The Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Pavilion is playing a central role at the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), which is in its 20th edition this year.
As in previous years, the Pavilion is an initiative of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) – also known as Forum Macao.
On October 22, the Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Ambassadors and representatives – including the Portuguese-speaking Countries’ consuls in Macao as well as a delegation from the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao – paid a visit to the Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Pavilion. During the encounter they had a chance to exchange views on several topics.
The Pavilion – covering 405 square metres – is located in Hall B of Cotai Expo, the Venetian Macao’s convention and exhibition centre. There are seven booths for Portuguese-speaking Countries in the Pavilion, representing Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor.
Macao and the Pearl River Delta region have long had a role in trade between China and the lusophone world. In order to mark those ties, this year’s Pavilion used the symbol of the ocean as a display theme. The ocean concept has been combined with images of a lighthouse and blue sky, in order to evoke the historical and modern economic, trade and cultural ties between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.
Within the Pavilion, Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Representatives to Forum Macao – and businesspeople from the lusophone world – have the chance to hold direct exchanges with representatives from different sectors. The Macao SAR Government – which works to support trade and new business opportunities between Chinese and lusophone companies – has provided more than 10 bilingual staff to help with interpretation and translation at the Pavilion.
Displays at the Pavilion include traditional products from Portuguese-speaking Countries, with accompanying written explanations, photographs and videos. The Pavilion also helps to promote these countries’ business and investment environments. At the same time, the Pavilion helps to promote Forum Macao, and the “Macao Platform, Three Centres” strategy of the Macao Government.
The Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Pavilion has annually attracted approximately 5,000 visitors at previous editions of MIF. The Pavilion offers visitors to each edition of MIF a chance to learn more about the economic and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, as well as business and investment opportunities in the lusophone world.
This year’s Pavilion has been well received by government officials, as well as by local and foreign businesspeople participating in MIF 2015. Its presence at the event helps create new opportunities for economic, trade and cultural exchanges, helping to forge the new era of co-operation between Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries.
The Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Pavilion is open between 10am and 6pm from October 22 to 25. All are welcome to visit.