Macao looks to expand its global reach at international trade & investment fair

Building on Macao's established role as a commercial and trade service platform, the special administrative region is actively extending the reach of its business and trade network to encompass Spanish-speaking countries, Southeast Asia, and other overseas markets, according to officials and experts gathering in the city.

They discussed the role of the SAR while attending the opening ceremony of the 31st Macao International Trade & Investment Fair, which is taking place from Oct 21 to 24. It was organized by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR.

Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai and Secretary of State for Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Portuguese Republic Joao Moura, as well as other distinguished guests, took part in the event.

Held under the theme, "Macao: the Global Hub of Business Convergence", the event ran concurrently with the 2026 Portuguese-Speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition (Macao), and the Macao Franchise Expo 2026.

The three exhibitions cover a combined exhibition area of 30,000 square meters, attracting exhibitors and buyers from more than 50 countries and regions to Macao, said the organizer.

According to Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government Ng Wai Han, this year's exhibitions have showcased a number of notable new highlights in strengthening global connectivity and industry matching. MIF has established the "Spanish-Speaking Countries Industry Pavilion" for the first time to forge closer trade and business ties with Spanish-speaking countries.

"PLPEX has brought together featured industries, products, and services from nine Portuguese-speaking countries, while strengthening business matching in areas such as cross-border e-commerce, agricultural co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and the blue economy," she said.

"The country's 15th Five-Year Plan has presented important opportunities for Macao to further expand international economic and trade co-operation and enhance its role as a platform," Ng added.

Lucas Chachine, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Mozambique, said that Macao is well positioned to become an interface or platform for both its service and rich resources of products to expand into China and even wider markets.