Networking sessions during the event.
With the objective of helping local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) develop a bigger and wider customer network, a procurement networking and exchange meeting between exhibitors and local buyers, namely “Business Gathering at Macao Ideas”, was organised by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) at 3 pm on 9 October, at IPIM’s Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC). The event aimed to promote “Made in Macao” products, “Macao Brands”, “Macao Designs” and “Food products from Portuguese-speaking Countries with distribution channels in Macao” to local enterprises, and establish a platform for procurement negotiations. IPIM’s President Jackson Chang attended the event and delivered a welcome speech. According to Mr. Chang, the Macao SAR Government established “Macao Ideas” – the Macao products display centre in May 2011 and entrusted its management to IPIM. The objective of “Macao Ideas” is to create brand awareness for local products, and serves as a platform specialised in the promotion of “Made in Macao” products, “Macao Brands”, “Macao Designs” and “Food products from Portuguese-speaking Countries with distribution channels in Macao”. Since its inception, “Macao Ideas” has displayed nearly 2,000 items from more than 200 local enterprises and received approximately 70,000 visitors. Over the past four years, many local enterprises have seized new business opportunities after showcasing their products at “Macao Ideas”, and expanded their scope of business. For example, a souvenir manufacturer received more purchase orders; a Portuguese pastry maker entered into long-term contract as supplier of several food souvenir shops; a design and manufacturer of leather goods enjoyed increase in business turnover and brand awareness for its products after showcasing their products in “Macao Ideas”. Furthermore, thanks to the publicity and promotion by “Macao Ideas”, local enterprises have become more aware of intellectual property rights protection, as a result, a larger number of trade mark and patent registrations were received by the responsible authorities. Mr. Chang said that he hoped that this event would help strengthen commercial exchange and co-operation between enterprises, and that “Macao Ideas” exhibitors and buyers could work more closely to jointly explore business opportunities. A total of 29 “Macao ideas” exhibitors participated in the gathering and displayed their specialty products, which included food and beverages, cultural and creative products, arts and crafts, daily necessities, table wine, garments, jewellery, and environmentally friendly products. Representatives of over 160 local enterprises, coming from Macao´s major catering groups, hotels, trading companies, banks and SME´s from different sectors participated in this procurement event. Food and beverage companies whose products are displayed at “Macao Ideas”, provided coffee and Macao specialty food for the participants.
