In Taiwan, President-elect Ma Ying-Jeou has pledged to open up the island nation’s gambling business by revising the current Statute for Offshore Island Development.

The former mayor of Taipei will be sworn into office on May 20 and wants to allow local county governments the right to issue gaming licenses, a move expected to benefit the archipelago of Penghu. The small group of islands in the Taiwan Strait has been seeking permission for some time to develop gambling businesses including large resort casinos in order to invigorate its sluggish economy by attracting tourists from Mainland China.

Subject to approval by Parliament, Hong Kong-born Ma stated that he is ready to grant licensing authority to local governments in the islands and added that Makung airport in chain will be among the first to operate direct flights from China.