21 Portuguese companies to attend PLPEX, MIF

A delegation comprising representatives from 21 Portuguese companies will attend the “2017 Portuguese Speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition (Macau) – 2017 PLPEX” at the 22nd Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) beginning today.

Participation in PLPEX by these companies is co-funded by the Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement – a plan that uses European funds to help boost economic growth in Portugal.

According to a joint statement, participating companies are seeking to promote their brands and identify new business opportunities, while also looking for strategic partnerships to facilitate entry into the Chinese market.

The Portuguese companies taking part in the 2017 PLPEX represent a wide range of industries, including construction, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, communication, and education.

“Dermoteca,” a cosmetic dermatology business, is taking part in PLPEX for the first time this year.

Cristina Varandas, a representative of the firm, expressed the belief that participation in the event will give the company a better understanding of the local market, adding that coming to Macau is also appealing since the city is known as an “excellent gateway” into the mainland Chinese market.

“Install Expert,” a services provider to the construction industry, said that it is eager to participate in the event, and comes to Macau with existing “business prospects.”

The company’s representative, Sílvia Caetano, noted that the region “is still expanding in terms of construction, having some room for new sustainable solutions.”

Another company, “Puris”, represents products from different brands of dietary supplements, and is also keen to enter the Chinese market.

The Chinese market is also enticing for “Estúdio Didáctico,” which aims to promote a technology called the Ting Pen as an instrument for learning foreign languages.

“For the Chinese market, and at the moment focusing on Macau, the purpose is to introduce our product to the general public and private schools, and we also have the ambition of finding a local retail partner who could sell our product directly to clients,” stated Jorge Barbosa, the company’s representative.

Logistics and transport firm “Intertráfego” is returning to Macau to take part in PLPEX, after participating in last year’s edition of MIF.

“It’s a very special event that facilitates networking. Portuguese and other European companies want to sell in China and, simultaneously, Chinese entrepreneurs want to sell in Europe. We’re certain that the Chinese market is a wining bet,” said Intertráfego representative Guilherme Marques.

Until last year, PLPEX was organised as part of MIF, an event which plays a pivotal role in promoting the region as a trade and economic service platform between China and Portuguese-
speaking countries.

The 2017 PLPEX will take place over an area of more than 3,000 square metres, with more than 210 companies and organisations registered to attend this year’s event.

The 22nd edition of the concurrent event, MIF, will be held on an area of 27,000 square metres, with a total of 1,500 exhibitors.

This year’s MIF has attracted the participation of delegations from over 50 countries and regions, including 1,000 companies and other organisations.