Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that inward direct investment flows in Macao totalled MOP 29.24 billion in 2022, down by 30.8% year-on-year. Analysed by industry, inflows of direct investment in Financial Activities, Wholesale & Retail Trade and the Gaming Sector stood at MOP 22.28 billion, MOP 4.16 billion and MOP 2.58 billion respectively. As regards immediate source of investment, capital came mainly from mainland China (MOP 20.09 billion) and the British Virgin Islands (MOP 5.68 billion).
Inward direct investment showed a loss of MOP 10.18 billion in 2022 since foreign direct investors in the Gaming Sector suffered a widened loss of MOP 35.31 billion. Meanwhile, income (including after-tax profits and interest) earned by foreign direct investors in Financial Activities and Wholesale & Retail Trade dropped by 8.7% and 32.6% year-on-year to MOP 14.75 billion and MOP 7.57 billion respectively.
As at the end of 2022, stock of inward direct investment totalled MOP 367.31 billion, up by 5.8% year-on-year. Analysed by immediate source of investment, investment stock from mainland China (MOP 84.25 billion) and the British Virgin Islands (MOP 72.05 billion) increased by 24.8% and 5.5% respectively year-on-year, while that from Hong Kong (MOP 95.54 billion) dropped by 3.0%. With respect to industry, inward direct investment stock in Financial Activities and Wholesale & Retail Trade grew by 17.6% and 12.8% year-on-year to MOP 122.28 billion and MOP 36.73 billion respectively, while the stock in the Gaming Sector decreased by 1.6% to MOP 143.40 billion.
Outward direct investment flows of Macao enterprises totalled MOP 8.57 billion in 2022, a decline of 66.7% year-on-year; income earned by Macao enterprises increased by 2.4% to MOP 913 million. As at the end of 2022, stock of outward direct investment expanded by 6.0% year-on-year to MOP 106.63 billion. Outward direct investment stock in mainland China rose by 4.7% year-on-year to MOP 79.82 billion, of which Guangdong accounted for 79.2%, at MOP 63.21 billion (with MOP 35.59 billion in Hengqin). On the other hand, outward direct investment stock in Hong Kong fell by 8.5% year-on-year to MOP 8.67 billion. Analysed by industry of Macao enterprises, stock of outward direct investment made by enterprises engaged in the Gaming Sector and Wholesale & Retail Trade went up by 12.8% and 7.5% year-on-year to MOP 24.05 billion and MOP 18.20 billion respectively, whereas stock of investment made by enterprises in Real Estate Development, Leasing & Sale Activities dropped by 6.7% to MOP 27.21 billion.
Direct Investment Statistics aims to provide an overview of direct investments between Macao and other economies. Direct investment refers to investment with a holding of 10% or more of the equity share capital in an enterprise. Principal statistical indicators include stock (the accumulated value of direct investment over the past years) and flows (the amount of change in direct investment in the reference year), which include financial data of enterprises such as equity capital, income and loans.
For statistical purposes, mainland China and Macao are considered as two economies. Statistical results are obtained from the Enterprise Survey, which covers Macao enterprises engaged in Industrial Sector; Construction; Wholesale & Retail Trade; Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities; Transport, Storage & Communications; Financial Activities; Gaming; Real Estate Development, Leasing & Sale Activities and so forth; however, individuals are excluded. The statistical unit is an enterprise. If an enterprise has one or more establishments engaged in different economic activities, the industry of the enterprise will be classified according to its main economic activity as reported in the questionnaire. For example, data on hotels, restaurants and other establishments of a gaming enterprise are incorporated into the statistics of the Gaming Sector.