Regional Cooperation and the Convention Industry

Strengthening external economic cooperation, developing bilateral and multilateral economic relations and intensifying cooperation among regional economies are the development strategies of the MSAR Government.

Macao has taken advantage of its unique competitive edge to develop itself into a services hub within the western region of the Pearl River Delta. Regular regional exchanges, such as the Pan Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Cooperation and Development Forum that was launched in 2004, and other irregular exchanges not only enhance regional collaboration in the PPRD, but also provide an avenue for cooperation for foreign investors in the Pearl River Delta.

The MSAR Government also continues to promote economic exchanges with Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, while giving full play to its traditional links with the European Union and Romance language-speaking countries, especially Portuguese-speaking countries, in order to further enhance its role as a bridge between mainland China and these economies.

The signing of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between the central government and the MSAR Government in October 2003, plus the staging in Macao of the first Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries as well as the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) serve to accentuate Macao’s function in linking the Pearl River Delta with Portuguese-speaking countries and overseas Chinese entrepreneurs. All participating countries of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries signed the Economic and Trade Cooperation Action Plan, which established the mode of cooperation between the participating countries and set up a Permanent Secretariat to the Forum in Macao in 2004. The Second and Third Ministerial Meeting of the Forum was held in Macao in September 2006 and November 2010, respectively, The fourth Ministerial Conference cum its tenth anniversary was held in Macao on 5 November 2013, during which the 2014-2016 Action Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation was signed at the conference.

After years of efforts, Macao’s role as a services platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries has gained further recognition and support. Bilateral trade and investments between China and Portuguese-speaking countries have grown from US$5.6 billion in 2002 to US$128.497 billion in 2012. Portuguese-speaking countries have already established over 800 enterprises in China.

One of the Government’s top economic priorities is to spur the development of the convention and exhibition industry in a bid to achieve optimal economic diversification. The Government offers assistance and support to the staging of large international meetings and events in Macao. It also subsidises the business community in hosting various types of exhibitions and developing business travel. Through different business tourism conventions held around the world, Macao’s profile in the convention and exhibition sector is also promoted.

The annual Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) has become the the largest international exhibition in Macao, serving to promote two-way trade and investment and broad cooperation between enterprises, via exhibitions, forums and conventions, business matching, purchasing and negotiation activities. The Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF) has become an important developmental platform for green industries in South China and the Pan-Pearl River Delta region since 2008.

In 2013, a total of 1,030 events (964 meetings and 66 exhibitions) were held in Macao, occupying a total area of 833,000 square metres, attracting 2,034,000 visitors.

In the first quarter of 2014, a total of 227 meetings and exhibitions were held, occupying a total area of 254,000 square metres, attracting 764,000 visitors.