“2015 Shenzhen-Macao Economic & Trade Seminar”
The 2015 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair (GMBPF), jointly organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province opens today (30 July) at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre. A series of trade and business discussions, leisure and entertainment activities were held and a total of 113 procurement and business matching sessions were held on the first day of the event. Official opening ceremony was held this morning with officiating guests Mr Leong Vai Tac, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Mr Wu Ken, Deputy Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province , Mr Wang Xindong, Secretary-General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government of the Macao SAR, Mr Guo Tao, Deputy Director-General of General Affairs Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Mr Ma Hua, Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, Mr Ma Iao Lai, President of the Macau Chamber of Commerce, Mr Gao Guohui, Deputy Secretary-General of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, Mr Yang Wenlong, Deputy Mayor of Zhongshan Municipal People’s Government, Mr Wu Guojie, Deputy Mayor of Jiangmen Municipal People’s Government, Mr Li Rifang, Deputy Mayor of Mr Yangjiang Municipal People’s Government and Mr Pan Qiang, Deputy Secretary-General of Maoming Municipal People’s Government. Prior to the official opening ceremony, the officiating guests visited the exhibition venue to have a brief encounter with exhibitors from both Guangdong Province and Macao for exchange of ideas. Fruitful Outcomes Set New Milestone for Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao Mr Jackson Chang, President of IPIM, said at his speech that Guangdong and Macao had always been co-operating closely with one another, and several breakthroughs have been achieved this year which gave rise to a new milestone. The CEPA Agreement between the Mainland and Macau on Achieving Basic Liberalisation of Trade in Services in Guangdong, and the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, successively launched in the first half of this year, would largely boost the development between Guangdong and Macao, promote industrial transformation, upgrading and competitiveness of Guangdong and Macao. If Macao young entrepreneurs and enterprises could seize the historic opportunities of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, “Internet+” and other national development strategies to expand their businesses and to look for better job opportunities, it would then effectively promote Macao’s moderate economic diversification and lay a solid foundation for sustained growth in the future. Mr Wu Ken, Deputy Secretary-General of Guangdong Province said in his speech that in recent years, both regions have endeavoured to deepen and implement the “Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao” and fostered closer economic relationship. New progress has been achieved in various projects. Despite the challenging market conditions, import and export trade between the two regions in the first half of this year hit US1.06 billion representing an increase of 3.3% year-on-year. This reflected enormous potential and ample space for mutual development in bilateral trade and sharing of resources. After years of efforts, GMBPF has, by integrating the convention and exhibition resources of Macao and the manufacturing strengths of Guangdong, earned itself a ‘golden’ reputation as the Fair for trade and economic co-operation for the two regions. GMBPF was also broadly recognized by enterprises, consumers and visitors from near and afar. Promotion Seminar to Deepen Co-operation and Exchange between Shenzhen and Macao To deepen the economic and trade collaboration between Guangdong and Macao, fully utilise the trade co-operation platform set by the GMBPF, as well as introduce the economic and trade developments and Shenzhen’s business co-operation opportunities to the industrial and business sectors of Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs), the Economic, Trade and Information Commission of Shenzhen Municipality oragnised the “Shenzhen-Macao Economic and Trade Seminar 2015” in the Rocks Hotel at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf. At the meeting, Mr Gao Guohui, Deputy Secretary-General of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government and Mr Jackson Chang, President of IPIM gave speeches and they hoped that Shenzhen and Macao will continue to maintain close trade and economic co-operation. Both parties also briefed on the outcome of the trade and economic co-operation between Shenzhen and Macao in recent years and the competitive edges of different industries. Recent economic development of Shenzhen, experience of Mainland-Macao collaboration, as well as trade and economic co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries were also discussed during the meeting. Guangdong Enterprises Make Use of the Macao Trade and Economic Platform to Explore New Markets Every year, a number of Guangdong enterprises will make use of the Macao trade and economic platform to introduce their products to the city or explore overseas markets. A first-time participating enterprise from Zhongshan has used GMBPF as the stepping stone to market fruits nationally recognised as free from substances hazardous to health such as the ‘red meat dragon fruit’, pomegranate and pineapple. As Zhongshan is in proximity with Macao geographically, this enterprise is seeking agents to mutually explore the Macao market through the economic and trade facilitation measures of Guangdong and Macao. Another first-time participant from Shunde district of Guangdong is also confident in the effectiveness of GMBPF, this Shunde enterprise is the sole manufacturer and distributor of a reputable kitchenware brand from the USA. They have brought to GMBPF 500 pieces of their bestselling fresh fruit juice blender to test the market, if favourable results could be achieved, they will consider increasing the number of products to take part in GMBPF again next year, and may also consider opening a store in Macao to help market the products abroad through the economic and trade platform of Macao. The Organiser has recorded 113 procurement and business matching sessions on the first day of GMBPF. Free Admission – Trade Visitors and the General Public are Welcome GMBPF provides business opportunities and entertainment through an array of events and activities, and offers loads of discounted products. The general public, as well as trade visitors, both home and abroad, are invited to make full use of this opportunity. Tomorrow morning, the “Promotion Seminar on the Three Centres for Trade and Economic Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” will be held to foster exchanges and co-operation, and serves as a platform for enterprises on both sides. The entertaining ‘Celebrity Kitchen’ featuring live cooking demonstration and ‘Maria Cordeiro’s Assistant Cook Contest ’ will be held in the afternoon. Maria Cordeiro will appear at GMBPF to meet the public and to demonstrate her cooking skills. To win prizes and obtain more special offers for shopping, all are welcomed to take part in the on-site games and the special campaign “WeChat Shake” . A “3D Celebrity Cooking Pictures Studio” will be set up, an opportunity to shoot and print-for-free a personal picture with 3D images of Maria Cordeiro. Free shuttle bus service will be provided during the GMBPF from 11am to 8pm from 31 July to2 Aug (Fri, Sat, Sun). For details of GMBPF, please call +853-87989636 or visit the website at: www.guangdongmacaofair.com
