Southern Shores of Singapore
about our shores: galleries | stories & visitor info | media articles
 
Today, 16 Nov 04

Economists, gaming analysts to discuss S'pore's casino plan at IPS public forum

THE idea of having a casino in Singapore has generated much heated debate. On Wednesday, local public policy think-tank, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), will join in the fray with a public forum at the Raffles City Convention Centre. The IPS Forum on the Casino Proposal will see experts in various fields — from economists to gaming analysts — presenting their views on the multi-faceted impact a casino is expected to have on Singapore.

Taking up one full day, discussion topics range from the casino model that will work for Singapore, how to re-engineer the tourism industry, to its economic and social impacts. Among the list of facilitators and speakers are IPS chairman Professor Tommy Koh, NUS political scientist Dr Kenneth Paul Tan, Director of Equities at UBS Securities Singapore Mr Sanjay Mathur, and National Council of Social Service president Mr Gerard Ee. The forum will poll the audience on the controversial issue.

Last Friday, a panel of experts advising the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced its support for the proposal to build an integrated resort — hotel, retail outlets and convention facilities — with a casino. The idea of an integrated resort was first brought up in Parliament in March. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has said that the Government, while currently studying the idea, has not made a decision.

Registration fee for the IPS forum is $100 per person.

  website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com