MACAO: The year of 2021 in China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) had been characterised by tireless government effort to improve the economy in face of the relentless Covid-19 pandemic.

       Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the SAR, said the epidemic would continue to hinder Macao from achieving economic and social recovery in 2022. He asked for a prudent and proactive response from the society despite the generally more optimistic outlook.

       Ho said Macao would use all of its advantages in the country’s internal market and improve the dual circulation of domestic and international markets.

       The SAR would maintain public investment in 2022 to create jobs in the construction sector while improving infrastructure.

       Lei Wai Nong, secretary for economy and finance, said the economy was heading toward recovery, with visitor arrivals in the first 11 months of 2021 rising 31.8% from 2020’s lows and local real gross domestic product growing 27.5%.

       Ip Kuai Peng, pro-rector of the City University of Macao, said the epidemic revealed vulnerabilities and risks in Macao’s economy, increasing the urgency for economic diversification.

       The government will take every opportunity to promote tourism while seeking benefits from all kinds of visitors in various sectors.

       The master plan for the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin in the mainland, just across the frontier, has proceeded as well.

       The zone will become a much-needed new growth point for the Macao economy and an opportunity for better integration into overall national development, Ip said.

       Guo Daoqian is a house painter who lives in Zhuhai and commutes to Macao on a daily basis. His simple wish is that the epidemic will be over or stabilise soon so that he can continue to make a living.

       “I was out of work during the latest round of the epidemic,” said Guo, who was stranded in Macao for over three weeks due to the quarantine policy.

       “For us, one day without work means one day without earning money.”

       In 2021, a wave of Covid-19 outbreak hit the city in August followed by another in September and October.

       The SAR government carried out three rounds of testing, closed schools and entertainment venues, and enforced restrictions in areas with reported cases.

       Macao put a stop to new outbreaks quickly and efficiently with the help from the central government and neighbouring Guangdong Province.

       They provided invaluable help with medical personnel and border procedures. Over 70% of Macao’s people have been vaccinated, but the epidemic has been far from kind to an economy heavily dependent on tourism.

       Many tourist businesses suffered severe losses, mostly smaller enterprises.

       From late September to mid-October, those entering Guangdong from Macao were required to be quarantined for 14 days, which significantly reduced tourist flow. — Xinhua