7. FACTORS TO ENSURE FUTURE RAPID GROWTH
7.1 Enhance the Quality of Macau People and Establish a System that Based on People, Knowledge and Technologies
7.1.1 High quality of people and community groups are the major driving force for the future economic and social development. It's also the resources for a community to compete in the international market. Thus, a modem society should recognize and care about the community members and their living quality. It should also provide equal opportunities for each individual and firmly establish the belief of "every one has his value" among the community members. It should,as far as possible, upgrade the community members so that they can devote their intelligence, make more contributions and share the fruitful results with the society.
7.1.2 To realize one's own value, an individual has to continuously seek new knowledge and insist on studying the modern information system. This shall be a continuous process and is particularly important in this information age. It applies to both successful persons and those in an adverse situation.
7.1.3 We should master the time, modern technologies and our own destiny. We can do this, as we have only used our brain in a very limited manner. Based on the quality of each person, we should try to develop our potentials. In the face of the overwhelming information in this age, we should not be resisting, offending or rejecting. We should understand that the ability in mastering science,technologies and other knowledge varies with different persons. As long as we try our best effort, we should all be able to master our lives and expand the room of development.
7.1.4 Based on the forecast in Exhibits 1,2,3 and 4, if we wish to attain the status of a moderately developed country in 20 years as measured by the index stated in Section 3.2.1, we have to maintain an average annual growth rate of over 5.8% and control our population in the range of 500,000 to 600,000. If the average growth rate of GDP is below 4.5% and the population increases by 2.5-3% or above, then our real growth of GDP per capita will be very insignificant. Thus,we must focus on the enhancement of the quality and composition of our people and a major breakthrough in our products and services.
7.2 The Co-existence of Multi Cultures is a Unique Feature andValuable Asset of Macau
We have a long history and a rich culture of languages, religions, arts, food and custom in Macau. Combined with an international free port, we have a relaxedcommunity that harmoniously mingles the traditions of the East with the West. As we move forward into a new age and a new environment, this harmonious combination can promote the sense of belonging and enhance the confidence among Macau residents.We should not overlook or eliminate this positive factor, instead we should try to enhance it from time to time.
7.3 Continue to Utilize the Foundation Established by Traditional Organizations
7.3.1 Both traditional business organizations and workers organizations have made undeniable significant contribution to Macau's steady development. During the transition period and in the initial stage when Macau returned to the Motherland,these organizations have performed as a steady force of the community. As we are now moving into the information age of new economy, they will no doubt continue to play an important role.
7.3.2 As many new organizations have emerged to compete in the market in this new age, the old organizations should rapidly and continuously adjust and respond to the new situation. They should introduce new talents to improve the management and make the organizations more active. On the other hand, the Government should promote fair competition and introduce a mechanism that encourages relaxed and harmonious cooperation. Under the principles of "Macau to be governed by Macau people" and constructing Macau in a scientific and systematic manner, we should promote solidarity, concerted effort and joint development. In addition, we should not feel complacent about the current system of allocation of benefits and lag behind the trend of new thoughts.
7.4 Cultivate and Expand the Middle Income Class
7.4.1 The experience of modem countries, particularly those developed countries,has clearly indicated that as a society makes progress, its major composition will naturally shift from low income class to middle income class. The middle income class in all developed countries does not only expand in numbers but their vitality and functions are also fully recognized by the society. The major contribution of the middle income class does not come from their economic strength but their professional knowledge, which they can enhance the competitiveness of a community. They are the group of people that are most innovative, and can significantly contribute to their corporations, organizations,countries and regions.
7.4.2 After the implementation of open-door policy for over twenty years, China has seen a new group of middle income class. Six out of the ten categories of rich people in China as defined by the theorists are those professional people with expertise and special skills. They are: senior executives of multi-national corporations; project managers of non-financial or real estate companies;contractors and shareholders with technologies; actors, singers, fashion models,writers and athletes; lawyers, managers, advertising producers and accountants;and economists and senior government officials who frequently deliver lectures and provide evaluation services. There are also a few people who have become rich through inappropriate means, such as those illegal operators and corrupted government officials. It is expected that those who utilize knowledge and technologies to become rich will expand in numbers and ultimately become the majority of the community. This will drive the country towards the goal of mutually rich among the people.
