MOP7.3 billion for six major 2025 projects

The opinion issued by the Second Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly on the analysis of next year’s budget bill highlights six major projects planned for 2025, with the government expected to spend approximately MOP7.283 billion. These six projects, each valued at over MOP500 million, include: the design and construction of a flyover between Zone A and Zone B of the new landfills (MOP509 million); the construction of public housing in plot B7 of Zone A (MOP511 million); the construction of public housing in plot A4 of Zone A (MOP642 million); the construction of a wastewater treatment plant on the artificial island (MOP664 million); the construction of technical galleries on the central street of Zone A (MOP994 million); and the East Line of the Light Rapid Transit (MOP3.963 billion).

In addition to these, there are 47 other projects with budgets exceeding MOP100 million each, totaling an additional MOP16.8 billion in projected expenditure.

The government has forecast that in 2025, revenues will increase by 13% to MOP121 billion, while expenditure will rise by 7% to MOP113 billion, leading to an anticipated budget surplus of nearly MOP8 billion.

Some ongoing projects, although of smaller value, are also seeing significant increases in their budgets for 2025. Notably, the allocation for the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center will rise by MOP28.1 million, a 37.5% increase compared to the previous year.

Similarly, funding for the public service of television and radio broadcasting will see a substantial increase, rising from MOP325,242,300 to MOP439,784,300 in 2025. This represents a year-on-year growth of MOP114.5 million, or 35.2%.

On the other hand, the government will save funds by reducing allocations to certain entities, such as the Macau Science Center (-5.1%) and the Macau Orchestra (-37.2%).

Additionally, MOP500 million will be saved in 2025 compared to 2024, as there will be no special funding for the celebration of the handover anniversary.