The Macao Economic, Trade and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminar generated more than 130 business-matching meetings and 74 industry cooperation agreements in Singapore on August 31, according to the Macao SAR Government.
More than 400 representatives from Macao, Hengqin, other parts of mainland China and Singapore attended the event. Over 60% represented Singaporean companies and business associations, giving the seminar a strong local business presence.
The agreements covered high technology, traditional Chinese medicine and healthcare, conventions and exhibitions, tourism, and industry-academia-research cooperation. Signatories included companies from Macao, Singapore and mainland China.
The seminar was jointly organized by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute and Macao Government Tourism Office. It formed part of a wider Macao government and business delegation visit to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Business matching links Macao, Hengqin and Singapore
The programme introduced Singaporean companies to investment opportunities, industrial policies and tourism and MICE resources in Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin.
Participating industries included technology, healthcare, tourism, professional services, finance and events. Macao officials also presented planned investment-support measures, including the Macao Science and Technology Research and Development Industrial Park and a proposed MOP20 billion government guidance fund.
The event received support from Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore and the Industrial Development Bureau of the Hengqin cooperation zone.
For participating companies, the 130 matching meetings provided a structured setting to identify potential investment, distribution, tourism and research partners. The 74 signed agreements give the event measurable outcomes, although their commercial value and implementation schedules were not disclosed.
Macao and Singapore position themselves as regional gateways
A government reception held alongside the seminar brought together Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, Singapore Minister of State Gan Siow Huang, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Cao Zhongming and representatives from the two business communities.
During the programme, Macao presented itself as a route into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while Singapore emphasized its role as a base for reaching Southeast Asian markets.
In an official address at the reception, Gan Siow Huang said merchandise trade between Singapore and Macao increased by 36.3% in 2025 to S$374 million. Around 40 Singaporean companies had invested in Macao, while more than 50 Macao companies had established a presence in Singapore.
Gan identified tourism, urban development, digitalization, innovation, sustainability and eldercare as areas with potential for deeper cooperation. She also pointed to direct air services operated by Scoot and Air Macau as a foundation for expanding tourism exchanges.
The seminar took place during Sam Hou Fai’s first official Singapore visit as Macao’s Chief Executive. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the August 29–31 programme included meetings with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other senior government representatives.
Tourism and MICE cooperation included in agreements
Tourism and business events formed a significant part of the seminar.
The Macao Government Tourism Office discussed multi-destination itineraries connecting Macao, Hengqin and other parts of the Greater Bay Area. It also promoted Macao’s UNESCO-listed Historic Centre, gastronomy, festivals and growing range of Muslim-friendly visitor services.
During the visit, the tourism office signed a memorandum with CrescentRating to support the development of Muslim-friendly tourism in Macao. Another tourism agreement involving the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore was intended to encourage stronger cooperation between travel-sector companies.
Macao also promoted its convention and exhibition sector and the Global MICE Partners Alliance Program. For Singaporean event organizers and business-travel companies, cooperation could provide access to Macao’s exhibition facilities while supporting events serving Greater Bay Area markets.
Seminar supports Macao’s economic diversification strategy
The event was aligned with Macao’s Third Five-Year Development Plan for 2026–2030, which prioritizes economic diversification and closer integration with Hengqin.
Macao is seeking investment beyond its established tourism and gaming sectors, particularly in technology, modern finance, traditional Chinese medicine, healthcare, MICE and professional services. Singapore offers potential partners in many of these fields as well as experience in attracting international companies and developing regional business networks.
The Singapore programme was followed by additional economic, trade and tourism promotion events in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. Together, the three-city programme was designed to expand business links between Macao, mainland Chinese companies and Southeast Asian markets.
Source: Media OutReach Newswire’s seminar report. Event figures verified through the Macao SAR Government and Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry.
