The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said today that the Government’s 200-billion-pataca forecast for casino gaming revenue in 2016 was reasonable based on the industry’s performance in the Lunar New Year period.

The Secretary told reporters that gaming revenue during the Lunar New Year holiday period this year was similar to that recorded in the same period in 2015. The Government would continue to closely monitor external developments and cautiously evaluate any potential impact on Macao’s economy, he added.

Mr Leong said the Government would strive to gain a better understanding on the latest developments impacting local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by collecting more data on tourist and local consumption patterns. The development of the city’s SMEs is essential to the prosperity of Macao, he stated.

The Secretary said the entire community – including young people and local businesses – was confident on Macao’s long-term prosperity. Mr Leong said people he had met recently told him they were devoting a lot of effort to improve their skills during the ongoing adjustment period in the city’s gaming industry.

Asked by reporters, Mr Leong said gaming operators in Macao had well-defined development plans; he added that delays in the completion of some integrated resort projects currently under construction were related to a number of factors.

The Secretary added that – by launching international promotional campaigns to promote non-gaming elements and attract more international visitors – gaming operators were showing their confidence in Macao’s tourism sector.