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Uber
launched in Macau less than a year ago but announced at the end
of August that it would withdraw from the former Portuguese
colony because its drivers faced total fines of 10 million
patacas ($1.25 million).
The Macau government has taken a firm stance against Uber, with
Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak stating that the service
violated local laws.
“After much deliberation, Uber will continue to serve the riders
and drivers of Macau, the company said in a statement on its
website.
"The unprecedented amount of support we received over the past
few weeks has been overwhelming."
The statement said the company had received 23,000-plus online
signatures in support of its service and also thanked riders,
drivers, residents, visitors and legislators who had championed
the company's cause.
“We hope the Government will follow the example set by
progressive, pro-innovation policymakers around the region and
the world in recognizing the role ride-sharing can play in
moving Macau forward,” Uber said.
Macau government officials were not immediately available to
comment.
Uber has about 2,000 full-time and part-time drivers in the
territory and though Macau isn't a large market Uber's exit
would have been another blow to the fast-growing U.S. company's
ambitions in the region.
Its costly two-year battle to break into the potentially
lucrative Chinese market was brought to a close this month with
the sale of its operations in the country to Didi Chuxing,
though the U.S. company has retained a 5 percent stake.
Uber could also be forced out of Taiwan after authorities
demanded that the company pay a sales tax bill and it has also
come under legal scrutiny in Hong Kong.
(Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by David Goodman)
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