Sands China Hosts Briefing Session for ‘Community Revitalization Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens’
Synergizing government, business and community forces to enhance the business environment of Rua das Estalagens
(Macao, May 8, 2026) – Sands China recently launched the “Community Revitalization Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens” in full support of the Macao SAR government’s policy direction of promoting community economy and district revitalization. To empower aspiring local entrepreneurs to better seize the business opportunities arising from the programme, the company held a briefing session Friday afternoon at The Londoner® Macao. It was the first event in the programme’s public activity series, fully demonstrating the company’s business philosophy of growing with SMEs. By integrating the collaborative strength of government departments and public utilities, the session provided the public with comprehensive information, allowing attendees to grasp key information such as programme highlights, business planning and operational support. The activity attracted strong attendance and lively exchange from nearly 100 aspiring entrepreneurs and SME representatives.
The session presented a review of the achievements of the inaugural “Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens” over the past two years, demonstrating how the programme had successfully helped Macao entrepreneurs run businesses in the district. William Chan, executive director of supply chain operations for Sands China, then introduced the “Community Revitalization Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens,” which centred on the principle of “integrating the old with the new, bridging the past into the future.” He outlined the key points of its sub-programmes, including the “Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens” and the inaugural “Shop Rebranding Programme.”
Guided by the principle of “integrating the old with the new,” the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens encourages a new group of entrepreneurs to join the district. Applicants must commit to a self-invested initial operating capital of no less than MOP 300,000. Selected applications can receive subsidies equivalent to one to two times the amount of the self-invested capital, with a capped amount of MOP 1 million per applicant. A judging panel will assess the subsidy amount based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors, such as the creativity and market potential of the submitted proposal, and the experience of the operating team.
Meanwhile, the inaugural Shop Rebranding Programme empowers shops currently operating on Rua das Estalagens to enhance their brand appeal and elevate their operational capability, under the principle of “bridging the past into the future.” Applicants need to commit to a minimum self-invested capital of MOP 50,000. Selected applications can receive subsidies equivalent to one to three times the amount of the self-invested capital, capped at MOP 500,000 per applicant. The programme encompasses brand image innovation, product packaging, and storefront beautification. Both programmes aim to foster the coordinated development of new and old businesses, further building a sustainable business ecosystem in the Rua das Estalagens district.
To deepen entrepreneurs’ understanding of practical operations in the district, Sands China invited representatives from supporting government departments and public utilities as guest speakers to provide professional guidance on policy support, license applications and essential operational support. Stella Ho, expert senior officer of the Industry and Commerce Support Division of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, highlighted several government support measures for young entrepreneurs and SMEs, including the Young Entrepreneurs Aid Scheme, SME Aid Scheme, and SME Bank Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme, helping aspiring entrepreneurs leverage policy resources to ease start-up funding pressures while enhancing overall competitiveness.
On license applications and operational compliance, Lam Cheok Kao, senior officer of the Municipal Affairs Bureau, provided detailed explanations of the “one‑stop licensing system” and the Law Regulating the Food and Beverage Business and Related Establishments, which will take effect on July 1 this year, clarifying the latest operating license system, application procedures, and related requirements. Lok Wai Ian, senior officer of the Municipal Affairs Bureau, spoke on the Registration System for Establishments of Takeaway Activities, outlining compliance requirements and application procedures to help aspiring entrepreneurs clearly understand regulations on food safety and premises operating conditions and requirements for takeaway businesses, facilitating better business planning and more efficient launch.
On essential operational support, Tommy Cheong, engineer of Technical Services Management of the CEM Customer Services Department, explained CEM’s electricity support services for SMEs, as well as demand assessments and application arrangements tailored to the size of business premises and the characteristics of different industries to ensure smooth initial operations. In addition, Joby Kuo, assistant customer relations officer of The Macao Water Supply Company Limited, shared how to properly plan water supply arrangements before opening a new shop. She covered application procedures, relevant requirements and key considerations, helping entrepreneurs understand the basic water supply conditions in advance. In a lively interactive atmosphere, the session concluded with a public Q&A, where Sands China and all speakers responded to questions from attendees on entrepreneurship and operations.
