News Express: UM experts and scholars provide suggestions on SAR government’s policies for 2024

新聞快訊:澳大專家學者為2024年施政提供意見

 

“2024年財政年度澳門特區施政報告”前瞻座談會
The seminar on the Macao SAR government’s policy address for the fiscal year 2024

 


澳大專家學者為2024年施政提供意見

澳門大學澳門研究中心今(30)日舉行“2024年財政年度澳門特區施政報告”前瞻座談會,多名專家學者為明年施政提供意見。他們共同關注經濟復甦中的居民心理預期問題、小微企的疫後生存情況、人工智能發展所帶來的職業結構轉型、失業問題等,並就不同方面提出前瞻性的政策和具體產業建議。

是次會議由澳大澳門研究中心主任林玉鳳主持。澳大社會科學學院助理教授關鋒表示,未來政府施政仍應在“總結”和“穩定”之上,政府可總結抗疫三年所推出消費卡、中小企支援、帶津培訓等惠民措施的成效,為未來同類政策提供參考。此外,也應總結提振經濟措施的成果與不足。展望未來,2024年旅遊業將繼續復甦,可在拓展海外客源上多作工夫,經濟多元應以穩定為主。

澳門管理學院院長唐繼宗認為,澳門經濟已在復甦的過程中,現已達到2019年七成一的水平,然而旅遊業、遊客消費模式等都有結構性調整,政府應注意復甦過程中的結構不平衡現象。未來施政方面,重點可在穩定消費和投資信心上,疫情期間的一些措施不需太快退出巿場。他認為,隨着灣區融合,區域競爭增大,政府應注意其對澳門小微企的影響,在經濟轉型中,應幫助小微企在疫後過渡和生存。

澳大工商管理學院副教授蕭志成同樣關注澳門復甦期間旅客驟然增多的居民心理預期問題。他表示,政府未來施政可在居民心理預期上著墨,考慮出台分流措施,如鼓勵公交、設立公交專道、注重環境衛生、使用智慧手段分流等,以減低居民和旅客的衝突。他認為政府應初步考量和準備未來數字人民幣的使用問題,開展包括數字貨幣和移動支付等在內的立法事宜。

澳大博彩研究所所長馮家超表示,直至現時為止,來澳旅客已達1400萬人次,相信今年第四季大眾巿場會恢復到2019年的水平。由於恢復速度超出預期,可能會引發一些社會問題。他指出,澳門接待大眾顧客的能力與賭收掛鈎,使賭收變得可預期,政府可依此進行相關估算,以制定相關政策。他注意到,在高息環境影響下,小微企流動性緊絀,未來一些參與過“還息不還本”計劃的小微企業,可能會有倒閉或流動性風險。

澳大工商管理學院副教授蘇小恩表示,在穩固綜合旅遊休閒上,政府需要認真處理交通配套的問題,提出短中長期的改善計劃;在文化政策上,從顧客體驗和吸引力上發展“文化地標”;在體育文化旅遊上,除著重賽事本質上,建議思考賽事和旅遊的結合;在會展方面,建議加強澳門年青人的外語能力,增強會展業的國際化;在文化產業上,建議加強澳門年青人對新興巿場的興趣,明晰行業前程;在五年規劃上,清晰政府各部門在五年規劃上的定位。

澳大科技學院副教授黃承發認為,在科技產業上,應建立短中長期的科技發展計劃,培養科技創業氛圍,先發展較容易落地的科技產業及產品,再發展較深層次及更高質量的科技產業。在綠色產業上,未來施政要注意達到國家2030碳達峰的目標,引進新技術造就綠色科技行業,投資碳交易巿場。在人才計劃上,應積極培養和引進複合型尤其是與人工智能或數據等相關的人才,注意吸引有經驗或成功個案的高新科技人才,支持運動員的可持續發展。此外,落實整體城巿規劃要有決心,以便解決澳門的交通問題。

澳大社會科學學院助理教授陳建新表示,政府要做好四大產業的宣傳工作,使居民了解其與民眾的關係。他表示,政府應了解四大產業的生態和產業鏈,重點安排和佈局,尋找未來產業發展的方向。澳門是灣區西部的重點城巿,可與西部其他城巿聯動發展,有利於澳門打造產業鏈。此外,他認為可建立產業平台,讓小微企入駐並拓展商機。

澳大社會科學學院客席助理教授蘇桂龍關注澳門居民的心理健康問題。他表示, 2022年和2023年上半年的自殺率在近年相對較高。除經濟領域外,未來施政也應注意居民的心理健康,建議推廣學校的心理健康課程,鼓勵公私營心理健康醫療資源分流,在巿場或職場上倡導精神健康政策。他認為,特區施政應注重政策的持續性,如2021年青年指標中提出了幸福感的議題,在後續的施政中應有所跟進。

欲瀏覽官網版可登入以下連結:
https://www.um.edu.mo/zh-hant/news-and-press-releases/presss-release/detail/56391/


UM experts and scholars provide suggestions on SAR government’s policies for 2024

The University of Macau (UM) Centre for Macau Studies (CMS) today (30 August) held a seminar on the Macao SAR government’s policy address for the fiscal year 2024, in which experts and scholars provided suggestions for the government’s policies in the next fiscal year. During the event, the attendees discussed residents’ expectations in the midst of the economic recovery, the post-pandemic situation of micro and small enterprises (MSEs), as well as the transformation of occupational structure and the problem of unemployment caused by the development of artificial intelligence. They also proposed some forward-looking policies and suggestions for industries in various aspects.

