Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HONGKONG13
2007-01-03 09:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Hong Kong
Cable title:
U/S LAVIN DISCUSSES MACAU DEVELOPMENT WITH ACTING
how-toVZCZCXRO7729 PP RUEHCN RUEHGH DE RUEHHK #0013 0030949 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 030949Z JAN 07 FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9989 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0008 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 1011 RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU 0304 RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 3478 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 4321
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000013
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR EB/TPP
STATE PASS USTR STRATFORD/WINTERS/CELICO
USDOC ITA LAVIN/MACQUEEN
TREASURY FOR LEVY/GLASER/SHARMA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ELAB ETRD MC
SUBJECT: U/S LAVIN DISCUSSES MACAU DEVELOPMENT WITH ACTING
CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHAN
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000013
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR EB/TPP
STATE PASS USTR STRATFORD/WINTERS/CELICO
USDOC ITA LAVIN/MACQUEEN
TREASURY FOR LEVY/GLASER/SHARMA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ELAB ETRD MC
SUBJECT: U/S LAVIN DISCUSSES MACAU DEVELOPMENT WITH ACTING
CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHAN
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Department of Commerce Under Secretary
for International Trade Franklin L. Lavin met with Macau's
Acting Chief Executive Florinda Chan on December 9. Chief
Executive Edmund Ho was reportedly attending an economic
conference in Guangzhou. Lavin and Chan discussed the
liberalization of Macau's gaming sector, the growth in
tourism and gambling, financial sector regulation, and the
sanctioning of Banco Delta Asia. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Lavin congratulated Chan on the liberalization of
Macau's gaming sector, which allows U.S. firms to enter the
market and has led to explosive growth in tourism, gaming,
hospitality, and retail. Chan welcomed increasing U.S.
investment and tourism; she noted that Macau's 2006 GDP is
expected to show double digit increases. Many analysts
forecast 15% growth over 2005 figures, totaling approximately
100 billion patacas (US$13 billion). The Macau Special
Administrative Region government (MSARG) budget also will
increase from 25 billion patacas (US$3.2 billion) in 2006 to
30 billion patacas (US$3.8 billion) in 2007. This rapid
growth is forcing Macau to import approximately 50,000 day
laborers from mainland China as Macau's indigenous labor
force only totals 220,000. Small entrepreneurs are learning
to cope with both labor shortages and increasing property
rents. (Septel will describe Macau's economic growth and
development in greater detail).
3. (SBU) Lavin asked Chan to describe MSARG's efforts to
regulate the financial sector - specifically the casino
industry - and how Macau benchmarks these efforts. Chan
replied that MSARG is finalizing legislation and training law
enforcement authorities to upgrade regulatory capabilities.
In March 2006, the MSARG passed both anti-money laundering
and anti-terrorism finance legislation, which is being
implemented. The MSARG established a Financial Intelligence
Unit in 2006, participates as a member of the Asia Pacific
Group, and maintains a cooperative relationship with mainland
China and Hong Kong monetary authorities. Chan added that
Lavin's visit coincided with a mutual review of Macau by the
Asia Pacific Group.
4. (SBU) Lavin queried Chan for Macau's reaction to the
sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Banco Delta Asia (BDA).
Chan replied that the MSARG continues its close cooperation
with the United States, Hong Kong and mainland China. She
stated that Macau is under great pressure - "not just
economic" - to resolve the BDA situation.
5. (SBU) Lavin stated that increasing amounts of money will
soon pass through Macau, some of which will be dirty money.
He noted that money launderers will seek to exploit Macau,
particularly if neighboring jurisdictions have tougher
financial oversight regimes than does Macau. He added that
U.S. financial enterprises and casinos operate under national
and international regulatory controls, which may be helpful
to the MSARG. Chan added that U.S. institutions in Macau
have to follow Macau law.
6. (U) This report was cleared by U/S Lavin's staff.
Sakaue
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR EB/TPP
STATE PASS USTR STRATFORD/WINTERS/CELICO
USDOC ITA LAVIN/MACQUEEN
TREASURY FOR LEVY/GLASER/SHARMA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ELAB ETRD MC
SUBJECT: U/S LAVIN DISCUSSES MACAU DEVELOPMENT WITH ACTING
CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHAN
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Department of Commerce Under Secretary
for International Trade Franklin L. Lavin met with Macau's
Acting Chief Executive Florinda Chan on December 9. Chief
Executive Edmund Ho was reportedly attending an economic
conference in Guangzhou. Lavin and Chan discussed the
liberalization of Macau's gaming sector, the growth in
tourism and gambling, financial sector regulation, and the
sanctioning of Banco Delta Asia. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Lavin congratulated Chan on the liberalization of
Macau's gaming sector, which allows U.S. firms to enter the
market and has led to explosive growth in tourism, gaming,
hospitality, and retail. Chan welcomed increasing U.S.
investment and tourism; she noted that Macau's 2006 GDP is
expected to show double digit increases. Many analysts
forecast 15% growth over 2005 figures, totaling approximately
100 billion patacas (US$13 billion). The Macau Special
Administrative Region government (MSARG) budget also will
increase from 25 billion patacas (US$3.2 billion) in 2006 to
30 billion patacas (US$3.8 billion) in 2007. This rapid
growth is forcing Macau to import approximately 50,000 day
laborers from mainland China as Macau's indigenous labor
force only totals 220,000. Small entrepreneurs are learning
to cope with both labor shortages and increasing property
rents. (Septel will describe Macau's economic growth and
development in greater detail).
3. (SBU) Lavin asked Chan to describe MSARG's efforts to
regulate the financial sector - specifically the casino
industry - and how Macau benchmarks these efforts. Chan
replied that MSARG is finalizing legislation and training law
enforcement authorities to upgrade regulatory capabilities.
In March 2006, the MSARG passed both anti-money laundering
and anti-terrorism finance legislation, which is being
implemented. The MSARG established a Financial Intelligence
Unit in 2006, participates as a member of the Asia Pacific
Group, and maintains a cooperative relationship with mainland
China and Hong Kong monetary authorities. Chan added that
Lavin's visit coincided with a mutual review of Macau by the
Asia Pacific Group.
4. (SBU) Lavin queried Chan for Macau's reaction to the
sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Banco Delta Asia (BDA).
Chan replied that the MSARG continues its close cooperation
with the United States, Hong Kong and mainland China. She
stated that Macau is under great pressure - "not just
economic" - to resolve the BDA situation.
5. (SBU) Lavin stated that increasing amounts of money will
soon pass through Macau, some of which will be dirty money.
He noted that money launderers will seek to exploit Macau,
particularly if neighboring jurisdictions have tougher
financial oversight regimes than does Macau. He added that
U.S. financial enterprises and casinos operate under national
and international regulatory controls, which may be helpful
to the MSARG. Chan added that U.S. institutions in Macau
have to follow Macau law.
6. (U) This report was cleared by U/S Lavin's staff.
Sakaue