Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On has praised the contributions of US casino operators Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts to the city’s economic growth and welcomed further expansion by US firms during a meeting with members of the United States Congress.
A 14-member delegation including Congresswomen Dina Titus and Ann Kirkpatrick, and Congressman Alan Lowenthal, spent last Friday in Macau where they toured a handful of US-operated integrated resorts before meeting with Chui.
According to details released by the government’s information service, the meeting saw Chui recognize the contributions of those companies which “were in line with the Macao SAR Government’s strategy of adequate diversification of the local economy.”
The government also “welcomed the expansion of business in Macau by US companies, on the basis such companies recognised the principle of ‘One country, two systems’ and the Basic Law.”
The gaming concessions of Macau’s six licensed operators expire in 2022 and although it is generally anticipated that all six will be granted new licenses following a re-tender, it has been mooted that the process could be rockier for the three American operators, especially if US-China trade tensions continue to build.
Titus reportedly mentioned to Chui on Friday that the trade war was a “lose-lose situation” that “not only affected the exchange of trade and products but also exchanges regarding people, tourism and culture.”
