[Policy Focus] Accelerating the Improvement of the Research and Innovation Ecosystem to Drive Industrial Development
10/11/2025
10/11/2025
To implement the 2025 Policy Address on promoting the development of high-tech industries suitable for Macao, attracting more innovative technology companies, and adopting various measures to foster the integrated development of industry, academia, and research, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) and the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) have been taking initiatives such as the Technology Enterprise Certification Program, the Funding Scheme for Enterprise Innovation and R&D, and the optimization of key R&D projects. Through these efforts, they have been accelerating the enhancement of Macao’s research and innovation ecosystem and promoting the development of its technology industry.
Research Platforms Recognized by the State
The FDCT actively promotes the reorganization of state key laboratories. Earlier this year, Macao’s four existing state key laboratories were approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology to be reorganized as national key laboratories, which will place greater emphasis on conducting structured research and expanding international collaboration. At the same time, with the joint support of the FDCT and the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, two Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratories led by Macao universities were established and officially inaugurated on November 4.
Stronger Momentum for Industry–Academia–Research Collaboration and Application of Research Outcomes
The FDCT promotes collaboration among industry, academia, and research through the approach of “enterprises pose questions, and higher education institutions provide the solutions.” This year, a total of 57 technological demands were collected from 37 enterprises in Macao and the Guangdong–Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin (hereinafter referred to as the “Cooperation Zone”), representing a 2.4-fold increase compared with last year. The demands span four major fields: traditional Chinese medicine and big health, biomedicine, digital technology, and integrated circuits.
The “Online Industry–University–Research Matching Platform” facilitated 32 collaborations in the first three quarters of this year, representing a 10% increase compared with the same period last year. The FDCT has also organized events such as the “Macao–Hengqin Reverse Business Matching for Industry–Academia–Research Collaboration” and the “Macao–Hengqin–Zhuhai Industry–University–Research Matching Session cum Matching Event for Macao–Hengqin–Zhuhai Technology Talent Supply and Demand,” guiding the application of Macao’s research achievements in the Cooperation Zone and promoting technology talent exchanges between Macao and Hengqin.
Technology Enterprises Continue to Grow in Scale
The “Technology Enterprise Certification Program” has been implemented in five rounds to date, with a total of 51 local enterprises receiving certification. These include 7 Key Technology Enterprises, 1 Growth Technology Enterprise, and 43 Promising Technology Enterprises, covering business areas such as integrated circuits, information technology, traditional Chinese medicine, new materials, and biotechnology. The certified enterprises employ approximately 1,800 staff and generate an annual revenue of nearly MOP 4.3 billion.
Remarkable Outcomes in International Science and Technology Cooperation
To better leverage the platform of the Centre for Science and Technology Exchange and Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CSTCP), the DSEDT has been continuously strengthening connections with incubation institutions in Portuguese-speaking countries. It supports Macao-based organizations and associations in collaborating with the science and technology innovation sectors in these countries, providing matchmaking services to help enterprises expand into Portuguese-speaking markets. In the first half of this year, the DSEDT and the FDCT organized exchanges for the technology sectors of Macao and the Mainland of China in countries such as Brazil and Portugal, and they also plan to host local technology enterprises for visits and study tours in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area in the near future. In recent years, the DSEDT has successfully assisted five technology enterprises from Portuguese-speaking countries in establishing a presence in Macao, facilitating nearly 20 cooperation agreements. It has also promoted the joint establishment of research laboratories related to artificial intelligence and public health among universities in Macao, Guangzhou, and Portugal, which have been approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology as “Belt and Road Joint Laboratories.”
The FDCT has successively launched joint research funding collaborations with Brazil and France. In April, it signed an agreement with the São Paulo Research Foundation in Brazil to implement a joint research funding program and organize academic exchanges. In addition, the FDCT launched the “Funding Scheme for External Science and Technology Cooperation – International Collaborative Research” for the first time this year, supporting Macao research institutions in engaging in in-depth collaboration with international partners.
Scientific and technological talent is a key foundation for innovation and industrial development. To attract Macao residents to return and to bring in outstanding technology talent from abroad, the FDCT has introduced the Talent Repatriation Category and Talent Introduction Category funding schemes, providing start-up R&D support to help talent conduct research, develop projects, and pursue entrepreneurship in Macao.
In the future, the Macao SAR Government will progressively advance the construction of the Macao Technology Research Industrial Park and actively establish a Government Industrial Fund as well as a Guidance Fund for the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements. These measures aim to support the development of emerging industries, including high-tech sectors, and help Macao accelerate the moderate diversification of its economy.
Research Platforms Recognized by the State
The FDCT actively promotes the reorganization of state key laboratories. Earlier this year, Macao’s four existing state key laboratories were approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology to be reorganized as national key laboratories, which will place greater emphasis on conducting structured research and expanding international collaboration. At the same time, with the joint support of the FDCT and the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, two Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratories led by Macao universities were established and officially inaugurated on November 4.
