Lionel Leong meets with gaming operators

The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong, has exchanged views with gaming operators on how to maintain economic vitality, enhance Macau’s competitiveness, stabilize the job market and strengthen social responsibility in the sector.
According to a statement from Mr Leong issued by the Government Information Bureau, the government has always been concerned with the healthy development of the sector and employment opportunities for local people, stressing the principle that non-resident workers should only be brought in to compensate for shortfalls in local human resources.
In a meeting with the representatives of six gaming concessionaires on 18 September, the Secretary urged the operators to continually provide more on-the-job training to their workers, in order to improve their upward mobility. The government, in return, would make more effort in job matching and career changing.
As one of the pillars of the local economy, the healthy development of gaming industry has a profound impact on Macau, he said. According to Mr Leong, the government intends to optimize legislation to strengthen the regulation of concessionaires and junket operators, and to encourage more contributions from non-gaming elements – all in order to further expedite adequate diversification of the economy and enhance the sector’s worldwide competiveness.
Representatives from gaming concessionaires said that they would follow the government’s policy direction to propel the development of non-gaming features and support locally made products. The representatives also hoped for more support during the consolidation period and more quality visitors to support the tourism industry.