By South China Morning Post | Created at 2026-08-19 08:02:07 | Updated at 2026-08-19 08:11:41
11 minutes ago
Latest road map targets 60 per cent non-gaming GDP by 2030 through infrastructure, healthcare, hi-tech industries and closer links with the mainland
Published: 4:00pm, 19 Aug 2026
Macau has unveiled a sweeping five-year strategic blueprint to break its long-standing dependence on casino revenues by pivoting towards modern financial services, digital currency adoption and deeper economic integration with mainland China.
Under its third five-year plan for economic and social development, released on Tuesday, the gambling hub aims to boost the added value of non-gaming industries to about 60 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030, up from 56.7 per cent in 2024.
Gaming remains the bedrock of the local economy, generating MOP$67.9 billion (US$8.4 billion) – or more than 80 per cent of Macau’s total public revenue – in the first seven months of the year. But authorities are pushing to lay stronger foundations for a more diversified growth model.
The policy document outlined four flagship infrastructure projects and a new government-backed fund designed to accelerate growth across priority non-casino sectors, including modern finance, healthcare, advanced technology and the convention industry.
As part of its financial modernisation push, the road map emphasised digital currency adoption and cross-border payment systems. According to the document, Macau would press ahead with legislation and controlled trials for its official digital currency, the “e-MOP”, while establishing a unified settlement system.
The government also plans to leverage
its participation in Project mBridge, a multi-central bank digital currency platform developed alongside international monetary authorities, to help build a next-generation, real-time payment platform. It will also explore ways to link the digital yuan with the e-MOP.
