• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Wednesday 3 September 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Macau SMEs frustrated under COVID-19 but stimulus measures give hope

Jane Ka Cheng Wong by Jane Ka Cheng Wong
Thu 16 Apr 2020 at 06:42
Ruins of St Paul's Macau
36
SHARES
845
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Macau are feeling frustrated by the short-term prospects for their businesses as tourist numbers plunge to record lows under the impact of the COVID-19, but a local SMEs association told Inside Asian Gaming that government stimulus measures are helping redirect the strategy of SMEs from tourist to local markets.

The Macau SAR government has recently announced a series of stimulus measures in order to sustain local employment and keep local SMEs afloat. Following the first round of measures including up to MOP$2 million in interest-free loan support and the granting of a MOP$3,000 e-coupon to each resident, a second round of stimulus measures will directly subsidize qualified SMEs to the tune of MOP$50,000 to MOP$200,000 depending on the number of employees. Around 260,000 employees will also be granted MOP$15,000 cash while another MOP$5,000 e-coupon will be issued to each resident.

The Vice President of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Macao, Catherine Lee Wai Yan, said the government’s stimulus measures should help release some operating pressures for local SMEs.

“Not every enterprise could benefit from the first round of measures,” she said. “Some SMEs have applied for the interest-free loan and got those loans recently, but some employers might not as they still have other previous loans.

“SMEs and employees could get subsidies from the second round of measures, so many employers and employees are very excited by this.”

But Lee pointed out the subsidies do not provide strong support for medium-scale businesses as the maximum subsidy is MOP$200,000 for SMEs with 21 or more employees.

“MOP$200,000 would only cover the expense of renting accommodations for non-residents workers in Macau. For SMEs with under 10 employees, they could get MOP$100,000, it would be much more helpful as it could cover their basic expenses for one to two months.”

Far from a “city that never sleeps”, as it has become famous for becoming over the past two decades, Macau currently resembles more of a “leisure” town with popular tourist areas and shopping malls now unusually quiet.

Shops and stalls in and around the most popular tourist areas, such as St. Paulo Ruis and Rua do Cunha, are mostly closed.

Lee said the cost of renting remained the greatest pressure for SMEs with rental costs in tourist areas often as high as MOP$200,000 per month.

Restaurants and retails stores in more “local” areas such as Avenida de Horta e Costa and Areia Preta are not as expensive, although guest flow has decreased due to the need for social distancing.

Lee suggested local SMEs should look to improve their service quality during this time.

“We encourage SMEs to train their employees and improve their services and products during this special period, to redirect their strategies from tourists to locals,” she said.

“Border restrictions will not be removed before the Labour Day holiday and the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) from the mainland won’t resume anytime soon either.

“But we have found that because residents are forced to stay in Macau, many were willing to go out and spend during the Easter holiday. Since e-coupons are able to be used from 1 May, SMEs should think of more ideas to find new markets and opportunities to attract residents in the coming months.”

RelatedPosts

Ng Wai Han named as first ever female director of Macau’s gaming regulator

Staffing ratio of locals within Macau’s gaming industry in focus as DICJ promotes two more department heads from Labour Affairs Bureau

Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 14:26
IAG announces Studio City’s Blind Tiger at W Hotel as Venue for Macau After Dark 24 on Thursday 29 August 2024

Moody’s: Melco to significantly reduce leverage through end-2026 on solid revenue growth, profitability

Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 06:29
FMCC to celebrate cultural exchange, expand charitable support via annual gala dinner at MGM Macau on 19 September

FMCC to celebrate cultural exchange, expand charitable support via annual gala dinner at MGM Macau on 19 September

Tue 2 Sep 2025 at 18:15
Macau’s Legislative Assembly discussing new tour guide law proposing higher penalties for unlicensed guides

Macau GGR tipped to continue positive momentum in September and beyond

Tue 2 Sep 2025 at 11:39
Load More
Tags: Catherine Lee Wai YanCoronaviruscovid-19economic stimulusIndividual Visit SchemeMacauSmall and Medium Enterprises Association of MacaoSMEs
Share16Share2
Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong is a journalist who joined Inside Asian Gaming after working for local Macau media for many years. As part of the IAG team she covers Macau-based stories relating to politics, gaming, IRs and local associations among other topics. Jane is intrigued by unique scenarios, vibrant cultures and different people, and hopes to continue exploring new places around the world in the future.

Current Issue

Editorial – Flipping the script

Editorial – Flipping the script

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:30

This month represents an important milestone for Inside Asian Gaming as we launch IAG EXPO – an expansion of the...

Asia market roundup

Asia market roundup

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:26

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the state of Asia-Pacific’s key gaming markets: who’s hot, who’s not and...

Rewriting the rules

Rewriting the rules

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:43

IAG EXPO, taking place at Newport World Resorts from 8 to 10 September, is not your usual trade show. IAG...

Test of character

Test of character

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:28

Since its establishment in 1989, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has developed into the world’s most trusted name when it comes...

Evolution Asia
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR

Related Posts

NUSTAR joins Brigada Eskwela 2025 to Support local kindergarten students

NUSTAR joins Brigada Eskwela 2025 to Support local kindergarten students

by Newsdesk
Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 16:46

As part of its commitment to uplifting communities through meaningful service, NUSTAR Resort & Casino Cebu participated in this year’s Brigada Eskwela 2025 with an outreach activity held on 8 August at Vicenta A. Manreal Elementary School in Pooc, Talisay...

Ng Wai Han named as first ever female director of Macau’s gaming regulator

Staffing ratio of locals within Macau’s gaming industry in focus as DICJ promotes two more department heads from Labour Affairs Bureau

by Pierce Chan
Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 14:26

According to the Official Gazette of the Macao SAR Government, three departmental heads at the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) have recently been replaced. Two of the newly appointed directors previously served for many years at the Labour Affairs...

Deliver premium live casino experiences that boost revenue

Deliver premium live casino experiences that boost revenue

by Newsdesk
Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 11:53

For online casino operators and live studios, understanding the key components of an exceptional player experience is crucial for standing out in a competitive market. By blending immersive streaming environments with interactive social features, you create an engaging and personalized...

IAG announces Studio City’s Blind Tiger at W Hotel as Venue for Macau After Dark 24 on Thursday 29 August 2024

Moody’s: Melco to significantly reduce leverage through end-2026 on solid revenue growth, profitability

by Ben Blaschke
Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 06:29

Macau’s Melco Resorts & Entertainment is expected to reduce its operating leverage, calculated as Adjusted DEBT/EBITDA, from around 6.7x as of 30 June 2025 to around 5.4x in 2026 due to a continued increase in its revenues and profits. The...

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • 中文
  • English