Macao trade exhibitions see 74 deals signed on opening day

The 31st Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), the 2026 Portuguese Speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition (PLPEX), and the Macao Franchise Expo (MFE) 2026 were concurrently launched at the Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo on 21 October 2026 and are scheduled to run until 24 October. 

In a statement, the SAR’s Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (also known by its Portuguese initials IPIM) said 74 agreements had been signed on day one of the three Macao trade exhibitions, covering areas such as high technology, traditional Chinese medicine and life sciences, specialised finance, cross-border e-commerce, product sourcing, as well as procurement.

Macao’s service sector ranks 6th globally

The opening ceremony witnessed the inaugural overseas release of the Global Services Trade Development Index Report 2026 (English version). According to the IPIM, Macao was positioned 6th internationally – a ranking that is consistent with last year’s result, but which the department said reflected the highly service-oriented structure of Macao’s economy and its competitiveness. 

[See more: GTEF tourism conference returns to Macao with focus on sustainability]

Results from the paper were originally published in September 2026, with Macao behind the US, Luxembourg, Ireland, the UK and Singapore, but ahead of the Netherlands, Germany, France and Sweden.

Macao trade exhibitions 2026 event highlights

Aside from the agreements and index report, the MIF, PLPEX and MFE also gather together domestic and regional exhibitors, buyers, professional speakers and trade representatives from 55 countries and regions. 

Spanning over 30,000 square metres, the trade events’ exhibition area showcases products and offerings that hail from Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa, covering areas including cutting-edge technology, new consumption trends and agricultural innovation. For a full list of the more than 1,100 exhibitors and 1,500 booths, click here. 

Another major feature of the three Macao trade exhibitions is the organisation of approximately 90 forums, business matching sessions, inspections and other diversified economic events, including the Macao Fashion Festival 2026. A full breakdown of the programme schedule, which is based on the theme of “Macao: The Global Hub of Business Convergence” can be found here. 

While the first day was open only to trade visitors, members of the public can enter the venue on the final three days.

International exhibitors expand presence via Macao

Local and international exhibitors who spoke to local media outlets expressed hopes of leveraging the exhibitions as a platform to expand their presence into other markets and promote their brands. 

One of the exhibitors included Miguel González García, a partner of the Spain-based trade agency, Onexiexie, who was stationed at the MIF’s inaugural Spanish-speaking countries pavilion featuring 11 nations, including Spain, Argentina, Columbia and Uruguay. 

“For us, Macao is an important place to enter into [mainland] China also because there is a very good connection,” he told TDM on 21 October 2026.  “The trading here from China is easier and Macao is also an expansive economy now.”  

Meanwhile, Rosanna Leng, a Macao-based exhibitor who runs the online bread store Carbsiology explained to Macau Post Daily that MFE “can let me promote my branding and let people learn about my brand first.” 

Macao officials highlight economic integration at trade exhibitions

The merits of the three Macao trade exhibitions were also highlighted by senior government officials who attended the opening. 

In her address, Macao’s secretary for economy and finance, Dora Ng Wai Han said the MIF, PLPEX and MFE would create “more opportunities for exchange and connection for enterprises at home and abroad, further consolidating existing trade cooperation networks and expanding our international trade and economic circle of friends.”

Ng also said that Macao would continue to strengthen its coordination with Hengqin during the exhibitions, using the platform to allow domestic and overseas enterprises to directly observe the development opportunities stemming from Macao and Hengqin’s integration. 

First held in 1996, the MIF holds the distinction of being Macao’s first MICE event to receive accreditation from the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.