In addition to this briefing session, Sands China is rolling out a series of free public activities during the programme application period, including SME Training Courses on May 14 and Rua das Estalagens Open Days from May 15 to 17 and June 12 to 14. These initiatives will provide multi‑faceted support from conceptual understanding and capacity building to site visits, all in an effort to help aspiring entrepreneurs seize business opportunities in the Rua das Estalagens district and encourage existing Rua da Estalagens merchants to upgrade and rebrand their stores, jointly injecting renewed economic vitality into this historic district.
The Community Revitalization Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens is organised by Sands China Ltd. and co-organized by the Macao Chamber of Commerce. The Secretariat for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government is the advisory body, with the following serving as supporting units: Economic and Technological Development Bureau, Macao Government Tourism Office, Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute, Cultural Affairs Bureau, Municipal Affairs Bureau, General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macao, Macau Artist Society, CEM, The Macao Water Supply Company Limited, Bank of China Macau Branch, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau), and Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU). The revitalization programme operates under Sands China’s F.I.T. local SME support programme and the Sands Resorts Incubation Center.
Interested individuals can visit https://tinyurl.com/RuadasEstalagens2026 or scan the QR code below to view details and register for the Community Revitalization Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens and its related events. The application period is open now and will close at 5 p.m. on June 30.
Photo caption: Speakers and attendees participate in a briefing session Friday afternoon at The Londoner Macao for Sands China’s “Community Revitalization Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens.” The session aimed to empower aspiring local entrepreneurs to better seize the business opportunities arising from the programme. It was the first event in the programme’s public activity series, attracting strong attendance and lively exchange from nearly 100 aspiring entrepreneurs and SME representatives.
Photo caption: Guest speakers from government departments and public utility companies attend Friday’s briefing session for the “Community Revitalization Programme 2.0 for Rua das Estalagens.” To deepen entrepreneurs’ understanding of practical operations in the district, Sands China invited the representatives to provide professional guidance on policy support, license applications and essential operational support.
Left to right: Joby Kuo, Assistant Customer Relations Officer of The Macao Water Supply Company Limited; Lok Wai Ian, Senior Officer of the Municipal Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government; Stella Ho, Expert Senior Officer of the Industry and Commerce Support Division of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau; Lam Cheok Kao, Senior Officer of the Municipal Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government; Tommy Cheong, Engineer of Technical Services Management of the CEM Customer Services Department; Willian Chan, Executive Director of Supply Chain Operations of Sands China Ltd.
Photo caption: Joby Kuo explains how to properly plan water supply arrangements before opening a new shop. She covered application procedures, relevant requirements and key considerations at Friday’s briefing session, helping entrepreneurs understand the basic water supply conditions in advance.
Photo caption: Lok Wai Ian speaks on the “Registration System for Establishments of Takeaway Activities” at Friday’s briefing session. She outlined compliance requirements and application procedures to help aspiring entrepreneurs clearly understand regulations on food safety and premises operating conditions and requirements for takeaway businesses, facilitating better business planning and more efficient launch.
Photo caption: Stella Ho speaks at Friday’s event, where she highlighted several government support measures for young entrepreneurs and SMEs, including the Young Entrepreneurs Aid Scheme, SME Aid Scheme, and SME Bank Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme. The information shared can help aspiring entrepreneurs leverage policy resources to ease start-up funding pressures while enhancing overall competitiveness.
Photo caption: Lam Cheok Kao provides detailed explanations of the “one‑stop licensing system” and the “Law Regulating the Food and Beverage Business and Related Establishments,” which will take effect on July 1 this year. Lam clarified the latest operating license system, application procedures, and related requirements.
Photo caption: Tommy Cheong explains CEM’s electricity support services for SMEs at Friday’s briefing session. To ensure businesses’ smooth initial operations, he also shared information on demand assessments and application arrangements tailored to the size of business premises and the characteristics of different industries.