The seminar was chaired by CMS Director Agnes Lam Iok Fong. According to Kwan Fung, assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences, the SAR government should continue to focus on ‘conclusion’ and ‘stability’ in its future policies. He suggested that the government should review the effectiveness of the beneficial measures introduced in the past three years, such as the electronic consumption benefits plan, financial support for small and medium enterprises (SME), and the subsidised training programme, in order to provide references for similar policies in the future. The government should also review the outcomes and shortcomings of the economy-boosting measures. Looking ahead, Macao’s tourism industry is expected to recover in 2024, and further efforts can be made to expand its international tourist sources, while economic diversification should be based on stability.

Tong Kai Chung, president of the Macau Institute of Management, said that Macao’s economy is recovering, and has reached 71% of the level of 2019. However, the tourism industry and tourist consumption are undergoing structural adjustments, and the government should pay attention to structural disequilibrium in the process of economic recovery. In terms of governance, the government should place emphasis on maintaining consumption and investment confidence, and the beneficial measures taken during the epidemic should not be withdrawn from the market too quickly. He believes that with the integration into the Greater Bay Area and the increase in regional competition, the government should observe the relevant impacts on Macao’s MSEs, and help them to transition and survive in the course of economic restructuring.

Ricardo Siu Chi Sen, associate professor in the Faculty of Business Administration also shared the concern about the residents’ expectations towards the sudden rise in the number of tourists during Macao’s recovery period. He said that the government should take into consideration the residents’ expectations. To reduce the conflicts between residents and tourists, the government should also consider introducing measures such as encouraging the use of public transport, setting exclusive lanes for public transport, placing emphasis on environmental hygiene, and implementing intelligent traffic diversion measures. He added that the government should give preliminary consideration to and prepare for the use of digital Renminbi in the future, and take legislative action on digital currency and mobile payment.

According to Davis Fong Ka Chio, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, up to the present moment, the number of visitors to Macao has reached 14 million, and it is believed that the mass market will return to 2019’s level in the fourth quarter of this year. As the speed of recovery is faster than expected, some social issues may emerge. He pointed out that Macao’s ability to receive tourists is linked to its gaming revenue, which makes the gaming revenue predictable. The government can make relevant estimates and formulate relevant policies. He noted that under the impact of high interest rates, MSEs’ liquidity is tight, and some MSEs that have participated in the scheme that allows them to pay the interest only with the suspension of the amortisation of capital might face closure or liquidity risks in the future.

Amy So Siu Ian, associate professor in the Faculty of Business Administration said that in terms of consoliding integrated tourism and leisure, the government needs to put more efforts in addressing the issues of transport support, and propose short-, medium-, and long-term improvement plans; in terms of cultural policy, it should develop ‘cultural landmarks’ with regard to customer experience and attractiveness; in terms of sports, culture, and tourism, in addition to focusing on the nature of events, it is suggested to consider the combination of events and tourism; in terms of conventions and exhibitions, it is suggested to strengthen the foreign language skills of Macao’s young people, which can contribute to the internationalisation of the convention and exhibition industry; in terms of cultural industries, it is suggested to pique the interest of local young people in emerging industries and familiarise them with the respective prospects; and in terms of the ‘Five-Year Plan’, the government should define the positioning of vaiours governmental departments in the Five-Year Plan.

According to Alfred Wong Seng Fat, associate professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology, it is necessary to formulate short-, medium- and long-term technological development plans so as to foster an atmosphere conducive to entrepreneurship in the science and technology industry. The government should first develop technology industries and products that are easier to proceed with, and then develop those with higher levels and standards. Regarding the green industry, the government should strive to achieve the national target of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030, introduce new technologies to create a green technology industry, and invest in the carbon trading market. In terms of Macao’s talent development plan, the government should actively cultivate and recruit talent with multiple capabilities, especially those with expertise in artificial intelligence and data science, and attract high-tech professionals who have successful experience. It should also support the sustainable development of local athletes. In addition, the government should be committed to implementing comprehensive urban planning in order to solve Macao’s traffic issues.

Chan Kin Sun, assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences, said that the government should increase efforts on promoting the four emerging industries so that residents can understand the correlation between these industries and the public. The government should know well about the ecology and industrial chain of the four industries, propose specific arrangements, and find the direction of future industrial development. As a key city in the western part of the Greater Bay Area, Macao can establish links with other cities in the region, which is conducive to the development of the city’s industrial chain. Moreover, he suggested that industrial platforms could be built to enable local MSEs to start their businesses and explore business opportunities in the region.

Elvo Sou Kuai Long, assistant professor (by courtesy) in the Faculty of Social Sciences, shared his concern about the mental health of Macao residents, as the suicide rates in 2022 and the first half of 2023 are relatively high compared with previous years. Aside from the economy, the government should also pay attention to the mental health of residents. He suggested that it should promote mental health courses in schools, optimise the allocation of mental health care resources in the public and private sectors, and advocate mental health policies in the market and workplace. He added that the government should focus on the continuity of policies and take follow-up actions in the future, for example, the issue of well-being mentioned in the Youth Indicators of Macao in 2021.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/56391/