Lusophone products to be showcased in China after MIF

The 19th Macau International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), which kicks off tomorrow at The Venetian Macao, will be focusing on encouraging closer business ties between China and Portuguese-
speaking countries.  However, the MIF’s Organizing Committee coordinator, Ms Irene Lau, recalled that MIF will just act “as a platform, while products from these countries will be brought and showcased in mainland China in the coming year.”
In a press conference held yesterday, Irene Lau, who is also executive director of the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), revealed that this year’s budget has seen a four percent increase to MOP36 million, due to an increase in the number of participants from Portuguese-speaking nations and Asia-Pacific countries.
She recalled that MIF, which is held begins tomorrow and ends on Sunday, has seen exponential growth since its inception and now comprises 1,000 new exhibitors – a number she said is similar to last year. One of MIF’s highlights is the debut of a special pavilion showcasing food and beverage related products from the Portuguese-speaking countries.  This will be integrated into the Portuguese-speaking Countries Enterprises Exhibition Zone, with a floor area of 1,500 square meters.
Irene Lau said that IPIM is hoping that Portuguese-speaking countries and China are able to reinforce their business ties.
In addition to this, executive director of IPIM, Ms Echo Chan, stressed that the MIF has the highest number of exhibitors from the Portuguese-speaking countries this year, including Angola (50), Brazil (50), Guinea Bissau (5), Portugal (138) and a few from East Timor as well. Over 260 lusophone participants are due to attend the event.
Ms Yang Hong, director of Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Division at the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, confirmed that they will be organizing a roundtable between representatives from Macau, China and the Portuguese-speaking countries during the fair. She added that Beijing and Macau are culturally close, and have “a bright future of cooperation ahead.”
The president of the Portugal-China Young Entrepreneurs Association (AJEPC), Alberto Carvalho Neto, said in yesterday’s press conference that the relationship between Macau, China and the Portuguese-speaking countries has seen great development. He believes that Portugal sees Macau as a doorstep into mainland China’s business world, while China also regards the Portuguese-speaking countries as a source of good business opportunities. He recalled that each year the MIF has allowed these countries to further business ties, which has resulted in concrete examples of cooperation which have involved export and import opportunities.
A section featuring electronic technology products from Shenzhen is another highlight this year, as revealed by MIF’s Organizing Committee. As the hi-tech industry has become one of the pillars of Shenzen’s development, the Economic, Trade and Information Commission of Shenzhen Municipality is leading a delegation representing Shenzhen IT enterprises at the MIF.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is also on the agenda, as there will be a section fully dedicated to addressing how modern technology has been gradually applied in research into Chinese Medicine. In order to promote the Traditional Chinese Medicine among foreign countries, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau will be joining forces to organize a TCM Exhibition Zone in this year’s MIF.
A Macao Creative Pavilion has also been organized for this year’s fair – a project launched by the Cultural Affairs Bureau. Mr Ho Ka Weng, a representative of IC’s Cultural and Creative Industries Department, said yesterday that enterprises from Macau’s music industry will be attending the event. Therefore, the pavilion will aim to showcase Macau’s original music and various audio services available. The IC has invited 14 cultural and creative entities which have been selected among the Database for Cultural and Creative Industries.
“The IC is hoping to provide a platform for promoting the development of Macau’s music industry,” he stressed.
The fair features over 1,900 exhibition booths, covering 30,000 square meters. Participants come from over 50 countries and regions, including Indonesia and Peru. Until now, some of these countries have never been represented at the conference.  Over 142 Macau enterprises have registered to attend the fair.
MIF includes a Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Exhibition and Trading Zone, where the general public will be able to find and purchase products.
A set of seminars and conferences will also be held throughout the fair. Tomorrow afternoon, the International Trade and Investment Forum will take place. The MIF’s Organizing Committee said more international guests will be attending the forum, namely from China, Peru, Angola, Guinea Bissau and Portugal. They will be discussing regional cooperation and development. Furthermore, more than 1,000 Macau businessmen will attend the World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs.
Business matching activities have also been on the agenda of different Chinese provinces, which are looking to build a closer relationship with Portuguese-speaking countries.
The MIF will feature a “SMEs International Business Day,” in which enterprises are encouraged to study and explore different markets and a different set of clients.
The Organizing Committee revealed that so far MIF has received over 2,857 business-
matching requests, covering 1,355 investment cooperation projects.
MIF is organized by IPIM and supported by the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies, as well as by different offices within the Macau government. The fair will be held between tomorrow and Sunday (October 26).