MACAO, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A three-day coffee cultural festival opened in Macao on Friday, bringing together local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and international brands as the city steps up efforts to diversify its economy.
The event featured 60 exhibitors from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and overseas, with more than two-thirds being local SMEs, according to the organizer.
Live-streaming and e-commerce channels were leveraged onsite to help the brands expand their market reach.
Ivan Pun, owner of a local coffee shop, told Xinhua that he was "excited" about the festival. "We're happy to showcase our exclusively roasted coffee here for so many people to taste," he said, adding that the event was a great opportunity for more people to get to know them.
Toni Wong, for his part, brought some tastes from Hong Kong. He said that many internationally well-known peers were seen at the festival, which was impressive. "It feels just like a gathering of friends."
Taking part in such activities in Macao for the first time, Ye Han Kim, from South Korea, expressed her curiosity about the coffee community and industry here. "I like the city and am happy to make friends with local people," she said. ■
