Broadway Macau partners with local SMEs

Francis Lui

Broadway Macau’s newest project under the Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), of which the grand opening is expected to be held on May 27, will feature a variety of outlets for eateries and restaurants that are already renowned across the city. More than 20 cooperating brands from the retail and food and beverage sectors – some of whom are cooperating with gaming operators for just the first time – attended the project’s launch ceremony yesterday.
The project is a reflection of the demand from society and the government urging gaming operators to contribute to the development of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It has successfully wooed a total of 30 SMEs, and is the result of “over HKD5 billion in investment,” according to GEG. Nearly 60 percent of these brands are “time-honored local brands” and among them are: I Son; Xie Cheng Seafood & Hotpot Restaurant; Hou Choi Seafood And Chinese Fondue Restaurant; Fong Seng Lai Kei Restaurant; Hang Heong Un; Wong Kun Sio Kung; Chi Kei Ngao Chap; Ving Kei Tao Fu Min Sek; San Ma Lo Seng Kei Chok Pan; Dragon Portuguese Cuisine; Wa Sang Hong; Ngau Ngau; Lei Ka Choi; Chi Sasa Japanese Cuisine and The Roadhouse Macau.
The vice-chairman of the group, Francis Lui, told media at the launch ceremony that some tourists have told him that a desire to try local cuisine was the main reason for visiting the city.
Confident about the market’s prospects, the casino operator believes the group has sufficient hardware and resources to expand the local cuisine market at the new venue.
“Looking back at Macau ten, twenty years ago, there were many distinctive small stores full of character. Striving to retain these traditional characteristics of Macau, we hope to spur the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, and to share the fruits of economic success through the healthy diversification of the gaming industry,” said Francis Lui. He added that GEG would do its utmost to assist each SME with which it collaborates. “In daily operations, GEG will also provide support in areas such as management, maintenance, security, cleaning, finance, team member training and marketing, to ensure SMEs’ smooth operation and to jointly promote local brands.”
The group, according to its vice chairman, has devoted a whopping 95 percent of its investment to developing non-gaming facilities in the second phase of Galaxy Macau, in a move to distance itself from other gaming outlets.
However, Francis Lui still admitted that the success of gaming-­related services would be the driving force behind the success of non-gaming elements. In the face of mounting demand for different services and facilities from the mass market, the group’s future efforts will continue to concentrate on diversifying its offerings.
One of the partner eatery owners, Lo Pong Long, who operates a Cantonese congee store, told media that GEG has approached them with a “favorable offer,” which has lessened their concerns about operating additional outlets. “The renovation cost will be paid in a four-year instalment without interest. As a massive organization, it is easier for them to apply for human resources from the Labor Affairs Bureau, as the process associated is likely to be less complex,” the retailer said.
Seeking to attract tourists by branching out to non-gaming activities, the Broadway at Galaxy Macau project will mainly consist of an area dedicated to food and beverage, retail, performance and entertainment. The resort will recreate New York’s famous theater district with a 3,000-seat venue, showcasing international performances as well as Asian culture, GEG said in a statement.