Macao Franchise Expo 2010 (2010 MFE) has been held commenced at Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Center on 8th July. The officiating guests of honor Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR and other officiating guests host the simple and grand opening lighting ceremony at 11a.m. The guests hold the golden ribbon which symbolizes chain operators, with “2010 MFE” marked on the colorful ceremony lighting pillar, a golden flashing ribbon has been exhibited. It implies that Macau Franchise and chain operators have gone a step further connecting with each other and explore the market under the support of Macao government. It also matches with the theme “Brand expansion continues… Business opportunities to be seized”. This has made a prologue for 2010MFE for consecutive 3 days. Apart from Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, the other officiating guests include Mr. Lu Shumin, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao S.A.R., Mr. Zhou Zhi Kui, Director General of Economic Affairs Department of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Hoi Sai Un, President of Macao Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Tai Kin Ip, Deputy Director of Macao Economic Services, Ms. Susan Su, Director of Franchise & Entrepreneur Department, China Chain Store & Franchise Association, Mr. Scott Lehr, Vice President of U.S. & International Development, International Franchise Association (IFA), Mr. Hsu Hsiang-hung, Chairman of Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Mr. Wilson Lee, President of Licensing & Franchising Association of Hong Kong, Ms. Terry Sio, President of Macao International Brand, and Mr. Jaman Wong, Chairman of Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association. In the opening ceremony, Mr. Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute has stated on his speech that the theme of this year’s MFE is “Brand Expansion Continues…Business Opportunities to be Seized”, it is a much larger operation with more varied contents. The number of participating exhibitors, exhibition booths and total area has increased by 60%, 140% and 100% respectively. The 123 participating enterprises come from Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, the Mainland, Malaysia, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan and the US, involving sectors including food and beverage, retail, marketing planning as well as education. Currently, the number of co-operation projects collected by the organizer has increased by 40% when compared to the previous year and the arranged business-matching sessions have been made to assist investors, franchisors and exhibitors to identify targeted business partners and also take the opportunity to conduct direct negotiations. The organizer has also invited leaders of business associations from various industries and senior management of internationally renowned brands to share the reasons for their success and conduct interactive exchanges during the Forum on International Franchise Business Opportunities. In additional, before the opening ceremony, the officiating guests, Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR and Mr. Lu Shumin, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao S.A.R have accompanied with Mr.. Jackson Chang, President of IPIM, Ms. Echo Chan and Mrs. Irene Lau, Executive Directors of IPIM, the organizers and co-organizers to do the site inspection. The guests firstly go up to the 4th floor of Macao Franchise and Chain Section to taste the Taiwanese drinks, experience delicious food and atmosphere. After then they visited the professional seminars of the site, MFE squares and the most attractive section of this MFE, the premium booth area to experience the gorgeous design and display from different premium booths, and also communicate and exchange with the people in charge of the booths in order to learn about their comments towards MFE and franchise business. Later on they went to the 2nd Floor and visited the booths from Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan exhibitors. 2010 MFE is organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Brazilian Franchise Association, Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association, Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association and Licensing and Franchising Association, International Franchise Association and Japan Association, and coordinated by the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao. After the opening of 2010 MFE, there will be all together 3 consecutive days for exhibitions, it cooperates with the business matching activities, including Forum on International Franchise Business Opportunities, business matching, professional seminars and presentations etc. The first day of the exhibition is for registered professional visitors, 9th to 10th July opens to the public, everyone is welcome to participate and admission is free. Should you have any enquiry, please contact the MFE Secretariat at Tel: 6212 8811 or refer to our website: www.mfe.mo .