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Daisy Wu

Macau has unveiled a sweeping five-year strategic blueprint to break its long-standing dependence on casino revenues by pivoting towards modern financial services, digital currency adoption and deeper economic integration with mainland China.
Under its third five-year plan for economic and social development, released on Tuesday, the gambling hub aims to boost the added value of non-gaming industries to about 60 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030, up from 56.7 per cent in 2024.
Gaming remains the bedrock of the local economy, generating MOP$67.9 billion (US$8.4 billion) – or more than 80 per cent of Macau’s total public revenue – in the first seven months of the year. But authorities are pushing to lay stronger foundations for a more diversified growth model.
The policy document outlined four flagship infrastructure projects and a new government-backed fund designed to accelerate growth across priority non-casino sectors, including modern finance, healthcare, advanced technology and the convention industry.
As part of its financial modernisation push, the road map emphasised digital currency adoption and cross-border payment systems. According to the document, Macau would press ahead with legislation and controlled trials for its official digital currency, the “e-MOP”, while establishing a unified settlement system.
The government also plans to leverage its participation in Project mBridge, a multi-central bank digital currency platform developed alongside international monetary authorities, to help build a next-generation, real-time payment platform. It will also explore ways to link the digital yuan with the e-MOP.
Macau will leverage its unique advantage of having deeply-rooted ties to the Chinese mainland, while connected to the world
Sam Hou-fai, Macau chief executive
To strengthen local financial markets, authorities are rolling out policy support for the bond market, including bond issuance subsidies, upgrades to the Macau Central Securities Depository System and expanded clearing links with mainland and international capital markets. The measures seek to attract top-tier global issuers and institutional investors.
When announcing the blueprint, Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai said the five-year plan would serve as a “road map and mission statement for Macau’s entry into a new stage of high-quality development”, noting that its execution would “drive the sustainable diversification of the enclave’s economy”.
“Macau will leverage its unique advantage of having deeply-rooted ties to the Chinese mainland, while connected to the world,” he said. “It will actively participate in the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area and deepen cooperation with Hong Kong.”
Beyond infrastructure and funding, the government is rolling out targeted incentives to accelerate this shift. Policy measures include tax breaks for strategic technology firms and expanded financial support to help local small and medium-sized enterprises upgrade their digital and technological capabilities.
The plan also heavily emphasises the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in neighbouring Hengqin – an island in the jurisdiction of Zhuhai, Guangdong province – positioning it as an indispensable physical and institutional runway to scale up Macau’s ventures centred around hi-tech, traditional Chinese medicine and education.
Macau’s GDP reached MOP418.04 billion heading into the new planning period, according to the policy document.


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Road map targets 60 per cent non-gaming share of GDP by 2030 through infrastructure, healthcare, hi-tech industries and closer mainland links


Road map targets 60 per cent non-gaming share of GDP by 2030 through infrastructure, healthcare, hi-tech industries and closer mainland links.


Macau bets on financial services, fintech to drive economic diversification

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Road map targets 60 per cent non-gaming share of GDP by 2030 through infrastructure, healthcare, hi-tech industries and closer mainland links

Road map targets 60 per cent non-gaming share of GDP by 2030 through infrastructure, healthcare, hi-tech industries and closer mainland links