Sands China Announces Its Local Supplier Support Programme

Latest initiative of company's supplier relationship management strategy

Sands China Ltd.

2015-07-29 22:38 6443

English

MACAU, July 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/-- Sands China Ltd. and the Macao Chamber of Commerce have jointly announced the launch of Sands China's local supplier support programme. The programme is in line with the Macao government's initiative to "buy local" and demonstrates Sands China's commitment to supporting local enterprises as part of the company's corporate social responsibility efforts.

Sands China Ltd. and the Macao Chamber of Commerce have jointly announced the launch of Sands China’s local supplier support programme, which is the latest initiative of the company’s supplier relationship management strategy. The company released a list of nearly 200 purchase items for local companies as part of its efforts to “buy local.”

With its supplier relationship management strategy in place, Sands China has always been at the forefront of the push to buy local. In 2014 alone, Sands China's operational spend reached MOP 12.5 billion from a total supplier base of 2,213 companies, with MOP 10.4 billion or 83 per cent of that amount going to local suppliers and local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Understanding that local small businesses are having difficulties working with large organisations, the company drew on the Macao Chamber of Commerce's thorough understanding of local businesses, and collaborated with the Chamber for a briefing session in January with local SMEs. Close to 100 local SME representatives attended the meeting, which was aimed at enhancing the communication between Sands China and local SMEs in providing an opportunity for new business proposals and cooperation.

Building on past efforts to further support local companies, this local supplier support programme has identified three types of local businesses to support: small and micro enterprises, "made in Macao" companies, and Macao young entrepreneurs.

A small and micro enterprise is defined as any business which has over 50 per cent of its share capital held by Macao residents, and employs no more than 15 people who are working in the Macao Special Administrative Region. A "made in Macao" company refers to any business which holds an industrial license or a temporary industrial license, has over 50 per cent of its share capital held by Macao residents, and holds a certificate of origin issued by the Macao Economic Services Bureau or the Industrial Association of Macao. A Macao young entrepreneur must have over 50 per cent of his or her company's share capital held by Macao residents in the case of businesses run by entrepreneur-legal persons. In the case of a natural person, the applicant must be aged 21-44 at the time of application; in the case of a legal person, the shareholder with over 50 per cent of the share capital must be aged 21-44 at the time of application.

"Sands China believes in investing in the local community, whether through efforts like our volunteer work with local NGOs, or with initiatives like the local supplier support programme," said Ben Toh, executive vice president, chief financial officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd. "We hope this new programme makes it easier for local companies to do business with Sands China, as our company recognises that a thriving local business community creates positive effects on the community at large."

At a press conference on Wednesday at the Macao Chamber of Commerce, Sands China released a list of nearly 200 purchase items for local companies, including operating supplies, food and beverage, furniture and lighting, facilities, gaming, marketing, and outside services and technology; some of these items had previously been purchased from non-local suppliers. Local companies can access the list online at www.sandschina.com/procurement.html, where they can also pre-register for the Sands China Local Supplier Open Day - an opportunity for them to learn details such as the purchasing procedures and the product specifications from Sands China's procurement team on Aug. 31.

Kou Hoi In, president of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, is happy to see Sands China fulfill its social responsibility while developing its business in Macao. He said, "Sands China's diverse range of businesses and its fair-trade purchasing policy have been particularly successful in getting local enterprises involved in its projects. Keeping in line with the government's policy to support small and micro enterprises, Sands China is offering a list of nearly 200 purchase items for bidding to local companies, and some of these items were originally sourced from non-local suppliers. This provides a good opportunity for local companies to work with Sands China, benefitting both sides. This programme also incorporates elements such as small and micro enterprises, 'made in Macao' companies, and Macao young entrepreneurs, which greatly improves their chances of bidding success. All of these will contribute to the diversification of Macao's economy and are beneficial for supporting these three types of enterprises."

Sands China's local supplier support programme - and its upcoming Sands China Local Supplier Open Day on Aug. 31 - is a step further in offering more business opportunities to help these three types of companies grow together with Sands China.

This long-term local supplier support programme is also the latest initiative of the company's supplier relationship management strategy, which guides Sands China's long-standing effort to support local suppliers - whom the company views as its strategic partners. Under this strategy, the company has worked on several related initiatives.

One is the annual Sands Supplier Excellence Awards, which features an award category for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), and is awarded to a Macao-based company at the end of each year. Held in 2013 and 2014, the event honours suppliers for their outstanding cooperation and services. As a global initiative launched by Sands China's parent company, Las Vegas Sands Corp., it is one of the examples of Sands China's efforts to procure products and services from companies in Macao.

Other programmes under Sands China's supplier relationship management strategy include the company's supplier business review programme and the quality audit programme.

About Sands China Ltd.

Sands China Ltd. (HKEx: 1928, Sands China or the Company) is a Cayman Islands registered company and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company's Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao is comprised of The Venetian^® Macao, The Plaza™ Macao and Sands^® Cotai Central. The Company also owns and operates Sands^® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company's integrated resorts contain a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities, a wide range of restaurants, shopping malls, world-class entertainment at the Cotai Arena and The Venetian Theatre, and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company's property development projects on Cotai have the goal of transforming it into Asia's premier entertainment and business destination. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).