The Macau Metro Monitor.  December 11th, 2009.


HONG KONG-ZHUHAI-MACAU BRIDGE TO START CONSTRUCTION ON TUESDAY chinaknowledge.com

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, a mega bridge linking Hong Kong and Macau with mainland cuty Zhuhai, will start construction on December 15th.  It is estimated that the bridge will be completed as early as 2015 and that it will bring economic benefits totaling HK$40 billion in 20 years. 

MUCH GOING ON BUT DON’T ASK US Destination-macau.com

DM understands that TPG/Apollo/Harrahs people are in town.  They have been reported to be meeting with SJM, although that has not been confirmed.  DM suggests that they are likely meeting with Melco Crown and Galaxy also and also that they eSun could be looking for a new partner while Macau Studio City is embroiled in a legal battle.  DM believes that Melco-Crown needs cash, Harrahs would go to considerable lengths to get a Macau license, and eSun’s Peter Lam is in a great position to broker a deal.  The key question is whether or not the authorities want another American group owning a casino asset in Macau.

VIVA MELBOURNE! Destination-macau.com

Direct flights from Macau to Melbourne were launched this week by Viva Macau.  Flights are twice weekly and are fully booked through December. Reg MacDonald, acting CEO of Viva Macau, is seeking to increase the frequency of the flights.