Macau is betting that technology will help the gambling hub recover from its Covid-19 induced economic slump.
The territory has been badly affected by travel bans because its economy is heavily reliant on gambling. Next June, the city plans to host ‘Beyond’, a technology event loosely modelled on the massive CES trade show in Las Vegas. The event would also showcase Macau as an alternative to Hong Kong as a gateway to China, said its organiser. However, the date of the tech trade show could be pushed back to October if Covid-19 isn’t under control in time.
“Macau has very good infrastructure, with the entertainment and hotels suitable for doing an event,” said Jason Ho, the son of Macau chief executive Ho Iat-Seng. Mr Ho has sought out a number of Chinese participants, including TikTok parent, Bytedance, drone giant DJI and Sensetime, as well firms in Japan and South Korea.
“But we know our limitations and we need to partner up with different cities in the Greater Bay Area,” he told Reuters, who first reported the story.
The conference is a central government-backed initiative, aimed at closer integration between Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau.
The former Portuguese colony isn’t considered a technology hub like its neighbours Shenzhen or Hong Kong. - BBC