2009) during the 14th MIF. IPIM will also make its debut exposure on the New E-Commerce Services Platform, to encourage and assist SMEs in applying e-commerce in their operations. Furthermore, apart from series of county presentations, products and services promotion seminars, matching and enquiry services, franchising pavilion, SME Pavilion will also feature exhibits on creative industries this year. These elements work in line to realize Macau as the regional business tourism, convention and leisure centre, while highlighting the slogan of SME Service Centre – “Take Service as a fundamental and SME as a Priority”. Connecting international business opportunities “SME International Business Days” (SME Day) comprises a number of themed events to assist SMEs to explore business opportunities in the 14th MIF. Organizers of themed events include business associations and institutions from Macao, a number of Chinese provinces and regions, the EU and its member States, Portuguese speaking countries, Latin America and Asia-Pacific Region. The two-day event comprises six components: (1) E-Commerce Services Platform Series; (2) Franchise Business Cooperation; (3) Business Matching Session; (4) Introduction to International Market Opportunities; (5) Macao SME Products/Services Exhibition and (6) Professional Consulting Services. The Highlights – E-Commerce Services Platform and Franchising Business Opportunities To help SMEs explore new business strategies and future development trends of E-Commerce, one of the highlights of the SME Day will be the promotion of E-Commerce Platform for SMEs to open up new business horizons. This includes forums organized by Online E-Business Platform Service Providers, to foster SMEs to apply and utilize e-commerce in the business arena. Another highlight will be franchising business opportunities. Apart from the “Franchise Pavilion” which showcases international brands from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the US, Brazil and other regions, an exchange activity sharing titled “Franchise Experience Sharing Section” will gather experts and entrepreneurs in the franchising field to share on brand development. “Seminars on International Business Opportunities” - Gateway to China and Venturing Abroad This series aims to deliver SMEs the latest information on trade and investment in global markets; on individual industrial sectors and on special incentives. Through the events organized by trade promotion organizations/ consulate offices from various countries and regions, including Henan and Heilongjiang Provinces, Inner Mongolia, Portuguese-speaking countries, Latin America, France, Australia, Vietnam, etc, the series will enhance SMEs’ knowledge about the global industry and investment environment. Business Matching Sessions
Business matching sessions provide opportunities for SMEs to meet with international business delegations with over 1900 potential business projects from different parts of the world (including procurement, supplies, franchising and chain operations and investment projects). This year, there will be themed matching sessions to accommodate for the specific needs of buyers and enterprises searching for partnership opportunities, including the US environmental industry, Australian ICT services, Portuguese-speaking countries, Fujian and Heilongjiang Provinces, international brands, Wine & Gourmet exhibitors, Chinese medicine and equipment enterprises and wine traders, etc. Real-time Professional Consultancy Services
There will be “One-Stop Service” Enquiry on Macau and international markets, Mainland China and Macao legal advisory, CEPA consulting services at the “Buyer’s corner and Business Matching Area”. Concurrently, SME Service Centre Gala Catalogue Show, featuring products and services information from Thailand, Indonesia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Philippines and Malaysia will take place at “Buyer’s corner and Business Matching Area” (Exhibition Centre Hall B). SME Products/Services Promotion
“Macao SME Exhibition”, organized by the Macao Chamber of Commerce and IPIM, will assist Macau SMEs to promote their products and services. With over 140 booths involving industries such as food & grocery, agricultural products, clothing, electronics, tourism, equipment, accessories and environmental protection, “Macao SME Exhibition” located at Exhibition Centre Hall A will be opened from October 22 to October 25. The “Product/Services Pavilion” at the centre of the Exhibition creates the best arena for SMEs to promote their businesses. The Launch of the “SME International Business Days” will be held at 3 pm at Sicily Room of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, held concurrently with “International Trade and Investment Forum 2009”. We cordially invite interested parties to participate. For more details, please visit our website at www.mif.com.mo or contact SME Service Centre (SMEC) enquiry hotline: 2872 8212