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MACAU BUSINESS
We have two exciting projects scheduled to open this
year: L’Arc around September and Oceanus around year-
end. Both are on the Macau Peninsula, and are mass
market oriented casinos. We are funding them internally.
This means that we do not suffer from the same external
pressures of some other gaming operators.
The redevelopment of the Hotel Lisboa has
been put on hold for a more opportune time,
when do you think that project can restart?
SJM will redevelop this project jointly with STDM. We
will evaluate market conditions carefully before committing
to a timetable for the overall benefit of SJM and in the best
interests of our shareholders.
Little interest in LVS properties
If Las Vegas Sands is forced to sell parts of its
properties here in Macau, either the fifth or sixth
or whatever, which of those would you be
interested in acquiring? I have lost count of how many people have
Well, to be very honest, I am very happy with what I commented to me about how difficult four
have in Macau Proper – in the best areas – Nam Van decades of gaming monopoly must have been for
Lakes, Outer Harbour, Avenida de Ribeiro, Lisboa, you in the place like Macau. What exactly were
Mandarin. I never admire the Americans choosing to go all main obstacles you needed to overcome?
the way to Cotai. All my life, I have loved challenges, and I never accept
I never believed this would be a success because Macau ‘No’ as an answer. So I didn’t see any obstacles, I treated
is a tiny little place, tourists who come here have very little every one of them as a new challenge instead. I believe in
time for the casinos, and to go all the way to Cotai, I think the maxim ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’, so no matter
it’s too far away. So very honestly, if one day [Las Vegas] how complicated the problem is, I will find a way to solve it.
Sands needs to sell parts of its properties, I will be the one
who is least interested in acquiring them. The Asia Visionary Award is the highest honour
given by the American Gaming Association, Reed
Las Vegas is not doing well but Macau is still Exhibitions and Macau Business. It is a unique
going strong. The VIP market is slowing down but Asian award. I bet you were not surprised to be
the mass market is still growing. Were we all too chosen?
pessimistic? Every award is an additional bonus to me, yet I am
Macau is different from Las Vegas. The correct strategy very happy, and indeed it is very satisfying to receive an
can still yield good results in Macau. Our gaming industry honour from the industry in which I have spent so much of
has a strong potential for growth. It is now consolidating my career.
after several years of rapid expansion and stunning
increases. Amidst global economic downturn, the gaming What can someone like you, who has achieved
industry of Macau was still able to achieve actual growth in so much, still desire to achieve?
2008 over the previous year. My dedication and interest in contributing to the
sustainable prosperity of Macau and to the nation
Almost 50 years in the gaming business in overall has not changed. ‘From society to society’ –
Macau is quite a while. The industry is not an easy this is the principle I adhere to.
one and I’m sure you’ve had plenty of surprises
over the years. What have the most rewarding Promises and more
times been since you got the monopoly
concession in 1962? And what were the main When people call you ‘Mr Macau’ how do you
victories that you still keep in your heart? feel?
When I opened the first casino in 1962, I said ‘the view I feel okay with the title. Because in many ways, I am
that our enterprise is merely one of gambling is a really Macau. I will tell you why. I am Eurasian looking.
misconception. Our purpose is to bring a new prosperity to When I first came to Macau, the people here assumed I
Macau and improve the welfare and living standards of its was born in Macau. I married a Macanese, half
citizens’. History proves that I have made good on my Portuguese, half Chinese. Besides, I feel that I really have
promise. done a lot for Macau, because when I got the concession
What were the most rewarding and victorious times? For for 40 years from the Portuguese, I virtually promised the
me, fulfilling my obligations to society is a wonderful source moon. I said I would do everything for the benefit of
of happiness and satisfaction. Macau and its people. I would change the harbour from a
very shallow one to a deep one. I succeeded. I promised
JUNE 2009 13
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