Newly added Indonesia Exhibition & Sales Area captures visitors’ attention.
Jointly organised by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, the Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2016 (GMBPF) kicked off today (29th) at the Cotai Expo Hall B, Venetian Macao Resort Hotel for three consecutive days. The economic and trade co-operation between Guangdong and Macao has brought mutually-complementary advantages into full play and significantly boosted the economic development of the two regions. This year, GMBPF has incorporated many new elements, with a total of 357 booths, and is being held concurrently with the Macao Franchise Expo 2016 (MFE. The two events are expected to bring a greater result by providing a variety of product options and entertainment activities to merchants and consumers, as well as the opportunities to explore new markets. On the first day of the event, a number of business matching sessions were conducted at the Guangdong-Macao Branded Products Exhibition & Sales Area, involving enterprises from Macao, Jieyang, Huizhou and Maoming of Guangdong, and Indonesia. Officiating guests at the solemn but simple opening ceremony with ribbon cutting included He Zhongyou, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Leong Vai Tac, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Zhu Hong, Deputy Head of Economic Department of Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Yang Shijun, 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, Zheng Jianrong, Director of Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Liao Jingshan, Director General of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province of People’s Republic of China, Ma Iao Lai, President of Macau Chamber of Commerce, Ma Hua, Deputy Director of Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, Zhu Yuwang, Deputy Mayor of Shaoguan Municipal People’s Government, Li Xianmao, Deputy Mayor of Shanwei Municipal People’s Government, Yang Wenlong, Deputy Mayor of Zhong Shan Municipal People’s Government, Xu Xiaoxiong, Deputy Mayor of Jiangmen Municipal People’s Government, Natan Kambuno, Trade Consul of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, Si Tou Tek Lam, Vice President of Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau, Irene Va Kuan Lau, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. Following the ceremony, the guests also visited the exhibition areas and spoke to exhibitors from Guangdong, Macao and Indonesia. Co-operation and complementary advantages between Guangdong and Macao facilitate economic and trade development of two regions As noted by He Zhongyou, under the leadership of the Central People's Government, both Guangdong and Macao have implemented the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement to a deeper level and wider area of co-operation, which greatly promoted the economic development and improved people’s livelihood of the two regions. Despite the slowdown in foreign trade in Guangdong and economic adjustment in Macao last year, the total volume of import and export trade between Guangdong and Macao saw a 3.2% growth against the trend, the number of Macao’s direct investment projects in Guangdong registered an increase of 65.3% year-on-year, contract value of foreign investments increased 58.6%, and actual value of foreign investments increased 99.3%. All these figures indicate the complementary benefits and wider space for economic and trade co-operation between Guangdong and Macao. Leong Vai Tac remarked that the MICE industry, as one of the key industries to help Macao achieve a moderate, diversified economic development, is also one of the important areas in co-operation between Guangdong and Macao. The GMBPF, as an annual event promoting economic and trade collaboration between Guangdong and Macao, has, since its first year in 2009, adhered to the branding and specialist principle to grow with the times, attracting a total of 870,000 visitors in the last seven years and introducing a number of Guangdong and Macao products to Macao residents and tourists. This year, the GMBPF has included many new elements, e.g. the Indonesia Products Exhibition & Sales Area and Guangdong & Macao’s Vintage Shopping Street. As the GMBPF is being held concurrently with the MFE at the same place, it is believed that this can help attract more visitors and magnify its impact. Special forums to promote Macao characteristics finance and economic development Held concurrently was also the Macao Characteristics Finance and Economic Forum, jointly organised by the Guangdong and Macao Federation of Industry and Commerce and Entrepreneur Capital Management Association of Guangdong Province. At the forum, keynote speakers introduced the current financial structure and changes, and the advantages, development status and trend of financial leasing in China, discussed how to integrate Macao’s advantages to develop a characteristic financial industry with the support of financial leasing. A plaque presentation ceremony was held at the forum, confirming that 22 city enterprises are to be act as the contact agent of their respective cities for business and communication between Guangdong and Macao and also be responsible for liaising with the business circles of the two regions and strengthening communication, exchanges and reciprocation between enterprises from the two places. Fascinating programmes and multitude of products await your participation! Let’s meet at the Guangdong & Macao’s Vintage Shopping Street tomorrow and Sunday to explore a variety of fascinating programmes, such as Portrait Sketching, Sugar Painting, Crosstalk, Shaolin Kung Fu, Retro Party and Games with Prizes. Furthermore, Maria Cordero’s Nostalgic Cuisine Showtime and a number of featured product promotion activities will be staged at the event. Don’t miss the chance to grab the quality Guangdong, Macao and Indonesia products at discounted prices and tens of thousands of gifts at this wonderful shopping gala! Free shuttle bus service is also available during the GMBPF, with six bus routes. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both 30 July (Saturday) and 31 July (Sunday). For more programme information, please call (853) 8798 9636 or visit the website of GMBPF: www.guangdongmacaofair.com.
