Sands China unveils 24 selected SMEs for a revitalization programme

[Photo: Ricaela Diputado]

Sands China has selected 24 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate in its 2026 Community Revitalization Programme for Rua das Estalagens, with the initiative offering funding to new and existing businesses for expansion and shop upgrades.

The programme comprises two parts: the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens and the newly introduced Shop Rebranding Programme.

An award presentation ceremony was held Wednesday at The Londoner Macao. On the sidelines of the ceremony, PS-Together Pet Salon representatives Ivy Chen and Ada Tam spoke with the Times about what the programme has done for them and what they plan to do with the grant moving forward.

“With this programme, we hoped that our pet salon would have the funds and human resources to help us improve our business,” Chen said.

“To be specific, our shop will offer some self-service bathing, and then we will collaborate with some local original brands to make pet products,” Tam said.

She continued, “Our second floor is for charity work. Upstairs, we have stray cats, and we plan to improve their environment, because upstairs is all made up of second-hand materials.”

Tam mentioned some of the salon’s issues: “Because our store has been on Rua das Estalagens for quite a while, we are encountering some challenges. For example, there’s water leakage, electricity problems, and the wall is starting to peel. So we will be doing some refurbishments.”

With a history spanning over 470 years, the street was once among Macao’s most vibrant commercial neighbourhoods, embodying the city’s rich cultural heritage and the perseverance of generations of residents and merchants.

The 24 selected projects comprise 11 entrepreneurship proposals and 13 rebranding plans, spanning a diverse range of businesses including dine-in and takeaway, retail, cultural and creative, fashion, travel photography, and pet grooming. Together with the first edition, the initiative will have benefited a total of 30 businesses.

Chan Chou Weng, representative of the Secretary for Economy and Finance and acting director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau, expressed appreciation at the ceremony, stating, “This year, Sands China has further upgraded the initiative. Together, these efforts exemplify the powerful synergy of the ‘large enterprises leading SMEs’ approach, providing concrete support for SMEs to enhance their capabilities and injecting sustainable momentum into the local economy.”

Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., expressed gratitude to the government for its long-term guidance and support.

“District revitalization is a long-term endeavour that requires sustained vision and commitment,” Wong said. “Since the launch of the ‘Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens’ in 2024, we are delighted to see the programme empowering creative and passionate young entrepreneurs and local SMEs to turn their aspirations into reality, while breathing new life into the district.”

Lam In Nie, vice president of the board of directors and chief of the Ladies’ Committee of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, praised the initiative’s evolution.

“This year, the initiative has been further elevated, bringing new entrepreneurs into the neighbourhood while supporting existing merchants in transforming their businesses,” Lam said. “Together, these efforts foster the coordinated development of traditional and emerging business models.”

Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme 2.0 applicants were assessed on innovativeness, market potential, business model, and team capabilities. Selected applicants must commit to self-invested initial operating capital of no less than MOP300,000 and each receive subsidies equivalent to one to two times the amount of self-invested capital, capped at MOP1 million.

Shop Rebranding Programme applicants were evaluated on rebranding ideas, contribution to district renewal, and financial planning soundness. Selected merchants must commit a minimum of MOP50,000 in self-invested capital and can receive subsidies equivalent to one to three times that amount, capped at MOP500,000 per applicant.

Sands China has introduced a phased funding mechanism, under which selected enterprises will receive 60% of their total funding as start-up capital ahead of launch, easing initial financial pressure.

The selected businesses include 11 under the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme 2.0 and 13 under the Shop Rebranding Programme, covering sectors including food and beverage, retail, creative industries, fashion, travel photography and pet services.