Macau – Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai conducted a series of visits across Macau on , the fourth day of Chinese New Year, to assess pedestrian traffic and the operating conditions of local businesses during the ongoing festive period. The visits underscore the government’s commitment to both public safety and the economic wellbeing of the region, particularly its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Chief Executive’s itinerary included stops in Taipa and Coloane, where he engaged with business owners and reviewed infrastructure projects. According to the Government Information Bureau, the primary objective of these visits was to gain a first-hand understanding of community conditions and to demonstrate support for local businesses as they navigate the post-holiday economic landscape.
During his tour of Taipa, Sam Hou Fai visited the revitalised Taipa Market, engaging with stallholders to discuss the impact of recent upgrades on their daily operations. He also toured the “Gastronomy + Culture and Creativity Area” within the market, a space designed to promote local culinary traditions and artistic expression. Further inspections in Taipa Village focused on transport facilities, including a newly opened public car park inaugurated in and improvements to bus stop arrangements.
In Coloane, the Chief Executive reviewed the progress of a flood control and drainage project on the western side of the village. He urged relevant departments to adhere to the project’s schedule, highlighting the importance of infrastructure improvements in mitigating potential risks and supporting sustainable development. The government has affirmed its continued commitment to enhancing community facilities throughout Macau.
Beyond infrastructure and economic concerns, maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors were central themes of the Chief Executive’s visits. He took the opportunity to review crowd management arrangements in busy pedestrian areas, acknowledging the efforts of frontline police officers in maintaining a safe and orderly environment during the holiday period. He noted that existing crowd control measures had proven effective in managing the increased foot traffic associated with Chinese New Year celebrations.
Sam Hou Fai also used the visits as an opportunity to extend New Year greetings to local business owners, discussing operating conditions and offering encouragement. He emphasized the importance of enhancing service quality and competitiveness and called on relevant public departments to provide robust support to merchants. He specifically highlighted the success stories of well-managed local businesses, suggesting they could serve as valuable models for other SMEs seeking to upgrade and transform their operations.
“Macau is home to many well-managed local businesses, whose success stories can serve as valuable references for supporting other local SMEs in upgrading and transforming their operations,” Sam Hou Fai stated, according to the Government Information Bureau. This sentiment reflects a broader government strategy focused on fostering innovation and resilience within the local business community.
The Chief Executive was accompanied on his visits by key government officials, including the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tai Kin Ip; the Secretary for Security, Chan Tsz King; the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Leong Man Cheong; and the Director General of the Macao Customs Service, Adriano Marques Ho. Their presence underscored the coordinated approach being taken by various government departments to address the challenges and opportunities facing Macau.
These visits come at a crucial time for Macau’s economy, as the region continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to diversify its economic base. The government’s focus on supporting SMEs and promoting sustainable economic growth is seen as essential to ensuring the long-term prosperity of the region. The emphasis on infrastructure improvements, particularly flood control measures, also reflects a proactive approach to addressing potential vulnerabilities and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.
The Chinese New Year period is traditionally a peak season for tourism and retail activity in Macau. The Chief Executive’s visits demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that this vital sector of the economy continues to thrive, while also prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of both residents and visitors. The government’s ongoing efforts to support SMEs and promote economic diversification are expected to play a key role in shaping the future of Macau’s economy.
