• The Associação dos Comerciantes da Boa Cozinha de Macau (ACBCM) has engaged with various sectors of government and society to discuss the association’s development and the operational landscape of the culinary industry.
• It believes the catering industry currently faces multiple challenges including high rental and labor costs and manpower shortages.

Associação dos Comerciantes da Boa Cozinha de Macau (ACBCM) has initiated its organizational activities by visiting representatives from diverse sectors of society, including the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Executive Council members and current Legislative Assembly members. These engagements facilitated in-depth discussions regarding the association’s development and the operational landscape of the culinary industry.

ACBCM commenced these visits as early as April, meeting with figures including the Economic Department of the Liaison Office, Executive Council Member Lao Ngai Leong and President of the Legislative Assembly Kou Hoi In.

Founded in 1996, ACBCM is a non-profit organization dedicated to uniting traditional small businesses and promoting the inheritance and innovation of Macau’s culinary heritage.

In engaging in its recent discussions with government representatives, ACBCM President Ho Tsz Kit noted that the catering industry currently faces multiple challenges, including high rental and labour costs as well as manpower shortages. These difficulties exert considerable pressure on operators’ survival. He said he hopes that through in-depth exchanges with different sectors, consensus can be forged to seek effective solutions and assist the industry in addressing these challenges.

This year, ACBCM explained that it has strengthened direct communication between members and society by visiting Legislative Assembly members and relevant institutions, reflecting the industry’s realities. Concurrently, it has promoted cross-sector collaboration, enhanced liaison with the government to expand market opportunities for the catering industry and sought to unite societal forces to jointly resolve operational difficulties.

Ho noted that ACBCM has compiled numerous opinions and suggestions raised by members and will continue to convey these to the government and relevant bodies. The aim is to secure greater policy support to foster a more dynamic operating environment for SMEs.