Macao Five-Year Development Plan Draft Announced

The Macao SAR Government launches a press conference to announce the draft of the Five-Year Development Plan (Photo provided by Government Information Bureau)

The Macao SAR Government announced the draft of its Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2020) on 26th April, addressing the following initiatives by the Administration: maintenance of stable development; prioritisation of projects related to people's livelihood; promotion of balanced and co-ordinated socio-economic development; and the sharing among the community of the fruits of development achieved by these concerted efforts. The government is currently conducting a two-month public consultation, which runs until 30th June.

'Maintenance of stable development' emphasizes planning to the highest principles, including focus, methods and necessity with a view to laying down a blueprint for how the city can achieve its primary strategic aim of being a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. The government suggests four phases for realisation of the World Centre policy, covering initiation, acceleration, completion and finalisation. The government will strive to realise seven development goals, and develop and deploy eight major strategies as outlined in the proposal for the Five-Year Development Plan.

'Prioritization of projects related to people's livelihood' focuses on Macao residents' quality living, transportation and working conditions. Major livelihood issues of concern to residents are the policy's focus, with pragmatic solutions, whilst keeping in step with the times to strengthen security and advance smart city urban construction.

'Promotion of balanced and co-ordinated socio-economic development' focuses on fostering the development of the 'Centre and Platform' policies, and deepening regional co-operation whilst further complementing the country's development. The government seeks to promote the healthy development of pillar industries, and additionally launch an action plan to facilitate the development of local small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially regarding youth entrepreneurship, while at the same time supporting the city's mainstay industry.

The proposal for the Five-Year Development Plan would also seek to co-ordinate and assist the growth of emerging industries, with development as envisaged under the country's 13th Five-Year Plan. Additionally, the plan seeks to expand the number of professionals who are bilingual in Chinese and Portuguese, and ensure priority of employment for such professionals elevating Macao's position and functions in China's economic development.

'The sharing among the community of the fruits of development achieved by those concerted efforts' focuses on the government enhancing the capacity and level of governance, and strengthening the legal system. The key to this initiative is that the government will uphold residents' rights, strengthen the co-operative governance of public affairs and residents, and deliver more convenient, intimate, high-quality public services to the community.

The public can visit the website of the Committee for Development of the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure (www.cccmtl.gov.mo) to get a full copy of the proposal for the Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2020) and are encouraged to contribute their opinions by email (message@gep.gov.mo) or by post to Post Office Box No.1201; or by telephone (+853 2882 3610); or by fax (+853 2882 3426); or in person (by prior appointment only) to representatives of the Policy Research Office at Rua do Desporto, No.185-195, Taipa, Macau.


Five-Year Development Plan – Tourism

  • Diversification, modernization, internationalization
    • Complete the Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan
    • Optimize tourism carrying capacity
    • Deepen the collaborative development of tourism and related industries
    • Actively explore new tourism markets and expand visitor source markets
    • Encourage collaboration between large scale integrated tourism projects and small and medium-sized enterprises
  • Quality tourism and niche tourism
    • Build up the Macao tourism brand
    • Reinforce and enrich tourism products, explore and develop leisure tourism, maritime tourism, health tourism and community tourism
    • Propel the development of cultural tourism
      • Shape a new image of Macao cultural tourism
      • Explore new markets for cultural tourism
      • Integrate and revitalize cultural tourism resources