MGM praises Beijing’s assistance to local economy

Grant Bowie

MGM China head Grant Bowie yesterday welcomed Beijing’s helping hand to Macau’s flagging economy, and highlighted its significance in boosting mainland tourists’ confidence in and access to the city.
Late last week, the top liaison official in Macau, Li Gang, hinted that Beijing would roll out a set of supporting policies for Macau’s economy.
On the sidelines of a press conference on business partnerships co-hosted with the Macau Chamber of Commerce, Grant Bowie, who is MGM China’s chief executive officer and executive director, noted that efforts to bring more tourists into the region could be more crucial than any others – especially at a time when the world’s gambling hub has started to diversify its appeal towards being a more versatile entertainment destination.
“I think the critical point for us is consumer confidence. The Chinese consumers are obviously, I think, a little bit confused about their ability to travel to Macau,” said Bowie. “That would be the simplest and the best thing we could achieve […] for the Chinese consumers to feel comfortable about coming to Macau.”
Rather than simply depend on Beijing’s assistance, Mr Bowie believes that self-positivity, innovation and competence in offering quality services would always lead the industry to success.
Furthermore, he likened the economic adjustment that the territory has been going through to a “marathon,” which requires persistence and concentration if Macau aims to extend its previous heyday.
“I think we all need to be very focused, diligent and determined to work hard every day,” he added. “It’s now going to be up to us in Macau, Macau people, to reinvent themselves and deliver the outcomes that’d make us successful.”
Although the golden week came with squally weather that might take a toll on casinos’ earnings, the CEO claimed that the group was still “satisfied with the performance they have seen during the holiday period.”
Mr Bowie also commented on the Dore Group’s theft scandal, which has been on the news for almost a month. He said that now is an appropriate time for all the industry’s stakeholders and the authorities to “improve and consolidate the industry,” while also stressing that the group runs its business within regulations.
During yesterday’s conference, MGM China stressed that it is seeking to forge business partnerships with local small and medium-sized suppliers in the run-up to the opening of its new premises on the Cotai Strip. A matching session will be held on November 30 for interested enterprises.
“The critical point is to open the door, to hand out invitations and encourage people to not be put off just because of their size, or just because you might not appreciate how to engage with us both, but to start building a relationship so that we can actually collaborate, work on exploring opportunities,” the CEO explained during the event.