February 6, 2023

Special Report – Digital Macau

Macau Business | February 2023 | Special Report | Digital Macau

Aiming at the cutting edge

The Chief Executive recently quoted what President Xi Jinping emphasized in the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China: “We must consider science and technology as our main productive force, the qualified cadre as our main resource, and innovation as our main engine of growth.”

Ho Iat Seng has made the commitment to science and technology a priority, thus becoming one of the hallmarks of his three years in office.

In the latest Policy Address, the 1+4 concept took centre stage: If the ‘1’ refers to promoting the diversified development of the tourism and leisure sector, the ‘4’ represents perseverance in promoting the development of four nascent industries: big health industry; modern financial services; high technology; conferences and exhibitions, commerce and trade, and culture and sports.

Let’s take the example of the commitment to e-government: the topic began to be talked about exactly two decades ago, but only in the last few years has the formula made big strides.

This special report shows that much has been done, but that much more remains to be achieved.

A way to gauge the effectiveness of research and development is through the spin-offs generated by universities. Macau is still somewhat at an infant stage in this respect, with one case clearly standing out: Digifluidic, a dynamic biotechnology company installed in Hengqin.

Digifluidic is the result of the most strategic and profitable effort in science and technology made in the history of Macau, by the Institute of Microelectronics (University of Macau), thanks to the visionary work of Professor Rui Martins and his right-hand man, Professor Pui In Mak.

This special report talks about these and other success stories but also some shortcomings, such as the delay in launching the 5G network, which was something of a trial by fire for the current Government, which, nevertheless could not prevent Macau from being the last city within the Greater Bay Area to have 5G up and running, two and a half years behind Hong Kong.

Co-ordinated by João Paulo Meneses [email protected]