The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, delivers the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2017 during a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the Government is to press ahead with policies that help strengthen and maintain Macao’s innovative development and that foster its economic vitality. Mr Chui said the Government was confident the economy would enter positive territory in the coming year, judging from data compiled by the International Monetary Fund and the Monetary Authority of Macao. Mr Chui made the remarks at the Legislative Assembly this afternoon when he delivered the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2017, entitled “Development Plan in Progress for Building a Perfect Home”. In facing the potential challenges brought about by the ongoing adjustment period of the city’s gaming industry and by adjustments in international markets, the Government has launched the city’s first ever Five-Year Development Plan. This is in order to complement the country’s development efforts; and to forge ahead in developing Macao’s strategic roles as a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies). The Policy Address proposed dedicating further effort to: promoting the mutual development of gaming and non-gaming offerings in the city’s tourism market, in a bid to enhance further Macao’s competiveness internationally as a leisure destination; and to support greater cooperation between gaming operators and local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including restaurants of unique character and companies in the cultural and creative industries. To support the advancement of the Centre Policy, the Government would introduce further initiatives that create a role for local SMEs when it comes to enhancing tourism facilities, said Mr Chui. Regarding tourism, the Government would place greater emphasis on promoting development of budget hotels; theme parks with distinctive features; and integrated shopping malls. Mr Chui said the Government expected to complete the formulation of the Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan within the next year. The Government has been paying great attention to the cultivation of nascent industries, in order to sustain further the economic diversification of Macao, he said. In the year ahead, the Government would devote more effort to: support local MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) enterprises when they bid internationally, in order to help them attract a greater number of influential international conventions and exhibitions to Macao; and encourage further participation by original brands – and generators of cultural and creative products – at international exhibitions and trade fairs. Measures for expediting economic diversification would include: increasing resources for investment in the Guangdong-Macau Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park in Hengqin; helping enterprises operating in the Park and other related enterprises in Macao to promote their products in Portuguese-speaking countries; consideration of development of specialised financial services; and facilitating the establishment of a renminbi settlement platform for trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Regarding the development of SMEs, the Government would formulate the action plan to facilitate development of local SMEs; promote collaboration between large-scale conventions and exhibitions and festivals and SMEs; facilitate development of online and e-commerce; consider setting up an “Online Certified Shops” system; and actively promote collaboration between the Macao Young Entrepreneur Incubation Centre and local SMEs; and expand the coverage of the Young Entrepreneurs Aid Scheme. Regarding the securing of local employment, the Chief Executive said the Government would amend the Labour Relations Law – as a top priority – in order to address issues relating to paid paternity leave and overlapping of resting days and mandatory public holidays. The Government suggested an increase in the proportion of locals holding middle and senior management positions in gaming enterprises to 85 percent of all such employees, and the continuation of the provision of paid training – for local employees – by gaming operators and large-scale enterprises. Mr Chui said Macao would take a more active role in contributing to the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative), and would seize the development opportunities arising from the Central Government’s measures in support of Macao. Regarding regional cooperation, the Government would: implement goals set in the Framework Agreement on Cooperation Between Guangdong and Macao; deepen cooperation with the Pan Pearl River Delta region; and promote further partnership with Jiangsu, Beijing and Tianjin. The Government would additionally strive to extend a scheme to facilitate pleasure craft journeys in the waters linking Guangdong and Macao, so that it includes waters around Nansha, Hengqin and Qianhai – the three areas of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), stated Mr Chui. Regarding public administration, the Government would: implement the second stage of restructuring in public departments; commence the planning and drafting of the bill to establish a municipal organisation that is not an organ of political power; press ahead with restructuring consultation bodies; ensure the Sixth Legislative Assembly election is smoothly held; and enhance departmental cooperation and capacity for action via implementation of measures included in Macao’s Five-Year Development Plan. A full copy of the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2017 and leaflets in Chinese and Portuguese are available for download on the Government Portal website of the Macao SAR (http://www.gov.mo); the website of the Chief Executive’s Office (http://www.gce.gov.mo); the website of the Legislative Assembly (http://www.al.gov.mo); and the website of the Government Information Bureau (http://www.gcs.gov.mo).