Sands China Closes 2024 with Two Milestones for Advancing Suppliers and Local Businesses

At the end of 2024, Sands China celebrated the completion of two key programs that represent its commitment to driving the success of local businesses in Macao.

In November, the company honored the 15th and 16th cohorts of the Sands Procurement Academy, a free training program for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that is provided in conjunction with the Macao Chamber of Commerce and the Macau Productivity and Technology Centre.

Sands China also completed the Sands Retail Academy’s Quality Retail Service seminar series in November. Co-presented by Sands China, the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Macao Consumer Council, the series targeted retail and tourism industry practitioners in Macao.

Both programs build local business capabilities and elevate their capacity for increasing business opportunities.

The Sands Procurement Academy’s monthlong sessions provide SMEs with a deeper understanding of large-scale international company standards and requirements through practical training modules presented by lecturers with diverse areas of expertise.

After graduating, suppliers receive preference for procurement opportunities with Sands China when their capabilities are equal to other vendors. Across 16 class sessions held since the program’s inception, more than 550 SMEs, including November’s honorees, have graduated.

“SMEs account for more than 90 percent of Macao’s registered enterprises and occupy a pivotal position in Macao’s economy,” Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China, said. “Through the Sands Procurement Academy, we comprehensively assist SMEs to continuously equip themselves and enhance their competitiveness in the ever-changing business environment. Many graduates have expressed how they have benefited, and the results are encouraging.”

The Sands Procurement Academy is the training arm of Sands China’s F.I.T. program. Launched in April 2017, F.I.T. encompasses three areas of assistance for suppliers: financial support, invitational matching, and training and development.

The Sands China Young Entrepreneur Advance Payment Program represents the type of financial support available through the F.I.T. program. Targeting Macao entrepreneurs with a staff of 15 or less, the program provides 30% advance payment on purchase orders.

Sands China facilitates invitational matching opportunities by hosting a number of local business showcases, roadshows and trade shows for SMEs to demonstrate their products and services. The premier event is the annual Sands Shopping Carnival, which is the largest sales showcase in Macao.

The F.I.T. program and Sands Procurement Academy integrate with Sands China’s Local Small, Medium and Micro Suppliers Support Program, which works to increase procurement opportunities between Sands China and local SME suppliers by targeting small and micro companies, Made-in-Macao companies, and Macao young entrepreneurs. It is the first program of its kind in Macao and promotes a “buy local” mindset.

Another local business advancement initiative, the Sands Retail Academy, is specifically held for retail professionals at Sands Shoppes Macao – the interconnected group of malls comprising Shoppes at Venetian, Shoppes at Four Seasons, Shoppes at Londoner and Shoppes at Parisian. Together, these malls house more than 720 retailers.

Held between June and November, Sands Retail Academy’s second Quality Retail Service seminar series was another resounding success. More than 520 participants joined four seminars that enhanced their knowledge in the areas of industrial adaptability, talent development, service excellence and customer loyalty.

“Shopping has always been an important experience in traveling,” Dr. Wong said. “As we take advantage of the experience of our retailers and industrial representatives to elevate the quality of retail service and the experience of tourists who visit Macao, we help propel the development of Macao into a world center of tourism and leisure.”

The Sands Retail Academy has offered complimentary training to retail professionals at Sands Shoppes Macao since 2013, reaching more than 13,000 retail practitioners to help them advance their careers, deliver quality service to guests and create unforgettable shopping experiences.

Sands China’s initiatives to advance the success of its suppliers and local businesses are part of Sands’ wide-ranging commitment to workforce development and its ambition to contribute $200 million globally to programs in this area from 2021-2025. As of 2023, Sands has contributed $181 million to workforce development programs.

To learn more about Sands’ priority on workforce development, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/