67 contracts signed in MIF, PLPEX

Sixty-seven agreements were signed at the 22nd Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) and the inaugural 2017 Portuguese- Speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition (Macau) (PLPEX), both of which ended on Saturday.

The agreements covered co- operation between governments and associations, as well as collaborations involving the sectors of agriculture, tourism, sport, education and product manufacturing.

According to a statement issued by the organizer, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), the pre-arranged on-site buyers conducted a total of 389 matching sessions in the Business Matching Area.

The two concurrent events, held over the course of three days, conducted a total of 45 activities including forums, seminars and presentations.

The forums and activities held at the events included the “Angola, Guangdong and Macau Trade and Investment Forum”, “Cambodia Trade, Investment & Tourism Development Forum”, “The 7th Jiangsu –
Macau – Portuguese-Speaking Countries Business Forum” and “Fujian, Macau and Portuguese- Speaking Countries Economic Exchange Networking Session.”

The “14th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs”, “Lecture: How to Assist Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Products enter the Chinese Market” and “China and Portuguese Speaking Countries SMEs Investment and Trade Matchmaking Event” were also held.

The aim of the activities was to promote business, trade networking and collaboration between China and Portuguese- speaking countries, as well as idea exchange and communication between all parties.

IPIM stated that the sessions assisted the enterprises in “going global” and exploring markets in countries and regions along the Belt and Road, increased multi-lateral economic and trade flow, and provided local enterprises and young people with more opportunities for co-operation and development.

IPIM also stated that Sheng, an exhibitor from Jiangsu participating in MIF for the first time, has signed a co-operation intent with a bank in the region.

Sheng stated that Macau has certain advantages that enable it to position itself as a Sino- Portuguese platform, aiding mainland Chinese enterprises in entering the markets of Portuguese-speaking countries and increasing international exposure.

Having built a factory in Brazil after 2010, the exhibitor said that they have encountered different problems in terms of the legal environment, tax policies, labor environment, public safety, culture and customs when exploring markets in Belt and Road regions.

He observed that the city enjoys advantages in term of bilingual specialists in the Chinese and Portuguese languages, human and cultural exchanges and financial resources, which can help enterprises adapt more quickly to the Portuguese-speaking countries’ markets.

This year, MIG invited Angola and Guangdong as its “Partner Country” and “Partner Province” respectively, and set up thematic pavilions.

Enterprises from over 50 countries and regions participated in MIF, with more than 1,500 booths. Meanwhile, PLPEX attracted over 210 participating enterprises and institutes.