The government’s “Distinctive Shops” programme, which was launched in 2020, has been extended to Zape and Nape where a total of 26 restaurants and other outlets have been added to the list, raising the total number of business outlets with such accreditation in Macau to 293.
With the programme’s extension to Zape and Nape, there now are Distinctive Shops in all districts in Macau, the government says.
A ceremony marking the programme’s launch in Zape and Nape was held in Comendador Ho Yin Park in Zape on Friday.
According to its website, the Distinctive Shops programme, as part of the government’s campaign to support local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), aims to help restaurants, other eateries and retail outlets enhance their attractiveness and visibility, with the long-term goal of encouraging local SMEs to improve their service quality, brand image and competitiveness.
Businesses that have been listed as Distinctive Shops will be provided with assistance in launching and carrying out promotional campaigns by means of multimedia and other channels, enabling them to reach more potential customers and present their distinctiveness to them, according to the website.
Distinctive Shops will also be provided with training and advice on improving their business management and operation skills.
The programme is implemented by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) in collaboration with the respective districts’ business associations.
Businesses intending to apply to become Distinctive Shops are required to be recommended by the respective districts’ business. If the association agrees to recommend the outlet to be listed, the association will submit the outlet’s application to the bureau, which will then assess its eligibility and decide whether to classify the outlet as a Distinctive Shop.
A DSEDT statement on Friday noted that since its launch in 2020, the programme has gradually been extended to different districts in the city. It was launched for outlets on and around Rua de Cinco de Outubro (十月初五日街) in the peninsula first, after which it was extended to the peninsula’s central, southern and northern districts as well as Taipa and Coloane.
The statement also noted that after the programme was upgraded early last year, all Distinctive Shops must be ones that have been awarded “Certified Shops” by the government’s Consumer Council (CC).
According to the programme’s website, most of the officially listed Distinctive Shops across the city are restaurants and other eateries, while the others are shops selling goods, including locally designed cultural and creative products.
All Distinctive Shops in Zape and Nape are restaurants and other kinds of eateries.
Delivering a speech during Friday’s ceremony, DSEDT Acting Deputy Director Chan Chou Weng noted that with the programme’s extension to Zape and Nape, there are now Distinctive Shops in all districts in Macau.
Chan said that “in addition to well-known tourist attractions and fantastic entertainment options, there is an abundant and diverse gastronomic culture in Zape and Nape. We aim for the Distinctive Shops programme to attract residents and visitors alike to Zape and Nape where they can explore and dine in the outlets”.
The statement urged operators of the city’s Distinctive Shops to grasp opportunities, make good use of the central government’s favourable policies and measures for boosting Macau’s tourism sector, innovate by making good use of technology, improve their service quality, and explore new business opportunities, with the aim of injecting new impetus into Macau’s economy.
According to its website, Distinctive Shops listed in the programme are defined as those offering unique products or quality services, being innovative, and having a good reputation.
In addition to being required to be listed as Certified Shops by the Consumer Council, businesses must have been operating for at least one year and must accept e-payments for them to be eligible to apply to be listed as Distinctive Shops by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau.
During Friday’s ceremony, representatives of the 26 new Distinctive Shops were presented with their certificates.
Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) Acting Deputy Director Chan Chou Weng delivers a speech during Friday’s ceremony in Comendador Ho Yin Park in Zape. – Photos: DSEDT
DSEDT Acting Deputy Director Chan Chou Weng (centre) poses for a group photo with other guests attending Friday’s ceremony such as businessman Frederico Ma Chi Ngai (seventh from left), lawmaker-cum-restaurateur Andrew Chan Chak Mo (seventh from right) and Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes (sixth from right).
