"Technical issues in the gaming concessionary contracts were settled after negotiations with both provisional concessionaires," the Secretary for Economy and Finance and the Chairman of the Tender Committee for Gaming Concessions, Francis Tam, said today (8 May).

Mr. Tam stressed that the government would study carefully the location of casinos submitted by investors, assuring that the MSAR government would supported the business sector and would take the necessary measures to assist its development.

Mr. Tam said that the concessionary contracts would be signed as soon as possible. Once the two provisional concessionaires, Wynn Resorts (Macau) and the Galaxy Casino Company Limited, provided all the details regarding the proposed casino locations.

The MSAR Government granted provisional gaming concessions to three companies: The Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM), a subsidiary to the former monopoly holder STDM, which started operating on 1 April 2002/; The Galaxy Casino Company Limited/; and Wynn Resorts.

Concerning relationship between employers and employees, Francis Tam said that the MSAR Government "is highly concerned with the co-operation between both parties, as well as in improvement of related legislation." He revealed that the reviewed of the labour laws would be almost completed shortly and would be delivered soon to the Standing Committee on Conciliating Social Affairs for approval.

Mr. Tam said that the Standing Committee on Conciliating Social Affairs was analysing legislation regarding the import of non-resident labour. He added that the authorities expected more effective co-operation between employers and employees as a result of improvement in the present law.