The 19th MIF “SME International Business Days” Branding, Entrepreneurship and Business Activities to Foster Participation of SMEs and Business Starters

Source : Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute

Economic development has not only created numerous business opportunities for Small and Medium Sized-Enterprises (SMEs), but has also brought them operational difficulties and challenges. The 19th Macau International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held from 23 to 26 October and in order to enable the SMEs participating in this year’s MIF take advantage of this annual event to contact clients and explore business opportunities, during the “SME International Business Days” (hereinafter referred to as “SME Days”) which are held annually during the MIF, which features several incentive plans, services and seminars, to foster the development of the SMEs, encourage enterprises to explore opportunities for co-operation and improve their business strengths. “SME Days” will continue to encourage the participation of a greater number of enterprises and entrepreneurs, by offering more services and activities, will include: (1) SME Service Counter; (2) Marketing Consultancy Services; (3) seminars on branding, entrepreneurship and SME operation; (4) SME incentive packages and (5) “Macao Ideas” product display and franchise catalogue show.

Experts to provide marketing consultancy and advisory service

During the four-day event, the SME Service Counter located at the Macao Pavilion will provide several services for SMEs, including “One-Stop Service” enquiry on Macau business environment, Mainland China and international market information, as well as information on exhibition, convention, and franchise activities. The activities of last year´s “SME Days” were very well received; therefore, this year, several brand consultants, entrepreneurs and mentors from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau will provide free consultancy service and enterprise diagnosis for enterprises. SMEs and entrepreneurs currently considering upgrading or are in transition should take advantage of this service to learn more from the consultants regarding brand packaging, products and services repackaging and business promotion. Due to the limited number of consulting slots available, pre-registration is recommended. (Tel: 87989613).

Professional organisations and business associations join forces to share information on business operations and branding trends

During “SME Days” there will be two seminars on brand promotion, youth entrepreneurship and SME operation. The Seminar on “How to Build and Leverage your Brand Value”, held in the afternoon of 24 October, will gather marketing consultants and specialists from the Youth Career Development Association Headquarters (Taiwan), the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre, the Macau Management Association and the Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association, to share their experience and ideas on how to establish and consolidate brand strengths, highlight those strengths, success stories and investment and co-operation in brand business. In the afternoon of 25 October, The Macau Youth Entrepreneur Association will invite people from different industries and sectors to share their insights on “Youth Entrepreneur & SMEs Operation” and to explore ways of creating business, successes and failures, and financial and business promotions. Interested parties are advised to pre-register for the seminars. (Tel.: 87989711).

Exhibitors at the “Macao Ideas” to perform at the venue – Coffee tasting and small arts and crafts making demonstrations

Another highlight of the “SME Day” is the demonstration by the exhibitors in “Macao Ideas” – the Macao Products Display Centre set up by Macao International Trade and Promotion Institute (IPIM). Over ten exhibitors from different trades will showcase their products, including coffee and food tasting, making of small arts and crafts, and exhibition of cultural and creative projects, to provide exchange and co-operation opportunities for the exhibitors and the investors visiting MIF. Those interested in learning more about “Made in Macao”, “Macao Brand”, “Macao Design” and “Sole Distributorship of Portuguese-Speaking Countries Products” should not miss this precious opportunity.

Several Incentive schemes for participants of the “SME Days”

All enterprises or organisations that enrol at IPIM´s SME Counter for the 2015 Macao Franchise Expo (2015 MFE), to be held from 3 to 5 July 2015, will be entitled to a discount on exhibition fees. Furthermore, a franchise products and services catalogue show will be held concurrently, to provide SMEs with more information on overseas markets.

The Opening Ceremony of the “SME Days2 will be held at 12.00 p.m. on 24 October in the 19th MIF Protocol Signing Centre located in the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. For more details, please visit the MIF official website at http://www.mif.com.mo/mif2014/schedule.php or contact IPIM´s SME Service Centre (SMEC). Enquiry hotlines: 87989613/87989711 (Mr. Ho or Ms. Leong).