Innovate with innovation

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to join a luncheon meeting that took place in a neighbouring region where a very high official made a great speech on the region’s political plans to attract innovation that may lead to a different future. I’m sure Macau politicians also have a vision of innovation. Making Macau an Asian hub for innovation and advanced technology would be something to think about. The so-called Macau sovereign fund currently in the pipeline could play some part for the venture capital of innovative start-up companies. Instead of granting subsidies for grey developments, public funds could be applied to attract innovators from abroad. In addition, university institutes such as MIT or other globally recognized seats of learning could try to play an important role in the development of Macau and overseas youth keen to learn in this competitive market. A recent study made public concluding that gaming is the maître of all sins may well be a starting point – just another one – in the diversification (once and for all) of the economy towards what is on the cards in the 13th quinquennial plan which sees Macau from a different perspective to the majority of forces trying to lead this city to a better place. I try, as much as possible, to follow technology. Not that I’m a gadget addict. But I could say I’m a well informed layman. In this sense, I have seen that automobile giants are betting on the driverless car for the future, which would imply car sharing. That would be great. If I were a taxi driver, I would be thinking about getting another job, as in the near future we may not have to take a cab, just use an app to take us from one side of the city to the other. Hopefully, the light railway will still be necessary for the future, otherwise all the money invested in the system being implemented in Macau will be useless. There is so much to be done in terms of innovation that it’s likely to be innovative if we had someone talking seriously about it or – why not? – have a Secretary for Innovation and Technology or a specific bureau that would only take projects in the innovation and technology arena – and where even overseas corporations and institutions could get funding for their activities.