Business rep urges revitalization of northern district

Wong Kin Chong

The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District President Wong Kin Chong has acknowledged the alarming closure rate of shops in the district, including the once-popular Atlantic Seafood & Dim Sum Restaurant in Iao Hon, warning that without significant changes, the business environment there is likely to deteriorate further.

In an interview with the Times at his office, Wong expressed concerns about the less-than-ideal business environment in the northern district, highlighting that “there has been almost no change in the past 20 years.” He noted that local businesses are worried about their future, as the district remains old and lacks innovation.

Despite a significant increase in tourists to Macau, averaging 136,000 daily over the past three-day Ching Ming holiday in mainland China, the northern district only sees about a 10% increase in visitor arrivals, resulting in minimal business growth of about 5–10%. He admitted that most shops in the area are focused on local livelihoods and are significantly less attractive compared to those in tourist hotspots.

Wong referred to the revitalization efforts by the government and the city’s six integrated resort operators, describing the northern district as “like a forgotten orphan.” He compared it to areas like Rua da Felicidade and Ponte 16 in the central and southern districts, which are currently undergoing revitalization.

He noted that the streets in his district remain quiet and lack vibrancy, emphasizing the absence of similar revitalization plans for the area, and said: “We do not wish for the government to merely send people to organize consumer promotion campaigns or set up temporary attractions; instead, we hope it will genuinely prioritize the development of the old district here.”

Northbound spending fever has been blamed as the reason for the phenomenon of empty shops both in Macau and Hong Kong. In Wong’s view, he believes that the lack of consumption growth in the northern district, coupled with the limited purchasing power of local residents, has intensified competition among businesses.

He criticized the introduction of the citywide consumer promotion campaign as merely a superficial measure that has not resulted in genuine economic growth. Wong emphasized that to revitalize the community, the government must significantly increase its investment, proposing a one-time expenditure of over 10 billion patacas for a comprehensive overhaul, including transport and operational support.

Wong made both short-term and long-term suggestions to the government. In the short term, he believes the government can enhance transport support measures during peak periods to facilitate easier access for tourists to the northern district. For long-term planning, Wong called on the chief executive to spearhead a comprehensive economic revitalization plan, drawing inspiration from neighboring districts, such as Zhuhai’s Beishan.

He emphasized the need to create a cultural and creative community cluster that showcases the unique characteristics of the district. Yuki Lei