The just-concluded China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) has been hailed by international attendees as a key platform for promoting cooperation in the services sector, with the strong global presence of many industry leaders making it a vital event to strategically engage with Chinese investors and institutions.
The five-day trade fair wrapped up on Monday after attracting participants from over 80 countries and regions, with a host of international organizations also taking part in the event which was themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity."
Many were seeking to leverage new opportunities for bilateral economic and technological collaboration, including Brett Stevens, the China commissioner for the Australian state of Victoria, who said there is robust collaboration in many fields between Australia and China.
"We are seeing a really strong collaboration in services such as age care services, in vocational training services, and in the higher education services," said Stevens.
This year's fair again drew more and more participants keen to tap into the opportunities afforded by the event, with Portugal being among 13 countries who were showcasing independent exhibitions for the first time.
"CIFTIS is of course a very impressive fair, because of the dimension, of the presence [of participants], it's quite important without any doubt. It's also the first time that Portugal is participating in CIFTIS with a pavilion here. And we did it because we think it was relevant to be present, to exchange views with Chinese investors, with other participants in the process of exchanges [and] of learning. But also because this is the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Portugal and China," said Paulo Nascimento, Portuguese Ambassador to China.
China initiated a national fair dedicated to promoting trade in services in 2012, which later became known as the CIFTIS. The event has attracted over 900,000 exhibitors and participants from 197 countries and regions since its inception.
Int'l attendees hail "impressive" CIFTIS event as key platform for collaboration, investment
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
