In 2017 Macau will host the 13th edition of the “China Expo Forum for International Co-operation (CEFCO 2017)” according to a decision made this month in Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and now announced by Chinese central government authorities in Macau.

A statement from the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) reported that the event, held outside mainland China for the first time, will promote the Macau convention and exhibitions sector as well as the advertising, logistics, catering, tourism, hospitality and transportation industries.

CEFCO is jointly organised by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), UFI – Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, IAEE – International Association of Exhibitions and Events and SISO – Society of Independent Show Organisers.

According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Macau s ranked 20th among the cities of the Asia-Pacific region for conventions and expositions.

The 12th edition of CEFCO 2016 has attracted the participation of more than 600 event organisers as well as representatives of the cities of Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Nanjing, Xian, Hangzhou, Haikou, Chongqing, Wuxi, Kunming and Yinchuan.

In 2015, Macau hosted 637 conventions and exhibitions, which involved about 1.7 million people. (macauhub/CN/MO)