It was already obvious, but official data released today shows that Macau’s construction sector took a big hit last year. The construction sector registered year-on-year declines in all of its principal indicators in 2009, attributable to the prolonged suspension regarding the construction of some major tourism and gaming facilities, due to the international financial crisis. In 2009, a total of 1,293 establishments were operating in the construction sector, down by 14.4 percent from 2008; the number of persons engaged in the industry decreased by 28.6 percent to 18,732. The gross value added that measures the sector’s contribution to the economy (MOP5.35 billion or US$670 million) also registered a significant decrease of 53.7 percent. There were 1,450 construction projects carried out in 2009, of which 874 were private construction projects, with the total value falling by 47.2 percent year-on-year to MOP26.34 billion. The value of construction of tourism and gaming facilities and hotels amounted to MOP20.80 billion (79.0 percent of total value of private construction project), down by 51.1 percent from 2008.
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