Macau’s pavilions at CIIE see 1,200 business matches

Macau’s two pavilions at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai generated around 1,200 business matchmaking sessions, drawing strong interest from global merchants, according to the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM).

From November 5 to 10, IPIM presented the “Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries Food and Beverage Pavilion” and the “Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries Professional Services Pavilion,” where a total of 43 small- and medium-sized Macau enterprises showcased over 630 specialty products and services from Macau and Portuguese-speaking countries.

According to IPIM, the “First Store Economy Scheme,” supporting Macau’s emerging retail market, received more than 100 inquiries. Applications for the first phase of this scheme, supporting the development of Macau’s first-store economy, opened on November 1.

The program offers subsidies of up to MOP1 million to eligible brands from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other international markets.

During the six-day event, participants engaged in negotiations covering technology, healthcare, cross-border e-commerce, food and beverages, wine distribution, and exhibition cooperation. “Through 12 tasting events featuring local delicacies and the installation of fun games, the event effectively attracted visitors and created a lively atmosphere for business negotiations,” read the IPIM statement.

Speaking to the institute, a Macau distributor of Portuguese-speaking countries’ products praised the increased professionalism of merchants at this year’s CIIE, noting strong interest and confidence in Macau’s platform for new business development. Meanwhile, a first-time Macau exhibitor in the health sector reported meeting with nine to ten merchants from China and Australia.

Wang Shaowei, head of Macao Turtle Health Technology Company Limited, explained, “As exhibitors who came with the Macau government, we feel we have gained a lot. First of all, we established direct communication and contact with nearly nine or ten companies. They include upstream and downstream companies, as well as some overseas distributors. For example, this morning we had customers who were foreigners, Australians, who wanted to take our products to Australia and even other countries.”

The health company head added, “This demonstrates that the China International Import Expo (CIIE) can effectively help Macao’s health and wellness enterprises expand globally.”

Among the participants praising the event, food and beverage brands from Spain expressed enthusiasm for opening initial stores in Macau after learning about the First Store Economy Plan. They plan on-site market visits before year-end.

“After the exhibition, we will arrange a group visit with some local Spanish groups […] as we have never been to Macau before,” said Chen Qida, head of ALILIAN Winery in Spain. The first edition of the “First Store Economy Scheme” will run until January 31, 2026, supporting overseas, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan brands opening their first stores in Macau.

In tandem, IPIM arranged business matching with leading ASEAN companies, connecting them with Macau firms in souvenirs and Portuguese-speaking markets. Some preliminary agreements were reached. According to the institute, one mainland company highlighted the pavilion’s “rich elements” and is exploring drone business opportunities in Macau, aiming to expand into Portuguese-speaking markets.

Wang Yanhui, vice chairman of the Macao Digital China Technology Alliance, remarked on the expo’s scale and innovation. “For our Macau delegation, it was not only an eye-opening event but also a valuable platform for industry matchmaking, allowing us to connect precisely with numerous cutting-edge technology companies,” he said. “The content directly involved the application of low-altitude economy in the field of smart cultural tourism.”