Developing a green and dynamic exhibition for a diverse Macao economy

On 7 to 8 November， 2016 Xiamen MICE Cooperation Forum was held in Xiamen， Fujian， about 150 delegates from governmental exhibition agencies and authorative organizations attended. Ms. Irena Va Kuan Lau， Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute （IPIM）， gave a speech on the green initiatives of Macao exhibition industry. She said that IPIM provides green development initiatives guidance and support for local exhibition organizers. For example， reducing use of one-time consumption materials and using recyclable materials. After the exhibition， objects are also given to public service organizations or local residents for free. In this way， organizers reduces waste and pollution as well.

As a perfect example of closer cooperation of Macao and Mainland China， China Expo Forum for International Cooperation（CEFCO 2017）， a leading industrial event in China for global exhibition cooperation， will be held in Macao from 12 to 14 January， 2017. This will also be the first time the meeting is held outside mainland China. As the host， IPIM invites exhibition players worldwide to attend and discuss major issues like “How can the exhibition industry assist global economic recovery”， and “Government’s role transition in promoting the exhibition industry”.

Currently，under bilateral cooperation scheme， the collaboration of Macao and the neighboring Guangdong province is further strengthened. Both sides join hands in organizing companies to attend each other’s events， and also to promote the exhibition industry of Pearl River Delta region. Dynamic Macao Business and Trade Fair， a major event sponsored by IPIM， has been held in 23 cities in mainland China to date. In addition， in order to facilitate the liaison work and project cooperation with mainland China，， IPIM has set up 6 branches in several provinces in the mainland.

In 2015， UFI survey showed that the increase rate of Macao exhibition industry was 5.6% higher than the average rate in Asia. With this number and 6 UFI approved events， Macao exhibition industry is marching towards higher professionalism level. In the future， with greater government supports and more comprehensive supporting services， Macao exhibition industry is expected to play an even more important role to contribute to a diverse local economy.