17th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair

This year's "17th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair" (MIF) will be held from 18 to 21 October 2012, with "SME International Business Days" (hereinafter referred to as the "SME Days") as one of the highlights of the event. Since 2008, SME Days has been an ideal business platform for SMEs to look at ways to transform their business, seek international co-operation and expand their business horizons. To further encourage SMES to develop their client network and widen business collaboration opportunities during the 17th MIF, the "SME Days" will feature various activities such as – (1) Launch of the 3D Website of Macao Ideas; (2) SME Service Corner; (3) Seminars of Branding, Packaging and Promotional Strategies, Franchising and E-Commerce, and (4) SME Promotion Incentive Packages

Launch of Virtual Tour of Macao Ideas

Macao Ideas – the first Macao products display centre, is an integrated exhibition venue for "Made in Macao", "Macao Design", "Macao Brands" and "Sole Distributorship of Portuguese-Speaking Countries' Products", with over 900 exhibits. Macao Ideas aims to facilitate local and overseas merchandisers, product agencies and buyers a channel to access Macao products and is designed to be the sourcing platform for these products. To further showcase the special characteristics of Macao Ideas exhibits, the "Launch of Virtual Tour of Macao Ideas" will be held concurrently with the opening ceremony of the "SME Days". The website has been upgraded and improved to incorporate a virtual model of "Macao Ideas" and 360-degree product displays that allow visitor to "tour" "Macao Ideas" by just moving their mouse. It also allows visitors to be the first to have this new and exciting look into Macao Ideas during the 17th MIF, as well as providing a means to view the latest Macao Ideas collection without any geographical and time constraints.

Brand & Packaging and Franchising Enquiry Services

Branding and packaging play an important role in shaping an enterprise's position and image. During the last few years, MIF has provided enterprises with up-to-date information and a free enquiry service, including "One-stop Service for Macao economic and trade consultation, information on global markets, Mainland China business and legal advisory service, CEPA information on exhibitions and franchising. This year, "SME Days" features professional business consultants from neighbouring regions to provide free on-site brand and packaging and franchising enquiry and consultancy services. SMEs will be able to obtain advice and suggestions on value-added strategies for their brand, franchising and brand sourcing. An Overseas Products/Services and Franchise Catalogue Show will be held concurrently, to allow local enterprises to acquire worldwide product information. Interested parties are welcome to pre-register their enquiries.

Themed Seminars and Presentations on Branding, Packaging and Promotional Strategies, Franchising and E-Commerce

A series of seminars with themes in Branding, Packaging and Promotional Strategies, Franchising and E-Commerce will be held during "SME Days". Industry experts and professionals are invited to share their insights on related topics such as "How to choose an excellent headquarters to cooperate with?", "Empower your trade business with eCommerce" and "Emotional design for uplifting brand image" on 19 October, "How to choose an excellent headquarters to cooperate with?", "Utilizing Social Network and Media to Promote Your Business" and "The value of design" on 20 October and "Building the Tea Culture and a Strong Tea Brand" on 21 October. The aim is that the above topics will inspire SMEs to become involved with prevailing market trends and developments as well as broaden their horizons. Registration is now open so sign up as soon as possible!

Incentive Exhibition Schemes – 50% off for Macao Ideas exhibits and 20% off for MFE exhibitors

Another highlight of "SME Days" is the various promotional schemes and packages designed for the needs of SMEs, including Financial Incentives to Participate in Exhibitions and Fairs, SME Business Promotion Package and E-Commerce Promotion Incentives as well as Existing and new Macao Ideas exhibitors applying for exhibition space in "SME Day" are entitled to 50% discount and enterprises enrolling for the "Macao Franchise Expo 2013" (2013 MFE) as exhibitors can take advantage of a 20% discount on exhibition fees.

"SME International Business Days Opening Ceremony", Macao Ideas Website Launching Ceremony and Protocol Signing Ceremony will be held at 12:30 pm on 19 October 2012 in the 17th MIF Macao Pavilion Protocol Signing Centre at Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. All interested parties are welcome. For more details, please visit the MIF website at http://www.mif.com.mo/mif2012/tc/smeday.php or contact SME Service Centre (SMEC). Enquiry hotline: 87989614/87989711(Mr. Ho or Ms. Leong).