10
From The Publisher’s Desk
Convergence
of interests
he official reasons for restricting the fashion. If such decisions include the lifting of
T
issue of individual visas to mainlanders restrictions on visas, are a way of helping those
remain unknown. This is especially sectors not directly related to gaming - such as
true with regard to tourists from retail, restaurants and hotels - then so be it.
provinces who were in the position to get The problem is that the three aforementioned
visas to travel every month and are now open possible reasons for the decison present difficult
to travel once every three months, not taking issues to surmount. The task of planning a city
into account the time that it takes to issue the and creating an infrastructure capable of coping
document. with millions of visitors each year takes time.
Guangdong is most affected by the decision We had the chance and we blew it. The
and is the greatest source of mainland visitors effort to control huge gaming losses incurred
to Macau. by pathological gamblers and those who throw
Therefore, it is vital we are made aware of away other people’s money at the tables is truly
the thinking behind the move. herculean. It will take generations to achieve,
Is it because Macau is considered too small even if the right formula is found, it is truly a
and lacking in the ability to take in so many mission impossible.
visitors each day? Or a way for the central Perhaps it was a matter of punishment. In
government to limit the amount of money the context of a free market economy, it is not
leaving the country into a casino-driven easy to punish companies just because they
city, where many of the gaming operators opt for a less “politically’’ acceptable form of
are foreign? management, but we know how persuasion
Or perhaps it is a punishment for one works wonders and gets fast results. If,
or more of those concessionaires who, however, the decision was made for all three
allegedly, might have reinvested less than reasons then we are in a straitjacket.
they should have in the city and in partnerships The ideal scenario would be for all parties
with local businesses? to compromise and allow gaming - the city’s
Any of these reasons would be valid, if lifeblood - to flourish, especially mass
they were part of an action plan which clearly market gaming.
identifies the obstacles ahead and how to Once that psychological barrier is overcome,
get over them. That way, we could return to it will be easier for investors to renegotiate
unrestricted individual visas and a two-city visa debt and find financing, therefore reactivating
for mainlanders who want to visit Hong Kong previously planned investments. More jobs,
and Macau - which were also curtailed. better living conditions and, this time, an
As the world faces an economic crisis of as intelligent policy for hiring manpower and
yet unknown dimensions, as well as its duration, controlling inflation.
it is important for any decisions regarding That way, the economic crisis will surely
the future of Macau to be made in a timely have a lesser impact on Macau.
february 2009
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