7.4.3 Does Macau have the middle income class? Will they become the leading force of the society? It is a topic that worth to study and it's a very practical issue. There are not a large number of rich people in Macau, as can be seen in the fact that small and medium sized enterprises make up 98% of the total 15,000 corporations. Most operators of which do not have a large quantity of assets, and regardless of whether it's measured by dollar amount or professional training, they are far from the definition of the middle class. Those qualified are people who have the post secondary education with professional qualifications,such as those who have completed overseas studies and the second generation of young entrepreneurs. The group also consists of lawyers, medical doctors,engineers, accountants, auditors, surveyors, advertising designers, painters,teachers of secondary schools and universities, singers, editors, reports,academics, middle and senior government officials, and those who become successful by self study. They exist in our community and are quite active. Some of them are very successful and have been recognized by the society. However,generally, the middle income class of Macau has not fully developed. They are still scarce in number and their overall quality remains to be improved. Also,they are not active enough to project an outstanding image in the community. In the next 20 years, as Macau's economy transforms into a higher status, our middle income class will also become the most active group. They will not only become the backbone in the government and commercial sector, but also the leading force of the workers organizations.
7.5 Recognize the Importance of Innovation
7.5.1 Innovation means the best allocation and utilization of existing resources and the transformation of human intelligence. It is also the major force to promote competitiveness in the international market. Without innovation, we will not be able to transform the structure of our economy, and our society will not be able to develop. We should apply innovation in all areas, from systems to technologies and from management to concepts. Innovative concepts are particularly important for us to maintain our advantages in a competitive market.
7.5.2 Innovation is not just purely creating something new. Rather, it's a natural response to the new challenges and environment. If we adopt Don Quixole's attitude of nihilism to handle our current issues, we will not achieve anything.Hence, we should adopt a more positive and active attitude. If we cannot adapt ourselves completely to the new situation, we should at least change partially. If we cannot obtain immediate results, at least we should do something now.
7.5.3 It is not practical to demand every manufacturing and service sector in Macau to initiate innovation for breakthroughs. However, our mission should be establishing a brand new school of thoughts and promoting innovative ideas.
7.6 Resolve Ecological Issues
7.6.1 We shall build up a green city. Economic growth should not be in the expense of damaging the environment or lowering the environment standard. We have a serious air, sea and noise pollution in Macau. Our trees have been damaged and we are short of greenery space. We should urge the Macau SAR Government to enact and enforce the law for environmental protection. We should also liaiseith the surrounding areas to jointly protect the sky and the earth. Our next generations should have a quality environment to live.
7.6.2 We should alert the community of the imbalance of ecological system and its consequences. By the theory of Green GDP, our real annual growth is the GDP less the intangible loss in environment (such as pollution and deterioration)and the intangible loss in society (such as disease, unemployment, crime,uncontrolled population growth and mismanagement). These two intangible losses cause serious damage to Macau every year. In this information age, we should introduce new orientation and standard to the traditional concept of economy, development, environment and representation. A serious study of the green issue will provide enlightenment for us. Therefore we suggest the statistics department of the Government to consider the application of the Green GDP theory.
7.7 Establish a New Generation of Chinese Enterprises
In the past, Chinese enterprises have played a significant role in Macau's economy,as they constituted a major portion in many leading industries.
State-owned enterprises and joint ventures of Chinese and local capital are now both facing a new challenge. Being the operating entities that have interface with the international market, they need to pursue economic returns as well as exploring the global competition pattern. In addition, they are critical for the steady and stable development of the Special Administrative Region of Macau, which adopts the policy of "One Country, Two Systems". To accommodate with the new environment, we should re-define the Chinese enterprises. Besides the traditional Chinese enterprises,the Government should encourage more non-state owned enterprises to extend their operation to Macau, which should gradually become the core group of future Chinese enterprises. On the other hand, Chinese enterprises should actively position themselves and perform their functions for further development.
7.8 Motivate the Talents of the Community and Establish a Professional Research Centre of Government Policies
7.8.1 The Government should establish a modern consultation mechanism and make the policy-making procedures more systematic, pragmatic and visionary.This is critical in modem politics and public administration.
7.8.2 The Government should enhance the accuracy and fairness of the administrative procedures. Also, it should seriously try its best effort to collect public opinions and effectively establish a mechanism that can motivate the talents of the community.
7.8.3 Inherited the original structure from the previous Portuguese and Macau govemment, the current SAR Government has streamlined and realigned its stmcture. However, there is still room for improvement. On the other hand, the Govemment has not yet set up a policy research centre, which is a very important organization that can strengthen the govemment administration. This deserves serious study by the Govemment.
7.8.4 Reorganize and re-establish various consultation committees to assist the Govemment to discover and realize the potential of the community. However,this should be synchronized with the establishment of a professional p01icy research centre to achieve the best results.
