To further facilitate the collaboration of products brands from Guangdong and Macao, the "2011 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair", co-organized by Macao Trade and Investment Institute (IPIM) and Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province and facilitated by Macau Fair & Trade Association, will be held from July 28th to 31st at Macao Fisherman's Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre. Focus on Contributions of Convention and Exhibition Business to Service Industries under Cooperation Framework
Continuing the legacy of trade cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, the upcoming Fair reflects the efforts undertaken by IPIM and Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province to implement and strengthen business collaboration between the two regions and is one of the measures to enhance Macao's economic diversification appropriately. Based on the "Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement "signed by its two organizers in March 2009, the Fair has been held in Macao for three consecutive years. To tie in with the "Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Framework Agreement", this year the Fair will further highlight the importance of trade cooperation between Guangdong and Macao and its actual implementation. Building on its success gained from the past two years, the "2011 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair" will foster closer cooperation and exchanges between enterprises from the two territories. Through product displays and promotion, business matching, purchasing negotiations and product recommendations, the event will serve as a platform for branded products and enterprises of the two regions, where product visibility can be enhanced, markets can be opened up and further invigorated through sales on a mutual basis and greater access to overseas and domestic markets can be developed, in order to provide Macao citizens with a broader range of branded products. Guangdong's branded products brought together under the same roof for joint developments The Fair's exhibition area is around 6,000 square metres this year. Work is currently underway in Guangdong and Macao to solicit the participation of potential exhibitors, especially with regard to organizing and coordinating the exhibitors of branded products from the two territories. Active measures have been undertaken by the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province to facilitate participation of branded products and enterprises in the Fair, through mobilizing its network of foreign trade departments in different provinces and cities. As of now, more than 150 enterprises from 20 cities have already registered for participation. Many of them are top-tier brands and enterprises, representing special products, foods, daily-use items, electronic products, handcraft products and others. 43 of these enterprises have been awarded titles including "Well-known Products of China" and "Branded Products of Guangdong Province." 26 trademarks have been awarded the titles of "Famous Trademark in China" and "Guangdong's Famous Brands". To ensure the products showcased in the Fair cater to Macao's market needs as well as its quality and output requirements, efforts are currently made by Guangdong provincial authorities to coordinate and screen the enterprises for participation in this event. Local enterprises eligible to exhibition subsidy As in the past, the "2011 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair" organizers have set up a Subsidy Scheme to encourage participation of enterprises in the event. The Scheme is targeted at eligible exhibitors with Manufactured in Macao, Macao brands and Overseas products with agent in Macao. Eligible enterprises only need to pay HK$2,800, as 60% of the full exhibition fee is covered by the subsidy provided. Recruitment for exhibitors for the Fair will begin tomorrow (June 2) until June 16, with the aim of encouraging Macao enterprises to participate and take advantage of this platform for business development. With limited booths, it is on first come first served basis and is subject to availability. Note:
Products "Manufactured in Macao"
· Products "Manufactured in Macao" and exported from Macao, participating exhibitors have to provide Certificate of Origin issued by Macao Economic Services.
· Products "Manufactured in Macao" and sold in Macao, participating exhibitors have to provide Approval of Industry issued by Macao Economic Services.
Products "Macao brand"
· Products "Macao brand", participating exhibitors have to provide Trademark Registration issued by Macao Economic Services or related supporting document(s). Products "with agent in Macao"
· Participating exhibitors have to provide Agent Authorization of the products or related supporting document(s). Plethora of onsite events held to enrich the Fair's appeal At the "2001 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair", trade activities such as purchasing negotiations sessions, product seminars and business matching will be held. To strengthen business matching between professional business clients and exhibitors, renowned Guangdong emporiums and supermarket groups will be invited to Macao, where purchasing seminars and business matching will be conducted to facilitate exchanges and interfacing between retail/ purchasing enterprises of Guangdong and Macao. In addition, international and domestic chambers of commerce and delegations will be invited to carry out purchasing negotiations to help optimize the functions of Macao's business services platform. Throughout the fair's duration, display panels and exhibitions of selected brands and products will be set up at "city galleries for special products" in the various provinces and cities of Guangdong. Furthermore, discussion seminars will be held and visitors to the Fair will be introduced to the local investment and business environment. Also, recommendations of Macao's branded products will be made to business visitors from various countries. These business clients will be taken to visit the recently-opened "Macao Ideas", a display centre for Macao products, and the promotional platform provided by the Fair will be leveraged on to publicize Macao-made products, Macao brands, Macao-designed products and products of Portuguese-speaking countries distributed by their agents in Macao. In order to attract more local citizens and tourists to the Fair, the organizers will be staging cultural performances, with plans to invite Hong Kong and Macao singers and artistes, along with several arts groups, to entertain visitors. During the Fair period, lucky draw activities will also be held to distribute spending coupons to citizens and tourists, with the view of presenting them with a colorful summer carnival event. For further information on the "2011 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair", please call the event's hotline at 853- 8798 9605 or visit its official website, www.guangdongmacaofair.com.
