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The Times discovered, through a series of interviews, that residents frequently venture across the border to mainland China and Hong Kong in search of more affordable goods and services. A Macanese local explained, “Recently, I’ve been going to the mainland quite often, like every other week.” This sentiment was echoed by a Chinese resident in their 20s, who reported traveling to the mainland around twice a month.
Foreigners living in Macau corroborated these findings, with one couple stating that they can save 40-60% on their monthly budget by shopping and dining across the border in Zhuhai, compared to prices in Macau. As one foreign Macau resident summarized, “Everyday items like vegetables, restaurant [meals], are perhaps around 20-30% cheaper in the mainland” when compared with Macau and other surrounding regions, including Hong Kong.
Macau’s business landscape appears to be fraught with challenges, according to an interview with a resident foreign business owner. The individual, who spoke on condition of anonymity, painted a concerning picture of greed, high costs, and a lack of competitiveness.
