Numerous overseas exhibitors were attracted to The Macao International Environmental Co-operation Exhibition and Forum (MIECF) each year, with 2010 no exception. Exhibitors affirmed the potential of development in Macao and seized the opportunity to come and promote their brands, hoping to increase contact with the market and explore the flourishing business opportunity in this emerging Asian city. Located in the vicinity of the entrance, the noticeable European Pavilion has been established this year to showcase environmental products and services of various countries of the European Union. Corporations and institutions of countries like Germany, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, Belgium and France have come and set up booths in the Pavilion. Graham Cottingham, representative of AirconMiser Limited, a British manufacturer specifies in air-conditioning energy saving system, expressed the intention of opening up the Macao market through this exhibition, “After operating business in Hong Kong for some years, we decided to participate in MIECF 2010 through channels like British Consulate-General Hong Kong and European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. Despite the vicinity of Macao and Hong Kong, it will be difficult for us to enter the Macao market if we restrict our market activities in Hong Kong alone. Hence we made effort to partake the exhibition this year.” The international exhibition veteran highlighted that Macao enjoys the benefits of comprehensive transportation and facilities without the pressure and tension in Hong Kong. Such atmosphere enables him to remain relaxed while at work. “Although we usually witness a larger crowd in exhibitions of Hong Kong, the high pedestrian flow often limits our time to communicate with each interviewee. I might have to deal with enquiries from another interested buyer before giving the interviewee a full understanding of our products. I ended up spending loads of time in answering questions, yet only a few of them can really understand our services. One major highlight of Macao exhibition is that fellow merchants are allowed more time for understanding our exhibits, while I am able to recognize their needs in a more interactive manner.” said Cottingham. Api Aduit Limtied is another participating European institution which offers quality control and consulting services. Booth manager Gabriel Amouyal believed that the numerous multi-national corporations stationing in Macao, especially those in the hospitality and entertainment industry, would find their assessment and consultation services concerning carbon emission and corporate environmental responsibility valuable. “Our services focus not only on the management of production line. For example, the operation of procurement in a hotel also involved environmental issues. It is our desire to explore the market of related corporations.” Furthermore, he stressed that the gathering of representatives from various regions in the European Pavilion enables him to maintain business partnership with EU corporations while tapping into the Asian market at the same time. Some of the booths are taken care of by the corresponding Consulate-General and they all believed that they were able to further promote the green image of their country in Asia by partaking in MIECF. Ms. Mensick of the Netherlands Pavilion stated, “We hope to enlighten more Asians about the environmental endeavors of the Netherlands. I believe that more people will get to know our country through the exhibition this year, meeting our original expectations.”
