Large number of visitors at the MIF venue
The “SME International Business Days Opening Ceremony, Cocktail Reception and Protocol Signing Ceremony” was held on the second day of the 20th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF). By providing a SME Service Counter and consultation service on opening new business, the event aimed to provide SMEs and business starters a platform to equip themselves by upgrading and transforming their operational models and explore business opportunities. MIF is opened to the public for three consecutive days starting from 23 October. Several activities with special characteristics attracted a large number of visitors. On the second day, several high-level forums and promotional seminars and presentations were held, active networking was noticed all over the venue. Approximately 283 business matching sessions were held, contributing to the signing of 26 agreements at the venue. Series of activities at International Business Days to support SMEs Being one of the key activities of the MIF, the SME International Business Days continues to encourage the participation of a greater number of enterprises and business starters, and introduced various services such as the Service Counter for SMEs, business promotion consultation, information on business start-up, SMEs business operation and transformation, as well as seminars for youth entrepreneurs. Several business consultants, branding experts, business management professionals from the four territories across the Strait of Taiwan were invited to provide free of charge personalized “one-to-one” consultation service to analyse the condition of the business, to help them to solve the difficulties that they encounter during their day-to-day operations. Several seminars were held specifically to help SMEs business transformation, including the “Seminar on SMEs and Leveraging Business Capacity – Transform and Leverage your Business to Grasp Opportunities”, where experts from different business sectors shared their knowledge and experience on SMEs transformation and upgrading. Promoting Macao’s Role as the Business and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries To promote the development of Macao as a Business and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, several business negotiation and matching sessions as well as promotional seminars were held between different Mainland provinces and municipalities and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. The activities included the 5th Jiangsu–MacaoPortuguese-Speaking Countries Business Forum and the BeijingMacaoPortuguese-Speaking Countries Matchmaking Symposium for Co-operation Projects, with active discussions on exploring business opportunities. During the Presentation of One Platform, Three Centres and Business Luncheon of the Portuguese-Speaking Countries, as well as the Presentation on the “Three Centres” and “Economic & Trade Co-operation and Human Resources Portal between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries”, the functions of the “Three Centres” and the Portal were elaborated. The Latin American Forum: Extension to One Belt One Road – How the Ancient Maritime Silk Road can foster China-Latin America Ties for Promoting the Economic Integration of Asia and Latin America and the Cultural Exchange of the Two Regions, analysed the opportunities and challenges facing the “One Belt, One Road” initiative from different perspectives. The Forum of Exchange in Achievement of World Chinese Youth Entrepreneurs explored opportunities for young business starters and some outstanding youth shared their experience with the audience. 283 Business Matching Sessions were held on the 2nd day of the MIF Approximately 283 business matching sessions were held, with the participation of professional buyers. Also, 26 co-operation agreements were signed at the Protocol Signing Centre, related to co-operation between chambers of commerce, development of cross-border E-commerce platform, marketing and agent of products, involving healthcare products, cosmetics, building materials, baby products, energy-saving products, sanitary goods and flooring. Public Open Days Attracted Many Local Visitors to Shop at MIF On the first day of the public open day, a large number of local residents visited the MIF. At the Macao SMEs Exhibition Zone and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries SME Pavilion, the flow of visitors was particularly intense. Activities to be held on 24 October include: the International Forum on Development of Chinese Medicine (Macao), 2015 Macao Traditional Chinese Medicine Forum, the 12th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs as well as the Cultural and Creative Industry Networking Meeting. In support of green travel, free shuttle bus service is available, with stops at Avenida Marginal do Hipódromo (near OCBC Wing Hang Bank), Avenida do Dr. Mário Soares (near Macau Square) and Avenida Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida (near Pak Vai bus stop); and in Taipa, at Avenida do Guimarães (Central Park, Nova Park). Drivers may consider parking their cars at the public car park of Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel or park at Central Park and then take the shuttle bus to the venue.
