The 2016 Macao Franchise Expo (2015MFE) was officially opened yesterday (July 29th), the three-day event is upholding the concept of “Brand Expansion Continues, Business Opportunities To Be Seized”. There were more than 180 brands in the exhibition that attracted over 160 exhibitors from Mainland of China, Portuguese speaking countries, Southeast Asian nations, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and more, among which East Timor and Mozambique are exhibiting for the first time. The expo covers businesses within the food and beverage industry, retail, education, entertainment, finance, real estate, accessories, consulting service, brand agency and so on. The opening ceremony was held at 11 a.m. with officiating guests including: 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; Zhang Jian, Head of International Organisations and Legal Affairs Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; Gustavo Orlandini Schifino, President of Ethic Commission, Brazilian Franchising Association; Jaman Wong, Chairman of Macao Chain Stores and Franchise Association; Vincent Tung, Chairman of Council Board of Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association; Wilson Lee, Chairman of Licensing and Franchising Association of Hong Kong; Richard Li, Chairman of Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan; Maria Cristina Matos, General Manager of Portuguese Franchise Association; Donna Lee, Chairman of Franchising & Licensing Association, Singapore; Amelia Wang, Member of Franchise Committee of China Chain Store & Franchise Association and Kang Chung Chan, Manager in Policy & Planning Team. After the opening ceremony, Leong Vai Tac, the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR and other officiating guests, toured the venue and spoke to exhibitors. MFE grows in size every year Mr. Jackson Chang expressed in his speech that since it was launched in 2009, MFE has seen a number of enhancements, namely in terms of the content and size of the event. It has become more international, and with greater participation of local enterprises. With the slogan “Brand Expansion Continues, Business Opportunities To Be Seized” this year, MFE aims to become a mega event providing exhibitions, forums, business-matching sessions and promotional seminars and play a positive role in various patterns of business co-operation, such as franchising and brand agency. It has been instrumental in promoting economic growth and the development of moderate economic diversification in Macao. MFE Puts “IPIM Online Business Matching Service Platform” on Trial This exhibition promoted the self-matching service through “IPIM Online Business Matching service Platform” for the first time and encouraged exhibitors, enterprises and purchasing agents to register as well as taking part in communications and matching on the “Online Business Matching service Platform”. With the system, about 145 self-service pre-matching sessions were scheduled and will take place during the three exhibition days. On the first day, there were 55 successful matching sessions in the business matching area. Besides, according to figures from the organiser, 1,052 business negotiation sessions will be conducted for specially invited trade visitors over the three days. Contracts for 18 projects were signed on the first day of the event and they included co-operation between chambers of commerce and associations; chain and franchising projects in the food and beverage industry; brand agency services for the marketing of branded products, brand franchising and more. Signing parties included participants from Macao, Mainland China, America, South Korea and others. Expanding Businesses Modes through Diversified Activities A series of Products Promotion Seminars and Sharing Sessions will be held today (30th), which includes “Investment Opportunities in Malaysia”, “Taiwan Quality Brands Presentation”, “Stories of 12 Birthstones”, “Sharing by Mr. Robert Chua: From TV production to the F&B industry”, “Products Presentation by OTOP Taiwan On Top”, “Brand Packaging Design Seminar – “Legal Introduction on the Protection and Limitation of Copyright” & “Packaging Design and Image Analysis of Taiwan Most Popular Souvenirs”. All merchants and citizens are warmly welcome to participate. 2016 MFE open to the Public today and tomorrow The event is open to the public today and tomorrow (30th and 31st) so residents can visit and understand the services and products offered by different chain-store brands. A free shuttle bus service will be operated on 6 routes between the city centre and the MFE venue. The bus service will run from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00.p.m. in the city centre and 11:00.a.m. to 8:30.p.m. at the Venetian. Complimentary parking at the MFE venue and Venetian Hotel Hall D & E will also be available to visitors with entry tickets but parking spaces are limited. For more information about 2016MFE, please visit the official website: http://www.mfe.mo or Tel: 853-82946777.
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