Macao's GDP is expected to see a two-digit rise in the first quarter due to the booming casino and tourism industries, local media reported Thursday.

The region's GDP growth is to range between 15 percent and 20 percent in the quarter.

A 17.7-percent year-on-year rise in the number of visitor arrivals in the quarter, a 15-percent increase in the gaming gross receipts and a 15-percent hike in the retail business all support the newspaper's prediction, local analysts said.

The Macao's economy growth relies much on the gaming industry, which dominates over 35 percent of the region's GDP.

The region's GDP growth rate slid down from 2004's 28.3 percent to 2005's 6.7 percent, as no major casino project opened business in the latter year.

Three new casinos started the operation from the end of 2005 to May, refueled the region's economy boom, Macao Daily quoted analysts as saying.

As the visitor flow is keeping getting stronger, the casino industry will keep its rising trend, ensuring the 2006 GDP growth rate a two-digit bottom line, the Macao Daily News predicted.

Source: Xinhua