In Macau, we are accustomed to discussing major objectives: economic diversification, regional integration, international positioning. We talk about strategies, five-year plans, and structural investments. However, sometimes it is in the daily details that we can measure the quality of governance.
Renewing a Resident Identity Card is one of those simple – and revealing – tests. Those who have done it recently know what I mean: it is no longer necessary to schedule an appointment or wait in lines. The renewal can be handled autonomously on one of several self-service machines distributed throughout the city. The process is intuitive, fast, and efficient. In just a few minutes, the request is submitted. There is no mandatory intermediation, no redundant paperwork, and no “come back tomorrow” culture.
This data is more significant than it appears. It is not just about convenience; it is about administrative architecture. It is the result of a consistent bet on electronic government, the digitization of procedures, and the internal reorganization of public services. Here, technology is not merely decorative – it is functional.
In a city with just over 600,000 inhabitants, the Administration has managed to build a cohesive, interoperable, and user-oriented digital ecosystem. The Macao One Account, integrated online services, and self-service machines form a system that drastically reduces bureaucracy.
International comparison helps to provide context. In Portugal, for example, renewing an identification document may involve weeks of waiting for an appointment, difficulties in obtaining a reference number, and delays in issuance. The user experience still falls short of the smooth process that Macau has already normalized.
This efficiency is not just a personal comfort; it is a structural asset. First, it has a direct economic impact. Time saved is productivity gained. Fewer wasted hours on administrative procedures mean greater efficiency for workers and companies. Second, it reinforces institutional trust. A state that effectively fulfills its basic functions – issuing documents, processing requests, providing information – strengthens credibility. Third, it improves quality of life: less weariness, less frustration, less uncertainty.
It is clear that there are areas where simplification can make more progress; no system is perfect. However, in the domain of electronic government, Macau clearly positions itself above the international average. And this should be recognized with the same frankness with which we criticize other shortcomings.
The sophistication of an economy is not measured solely by the diversity of its sectors but also by the efficiency of its institutions. Perhaps this is one of the silent transformations in Macau. In a world where bureaucracy continues to be synonymous with delay, here it is beginning to be synonymous with competence.
