Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) also indicated that a total of 1,436 new companies were incorporated in the fourth quarter of 2019, up by 76 year-on-year.

The DSEC also said that new companies operating in wholesale and retail trade and business services totalled 578 and 322 respectively in the fourth quarter last year.

Analysed by combination of shareholders, a total of 829 new companies were established solely by Macao's shareholders, and a total of 195 new companies were joint ventures between shareholders from Macao and other countries or regions.