Macau Yearbook 2013 - Macao Yearbook

Macao Yearbook 2013Macao International Trade and Investment FairThe IPIM has been organising the annual Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF)since 1996. In 2005, MIF became an approved event of the Global Association of the ExhibitionIndustry (UFI). It was the first Macao event to receive UFI certification. The UFI has also enrolledIPIM as a full member.The 17th MIF was held with the theme “Cooperation – Key to Business Opportunities” andfurther fostered economic and trade cooperation among enterprises in Macao, mainland Chinaand Portuguese-speaking countries. The event attracted a total of 103,000 attendees, an increaseof 9.23 percent over the previous year. Through the Convention and Exhibition Through-trainService and the Overseas Trade Visitors Incentive Plan, the event received over 6,800 industryprofessionals and lined up 1,847 business pairings – an increase of 22.9 percent over the previousyear. The four-day event resulted in 88 signed contracts, an increase of 8.6 percent over theprevious year.The China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair was held at the 17th MIF for the firsttime as a boutique fair. Moreover, a series of new exhibition content and professional services werein place to emphasise regional cooperation. The event was nine percent larger than in the previousyear. There were more than 700 overseas exhibitors and over 1,800 exhibition booths representingmore than 60 countries and regions, with Cyprus, Jordan and Madagascar being first-time countryexhibitors. The display content was further enriched, indicating more extensive mutual exchanges,as well as a higher degree of internationalisation, professionalism and market focus.One-Stop Service for InvestorsIPIM’s One-Stop Service for Investors provides all-round support and assistance to investorsthroughout the implementation of an investment project. The IPIM contacts potential investorsand appoints dedicated staff to support their investments in Macao – all the way from simpleconsultation, to every administrative procedure involved. Also, free business matching services areoffered through a web-based service platform, business negotiations, project matching, promotionalactivities and publications, helping investors to find an ideal business partner.The Investment Committee, a liaison engine comprising twelve government departments– IPIM; Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau; Economic Services Bureau; Labour AffairsBureau; Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre (CPTTM), Civic and MunicipalAffairs Bureau; Financial Services Bureau; Health Bureau; Macao Government Tourist Office, FireService, Environmental Protection Bureau and Human Resources Office – helps to offer guidance toinvestors, and follow up on all the necessary administrative procedures involved in launching andimplementing an investment in Macao. The Investment Committee also appoints dedicated publicnotaries to handle procedures involved in company set-up and business registration, providingcomprehensive services to investors.Offshore ServicesMacao’s Offshore Law, Decree-Law No. 58/99/M, has been in effect since 1 November 1999. Tax176