Lawmakers ask for source market internationalization, further financial support

In a recent written enquiry at the Legislative Assembly, lawmaker José Maria Pereira Coutinho asked the government about the internationalization of the city’s tourism source market.

Coutinho pointed out that in the most recent national development plan, Macau is positioned as a global tourism and leisure center and is required to internationalize its source market in order to achieve this position.

He added that this goal is understood to be an indispensable step in fostering economic diversification for the city, and of benefit to local residents.

In addition, he pointed out that under the city’s Five-year Plan covering the years 2016 to 2020, 22 specific targets, which would eventually converge into seven broader targets, should be achieved by the end of the half-decade.

Among these targets are strengthening regional cooperation and exploring international exchanges. The latter is embodied in the construction of the “three centers” facilitating interactions between China and Lusophone countries.

Based on these projected statements, the lawmaker asked the government how much it has already achieved in those five years in market diversification and internationalization, and what measures would be adopted to further these goals.

Coutinho also asked about the progress in regional cooperation, economic diversification and job-market expansion. Moreover, he questioned about what the government would do in the coming years, until 2025, to achieve the unmet goals.

On the other hand, Coutinho’s ally, lawmaker Che Sai Wang, asked the government for extra financial subsidies to small traders in an economy struggling to recover.

He opened by saying that local residents have been expecting the government to provide greater financial relief, given the uncertainty surrounding any potential recovery led by the casino industry.

Che cited news reports suggesting that a flea-market economy is emerging in mainland China. One freelance vendor has been using the trunk of her car to sell artifacts and toys in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, managing to earn RMB1,000 per day. She also has a full-time job.

Che also recalled that in the immediate aftermath of the handover, the government allowed stall-sellers to operate in a manner resembling sellers at flea markets.

The lawmaker suggests that the government allow such commercial practices on particular occasions so that vendors can sell local souvenirs, artifacts, foods and beverages, and other locally-made goods.

He also asked the government how it would provide greater conveniences to sole-proprietors who wish to conduct flea-market vending, in addition to what financial support it would offer to business owners in traditional civic shopping districts, such as the Red Market.