Macao Economic, Trade and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminar in Indonesia The Signing of 36 Co-operation Agreements Open Up New Development Opportunities for Both Regions
MACAU, September 3 - After its initial stop in Singapore, the Macao Economic, Trade and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminar (Indonesia), one of the major economic and trade initiatives of the Macao SAR Government’s visit to three Southeast Asian countries, was held in Jakarta today (1 September). Gathering over 400 delegates from the political, business, and tourism sectors of Macao, Hengqin, provinces and cities in the Chinese mainland, and Indonesia, the event facilitated 120 business matching sessions, resulting in the signing of 36 co-operation agreements. These agreements, reached by companies from Macao, Hengqin, Chinese mainland, and Indonesia, span areas such as tourism, MICE, high technology, traditional Chinese medicine and Big Health, and initiatives focused on creating a Muslim-Friendly Environment. This endeavour further broadens Macao’s economic and trade co-operation network with Southeast Asia.
Aligned with the Macao SAR’s Third Five-Year Plan and the “1+4” industrial diversification strategy, the Promotion Seminar featured multiple thematic presentations and business matching sessions to showcase the investment potentials of Macao and Hengqin in tourism, business environment, and big health to the Indonesian industry stakeholders. Leveraging its unique advantages as a bridge between the Chinese mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries, Macao is committed to offering Indonesian companies an effective platform for market expansion, facilitating two-way investment and collaborative industrial growth.
Exploring New Opportunities for Two-Way Co-operation between Macao and Indonesia
Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes remarked in her speech that Indonesia is a major international visitor market for Macao. Over the years, the Office has been carrying out vigorous promotions for destination marketing, besides participating in the ASTINDO Travel Fair, organised by the Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO), and maintaining close exchange with tourism operators there. After organising the “Macao Tourism + MICE Product Updates Seminar & Travel Mart” and a mega tourism promotional event in Jakarta last year, MGTO went on to hold the tourism product updates seminars in Jakarta and Surabaya this year. Capitalising on the SAR Government’s latest visit, MGTO signed a memorandum on co-operation with ASINTDO to enhance exchange and cooperation in active pursuit of the Indonesian visitor market. She hopes that Macao and Indonesian travel trade can forge closer collaboration and develop tourism products with great value to achieve mutual success.
Che Weng Keong, President of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR, highlighted the solid foundation for economic and trade co-operation between Macao and Indonesia, the largest economy in ASEAN. As the Macao SAR progresses steadily with the Third Five-Year Plan, the investment scale of major projects over the coming five years is substantial, leading to an increased demand for talent along with the increased support from policies and funds. Coupled with Macao’s advantages of being an international free port with a low taxation system, alongside the development of Macao-Hengqin integration, Macao can provide Indonesian enterprises with an efficient platform to expand into markets across the Chinese mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries. Indonesian businesses are encouraged to invest in Macao, and utilise its trade and MICE platforms to explore two-way investment opportunities.
Mr. Dr. Ir. Mohammad Rudy Salahuddin, M.E.M., Secretary of the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry (BKPM) of the Republic of Indonesia introduced, introduced Indonesia's latest investment business environment and industrial policies. He stated that China is one of Indonesia's most important sources of investment, with a portion of investments originating from Macao flowing into Indonesia via Hong Kong or Singapore. As a founding member of ASEAN, Indonesia has signed bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements with numerous countries worldwide. Supported by streamlined business licensing approval procedures and various tax incentives, providing investors with full-process support for project implementation.
Showcasing Macao’s Strengths in Culture, Tourism, Big Health and the Vitality of the Hengqin Co-operation Zone
During the destination presentation, representative of the Marketing Division of MGTO presented Macao’s latest tourism outlook and diverse appeal of “tourism+”, from World Heritage attractions, signature delicacies to colourful festivals and events. A special introduction was also given to Macao’s Halal-certified dining and publication “Macao for Muslim Travelers – Halal Travel Guide” for Muslim visitors, besides a spotlight on multi-destination travel to Macao, Hengqin and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Regarding the big health sector, Dr. Li Hongchun, Chief Physician of International Medical Centre of Macao Union Medical Centre, shared insights on resources and medical service capabilities in Macao. Wu Chuangwei, Director of Industrial Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin, elaborated on how the “Macao + Hengqin” joint development model offers international connectivity, industrial space, and preferential policies for overseas enterprises to efficiently expand into the Chinese market.
Trendy IPs crossover and debut of mini drama series magnify destination appeal
MGTO is dedicated to tapping into the potential of international markets. At present, Indonesia ranks among Macao’s top ten international visitor markets. In 2025 and 2026, MGTO staged mega tourism promotional events and joined the ASTINDO Travel Fairs. During the promotional events in Indonesia, Macao Tourism Mascot Mak Mak made her lively presence in collaboration with Tahilalats, the trendy webcomic in Indonesia. Their co-branding of the destination made a strong promotional impact. From September 2026 to August 2027, the crossover between Mak Mak and Tahilalats will shine once again in partnership with Garuda Indonesia, the Airlines of Indonesia. An online-offline marketing campaign fuelled by the IP crossover with the airline aims to draw more Indonesian visitors to Macao. A launch ceremony for this collaborative initiative was held at the Seminar to unveil the array of promotions.
Tailored for visitor markets in Southeast Asia, MGTO has commissioned productions of multilingual mini drama series featuring Macao’s destination glamour. Among them, the Indonesian mini drama series released last year has attracted wide attention among the audiences. In parallel with the Macao Economic, Trade and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminars held in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, the Indonesian mini drama series “Don’t Make A Wish!” was launched on MGTO’s official TikTok account on 7 August. In addition, MGTO partnered with iQIYI in the production of the mini drama series “Cahaya Macao” in Malay, Indonesian and English languages, debuted on 30August.
This Promotion Seminar was jointly hosted by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), with the Indonesian Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry (BKPM), the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association, the Asosiasi Travel Agent Indonesia, and the Industrial Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin serving as supporting units.
The Delegations Visited Institutions in Kuala Lumpur to Explore Business Opportunities
During their stay in Jakarta, the Macao-Hengqin delegation and the Chinese mainland delegation visited seven local government agencies and leading enterprises, including the Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH), the national biobanks led by the Ministry of Health of Indonesia, high-end private general hospitals, and major satellite telecommunications operators in Indonesia. Through on-site visits and interactions, they learned from local experience in halal certification and research and development projects, fostering substantive industrial co-operation. MGTO and Macao’s tourism businesses visited the Indonesian branch office of Traveloka, a leading online travel agency in Southeast Asia, for exchange and co-operation in marketing and boosting sales of Macao’s tourism products. Following the activities in Jakarta, the delegation will continue the official mission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and explore possibilities for bilateral collaboration.
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