Sands China leads SMEs to strive for growth and success

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a pillar of social prosperity, stability and moderate economic diversification. They play a vital role in Macao’s long-term prosperity, job market and economic diversification. Sands China upholds a business philosophy of supporting local enterprises, and the company has spared no effort in promoting Macao brands to support the Macao SAR government’s policy of fostering SMEs, resulting in thousands of fruitful collaborations and strengthening Macao’s development as a world centre of tourism and leisure.

Procurement spend

In 2015, Sands China co-launched its Local Small, Medium and Micro Suppliers Support Program with the Macao Chamber of Commerce (MCC), becoming the first integrated resort operator in Macao to launch such a programme. It focuses on three categories of local businesses: small and micro companies, “Made-in-Macao” companies, and Macao young entrepreneurs. This aligns with the Macao government’s initiative to “buy local” and demonstrates Sands China’s commitment to supporting local enterprises as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts. The programme has made remarkable achievements in the eight years since its implementation. Sands China’s percentage of procurement spend on Macao enterprises increased from 77% to 89% while the percentage of procurement spend on SMEs climbed from 14% to 25% as of last year. 

Sands Procurement Academy

To reinforce its support for local SMEs under the programme, Sands China launched the F.I.T. initiative, which is comprised of three pillars: Financial Support, Invitational Matching, and Training and Development. F.I.T. targets both existing and new local Sands China suppliers and delivers practical knowledge by Sands China, the Macao Chamber of Commerce and the Macau Productivity and Technology Centre (CPTTM). It seeks to continually increase and strengthen procurement between Sands China and local SME suppliers by enhancing their capabilities. 

The Sands Procurement Academy has delivered over 8100 training hours since launching in 2017, having welcomed 14 cohorts to date. Over 520 local SME suppliers have enrolled, and more than 480 have already graduated. Graduates of the academy have consistently given positive feedback about the ways the programme has benefited their business. Graduates receive a completion certificate and are given preferential procurement opportunities with Sands China under otherwise equal circumstances. 

Sands Resorts Incubation Centre

In keeping with the Macao SAR government’s initiative to spearhead technology-driven smart tourism, Sands China launched the Sands Resorts Incubation Centre in May. It aims to not only facilitate the optimization and refinement of existing products and services, but to also facilitate the development of new and innovative solutions targeted at the integrated resort industry. It seeks to help entrepreneurs transform their conceptual ideas into commercially viable offerings that are poised for success in the marketplace. 

Additionally, Sands China has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Parafuturo de Macau Investment and Development Limited (PFM) to work together to identify potential enterprises through periodic workshops, classroom trainings, and competition events. By sharing industry expertise and business knowledge, the two entities aim to enhance the development of Macao’s young entrepreneurs and support the growth of local small, medium, and micro suppliers.

Local Supplier Open Day

Sands China held its 2023 Sands China Local Supplier Open Day in April, aimed at providing procurement opportunities for prospective local SME suppliers. The event was well-attended, with close to 220 SME suppliers participating. The Local Supplier Open Day gave potential suppliers a chance to connect with Sands China procurement representatives and learn about procurement opportunities in various departments. Several categories of procurement booths were set up: food and beverage, outside services and logistics, marketing and printing, technology and gaming, operating supplies and equipment, facilities and construction, and Macao brand and made-in-Macao products.

The Macao Showcase

Sands China held “The Macao Showcase” at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands in June, inviting sales and trade partners, regional and international media, Singapore’s residents, and travellers to experience the multifaceted charm of Macao – promoting the city as a world centre of tourism and leisure and a premier MICE destination. Sands China utilized the event as a large sales platform for Macao’s SME suppliers, leading a delegation of 200 representatives to Singapore to promote the unique beauty, products, and arts & culture of Macao. 

The Macao Showcase was the first time a Macao integrated resort operator drove SME suppliers to participate in an exhibition together to facilitate overseas business opportunities. One of Macao’s time-honoured SMEs, Wong Chi Kei Foods (Macau) Co. Ltd., recently made its mark in Singapore through The Macao Showcase, where the company showcased its latest gift souvenir, “Yea Yea Noodles (Grandpa Noodles).” Additionally, Sands China successfully facilitated procurement partnerships for several SMEs, such as Choi Heong Yuen Bakery, Kam-in Catering, and Yeng Kee Bakery through The Macao Showcase, enabling them to successfully enter the international market.

Sands Shopping Carnival

In order to boost post-pandemic economic revival, Sands China held the 2023 Sands Shopping Carnival in July at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo, attracting nearly 110,000 visits over its four days of shopping, activities and performances; around 50 percent of the visitation came from tourists. Now in its fourth year, the carnival has welcomed over 420,000 visitors since debuting in 2020.

The Sands Shopping Carnival has become an annual signature event for Sands China. It gives local residents and tourists an exciting weekend destination, while offering a free business platform for local SMEs and Sands retailers to take advantage of the synergistic effects of having both local and international brands at one event. This year’s carnival offered visitors more than 580 booths to browse, the highest number to date, across 11 zones.

Wong Yu Fei “Our company achieved great results from participating in ‘The Macao Showcase’ organised by Sands China in Singapore. And our participation in this year’s Sands Shopping Carnival brought us a lot of business opportunities as well, as the event attracted a great number of residents and tourists. Sands China fully supports local SMEs – they provided booths for us for free at the carnival, which helps alleviate costs, in turn making SMEs more confident about sales.”   Business Development Director,  Wong Chi Kei Foods (Macau) Co. Ltd.

Jason Ho (left) and Danny Cheung “Sands China’s valuable experience in international construction standards and quality management has led to local SMEs learning and accumulating experience and professional skills. Since working with Sands China, Genyield has become more comprehensive and diversified, providing opportunities for our engineering management, technology and construction team members to improve their capabilities and craftmanship. This has brought positive impact to the company, as it has enhanced our competitiveness in the market and developed our business.” Deputy General Manager, and Managing Director, Genyield Construction Co., Ltd.

Fred Ma Chi Ngai “The Macao Chamber of Commerce and Sands China have worked together on SME support programs for eight years now, in line with the government’s policies to promote the development of Macao’s SMEs. Initiatives such as SME Open Day and the Sands Procurement Academy have brought many business opportunities and new space for development to SMEs. During the pandemic, Sands China’s Expedited Payment Program helped alleviate SMEs’ cash flow pressures and restored their competitiveness amid unstable conditions. This shows that Sands China upholds the business philosophy of supporting SMEs, creating mutual benefits and a win-win situation.” President, Macao Chamber of Commerce