AGP Executive Report

Economic Diversification: Macao’s new MOP20 billion government guidance fund is now launching, backed by MOP11 billion from public reserves and MOP9 billion from the six casino operators. Their contributions count toward concession investment obligations and are intended to support industries beyond gaming. Trade and Investment: The city’s three major trade expos drew more than 90,000 visits, generated about 1,100 business meetings and secured roughly 140 agreements, reinforcing Macao’s role as a bridge between mainland China and international markets. US Investment Rules: Washington has proposed tighter controls on US investment in sensitive technologies, with China—including Macao and Hong Kong—among the covered jurisdictions. Tourism: Visitor arrivals rose 8.5% to 32.2 million in the first nine months of 2026, though average stays shortened to 1.1 days.

Tourism: Macao recorded 32.18 million visitor arrivals in the first nine months of 2026, up 8.5% year on year; September arrivals rose 15.9%. Travel Advisory: The government issued a Level 1 alert for France, urging residents there or planning to visit to stay vigilant and follow official updates. Economic Diversification: Six casino operators pledged MOP9 billion to a new government guidance fund, alongside MOP11 billion from fiscal reserves, giving it MOP20 billion to back industries beyond gaming. The operators’ contributions count toward their concession investment obligations. Technology Policy: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said the government would support high-tech industries and create jobs during a visit to the Macao International Technology Industry Centre. Elections: More than 1,100 nomination forms were submitted by the deadline for the 2026 Election Committee subsector elections. Trade: Macao’s three major business exhibitions drew more than 90,000 visits and secured about 140 agreements, over 80% linked to the “1+4” industries.

Economic Diversification: Macao’s government launched a MOP20 billion Guidance Fund, combining MOP11 billion from fiscal reserves with MOP9 billion from the six casino operators. Their contributions count toward concession investment obligations, with the fund targeting new industries and innovation. Trade and Investment: Macao’s trade fair, Portuguese-speaking countries’ expo and franchise expo drew more than 90,000 visits and produced about 140 signed agreements; over 80% involved the “1+4” industries. Travel Advisory: The government issued a Level 1 alert for France, urging residents there or planning to travel to remain vigilant and follow official updates. Education: Macao ranked third in mathematics among participants in the latest PISA results, behind China and Singapore, with an average score of 549.

Economic Diversification: Macao’s six gaming concessionaires have pledged a combined MOP$9 billion (US$1.1 billion) to the government’s new Guidance Fund, which will finance technology, industrial upgrading and other sectors beyond casinos and tourism. The fund also draws MOP$11 billion from government reserves. Technology Policy: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai visited the Macao International Technology Industry Centre, reaffirming the government’s plans to grow high-tech industries and create new jobs. Greater Bay Area: Sam joined officials from Guangdong and Hong Kong at a regional business conference in Macao, where more than 1,000 delegates discussed cooperation and international trade. Disaster Response: Sam sent condolences to Xizang leaders after an earthquake, offering Macao’s support for rescue and relief efforts.

Economic Diversification: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said Macao will use its International Technology Industry Centre to build high-tech industries, support start-ups and create new jobs. Business Promotion: The government named 20 companies and 10 livestream sellers to the first “Macao Signatures” cohort, aiming to strengthen local brands and reach overseas markets. Greater Bay Area: A regional business conference in Macao brought together more than 1,000 delegates from 25 countries and regions to promote trade and cooperation. Hengqin Port has recorded over 30 million passenger crossings this year, up 27.1%, alongside growth in Macao residents and businesses based there. Tourism: Visitor arrivals rose 8.5% to 32.2 million in the first nine months of 2026, driven by same-day visitors; overnight arrivals were steady. Trade Fair: Macao’s three concurrent business exhibitions held 10 themed matchmaking sessions, generating more than 700 meetings.

Hengqin Integration: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai has pledged high-standard development of Hengqin, as a Greater Bay Area business conference returned to Macao with more than 1,000 political and business representatives. Passenger crossings at Hengqin Port have topped 30 million this year, up 27.1% year on year, reflecting growing cross-border ties. Economic Diversification: Macao’s trade fair, Portuguese-speaking countries exhibition and franchise expo opened with 74 agreements signed on the first day, spanning technology, health, finance and e-commerce—sectors tied to the government’s diversification drive. Gaming Economy: Official figures show casino revenue fell 3.8% year on year in the third quarter to MOP60.22 billion, as mass-market baccarat dropped 7.9%; VIP baccarat was broadly flat.

Economic Diversification: Macao’s three trade fairs opened with more than 1,000 exhibitors and 74 agreements signed on the first day, spanning technology, Chinese medicine, finance and cross-border trade. Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai’s government is promoting the city as a bridge to overseas markets, including Spanish-speaking countries. Gaming: Third-quarter casino revenue fell 3.8% year on year to 60.22 billion patacas, as mass baccarat dropped 7.9%, underscoring pressure on the city’s main industry. Public Services: A new health hotline and outreach team will build on 641 requests for help received since July, with a dedicated service station expected in 2027. Regional Cooperation: Macao and mainland business associations met to expand Greater Bay Area trade links and help mainland firms reach Portuguese-speaking markets.

