28 May 2024 – In accordance with the Macao SAR Government ’s “1+4” economic diversification strategy, SJM Resorts, S.A. is committed to prioritise local procurement, support medium, small, and micro enterprises, and establish the “SJM SME Institution” this year. Through themed seminars and priority cooperation principles, this initiative is designed to further support the sustainable development of Macau’s SMEs, aiming at polish the “golden business card” of Macau as an international metropolis with local SMEs. On 28 May, a launching ceremony was held at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, where the “SJM SME Institution Logo Design Competition” was also announced in collaboration with the Macao Polytechnic University. The event was supported by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and the Macao Chamber of Commerce.

Guests attending the launching ceremony included: Mr. Tai Kin Ip, Director of The Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Ms. Victoria Kuan, Director-General of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (“CPTTM”); Dr. Lei Ngan Lin, Acting Rector of the Macao Polytechnic University; Mr. Choi Tat Meng, Vice-President of Board of Directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Ho Teng Iat, Vice President of Industrial Association of Macau; Ms. Chan Mei Yi, Executive Vice Chairman of The Federal General Commercial Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises; and Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM.

Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, stated, “MSMEs are crucial to Macau’s business landscape. Like SJM, they are homegrown in Macau and contribute significantly to the region’s strengths and soft power in their respective industries. The local MSMEs are an integral part of Macau’s authentic culture, key to promoting and preserving local cultural feature, essential for nurturing the ‘Made in Macau’ brand, and imbuing a sense of pride and identity in the community. SJM strongly supports the Macao SAR Government’s ‘1+4’ strategy for moderately diversified economic development, under the spirit of big enterprises leading small ones and in alignment with our ‘Local First’ procurement policies to support MSMEs. This led to the establishment of the ‘SJM SME Institution’ to help local MSMEs keep pace with the rapid economic development and transformation of Macau.”

The “SJM SME Institution” is established to assist local MSMEs in their development. It provides business-related sharing sessions, industry standard seminars, and workshops to all interested MSMEs, even for those who currently have not established a business relationship with SJM. The institution offers a variety of themed lectures each month, covering topics such as corporate sustainability, cyber security, and food safety. It aims to enhance the quality of products and services provided by these enterprises and offer reference to those seeking to implement modern management and development plans, thus creating favourable conditions for their business expansion. Following the ceremony, SJM also held two special seminars attended by nearly a hundred representatives of Macau SMEs.

During the ceremony, SJM was pleased to announce that the company will collaborate with the Macao Polytechnic University to host the “SJM SME Institution Logo Design Competition,” inviting students and staffs from the university to participate. The competition, supported by the Macao Chamber of Commerce, aims to provide students with practical application experience, foster local original designs, and offer opportunities for new design talents to exchange ideas and showcase their work - an opportunity to promote the tourism and leisure industry and its integration with creative culture. The winning design will be officially adopted as the “SJM SME Institution” logo and incorporated into the design of the institution’s souvenirs. The winner will have the opportunity to participate in the design and production process of the souvenirs, gaining insights into the specific workflow, product quality management, and valuable experience in the creative industry.

SJM has always regarded local MSMEs as key partners, hosting a series of initiatives to support their development. Since the launch of the “SJM and Macau SME Procurement Partnership Programme” in 2016, SJM has established regular communication channels or cooperative relationships with approximately 1,800 MSMEs through an online platform. SJM continues to strengthen the implementation of the programme by regularly organising SME business matching sessions, procurement cooperation meetings, bazaars in staff area, and SME sales booths. Additionally, SJM frequently collaborates with various Macau brands to launch co-branded food and beverage products and has established the “Made in Macau” shopping area and “Macau Memories” specialty product sales points at the Grand Lisboa Palace, providing a promotional platform for quality local young start-ups and long-established brands.

SJM also actively organises or sponsors a variety of events to create development platforms for local brands, entrepreneurs, and companies in the creative economy. These include collaborating with the CPTTM to hold a wedding gown design competition, partnering with the Macau Artist Society and the Macau Youth Art Association to host the “MOONLIGHT SPLENDOUR - SJM Lantern Festival” series of events, being the title sponsor of the “Macau Design Award,” and launching original design products with the winners of the “SJM New Talent Award.” SJM will continue to bring all sectors of society to jointly polish the “golden business card” of Macau as an international metropolis.