The European Commission expressed concern Thursday about a widening wealth gap in Macau arising from the booming economy in the world’s largest gaming market.Although the southern Chinese territory has one of the world’s fastest growing economies, with 16.6 percent growth last year, it has fallen victim to its own success with a number of social problems.

“Macau is characterised by a steep and widening inequality of incomes,” the Commission said in its annual report on the former Portuguese enclave of 500,000 people.

The city’s gambling sector overtook the Las Vegas Strip in casino revenues last year. But income is falling for the poor, pollution is on the rise and many natives are unhappy over the increasing number of foreign workers.

“Macau’s boom is causing the rapid inflation of the costs of living, especially of property-related costs rising faster than the pay rises of some of the poorer groups, reducing thus their real level of income,” the Commission said.

It also took note of a rare protest in May against labour shortages and illegal immigration. Demonstrators clashed with riot police, prompting an officer to fire in the air to calm the crowd.

“The disturbances that occurred at the demonstration indicated a ground-swell of serious discontent, albeit apparently limited to groups who are not benefiting from the booming economy and labour market,” it said.

The Commission also raised concerns about the huge building projects in the city as well as the rapid expansion in the number of cars and motorcyles, which have led to congestion and pollution.

Source : eBusiness.com

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