Microsoft said it expected the number of Macau visitors "to expand further with the conclusion of CEPA and the liberalization of the gaming industry and as new hotel, casino and entertainment facilities are put into use."

"The company also plans to partner with local solution and training partners to set up the Certified Technical Education Center (CTEC)," said the statement, which also said that Microsoft will be officially launching TechNet, a bi-weekly information and community resource designed for IT professionals in Macau including technical briefings and online training materials and "information on planning, deploying, managing, and supporting Microsoft products and technologies."

"In April 2004, Microsoft partnered with the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) in the establishment of the MUST Education Centre," continued the statement, adding that Microsoft has invested a total of HK$1.2 million in the MUST Education Centre in the form of software including servers, applications and development tools.

Microsoft said their key customers in Macau include the Macau SAR Government, Venetian Macau Ltd., Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM), the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, including primary and secondary schools in Macau.

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