PRESS RELEASE SINGEX VENTURES INTO CHONGQING MICE INDUSTRY Singex inks MoU with Yuelai Investment & Development Co.Ltd, and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) to help develop and grow the MICE industry in Chongqing, Western China Singapore, 17 January 2013 Singex, a veteran in the MICE industry, managing the Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre; and with expertise and experiences in developing and organising exhibitions and conventions, will sign two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on 17 January 2013. These MoUs will be signed between Singex and the following organisations: Yuelai Investment & Development Co. Ltd. (Yuelai), the company behind Chongqing International Expo Centre (CQIEC); and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). Apart from strengthening bilateral co-operations, these alliances ride on the growing efforts to make Chongqing the gateway to Western China and the expected escalation of trade and investment flows within Southeast Asia and between the two regions, as a result of the ASEAN free trade agreement. The MoUs serve to cement the strategic alliances between Singex and both Yuelai and CCPIT, in Chongqing, Western China, respectively. The agreement between Singex and Yuelai allows both parties to explore collaborative opportunities in several key areas like the management of the Chongqing International Expo Centre, sales and marketing, systems and processes, staff training and the development of business events. The collaboration between Singex and CCPIT will facilitate joint assessments and development of events across multiple industries to be held in Chongqing, the exchange of information and resources pertaining to the exhibition industry as well as leveraging on each other s networks to attract exhibitors, visitors and conference delegates. The MoU signing ceremony hosted by Mr Chen Heping, Vice-Mayor of the People s Government of the Chongqing Municipality, will also be witnessed by several Government officials.
We congratulate Singex on their collaboration with Yuelai and CCPIT. Singex a home-mice company, has contributed significantly to Singapore s business tourism over the last three decades. Not only is it managing the largest MICE facility in Singapore, it has hosted some of the most significant business events in Singapore, says Mr Edward Chew, Regional Director, Greater China, Singapore Tourism Board. China is an important engine of growth for the MICE industry, both regionally and internationally. We are confident that this collaboration will lead to exciting cross-pollination opportunities for the MICE industry players in Singapore and China, and look forward to more business exchanges and traffic between the two countries. Chongqing is one of the most promising and economically vibrant cities in Western China. Having received a strong boost of investment funds under the Chinese government s Western Development Programme, Chongqing is a base for many companies from growth industries such as IT, transportation and logistics, machinery manufacturing and healthcare. The Chongqing municipal government also plans to invest RMB100 billion over five years to promote the development of the tourism industry which includes the Liangjiang New Area where the Chongqing International Expo Centre with its 133,000sqm exhibition space and a 42,000sqm convention hall, is located. At the same time, the conclusion of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) between ASEAN and China, China and Singapore as well as the impending ASEAN FTA, will see the removal of tariffs, among others, spurring growth in trade and investment flows in the China and Southeast Asia regions. Correspondingly, the momentum for new and expanded business events, including exhibitions and conferences, is expected to pick up. Says Mr Zhang Zhaoqi, Centre Director based in Chongqing, International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, Chongqing s strong economic growth presents ample partnership opportunities for Singapore companies. The market is opening up rapidly and the local government is putting in place infrastructure and support to catalyse the development of the services sector. Singex s foray into Chongqing demonstrates the growing importance and potential of modern services industries like MICE. IE Singapore will continue to engage the market closely and assist more Singapore companies to seize emerging opportunities in Chongqing.
As a result of the Chinese Government s Go West policy and Chongqing being earmarked as a gateway for the Western China market, Singex looks forward to exciting new business opportunities through our mutually beneficial partnerships with key players in the region, says Mr Aloysius Arlando, Chief Executive Officer of Singex. We are constantly on the lookout for international partners who are keen to work with us on relevant exhibitions, to tap into the immense growth potential of emerging regions like Western China. For the first joint event, both CQIEC and Singex are closely working together on the Singapore-Chongqing Showcase, a premier platform for corporations and trade bodies in Southeast Asia and in Singapore, to learn more about business opportunities in Chongqing and Western China. Mr Arlando added The Showcase will allow companies to exchange information and resources, as well as to gather insights and establish networking opportunities for potential business forays into Chongqing and the Western China region. We are privileged to be working with CQIEC and their partners like CCPIT and Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission (COFTEC) to make this event a success. With more than 30 years of MICE experience, Singex manages the Singapore EXPO which is one of the leading convention and exhibition centres in Asia, holding over 600 expositions and other activities annually, and attracting 6 million visitors yearly. Singex is also a MICE veteran with vast experience in the development and organisation of a strong portfolio of exhibitions and conventions. END
Notes to Editor Please use Singex and EXPO if an acronym for Singex Group/Singex Venues Pte Ltd/Singex Exhibition Ventures Pte Ltd and Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre respectively is required. For media enquiries, please contact: Mr James Ong Mr Darius Goh Senior Manager Assistant Manager Marketing Communications Marketing Communications DID: (65) 6403 2134 DID: (65) 6403 2111 Mobile: (65) 9180 9988 Mobile: (65) 9108 3347 Email: james.ong@singex.com.sg Email: darius.goh@singex.com.sg About Singex A MICE veteran with thirty years of industry expertise, Singex is backed by top-notch infrastructural capabilities, an extensive global network and a strong commitment to operational and service excellence, to power your business events and growth. Its customised and integrated suite of event and venue solutions include market intelligence, conference and exhibition project management, venue and ancillary services, as well as market representation. Singex s global presence, extensive network of key business and government contacts, as well as affiliations with leading international trade associations and organisations, will arm its partners with the necessary connections to acquire, build, market and scale events around the world. Transforming ideas and concepts into extraordinary business experiences, Singex is key to Singapore s success as one of the most vibrant MICE destinations in the world.
Singex Group consists of Singex Ventures Pte Ltd which manages the Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Singex Exhibition Ventures Pte Ltd which develops and organises a portfolio of exhibitions and conventions. Visit www.singex.com.sg for more information. About Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre A top-ranked venue in Asia and Singapore s largest purpose-built MICE facility, Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre, managed by Singex Venues Pte Ltd, is a one-stop event hub for every reason and season. Covering over 123,000sqm of indoor and outdoor space, comprising convention-exhibition halls, conference halls, meeting rooms, mobile V- Rooms, and The MAX Pavilion, EXPO welcomes over six million visitors and 600 events every year, ranging from exhibitions, conventions, corporate meetings, award ceremonies, gala banquets, to consumer shows. By early 2012, EXPO will feature a brand new convention wing, MAX Atria, with additional meeting facilities and lush green spaces. The new wing is also certified Green Mark Platinum by Singapore s Building and Construction Authority. Equipped with world-class amenities, 2,500 parking lots and Flavours East, a collection of fifteen food and beverage outlets, EXPO is conveniently located five minutes from Changi International Airport and fifteen minutes from the city centre. Visit www.singaporeexpo.com.sg for more information.