Branded Products Fair to open as exhibitor count hits 18-year high

The annual Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair (GMBPF) will open Thursday with a record number of exhibitors for the past 18 years and a sharp focus on the silver economy, healthy living and cross-border trade. This year, organizers have expanded the event to include smart eldercare, halal certification and new business-matching opportunities across Macau, Guangdong and Belt and Road Initiative markets.

The 2026 GMBPF will run from Aug. 6 to 9 at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo Hall A. It will cover nearly 13,000 square meters and feature more than 10,000 products, alongside forums, business-matching sessions, performances and workshops over four days.

Trade and public days

The first day, Aug. 6, will be reserved for trade visitors, with business-matching sessions and themed forums focused on smart home care, healthy living and elderly-friendly tourism. A cross-border eldercare forum will also be held in Hengqin as part of the event’s multi-venue format.

From Aug. 7 to 9, the public can attend free of charge. Organizers said the program will include health workshops, interactive demonstrations, cultural performances and prize drawings, with more than 100,000 gifts worth over MOP2 million on offer. A single purchase of MOP300 or more will qualify visitors for rewards.

At a news conference Tuesday, organizers said 459 exhibitors will take part, up 10% from last year and the highest number in the fair’s history. Nearly half are first-time exhibitors, reflecting a broader mix of companies from Macau, Guangdong and Belt and Road Initiative markets, including 177 Macau exhibitors, 176 Guangdong companies and 106 firms from Belt and Road Initiative countries and regions.

Trade ties widen

During the news conference at the Venetian’s Cotai Expo, Acting IPIM President Sam Lei said the event is designed to highlight emerging opportunities in the silver economy and healthy living while also strengthening trade ties among Guangdong, Macau and overseas partners. “Over the years, it has served as a key springboard for ‘Macao Brand,’ ‘Made in Macao’ and ‘Macao Design’ products, as well as ‘Products with Macao Agents’ from local and Portuguese-speaking markets,” Lei said.

Lei added that the fair has gradually become a gateway for Guangdong and mainland Chinese companies seeking to expand overseas. He also said halal certification will be used as a bridge to deepen Belt and Road Initiative trade ties this year.

This year’s GMBPF will again include a Belt and Road Products Zone, with Pakistan joining Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, bringing the number of participating countries to six.

“Notably, the number of halal-certified exhibitors has more than doubled compared with last year,” Lei said, adding that a “newly introduced halal product matching session” is designed to help Macau businesses reach overseas halal markets.

Silver economy focus

Tony Lam, the event’s coordinator, said, “This year’s fair is dedicated to the silver economy and healthy living.” He said exhibitors will present products ranging from AI health-assessment devices to traditional health products designed for different consumer groups.

One of the fair’s main attractions is the Smart Senior Wellness Experience Pavilion, which will feature age-friendly home environments and free trials of assistive technologies, including AI companion robots and noninvasive blood glucose testing. Organizers said the aim is to combine technology, daily living and eldercare services in a single exhibition space.

During a media tour, Guangdong Elderly-Care Services Association Vice President Zhong Shixiong told reporters that he sees growing opportunities for cooperation with Macau to bring more home-care and rehabilitation products to the market.

“As the needs of older people grow, we want to provide more convenient home-based care equipment, rehabilitation aids and smart tools,” Zhong said, adding that businesses are also focusing on safer living environments and artificial intelligence.

Zhong also said more companies are seeking to establish operations in Macau and Hengqin.

Food zones and event access

The fair will also place greater emphasis on food and consumer goods. Organizers said an upgraded gourmet tasting zone will feature live cooking, tastings and product launches, while the Macau section will display local and Portuguese-language products. The Guangdong zone will focus on consumer goods with broad appeal and competitive pricing.

The overseas section includes exhibitors from Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and, for the first time, Pakistan. Organizers said the international lineup highlights the fair’s growing role as a regional platform for trade and cooperation.

To make the event more accessible to older visitors, free shuttle buses will run between the Macau peninsula and Taipa. The venue will also provide priority lanes, rest areas, wheelchairs, walking aids, magnifying glasses, charging stations and delivery services for purchased items.