MICE | Fewer exhibitors registered for the 21st MIF

Fewer exhibitors registered to visit the 21st edition of the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), which will take place from tomorrow to October 22, according to Irene Lau, the executive director of the Institute for Promotion of Trade and Investment of Macau.
“Our [visitor] numbers are the same as last year, but the customers’ quality improved,” said Irene Lau during an MIF press conference. She expects this year’s MIF to be received similarly to previous editions.
Lau indicated her belief that the drop in the number of exhibitors is a consequence of the global economic climate and of the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum Macau, which took place last week and attracted many visitors to the city.
“We had expected this [smaller] figure,” admitted Lau, adding that the organizers will try to attract more visitors.
There are 1,600 exhibition booths arranged for the event, a 20 percent decrease compared to the 1,900 booths arranged last year. The number of visitors from Portuguese-speaking countries also dropped by approximately 20 percent year-on-year “because of [the Forum Macau] last week, which had a direct effect.”
However, the number of participating companies increased ten percent, said Lau.
This year, the budget amounts to approximately MOP33 million, the same as previous editions. This marks the fourth consecutive year with the same amount, according to Lau. She claimed that over 90 percent of the contracts signed during last year’s MIF already launched their operations.
The 21st MIF is themed ‘Cooperation – Key to Opportunities’. The event will occupy an area of more than 30,000 square meters at the Venetian, with participating delegations from over 50 countries and regions. More than 40 forums, promotions and seminars will be offered.
Regarding new highlights, six-time event participant Beijing will be the partner city of this year’s MIF for the first time, with a Beijing Pavilion and a Beijing Time-Honored Brands Pavilion to be arranged. The former will be divided into five sections featuring Beijing’s municipal commission of commerce, an international horticultural exhibition, traditional Chinese medicine, the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, as well as Beijing’s Pinggu district. A sales area dedicated to Beijing delicacies will also be available.
The MIF will also establish partnerships between Portugal and Beijing with hopes of creating new and diversified business opportunities. For the first time, the program will also feature a Portuguese-Speaking Countries Fashion Show. Commercial and trade services for SMEs between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries will be set up for the first time.
The second Young Entrepreneurs Forum of China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries will take place today, in advance of the original date.
Traditional Chinese medicine cooperation seminars, on-site investment and financial consultancy services, electronic commerce and various services to promote the transition and upgrade local enterprises, as well as online business matching services, will be provided.
The fair will be open for trade visitors tomorrow from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the main hall, and from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the SME exhibition. On Thursday and Friday, the events will be open to the public. Julie Zhu