Taiwan Today

The Penghu County government recently put forward an “international vacation village construction plan” to develop casino resorts at Houliao Bay in Baisha Township and Huxi Port in the township of Huxi. The development of the casino resort zone, which will feature tourist hotels, a convention and exhibition center, a duty-free shopping area and a leisure port, is anticipated to draw up to NT$60 billion (US$1.83 billion) in investment. The Penghu government, which recently received approval from the Executive Yuan to hold a referendum on legalizing gambling in the offshore county, plans to solicit business investment according to the Act for Promotion of Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects. The contract signing process for the development project is expected to be completed by December 2011. The planned international vacation village project will cover up to 106 hectares, including 73 hectares at Houliao Bay and 33 hectares at Huxi Port, as well as infrastructure development on 28 hectares of marine area, marking the largest domestic project of its kind in terms of area as well as investment. Representatives of various gaming and entertainment firms, including Gary Loveman, chairman of Las Vegas-based Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., as well as executives from businesses based in Australia, South Korea, Macau and Malaysia have visited the Penghu County Government recently for private talks on the casino resort development plan’s contents and timetable. (SB)