Macao Hosts Singapore Investment Seminar, Signs Over 80 Cooperation Agreements Across Key Sectors

On August 31, in Singapore, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government held a reception and an economic, trade, tourism and investment promotion seminar. The stated aim was to move cooperation between Macao and Singapore forward in practical terms, across both official and non-governmental channels.

The numbers attached to the day are specific. More than 130 business matching sessions took place, and over 80 agreements were signed. They covered high technology, traditional Chinese medicine and what organizers call big health, conventions and exhibitions, tourism, modern finance, and collaboration among industry, academia and research.

More than 350 guests attended. Among them were Sam Hou Fai, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, and Gan Siow Huang, Singapore's Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Also present were representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, members of the Macao government delegation, delegates from the Macao-Hengqin and Mainland China economic, trade and tourism delegation, and Singaporean figures from politics, business, culture, tourism and trade associations.

Sam placed the visit within the wider relationship between the two countries. He noted that last June, the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Singapore, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made a successful visit to China, where President Xi Jinping and Wong jointly set the direction for the next phase of relations. Leading the delegation to Singapore, he said, is a concrete step toward carrying out that consensus, and a way for Macao to use its particular strengths to deepen exchanges with Singapore.

He also tied the trip to domestic planning. This year is the first of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, and Macao recently promulgated its Third Five-Year Development Plan for Economic and Social Development, covering 2026 to 2030. Its priorities include diversifying the economy, with four major engineering projects and government-guided funds as the main levers. It also calls for deeper Macao-Hengqin integration to advance the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin, faster urban renewal toward a smart city, and active participation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Macao wants to be a bridgehead for the country's opening-up and a window for exchange between Chinese and Western civilizations. Sam added that the government intends to build an efficient public service system and a market-oriented, law-based, internationalized business environment, protecting investors' legitimate rights and interests.

Gan responded that the two places have long had close, friendly relations, with cooperation in economy, trade, tourism, education and cultural exchange. She said their complementary strengths could support deeper work in tourism and urban development. Both have internationally known tourism industries and destination brands, and can learn from each other in creating premium visitor experiences, integrated tourism products and livable cities. Singapore, she said, looks forward to sharing practical experience in developing the tourism sector with Macao and to productive partnerships between businesses.

She also pointed to a role beyond the bilateral. As companies in both places value their home markets but look increasingly overseas, Singapore and Macao could serve as trusted partners linking the Greater Bay Area with Southeast Asia, helping firms build cross-regional networks. She named digitalization, innovation, sustainable development and eldercare services as areas where pooling corporate strengths could open new growth.

The agreements are the measurable output so far. What they are worth, and whether they become actual investment, will only show in the months ahead.