Beyond the Billions: How Macao's Integrated Resorts Forge a Resilient Local Economy

MACAO – December 09, 2025

As Sands China Ltd. celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Local Small, Medium and Micro Suppliers Support Programme this week, the spotlight shone not just on a corporate milestone, but on a strategic blueprint for regional economic resilience. The lavish ceremony at The Londoner Macao®, attended by government officials and business leaders, marked a decade of a concerted effort that has channeled nearly MOP 120 billion into the local economy. Beyond the staggering figures, the initiative represents a critical shift in the relationship between Macao's mega-resorts and the small businesses that form the backbone of the city's economic fabric.

The program, co-launched with the Macao Chamber of Commerce in 2015, was Macao's first SME-focused initiative led by a major tourism enterprise. Over the past ten years, it has engaged 4,700 local SMEs, with local procurement consistently accounting for the vast majority of the company's spending—83% of the total MOP 119.4 billion since the program's inception. This week's event, which included the 2025 Sands Supplier Excellence Awards and the launch of a commemorative booklet, served as a powerful testament to a model that aims to ensure large and small businesses can thrive together.

A Blueprint for Symbiotic Growth

At the core of Sands China's initiative is a philosophy that transcends simple corporate social responsibility. It's a strategic partnership designed for mutual benefit. For the integrated resort operator, it builds a robust, reliable, and diversified local supply chain. For the SMEs, it provides unprecedented access, training, and financial support.

"SMEs are a vital pillar of Macao's economy, securing the foundation of the city's diversified industries," said Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd., during the anniversary ceremony. "For more than 20 years, Sands China has remained committed to supporting the growth of local SMEs by leading the industry in prioritising local procurement, building promotional platforms for local businesses, and sharing our business expertise and experience to help them achieve independent development."

This commitment is operationalized through key projects like the F.I.T. programme, introduced in 2017 to offer financial support, invitational matching, and crucial training. A cornerstone of this is the Sands Procurement Academy, which has successfully graduated 602 suppliers since its founding. The academy is designed to demystify the complex procurement processes of large international corporations, equipping local businesses with the skills and capacity needed to compete and grow. The curriculum expansion in 2019 to include all local SMEs, not just specific categories, marked a significant step in broadening the program's impact.

The sentiment of partnership is echoed by the Macao Chamber of Commerce. "Ten years ago, the Macao Chamber of Commerce partnered with Sands China to launch the local SME support programme, applying the philosophy of supporting the development of local SME suppliers and prioritising local procurement, opening a new chapter of symbiotic growth," stated Ma Chi Ngai, president of the board of directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce. He highlighted the creation of a "cooperative ecosystem of complementary strengths and mutual benefit," a system built to withstand market challenges together.

Aligning with a National Vision for Diversification

This decade-long effort is not happening in a vacuum. It is deeply interwoven with the Macao SAR government's urgent and long-standing policy of economic diversification. For years, officials have stressed the need to reduce the region's heavy reliance on the gaming sector and cultivate a more varied and resilient economic base. Initiatives like Sands China's support program are not just welcome—they are essential components of this state-level strategy.

The presence of high-ranking officials at the anniversary event, including representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government and the Macao Economic and Technological Development Bureau, underscores the program's alignment with government objectives. These efforts directly support policies outlined in national frameworks like the 15th Five-Year Plan and Macao's own local development plans, which call for leveraging the region's unique position to foster new industries.

As Macao looks toward integrating more deeply with the Greater Bay Area and the Hengqin development zone, the capacity and sophistication of its local business ecosystem become paramount. By upskilling local suppliers and fostering "Made in Macao" brands, integrated resort operators are effectively preparing the local economy for this next chapter. The future focus of the program, as articulated by both Sands China and the Chamber of Commerce, on digital transformation, brand upgrading, and international expansion, directly maps onto these broader regional ambitions.

An Industry-Wide Mandate

While Sands China's decade-long program is a notable benchmark, it is also indicative of a broader, industry-wide trend across Macao. Driven by a combination of strategic self-interest and government encouragement, other major integrated resort operators have launched similar initiatives. Galaxy Entertainment Group, for instance, established its own SME partnership program in 2015 and reports that over 90% of its procurement spend is with local enterprises. Wynn Macau more recently launched its own SME support program, holding large-scale procurement fairs and offering specialized training on topics like ESG integration.

This competitive landscape of corporate responsibility suggests that supporting local SMEs has evolved from a philanthropic nice-to-have into a core strategic and operational mandate for Macao's concessionaires. These programs help secure a social license to operate, strengthen supply chains against global disruptions, and contribute tangibly to the government's diversification goals—a critical factor in a highly regulated industry. The result is a powerful, city-wide engine for local economic development, with the largest corporations acting as anchors for a sprawling network of smaller enterprises.

Cultivating Success from the Ground Up

Beyond the macro-economic strategies and billion-dollar figures, the program's true impact is measured in the growth of individual businesses. Since 2016, Sands China has collaborated with local media to publish 138 "Local SME Success Stories," chronicling the journeys of companies that have leveraged the partnership to scale their operations and enhance their capabilities.

The annual Sands Supplier Excellence Awards further illustrate this multi-tiered approach. While categories like Project Management and Corporate Sustainability were awarded to established firms like Vodatel Holdings Ltd. and China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd., the inclusion of a specific Small/Medium Enterprise (SME) award, won this year by Hight Tea International Development Company Limited, ensures that smaller players are recognized on the same stage. It sends a clear message that all suppliers, regardless of size, are integral to the ecosystem. The networking sessions that follow these ceremonies are not just for show; they are practical forums where SME owners can connect directly with procurement managers, seeding opportunities for future collaboration and moving beyond a transactional relationship to one of genuine partnership.