Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that inward direct investment flows increased by 31.9% year-on-year to MOP 11.81 billion in 2016 as some banks and gaming enterprises retained their profits for reinvestment. Analysed by industry, inflows of direct investment were recorded in Banks & Securities (MOP 4.91 billion), Insurance (MOP 3.59 billion) and Construction (MOP 2.58 billion); meanwhile, inflow in the Gaming sector rose from a negative value (- MOP 6.02 billion) in 2015 to MOP 616 million in 2016. Analysed by country/territory of usual residence of direct investors, inward direct investment flows came mainly from Hong Kong (MOP 9.06 billion), Mainland China (MOP 4.87 billion) and the British Virgin Islands (MOP 2.52 billion), whereas the Cayman Islands continued to record a negative inflow (- MOP 10.04 billion).
In 2016, inward direct investment income fell by 5.8% year-on-year to MOP 48.75 billion. Income from direct investment in Gaming decreased by 6.4% to MOP 28.15 billion, an apparent improvement from the decline of 47.5% in 2015. Income in Wholesale & Retail dropped by 29.6% year-on-year to MOP 4.49 billion, while that in Banks & Securities rose by 6.5% to MOP 11.52 billion.
As at the end of 2016, stock of inward direct investment of Macao reached MOP 244.27 billion, up by 5.1% year-on-year. Analysed by industry, inward direct investment stock in Gaming rebounded slightly by 0.8% to MOP 124.34 billion, of which the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands accounted for 41.1% and 33.3% respectively; Banks & Securities had MOP 50.93 billion (+9.5%), of which 61.0% was capital from Mainland China; Wholesale & Retail had MOP 27.79 billion (+6.1%), with investment from Hong Kong contributing 57.3%. Analysed by country/territory, stock of inward direct investment from Hong Kong (MOP 68.91 billion) and the British Virgin Islands (MOP 56.82 billion) went up by 14.4% and 4.4% respectively, and that from Mainland China increased by 12.4% to MOP 38.80 billion, of which investment from Beijing made up 89.7%; meanwhile, inward direct investment stock from the Cayman Islands fell by 14.8% year-on-year to MOP 56.04 billion.
Outward direct investment flows of Macao enterprises recorded a negative value (- MOP 7.89 billion) in 2016, owing to loan repayments made by overseas companies of gaming enterprises. Hence, a net direct investment inflow of MOP 19.70 billion was registered. As at the end of 2016, stock of outward direct investment decreased by 31.6% year-on-year to MOP 17.13 billion; investment in Hong Kong amounted to MOP 6.50 billion, and that in Mainland China totalled MOP 5.61 billion, which was mainly concentrated in Guangdong (MOP 3.91 billion) with Zhuhai taking up 62.8% (MOP 2.45 billion). Outward direct investment income earned by Macao enterprises dropped by 57.1% year-on-year to MOP 359 million, with income of gaming enterprises falling by 33.1% to MOP 316 million. Outward direct investment stock of Gaming shrank by 51.7% year-on-year to MOP 9.58 billion.
Direct Investment Statistics provide an analysis of the direct investment profile of Macao with other economies. For statistical purposes, Mainland China and Macao are considered as two economies. Coverage of Direct Investment Statistics comprises Macao enterprises engaging in Industrial Production; Construction; Wholesale & Retail; Hotels & Restaurants; Transport, Storage & Communications; Financial Services; Gaming; and Other Services; however, personal investment and enterprises operating in other industries not specified above are excluded. In 2016, there were 2,804 enterprises involved in inward direct investment and 57 enterprises in outward direct investment.