Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai will deliver his first policy address on 14 April amid uncertainty around how he will approach governance of the city’s gaming industry.
The Macao SAR Government announced on Monday that Sam would deliver his “Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2025” to the Legislative Assembly at 3pm on 14 April, with a press conference to be held at 5.30pm at government headquarters on the same day.
This is to be his first policy address since taking office on 20 December last year. Of particular interest will be his approach to the development of the gaming industry, as Sam has emphasized in the past that the industry’s dominant influence on the economy is not conducive to Macau’s development.
He previously suggested that the gaming industry had been “expanding wildly” before he was elected, although he has since toned down such rhetoric, stating, “In the face of the surrounding environment, the competition in the tourism and gaming industry in Macau is intensifying and the risks and challenges brought to Macau should not be overlooked.”
Following Sam’s upcoming policy address, the five Secretaries of departments under him will each hold a Legislative Assembly debate within the ensuing five days.