Trade and Investment: Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai opened Macao’s three concurrent trade fairs, bringing about 1,000 exhibitors from more than 50 countries and regions to a 30,000-square-metre showcase. Officials say Macao aims to widen business links with Spanish-speaking markets and Southeast Asia. Governance and Law: Sam has called for the rule of law to support development under Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan, while also urging the judiciary to align with national and local interests and pursue reform. Economic Watch: Third-quarter casino revenue fell 3.8%, with mass baccarat down 7.9%, adding pressure on the city’s gaming-led economy. Local Services: The government has extended restaurant outdoor-seating hours to 10 p.m.; tenants are also moving into the first social housing in Zone A.

Election Process: Macao’s Election Committee subsector nomination period closed with 1,155 forms submitted, setting the stage for the ordinary elections. Business and Trade: Three exhibitions opened on Wednesday: the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair, the Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition, and the Macao Franchise Expo, which aim to widen business links with Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking markets. Local Policy: Licensed outdoor dining areas can now operate until 10 p.m., one hour later, as the government seeks to support the night economy while weighing neighbourhood impacts. Government Priorities: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai has said the rule of law will be central to Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan and called for judicial reform. Economic Watch: Third-quarter casino revenue fell 3.8% year on year, with mass baccarat weakness weighing on results.

Night Economy: Macau has extended licensed restaurant and café outdoor seating hours to 10 p.m., aiming to support evening business while limiting disruption to nearby residents. Cybersecurity: The telecommunications bureau held an anti-scam session for seniors; reported phone scams and online fraud fell 39.1% year on year in the first nine months, to 385 cases. Economic Diversification: A new logistics association bringing together eight industry groups says it will strengthen coordination across sea, land, air and cross-border transport. Gaming: Third-quarter casino revenue fell 3.8% year on year to MOP60.22 billion, as mass baccarat dropped 7.9%. Housing: Tenants have begun moving into the first completed social rental housing estate in Zone A. Innovation Finance: A national guideline calls for stronger support for science and technology hubs, including an open technology-finance system and closer financial coordination across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

GBA Innovation Policy: China’s new financing guideline gives the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area a role in building an open technology-finance system, with closer cross-border financial links and regulatory alignment. Public Housing: Tenants have begun moving into the first completed social rental estate in Macao’s Zone A, a step in the government’s expansion of housing in the reclaimed district. Judiciary and Governance: Macao officials have tied the rule of law and judicial reform to the city’s development plans and alignment with national and local interests. A recent commentary on the 2026–30 Five-Year Plan welcomed its broad ambitions but questioned how effectively they will be carried out.

Greater Bay Area Finance: China’s central bank and 10 government departments unveiled measures to channel lending, investment and cross-border capital into innovation hubs, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Public Housing: Tenants have begun moving into Zone A’s first completed social rental estate, adding to the area’s growing supply of public housing. Election Committee: Nomination forms for the 2026 subsector elections reached 1,115 ahead of the October 20 deadline. Gaming Economy: Official figures show Macau’s third-quarter gross gaming revenue decline was driven by a 7.9% drop in mass baccarat.

Greater Bay Area Innovation: Beijing issued a new guideline to expand financial support for science and technology hubs, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Measures include easier cross-border funding for technology firms and overseas investors. Tourism Strategy: At the Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macao, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai urged the event to promote innovation and sustainable growth, as officials position tourism as a driver of a more resilient economy. Judicial Reform: Sam also called for the judiciary to align with national and local development priorities, while saying the rule of law will be vital to Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan.

Government Priorities: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai praised Macao’s handling of national security and called for judicial reform. He also stressed the rule of law’s role in the SAR’s Third Five-Year Plan. Tourism Policy: The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum opened in Macao, bringing together officials and industry leaders to discuss resilience and sustainable growth; Sam urged the forum to advance innovation and sustainability. Civic Education: Secretary for Administration and Justice Wong Sio Chak opened a two-week “City-wide Courtesy” programme, with 16 activity types planned across 43 sessions. Public Finances: The government will direct 80% of its 2025 budget surplus to the Pension Fund. Gaming Economy: Official figures show third-quarter gross gaming revenue fell 3.7% year on year, with mass baccarat revenue down 7.9%; Sam said the government has not considered lowering its 2026 revenue benchmark.

Gaming and Public Finances: Macau’s third-quarter gross gaming revenue fell 3.7% year on year to MOP$60.4 billion, with mass baccarat down 7.9%. Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai says the government has not considered cutting its 2026 revenue benchmark of MOP$236 billion. Election Watch: Election Committee subsector nominations reached 1,115 forms ahead of the October 20 deadline, as the selection process enters its final days. Tourism Policy: The government-organised Global Tourism Economy Forum brought about 1,300 participants to Macau to discuss resilience and sustainable growth; Sam urged the forum to promote innovation and sustainability. Courts and Governance: Sam has called for judicial reform and said the rule of law will be crucial to development under the MSAR’s Third Five-Year Plan.

Tourism Strategy: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai urged the Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macao to promote innovation and sustainable growth, and extend tourism’s benefits to other sectors. The three-day forum brought together about 1,300 officials, business leaders and experts from more than 20 countries and regions. Civic Education: Secretary for Administration and Justice Wong Sio Chak launched a two-week “City-wide Courtesy” programme, with 43 activities aimed at schools, community groups and the public. Rule of Law: Sam said the rule of law will be crucial to carrying out the MSAR’s Third Five-Year Plan, while also calling for judicial reform and alignment with national and local interests.