Gov’t unveils IP-themed plans to revive ZAPE

As satellite casinos in the New Porto Exterior (NAPE) and Zona de Aterros do Porto Exterior (ZAPE) districts prepare to close by the end of the year, the government is launching a series of initiatives aimed at revitalizing these areas and supporting the merchants who depend on casino traffic.

Yau Yun Wah, director of the Macau Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), announced yesterday a multi-faceted approach that includes intellectual property (IP)-themed community projects, tourist consumption coupons, and cross-departmental efforts to stimulate local commerce.

With over 160 merchants operating near the soon-to-close satellite casinos, many of whom rely heavily on casino visitors, the government is keen to mitigate the economic impact of these closures.

“We’ve planned a wide range of initiatives to revitalize these districts in light of the closures,” Yau told the press yesterday.

Campaigns toattract visitors

Central to the strategy is a new IP-themed community project slated to launch between mid-November and next year. The project will feature installations and photo-friendly attractions designed to draw both tourists and locals to explore and spend in the NAPE and ZAPE districts.

“There will be installations and photo-friendly attractions to draw both tourists and locals to visit, explore, and spend in the areas,” Yau said.

Yau added that the government is currently negotiating with an “international IP” partner to bring this campaign to life, building on previous successes with popular IP-driven events.

Earlier collaborations with Japanese entertainment giant Sanrio, known for Hello Kitty, and Chinese toy company Pop Mart, creators of the Labubu dolls, have demonstrated the effectiveness of leveraging well-known IPs to boost foot traffic and community engagement in the city.

For residents, these experiences provide novelty; for tourists from the Greater Bay Area and beyond, they may represent a long-term attraction.

Targeted promotions and consumption coupons

In addition to the IP campaign, the government is said to be in talks with “a major mainland Chinese ticketing platform” to offer consumption coupons targeted at concertgoers visiting Macau.

The aim is to encourage high-spending tourists to explore beyond the casinos and support local merchants through shopping and dining in those areas. These efforts include special gift packages, such as tickets to the Macau Grand Prix Museum and coupons redeemable at local businesses in NAPE and ZAPE.

In addition, the government is also considering extending similar incentives to overnight guests staying in three- and four-star hotels within the districts to further stimulate local spending.

While direct financial aid was not announced, affected businesses can apply for existing government support schemes such as the Interest Rate Subsidy Plan for Bank Credits for SMEs – also known as the Bonus Plan 2025.

Productivity Center Suggests Integrating Macau Elements into IP Works
In a related development, the Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM) put forward recommendations to help local businesses enhance their brand image and expand their market reach through intellectual property (IP) development.

On Monday, the center voiced encouragement for IP development that incorporates Macau’s distinctive cultural heritage. By incorporating Macau-inspired elements into character designs and storylines, businesses can appeal both to local consumers and global audiences interested in Macau’s blend of Chinese and Western cultures, added the CPTTM.

The CPTTM emphasized the importance of social media promotion and partnerships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and local brands to boost IP engagement and market presence. It also highlighted participation in international competitions as an effective way to enhance a company’s reputation, credibility, and visibility.

SAR hosts Brazil-Portugal tech competition to strengthen ties

The Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) hosted the “2025 Brazil-Portugal Technology Enterprises (Macau) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition” at the Macau Science Center yesterday. According to the DSEDT, the event aims to strengthen Macau’s role as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Now in its fifth year, the competition received over 20 project nominations from Brazil and Portugal. Seventeen finalists competed across fields like artificial intelligence (AI), biomedicine, and medical devices.

Director of the DSEDT, Yau Yun Wah, highlighted the Center for Science and Technology Exchange and Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CSTCP) as a key platform in growing Macau’s role as a link between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in his speech.

The center supports technology enterprises from these countries to tap into Greater Bay Area opportunities via innovation competitions, study tours, and business matchmaking.

Finalists pitched their innovations online before a panel of investors, academics, and industry leaders, who awarded prizes in seven categories.

Winners announced yesterday include Hilab (Brazil), Klike.AI LLC, and OWLplaces, among others.