HONG KONG, July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Macau Legend Development Limited (the "Company" or "Macau Legend", together with its subsidiaries collectively referred to as the "Group"; SEHK Stock Code: 1680), one of the leading owners of entertainment and casino gaming facilities in Macau, today announces that MLD Cabo Verde Resorts, S.A. ("CV Resorts Co") and MLD Cabo Verde Entretenimento, S.A. ("CV Entertainment Co"), both wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, have entered into several agreements (the "Agreements") with, among others, the Government of the Republic of Cape Verde to develop a 152,700 square-meters integrated resort and gaming facility complex (the "Project"). The project is located at a 119,200 square-meters land and sea areas and a 33,500 square-meters beach area at Praia, the capital city of Cape Verde, on Santiago Island. The land concession for the Project is 75 years. The Agreements also include the granting of a gaming concession to CV Entertainment Co for operation of casino games of fortune and chance in Cape Verde.

Under the Agreements, CV Resorts Co will invest not less than EUR250 million (approximately HK$2.15 billion) to construct an integrated resort and gaming facility complex including hotels, office buildings, property development, retail, dining, convention center, museum, function areas, a clubhouse and a marina.

The Government of Cape Verde has also granted to CV Entertainment Co a 25 years gaming concession, of which the first 15 years will be an exclusive concession for casinos on Santiago Island. CV Entertainment Co has paid a one-off premium of approximately HK$10.1 million to the Government of Cape Verde for the gaming concession. In addition, the Government of Cape Verde has also granted a special licence to CV Entertainment Co for an exclusive nationwide operation of online gaming, physical and online sports betting, for a period of 10 years from the commencement of operation of the online gaming business by the Group in Cape Verde.

Pursuant to the Agreements, Macau Legend will enjoy some favourable tax benefits given by the Government of Cape Verde, including gaming tax of 10% of the gross gaming revenue, deduction of 25% of gaming tax for VIP patrons for 5 years and an exemption of income tax for 10 years.

Co-Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Macau Legend, Mr. David Chow, said, "There are two very important messages for our investment in Cape Verde. Firstly, it is a great opportunity for a Macau enterprise to be able to make use of the Sino-Portuguese platform to expand our business overseas.  Secondly, this project follows the China Government's national policy "One belt, one road", a strategy to help position Macau as one of the important cities on the Maritime Silk Road, which shall be vanguard to lead Macau small and medium enterprises to expand from Macau."

Mr. Chow added, "Cape Verde is a Portuguese-speaking country that enjoys political stability, beautiful scenery and pleasant climate with convenient transportation network. Tourism is the country's core industry. In 2014, the tourism industry accounted for 22% of its local GDP and is growing steadily. Cape Verde currently has four international airports, the largest one is in the capital city, Praia, which is also where our project is located. With a number of international routes connected to the rest of the world, it is able to attract tourists from North Africa, West Africa, Europe, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, thereby creating a new market, especially with the trend that more and more Chinese are emigrating and investing in these places and this saves them from flying long to Asia. The project is also a first choice for short-term vacation, which will be comparable with Bali and Phuket and other world class tourist destinations." 

Mr. Chow stressed that Macau Legend as a Macau enterprise, the investment in Cape Verde is the first step in reaching out to international markets. By bringing some of the oriental culture including tourism, dining, retail, cultural and creative industries to Cape Verde, local tourism elements can be enriched. Macau has grown from a small fishing village to become an international tourism city which exemplifies how the Macanese can make use of their strengths and experiences gained in tourism development. The Cape Verde project presents new opportunities to the professionals in the Macau tourism, entertainment and other service industries to extend their experiences internationally. As Cape Verde is a Portuguese-speaking country, there are many similarities with Macau in areas of tourism and gaming laws and regulations, and our ample experience in such areas will enhance effective communication and coordination with the Government of Cape Verde, and add to effectiveness in the management of the project.

Cape Verde is an archipelago consisting of 10 islands located in the North Atlantic to the west coast of Africa. It is one of the 14 member countries of the Economic Community of West African States. With a cooperation agreement with European Union, it can export products to EU countries with preferential treatments. The GDP of Cape Verde was estimated at US$3.286 billion in 2014. The growth in GDP in Cape Verde is primarily driven by the service-oriented industries, including tourism, transport and commerce. In addition, Cape Verde has secured a number of European and American capital investments in the country.

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About Macau Legend Development Limited

Macau Legend Development Limited is one of the leading owners of entertainment and casino gaming facilities and leisure complex in Macau. It currently has two major properties, The Landmark Macau, an award winning integrated hotel, casino and luxury shopping complex, featuring a five-star hotel and Macau's first theme casino; and MFW, which follows the "Leisure, Tourism, Economic and Multi-Cultural Diversification" policy of the Macau SAR Government, is a waterfront integrated gaming, hotel, convention and entertainment complex located on the outer harbor of the Macau Peninsula. In addition to operating its hotels and non-gaming entertainment facilities, Macau Legend provides gaming services to Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A. at Pharaoh's Palace Casino, which is located in The Landmark Macau, and Babylon Casino in MFW. Website: www.macaulegend.com

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SOURCE Macau Legend Development Limited

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