An international developer bidding to build a casino resort on Matsu yesterday said it has budgeted US$2.5 billion to construct supporting infrastructure.
This will remove the biggest obstacle facing Matsu’s development: a lack of transportation infrastructure, Weidner Resorts chairman and CEO William Weidner said.
The money would be used mainly to upgrade Beigan Airport so that it can handle larger aircraft such as Airbus SAS’ A320s and Boeing Co’s 747s, Weidner said.
Photo: Tsai Wei-chi, Taipei Times
A bridge connecting the Matsu chain’s Beigan and Nangan islands, a ferry harbor and a yacht terminal would also be built, he said.
“[The project] will develop Matsu’s infrastructure and help connect it to the rest of the world,” Weidner said.
He said that the US$2.5 billion, which is part of the US$8 billion in funds for the entire project, came from Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan and Credit Suisse.
Weidner said the resort could generate 70,000 job opportunities.
Matsu County residents approved a referendum in July last year allowing casinos to be built on the island chain.
However, such projects cannot proceed until a bill governing the operation of casinos is passed by the legislature.
The Cabinet is currently working on drafting legislation toward that end.
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