Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Search
Search:
Taiwan parliament OKs gaming on offshore islands
Reuters - Tuesday, January 13
By Ralph Jennings
TAIPEI, Jan 12 - Taiwan's parliament voted to legalise gambling on offshore islands on Monday, joining a growing number of Asian markets seeking to boost tourism and speed economic development.
The move paves the way for the economically depressed Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait, until recently one of the hottest potential flashpoints in Asia, to go ahead with planning for three giant casino-resorts.
Passage of the bill, despite protests from religious groups and opposition legislators, could give the archipelago a chance to compete eventually with other East Asia gaming hotspots such as Macau and South Korea, and upcoming casinos in Singapore.
Legislation to legalise gambling has been talked about for years and received a boost from the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou, which took office in May and must sign the bill before it takes effect.
"We've wanted to stimulate development of the offshore islands, particularly tourism," said Chang Sho-wen, an official in the parliament's ruling Nationalist Party caucus.
Taiwan is hoping to stimulate the kind of growth seen in other places that have legalised or expanded gaming, most notably Macau. But such growth could be hard to replicate due to the relative remoteness and lack of facilities in Penghu.
China has claimed sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. It has vowed to bring the island under mainland rule, by force if necessary, but ties have improved greatly in recent months since the election of China-friendly Ma.
Since opening up to outside operators in 2002, Macau, a former Portuguese-run enclave which returned to Chinese rule in 1999, has seen its economy boom as global giants such as MGM Mirage <MGM.N>, Las Vegas Sands <LVS.N> and Wynn Resorts <WYNN.O> set up casinos.
Macau was on track to record $14 billion in casino revenue last year, but construction of new casinos and plush hotels is slowing around the world as the global financial crisis leaves developers short of funds and reduces gaming revenues.
British AMZ Holdings <AMZ.L>, one of three operators looking at Penghu sites, hopes to put Penghu on the Asian casino map.
AMZ wants to build as many as 500 rooms on a now barren 11-hectare coastal tract, spending $200 million on construction and partnering with one of the world's top five casinos, the firm's Taiwan president Ashley Hines has said.
"They'll want more than a casino, which is where the idea of an integrated resort comes in," said AMZ Vice President Carl Burger. "It's been a long process and a labour of love."
Penghu, which has a population of 90,000, has passed two referenda in support of gaming as economic boosters edged out religious groups and citizens fearful of increased crime. It must pass one more before local authorities can issue casino permits.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Business
UBS shares drop on reports of looming 4Q lossAP - 27 minutes ago
Hong Kong shares drop after dismal US jobs dataAP - 30 minutes ago
China Southern Air appoints Si Xian Min new chairReuters - 34 minutes ago
WRAPUP 4-Ukraine signs gas deal to resume Russian suppliesReuters - 34 minutes ago
RPT-CES-Netbooks take center stage at trade showReuters - 35 minutes ago
Most Popular – Business
Viewed
Britain's Prince Harry apologises for racist language
Israeli troops push deeper into Gaza's main city
Is Tintin gay? Cartoon birthday boy dogged by rumours
Swiss bank set to announce record loss: report
Kate Winslet wins Golden Globe supporting actress
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular