22 EconoMY
Eyes on the prize
Vice President Xi Jingpin’s recent visit to Macau has sparked
a race for Henquin Island - and a lot of ideas
T
ourism and logistic the island. They believe it is
operators are leading an ideal opportunity for diver-
the field in the race for sification away from gaming
combined development posi- in the shape of the construc-
tions on Hengqin Island. tion of resorts that provide
Vice-president of the entertainment and relaxation.
Macau Aero-Cargo (Logistic) Infrastructure linked to exhi-
Dispatchers Association, Kok bitions and conferences are
Lam, says a potential link- also an option, he says, espe-
up between the two sectors cially when the number of ho-
comes at a good time as fac- tel rooms available in Macau
tory closures continue apace is taken into consideration.
in western China, which has, This way forward could
in turn, led to a significant re- help differentiate Macau from
duction in exports. Hong Kong and Guangdong,
tourism representatives point
Early days out.
Chinese Vice-President, Gambling on originality
Xi Jinping, has formally an-
nounced that Macau and The director of the Macau
Guangdong are likely to be Centre for Research of a De-
given the go-ahead to jointly velopment Strategy, Dominic
develop an area of five square Sio Chi Wai, believes the de-
kilometres on Hengqin Island velopment of the island should
off the Cotai Strip. steer clear of gaming. Sio told
Under the proposal, as Macau Daily that taking a
well as business develop- chance on logistics, financial
ment, the area should also services and infrastructure for
include green spaces for lei- commerce is a sentiment that
sure, schools, plus areas for has been gaining currency.
the development of logistic Sio also says that inves-
services. tors should focus on eco-
It is still early days and tourism, taking advantage of
the exact shape of the devel- the island’s natural character-
opment is still being analysed, istics.
but speaking to the Chinese- Also, because most tour-
language Macau Daily, Kok ists in Macau are from the
points out that there are few procedures at the border point Macau shouldn’t compete mainland, many investors
flights from the Macau Air- are vital to growth. directly with neighbouring from across the border will
port and labour and storage Legislator Lao Pun Lap regions, but instead look for have an interest in the devel-
costs are high, a situation ex- agrees that a hassle-free bor- ways to cooperate. Kok be- opment, such fluidity of peo-
acerbated by the current eco- der checkpoint, together with lieves Hengqin Island also ple and capital would be a
nomic climate. the development of transpor- offers multiple business op- plus.
From Lam’s perspective, tation are required to make portunities for the wider Pearl Sio concludes that the
entering Hengqin Island has things work. River Delta region. governments should keep
several advantages, not least of If production and packag- small details in mind, the sim-
which are cheaper labour and Co-operation ing take place on the other side ple things like whether taxi
land, and it might even stimu- of the border, there’d be yet drivers may, or may not, drive
late traffic through Macau According to Lao, who is more to be gained, he says. through the border and if the
Airport. But he says smooth, also a member of the MSA R eco- Tourism associations are infrastructure is sufficient to
efficient and timely customs nomic Development Council, also in the race for a place on sustain expansion.
february 2009
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