The Macau SAR Government signed a notarized deed with the Macau International Airport Company today (26th) for the extension of the Franchise Contract.

The extension of the Macau International Airport construction and operation concession contact facilitates the development of air transport sector in Macau, said Mr. Ao Man long, Secretary for Transport and Public Works who made the remarks at the signing ceremony.

Chief Executive, Mr. Edmund Ho Hau-wah witnessed the signing ceremony which took place in the Government Headquarters.

"The Government has approved the request of the Macau International Airport Company for extending the term of the Concession Contract by another 25 years, based on the consideration of the fact that the Airport played an important role in the social and economic developments of Macau/; and that constructing and running an airport was a significant investment with a long pay-back period," Mr. Ao noted.

He emphasized that in response to the demand brought by the incessantly growing volume of cargo in the Pearl River Delta Region, the Government would encouraged the Macau International Airport Company to expand the cargo facilities of the Airport.

He added that the Government were also actively exploring and analyzing the feasibility of setting up a logistic center and of building a marine terminal at the Airport.

The Macau International Airport Concession Contract was signed in 1989, for a term of 25 years. With the extension of the contract, the franchise will be expired in 2039.