Gala of three concurrent expos took centre stage in October, with C-PLPEX, MIF, and MFE giving full play to Macau’s business platform. SMEs from Portuguese-speaking Countries were delighted with the opportunities they found here and are eager to return next year.
It was a long journey all the way from Mozambique to Macau, but it definitely paid off for Simão Mavimbe, as he shared his excitement over the visitors’ keen interest in Mozambican products on display at the China-Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Expo (Macao) (1st C-PLPEX) . This event was held at The Venetian Macau Cotai Expo, in tandem with the 28th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (28th MIF) and the Macao Franchise Expo 2023 (2023MFE). These three trade shows, organized by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), took place between October 19 and 22, 2023.
**This is a sponsored feature
“It’s a very positive experience for us, Mozambican exhibitors, to participate in the trade show,” said Mr. Mavimbe, who joined the delegation from the Mozambican Investment Promotion Agency (AIPEX).
“Macau’s role as a platform for China-Portuguese speaking Countries businesses is very encouraging” – Simão Mavimbe, Mozambican Investment Promotion Agency
Agricultural produce, food and beverage items, and minerals attracted many visitors to AIPEX’s exhibition booth, located in one of the seven C-PLPEX exhibition areas. Simão Mavimbe’s smile was echoed by many of the 300 exhibitors, including 260 from Portuguese-speaking Countries, who joined this Lusophone-themed trade show.
Auspicious channels
Hailing from the Southern Angolan province of Namibe, Dar Vida was in Macau not only to promote its existing fishing distribution business but also to attract investment for their fish processing plant project in the provincial capital of Moçamedes.
“Our aim was to find a channel to Asia, and Macau emerged as a good opportunity” – Niúra António, Dar Vida (Angolan company)
The company’s representative, Niúra António, explained that they have land parcels and a wide network of fishermen.
“Many people have shown interest in purchasing squid, shrimp, octopus, and cuttlefish.”
It was her first time in Macau and China. Having the opportunity to participate in C-PLPEX was a blessing. “Our aim was to find a channel to Asia, and Macau emerged as a good opportunity,” she explained, adding that they found a number of prospective clients at the Macau fair.
Business interest was translated into contracts during the three concurrent trade shows, with 101 contracts signed at the ceremonies, accounting for an 8.6% year-on-year increase, of which 15% involved projects from Portuguese-speaking Countries.
Enhanced ties
Exhibitors from the delegation led by the Business Confederation of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries were involved in signing protocols paving the way for business development. It was the first time the Business Confederation of CPLP was officially represented in an MIF-linked trade show in Macau, and it certainly won’t be the last. The Confederation’s president, Nelma Rodrigues, was upbeat about the outcome of C-PLPEX. “We brought about 20 companies from Portuguese-speaking Countries and signed several protocols,” she underlined.
“We can establish solid partnerships here in Macau, and through this trade show, we can jointly tread this path towards mutually beneficial cooperation” – Nelma Rodrigues, Business Confederation of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries
Nelma Rodrigues visited Macau in May when she was received by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng and met with IPIM ahead of preparing a delegation to come to C-PLPEX and MIF.
C-PLPEX indeed gave full play to Macau’s role as a commercial and trade service platform for companies, namely SMEs. During the “Cross-border E-commerce Business Matching Session,” a company from a Portuguese-speaking Country revealed its intention to explore future prospects in cross-border e-commerce.
Business matching
The three exhibitions attracted more than 60,000 visitors and hosting about 1,000 business matching sessions, an increase of 30% over the previous year.This year also marked the first time that the three exhibitions spanned four exhibition halls, covering a total area of 37,000 square meters, with 20 exhibition areas, attracting on-site exhibitors from 15 countries and regions.
For Mozambique’s Simão Mavimbe, Macau means business opportunities. “Macau’s role as a platform for China-Portuguese Speaking Countries businesses is very encouraging.”
Niúra António returned to Angola with confidence in coming back next year to ink business deals with the fish processing plant up and running.
Lisbon-based Nelma Rodrigues subscribes to this view of Macau as an auspicious Sino-Lusophone platform. “We can establish solid partnerships here in Macau, and through this trade show, we can jointly tread this path towards mutually beneficial cooperation,” she concludes.