Stronger Momentum for Industry–Academia–Research Collaboration and Application of Research Outcomes
The FDCT promotes collaboration among industry, academia, and research through the approach of “enterprises pose questions, and higher education institutions provide the solutions.” This year, a total of 57 technological demands were collected from 37 enterprises in Macao and the Guangdong–Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin (hereinafter referred to as the “Cooperation Zone”), representing a 2.4-fold increase compared with last year. The demands span four major fields: traditional Chinese medicine and big health, biomedicine, digital technology, and integrated circuits.
The “Online Industry–University–Research Matching Platform” facilitated 32 collaborations in the first three quarters of this year, representing a 10% increase compared with the same period last year. The FDCT has also organized events such as the “Macao–Hengqin Reverse Business Matching for Industry–Academia–Research Collaboration” and the “Macao–Hengqin–Zhuhai Industry–University–Research Matching Session cum Matching Event for Macao–Hengqin–Zhuhai Technology Talent Supply and Demand,” guiding the application of Macao’s research achievements in the Cooperation Zone and promoting technology talent exchanges between Macao and Hengqin.
Technology Enterprises Continue to Grow in Scale
The “Technology Enterprise Certification Program” has been implemented in five rounds to date, with a total of 51 local enterprises receiving certification. These include 7 Key Technology Enterprises, 1 Growth Technology Enterprise, and 43 Promising Technology Enterprises, covering business areas such as integrated circuits, information technology, traditional Chinese medicine, new materials, and biotechnology. The certified enterprises employ approximately 1,800 staff and generate an annual revenue of nearly MOP 4.3 billion.
Remarkable Outcomes in International Science and Technology Cooperation
To better leverage the platform of the Centre for Science and Technology Exchange and Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CSTCP), the DSEDT has been continuously strengthening connections with incubation institutions in Portuguese-speaking countries. It supports Macao-based organizations and associations in collaborating with the science and technology innovation sectors in these countries, providing matchmaking services to help enterprises expand into Portuguese-speaking markets. In the first half of this year, the DSEDT and the FDCT organized exchanges for the technology sectors of Macao and the Mainland of China in countries such as Brazil and Portugal, and they also plan to host local technology enterprises for visits and study tours in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area in the near future. In recent years, the DSEDT has successfully assisted five technology enterprises from Portuguese-speaking countries in establishing a presence in Macao, facilitating nearly 20 cooperation agreements. It has also promoted the joint establishment of research laboratories related to artificial intelligence and public health among universities in Macao, Guangzhou, and Portugal, which have been approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology as “Belt and Road Joint Laboratories.”
The FDCT has successively launched joint research funding collaborations with Brazil and France. In April, it signed an agreement with the São Paulo Research Foundation in Brazil to implement a joint research funding program and organize academic exchanges. In addition, the FDCT launched the “Funding Scheme for External Science and Technology Cooperation – International Collaborative Research” for the first time this year, supporting Macao research institutions in engaging in in-depth collaboration with international partners.
Scientific and technological talent is a key foundation for innovation and industrial development. To attract Macao residents to return and to bring in outstanding technology talent from abroad, the FDCT has introduced the Talent Repatriation Category and Talent Introduction Category funding schemes, providing start-up R&D support to help talent conduct research, develop projects, and pursue entrepreneurship in Macao.
In the future, the Macao SAR Government will progressively advance the construction of the Macao Technology Research Industrial Park and actively establish a Government Industrial Fund as well as a Guidance Fund for the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements. These measures aim to support the development of emerging industries, including high-tech sectors, and help Macao accelerate the moderate diversification of its economy.
Witnessed by Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun presents plaques to the National Key Laboratories
The Macao SAR Government signs a research collaboration agreement with the French Government
The working group for the establishment of the Technology Research Industrial Park holds its first meeting
The CSTCP organizes a visit to Portuguese-speaking countries
Tourism and leisure enterprises were organized to offer practical application scenarios for universities and certified technology companies to propose solutions
The Macao SAR Government signs a research collaboration agreement with the French Government
The working group for the establishment of the Technology Research Industrial Park holds its first meeting
The CSTCP organizes a visit to Portuguese-speaking countries
Tourism and leisure enterprises were organized to offer practical application scenarios for universities and certified technology companies to propose solutions
Office address: Avenida do Infante D. Henrique, No. 43-53A, Macau Square, 8th Floor, Unit C and 11th Floor, Unit K, Macao (To apply for project funding, please go to 11th Floor, Unit K)
Office hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:00-13:00, 14:30-17:45；Friday: 9:00-13:00, 14:30-17:30；Tel.: 28788777
Copyright(C) 2021 ALL right reserved.
Office hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:00-13:00, 14:30-17:45；Friday: 9:00-13:00, 14:30-17:30；Tel.: 28788777
Copyright(C) 2021 ALL right reserved.