The three major annual fairs organized by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) — the 2nd China–Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic and Trade Expo (2.ª C-PLPEX), the 30th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (30th MIF), and the Macao Franchise Expo 2025 (2025MFE) — concluded with positive results.
Over four days, the events drew more than 85,000 visitors, including 15,000 business professionals, and led to over 140 signed agreements and 68 new investment projects, confirming Macau’s position as a solid platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking world.
About 80% of the agreements were linked to the “1+4” key industries, while 15% involved Portuguese-speaking countries, highlighting the city’s economic diversification and growing international reach. According to IPIM, the 68 investment intentions — from countries such as Portugal, Brazil, and Indonesia — represent a 70% increase compared to last year, with 24 companies already in the process of setting up in Macau.
With 19 exhibition zones and over 1,100 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries, the fairs provided a fertile ground for new partnerships. For António Trindade, President of CESL Asia, the event was an opportunity to reinforce Macau’s role as a bridge between markets.
“We are presenting technological solutions in the fields of energy, agriculture, and asset management. The world is changing rapidly, and we want to contribute with technology and knowledge that cross borders. Macau, by its nature, has an essential role in linking China, Portugal, and the rest of the world.”
He noted that CESL Asia, now marking 25 years of operation, “is reinventing itself as a platform connecting Europe, China, and Asia,” stressing that Macau’s business environment “can and should go beyond gaming, becoming a center of innovation and economic sustainability.”
The agro-food sector and traditional Portuguese products were also in the spotlight. Firmino Cordeiro, Director-General of the Young Farmers Association of Portugal (AJAP), described C-PLPEX as “an essential stage” for strengthening commercial ties between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
“Portugal is small, but its dimension is great. We have agricultural products of excellence, with their own history and identity, and the Asian market increasingly values that authenticity. Macau is a natural bridge between the Lusophone world and China,” he said.
He added that “business relationships often grow from trust and product quality rather than quantity,” emphasizing that events like C-PLPEX turn cultural affinity into real business opportunities.
The event also featured Nata Pura, a company exporting Portuguese custard tarts to more than 40 markets worldwide. Its Chief Operating Officer, Nuno Costa, revealed that Macau and the Greater Bay Area are the company’s next expansion focus.
“We are studying the market and adapting our product to local tastes, as we have done in other Asian countries. The recent inclusion of the pastel de nata on Macau’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list is a great advantage for our business,” he said.
During the fair, the company met with potential importers and discussed opening local retail outlets. “The support from the organizers was remarkable, opening doors to partnerships with distributors and even companies interested in franchising. We had productive meetings with representatives from Taobao and hotel groups, showing C-PLPEX’s true reach,” he added.
This year’s fairs also stood out for their strong digital presence, with 30 live broadcasts promoting over 800 products and reaching 5.6 million views. For Macao souvenir businesses taking part in livestream sales, this visibility “expanded sales channels and enhanced the image of Macau’s brands.” Parallel activities included guided tours of historic areas and World Heritage sites, strengthening Macau’s image as a hub for business and cultural tourism.
With an increase of more than 30% in agreements compared to last year, the “Three Fairs” reaffirm Macau as a space for economic and cultural exchange. As António Trindade summed up: “This is where ideas, markets, and people meet — and it is from this meeting that opportunities are born, giving a future to the region and the Portuguese-speaking countries.”
