14 market and food stalls to be auctioned to reduce market vacancies

[photo: Nadia Shaw]

In a move aimed at revitalizing underused spaces and attracting new vendors to traditional markets and cooked food centers, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) will launch a new round of public auctions for 14 stall units across the sector later this month.

Policy advocates say the auction highlights a broader structural issue – persistent vacancy rates in public markets.

The units up for public bidding include 10 cooked food stalls, three light refreshment stalls, and one fish stall, located across the Iao Hon Municipal Market Complex, the Patane Market Cooked Food Center (Patane Food Plaza), and the Almirante Lacerda (Red Market).

According to a recent TDM report, industry representatives expect strong demand, particularly for food-related units in high-traffic locations. Kuok Keng Fong, president of the Macau Association of Market Vendors, told the local broadcaster that stalls in busy cooked food centers are likely to draw the most interest.

“Cooked food centers such as the Iao Hon Municipal Market Complex have relatively high foot traffic. We believe the response to the auction of these 14 stalls will be enthusiastic, with Iao Hon likely seeing particularly strong participation,” he said. Kuok also added that cooked food units in other centers are also popular and are expected to attract a comparatively large number of bidders.

Also speaking to TDM, Lei Chong In, deputy director of Social Affairs of the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (UGAMM), called for a regularized auction mechanism to ensure timely access for prospective vendors.

“Public tenders must be conducted on a regular basis,” Lei said.

“At present, many markets in different districts have a considerable number of vacant stalls. Potential entrants often ask how frequently the bureau [IAM] holds open tenders. Without a regular mechanism, it is not ideal for those who want to enter the market sector, nor for filling existing vacancies quickly.”

Lei also proposed introducing a performance evaluation system for stall operators, with clear exit channels for those who fail to meet standards, to improve allocation of public resources and support a sustainable market ecosystem.