Macau Chief Executive Reaffirms ‘Zero-COVID’ Pledge Following 2023 Policy Address

Posted on: November 15, 2022, 01:04h. 

Last updated on: November 16, 2022, 03:20h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng says it’s the local government’s plan to continue adhering to Beijing’s “zero-COVID” policy that necessitates isolated lockdowns in response to newly detected coronavirus infections.

Last week, Macau fielded some good news when China announced it is relaxing its entry protocols for foreigners. The easing reduced the number of required quarantine days for arriving travelers from seven days to five.

The news out of Beijing resulted in Macau casino stocks making considerable gains, something investors of the six firms have patiently awaited after their stakes plummeted in value amid the pandemic. But Ho told the media Tuesday, following his 2023 Policy Address, that the region has no immediate plans to distance itself from “zero-COVID.”

Taking into account the epidemic situation, we must persist in the policy,” Ho declared, as first reported by GGRAsia. “Macau has to follow China’s dynamic zero-COVID-19 policy.”

Macau is one of the People’s Republic’s Special Administrative Regions (SARs). Hong Kong is the other. The SARs are to operate under China’s “one country, two systems” principle.

Under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, Macau is a self-governing autonomous region that follows the mainland’s lead when dealing with national security issues. The pandemic has been deemed a national security risk by the Communist Party.

Non-Gaming Focus

During his 2023 Policy Address on Tuesday, Ho refrained from detailing Macau’s progress in issuing fresh gaming concessions. As many as six licenses are available, each with a 10-year operating privilege beginning as of Jan. 1, 2023.

The current six gaming firms — Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts, Melco Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, and SJM Resorts — are the front runners for the coveted permits. But newcomer Genting Malaysia has thrown its candidacy into the bidding pool to cloud the next market lineup slightly.

Ho’s address focused on Macau’s commitment to diversifying its economy away from casino gambling. Macau currently generates more than 80 cents of every tax dollar from its gaming industry.

Ho says the six licensed gaming firms will collectively be on the hook to invest approximately MOP100 billion (US$12.4 billion) over their 10-year license terms. Each applicant is negotiating with the enclave government to determine their specific investment liability in exchange for a new concession.

“The gaming interests will work towards promoting, in a more pragmatic way, the synergistic development between gaming and non-gaming industries,” Ho stated in the address.

Emerging Industries

In his Policy Address, Ho detailed four sectors Macau hopes to better embrace next year and in the future. They include the “big health” industry, “modern financial services,” technology, and conferences and exhibits.

The latter is where Macau’s six casino operators will likely spend their roughly $2 billion investment minimums.

Ho says it’s Macau’s goal to gradually increase the non-gaming sectors’ contributions to Macau’s gross domestic product by 60%. However, he didn’t outline a special target date for accomplishing that goal.