The authority will perfect and speed up approval procedures in order to accommodate the increase in large-scale construction projects after the liberalization of the gaming industry in Macao, said Secretary Ao Man Long.

Accompanied by officials from the Transport and Public Works Bureau and the Fire Brigade, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Ao Man Long, visited Las Vegas and San Francisco and met the representatives from government departments responsible for public works, planning, transportation and fire fighting.

During the visit, the delegates also went to Nevada to see how the Nevada state government handled the applications for large-scale projects and their supervision of the quality of construction and fire fighting measures.

Mr. Ao described the visit as fruitful and declared that the American government's experience in monitoring the gaming industry would serve as a reference for Macao.

The delegation returned to Macao via Hong Kong on 26 June.