Macao International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition 2011 (MIECF2011) came to a successful conclusion today (April 2). Business community, organizations as well as government representatives unanimously agree that this year´s MIECF will be instrumental in promoting multi-lateral exchanges. “We have actively participated in every year´s MIECF. This year, apart from setting-up a booth to showcase Germany´s current market situation for environmental products to Macao and even Greater China´s participants, there are also several speakers from Germany present at the MIECF to share their experience with the audience regarding Germany and other countries´ contribution to energy efficiency and emission reduction. We very much cherish this opportunity, in particular because, as in the past, there are many participants from Mainland China”, said Mr. Wolfgang Ehmann, Executive Director of German Chamber of Industry and Commerce. He further pointed out that entrance into the Greater China market could not happen overnight and said that foreign enterprises should seek exposure opportunities to promote their brands and advantages. In fact, this year, there are more German exhibitors than in the past editions of the MIECF, and the German Zone is located in a prominent area of the venue. According to Italy´s representative, Mr. Roberto Francieri, MIECF gives an important opportunity for a German entity to expand abroad and to grab the opportunity to better understand the characteristics of the Chinese market. He gave the following example: “One of the environment issues that we are particularly concerned with at home is solid waste, however, I found that here, most of the discussions are focused on energy. In addition, there are representatives from different provinces and municipalities present at the MIECF, and this enables us to get a broader vision. Immediately after arriving in Macao, I would probably not be aware that everybody could be concerned about energy issues. However, from what I saw from different pavilions, many provinces and municipalities attach great importance to energy saving technology. He said that would be impossible for a person to know what is happening and keep posted on the current situation just from imagination, as the only effective way is to see for themselves. With regards to his company´s debut participation in the MIECF, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ´sales manager Mr. Yoshitaka Keneko said that Mitsubishi is at present building the light rail in Macao, and therefore hopes to avail of this opportunity to promote Mutsuhibi Heavy Industries ´s non-rail projects during the MIECF, such as power generation and renewable energy technologies. “We regard China as our most important market, and here we can meet a lot of people from Mainland China. Also, visitors from the Mainland could also acquire a better knowledge about our company´s technology and products. Ms. Tang Caihe, sales representative of Zhuhai h&m Lighting Co., Ltd., said that she considers MIECF an ideal promotion platform: “Compared with other exhibitions in the mainland, MIECF, apart from having the opportunity to contact potential domestic buyers, we can also meet buyers from the Macao, Hong Kong and even overseas buyers. Given that the event is held in a prestigious hotel, gives the customer an even better feeling. After exchange with different participants, she got a better understanding of her company´s advantages and where its attraction lies, and said that from the experience of the 2011MIECF, her company could more appropriately adjust its marketing strategy to attract more trade opportunities. In addition to the business community, several government representatives from different countries and regions also participated in the MIECF. Principal Assistant Secretary, Hong Kong Government Environment Bureau, Mr. Yik Pui In said that many companies interested to invest in Hong Kong approached their booth to understand the Hong Kong government´s environmental policy and asked the names of the bureaus to contact. He disclosed that many visitors specifically visited their booth to learn about Hong Kong´s achievements in environmental protection. Mr.Yik also believes that the MIECF is a valuable platform, “in addition to the promotion exercise, we have participated in many sessions of the forum, to learn about other countries´ development in environmental protection and emission reduction. Such interactive exchange is very fruitful”, he added.
