The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong has established a Market Entry Programme (MEP Macau) to assist New Zealand based companies seeking to establish a business base in Macau. The MEP Macau is primarily aimed at SME businesses who may not be ready to inject significant capital into a new market, and therefore prefer to utilise the services provided by the programme.

The MEP Macau brings together a number of helpful tools and facilities to ensure the process of market entry is completed effectively, particularly for companies establishing in the region for the first time. To register for the MEP Macau, you are invited to contact NZCCHK for a preliminary discussion.
 

The Market Entry Programme features:

1. NZCCHK Membership

Companies seeking to take advantage of the MEP Macau will be required to join the NZCCHK as a corporate member. A special MEP Macau membership package is available on a 2-4-1 basis. Upon registration for the MEP Macau, companies will required to pay a one year subscription (currently HKD5,500) which will entitle the company to two full year's membership. At the completion of two years, the company will assume normal corporate membership with subscriptions due on an annual basis.

Subject to completing the registration formalities, including NZCCHK Corporate Membership, participants will be able to enjoy the features detailed below.

2. Introduction to IPIM

Participants in MEP Macau will receive an introductory letter on their behalf to the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM).
The following services are available through IPIM to qualifying companies. The final decision regarding provision of any of these services rests with IPIM.

2.1 A personalised One-Stop-Service facility which includes: information sourcing; project assessment; company registration; guidance on licence applications (as required); seeking business partners; project follow-up; and various other forms of assistance.

2.2 Participation as exhibitors at various trade and investment fairs held on a regular basis in Macau. Conditions may apply.

2.3 Facilities to reduce the set-up costs in Macau, including: office cubicle and meeting rooms access, display gallery, internet access and office equipment (limited to six months usage).

2.4 Business advisory service.

2.5 SME Service Centre.

2.6 Assistance with Right of Residency applications. 

3. Serviced Office Facilities

Once your business is established in Macau (and the six month IPIM assistance period has lapsed), it will be time to seek your own premises. A good start is to take a serviced office. This provides immediate access to knowledgeable administrative staff as well as secure office and meeting premises.

Each MEP Macau participant will have opportunity to negotiate preferential rates for serviced offices with The Executive Centre via a formal agreement established between NZCCHK and The Executive Centre. This facility is on a commercial basis between the MEP Macau participant and The Executive Centre. The Executive Centre provides a fully serviced office suite at Level 20, AIA Tower in the heart of Macau's commercial district with features such as lockable office (single to multiple person), meeting rooms, equipment,  refreshment facilities etc. Costs related to the services provided by The Executive Centre are confidential between the parties.

4. Administration Facilities

Each MEP Macau participant will have opportunity to negotiate preferential rates for office administration services with The Executive Centre via a formal agreement established between NZCCHK and The Executive Centre. This facility is on a commercial basis between the MEP Macau participant and The Executive Centre. The Executive Centre provides full administrative services such as: company registration; accounting; secretarial; and other back office needs. The Executive Centre also offers: virtual office services; translation and business concierge services. Costs related to the services provided by The Executive Centre are confidential between the parties.

Depending on the nature of the MEP Macau participant's business activities, it may be preferable to take serviced office and administration facilities from the outset e.g. where more secure premises are required. This option is available through The Executive Centre.

5. Growing Up

After having settled into Hong Kong as a place for business, you may be seeking to expand and move from a serviced office environment to leased or owned premises. NZCCHK can assist MEP Macau participants in this process by introducing them to a Kiwi-owned and managed architectural firm to aid in office and/or showroom design. The experienced people at Head Architecture understand the needs of New Zealand businesses and are ready to assist, whether it be in Macau, Hong Kong or mainland China.

6. Business Mentors

Each MEP Macau participant will have free access to New Zealand oriented business people in Hong Kong who have volunteered to act as business mentors to new companies establishing in the region. This is a complementary service. Should a commercial relationship develop between the parties, that is a matter for mutual agreement and NZCCHK will have no further role in the mentor relationship between the parties.

7. Study Tours to China (mainly the Pearl River Delta)

MEP Macau participants will have priority registration during their two year special membership period to participate on study tours to the Pearl River Delta region of China. Such study tours which are facilitated by InterCham (a group of international Chambers established in Hong Kong) and MEP Macau participants will register under NZCCHK's quota for such activities. The tours usually comprise visits to industrial sites, factories, retail outlets, Government divisions etc. and are an ideal way to learn the inside story of manufacturing and retailing in China.

8. Executive Study Group

MEP Macau participants have complimentary access to the monthly Executive Study Group, an initiative of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. The event is held in separate sessions for Cantonese and English speakers and provides for interaction on topics related to business in the region It takes a practical approach with input from academics as well as business people.

9. connectionz

Each year, NZCCHK publishes a 120-page book "connectionz" focussed on the economic relationship between New Zealand and Hong Kong/Macau/China. In 2011 connectionz will publish its fifth edition. MEP participants will have access to a supply of this publication to use a general promotional material and may also be considered for inclusion as an editorial feature in future editions.

10. Access to Capital

NZCCHK is currently negotiating arrangements with independent parties to access seed capital and/or first stage capital to assist New Zealand companies entering into the Hong Kong and China marketplace. This facility will be available during 2011 (probably the second quarter). Keep watching.

13. Further Facilities

Additional facilities will be added to the MEP Macau as we receive feedback from participants and depending on demand.

This website is owned by the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Copyright (c) 2007-2011 This page updated March 2011