Government to boost economic diversification

The Chief Executive Edmund Ho has said that the SAR Government would use different policies and measures to regulate the tourism industry, in particular the development of the gaming industry, to boost Macao’s sustainable development. Mr Ho said told reporters this after he was received by the President Hu Jintao this afternoon after he attended the closing ceremony of the 11th National People’s Congress in Beijing. During the meeting, the Chief Executive also updated the President on Macao’s latest development. Mr Ho said Mr Hu encouraged Macao citizens to dedicate their efforts to supporting “One Country Two Systems” and to face new challenges with one mind and one heart. The President was pleased with Macao’s achievement, particularly in social and economic development. After Macao’s return to the motherland for almost nine years, Mr Ho said it was time to review regulations on the gaming industry, study methods to diversify the economy and to formulate appropriate policies for Macao’s sustainable development. Mr Ho said cultural tourism was one way to diversify the economy, by enhancing co-operations with Guangdong and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the SAR Government would continue to implement the “One Country, Two Systems” in Macao, and stabilise the society with harmony for the two important elections – the Chief Executive election and the Legislative Assembly election to be held in next year.