News

The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the credit card statistics for the fourth quarter of 2009. The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 359,241 at the end of December 2009, up 2.23% from the previous quarter. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 287,106, 56,066 and 16,069 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective increases of 1.95%, 0.91% and 12.82% quarter-to-quarter. Compared with a year earlier, RMB cards surged 88.98% while MOP cards and HKD cards grew 5.79% and 2.36% respectively. The recent introduction of MOP/RMB dual currency credit cards by local banks largely accounted for the marked increase of RMB cards. As at the end of December 2009, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao amounted to MOP6.49 billion, up 1.27% from end-September 2009. Credit card receivables reached MOP1.14 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP0.44 billion, accounting for 38.42% of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, was 1.18%. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the credit card turnover rose by 14.24% quarter-to-quarter to MOP1.84 billion. The cash advance turnover amounted to MOP0.12 billion, accounting for 6.60% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, grew 5.21% from last quarter to MOP1.77 billion.
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In response to the travel notice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Embassy in Thailand directed towards Chinese citizens, and in light of recent news stories referring that some local organizations will engage in large scale protest activities in Thailand from 12 March, and also on 9 March, the Cabinet Meeting of the Thai Government authorized the enforcement of Internal Security Act (ISA) in Bangkok and 7 neighbouring provinces (Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya and Chachoengsao) from 11 March to 23 March, the Tourism Crisis Management Office would like to remind the Macao residents who are planning to travel to Thailand should monitor the situation there or adjust travel itineraries if necessary. As for those who are currently travelling in Thailand, please avoid visiting protest locations and do not participate in any political activity, and remain cautious for personal safety. In case of any emergency, please report to the local police and contact the Chinese Embassy in Thailand for assistance – Chinese Embassy in Bangkok: (66) 2-2457044. Macao residents may also call the Macau Tourism Hotline: (853) 28333000 for assistance.
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To assist enterprises in brand building, brand management and related concepts on quality certification, SME Service Centre of Macao Trade and Investment and Promotion Institute (IPIM) will join hands with Macao Consumer Council, Hong Kong Q-Mark Council of Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center – Quality Management Department and Industrial Association of Macau to organize a seminar on “Brand Management Expert Series - How to Establish a Strong Quality Brand for Market Competitiveness” on 12 March, 3 p.m. at Macao Business Support Centre. The seminar comprises of two sections: Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center will present on prevailing trends of quality management in Macao business environment; while Hong Kong Q-Mark Council will introduce its service scopes and Q-Mark Schemes. In the sharing session, representatives from “Made in Macao” Choi Heong Yuen Bakery, Hong Kong A-Fontane Group, Laurel Group (Catering Services and Management) are invited to share their experience on brand development and product/service certification. Through keynote presentations and experience sharing, the seminar aims to enrich SMEs’ understanding on quality certification standards, thus enhance brand competitiveness. The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese (with simultaneous interpretation in English). Registration is now open to interested parties (especially enterprises from food and beverage, retail and services sector). To sign up, please contact Mr. Ho or Ms. Leong of SME Service Centre (Tel：28728212; Fax:28 728213；Email: smec@ipim.gov.mo )。
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The Historical Archives of Macao will hold another of its popular binding workshops on Saturday 13th of March from 2pm to 5pm. This time the focus will be on making an attractive pocket book consisting of a single large sheet of folded paper enclosed between two covers. The book can either be expanded outward or kept flat. Book binding is one of the techniques used to protect Macao’s precious documentary heritage. Conservation professionals will introduce and demonstrate this technique and support participants as they make their own folded book. By the end of the three-hour session, participants will be able to take home their own pocket book … and perhaps offer it as a beautiful gift! No previous experience is required but participants must be at least ten years old. Please visit the Historical Archives of Macao (open Mon-Fri, 09:30-18.30) on Tap Seac Square to register beforehand and pay the workshop fee of MOP$20. Places are limited and will be distributed according to order of registration. For further details, please contact Ms. Chu of the Macao Historical Archives of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at 85986537.
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IFT strives to offer students various practical experiences in the Bachelor degree programmes, enabling students to master the requirements of the industry and be prepared for the challenges in the job market. All Bachelor degree programme students are required to complete a 6-month internship programme at tourism organisations in Macao or overseas in their 3rd year of study. Since the establishment of internship programme, performances of the students are excellent and feedbacks from the industry are very positive. There is an increase of participating corporations every year. In the previous academic year, over 50 organisations and corporations offer internship opportunities to IFT students, including the Public Administration and Civil Services Bureau, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Cultural Affair Bureau, Four Seasons Hotel, MGM Grand, Wynn Macau, Crown Tower, StarWorld Hotel, The Venetian Resort and Hotel, Wing On Travel, Hong Tai Travel, Sunflower Travel, Macao Tower and Convention Center, Shun Tak Hospitality Services Ltd., AirMacau, Viva Air and other tourism organisations. To broaden the horizons of the students, IFT aggressively explore more opportunities of overseas internship. Students can choose to join the internship programme in large corporations in the USA, Europe, South East Asia, Hong Kong and mainland China to experience the local cultures. In the past, students have worked for UNESCO Asian Headquarter in Bangkok, British National Trust, Anantara Resort Maldives, Hyatt Dubai and other international well-known corporations. Since the academic year 2006/07, 35 students have completed various internship programmes at Disney World, Florida, USA. Currently, IFT and Disney World offer different internship programmes to students, including, 6 months Internship programme of Food & Beverage Service at Disney World China Pavilion for year 3 students.
· 1 Year trainee programme of Merchandise and Food & Beverage Services for graduates. · “International College Programme” offered by Florida State University and Disney World. Participating students will attend a 1-week extensive hospitality programme, followed by internships at the theme parks, water parks and resorts. Upon completion of the entire programme, a certificate from Florida State University will be issued. On 9 March, Disney World International Recruitment Team was invited to IFT for a talk on the internship programme, as well as a preliminary interview to the students. The recruitment team consists of Ms. Sue Sharpe - International Recruitment Recruiter, Disney Worldwide Services Inc., Ms. Maria Esthela Martinez, Guest Services Manager for Housing Operations and Ms. Cindy Yu, Chief Administration Officer of China Pavilion. This is the 5th consecutive year for Disney World to visit IFT for internship recruitment. Successful candidates will go to Disney World in Florida, USA to experience the operations of the theme parks, customer service and management culture, as well as chances to have cultural exchange with students around the globe. Students completed their internship at Disney World commented that the internship experience in Disney is unforgettable. They experienced the culture of hospitality of Disney, appreciated the lives and working environment there, and got the chance to visit the places nearby. They believed that the experience will be beneficial in their future career in related areas. Disney International Recruitment Recruiter Ms. Sue Sharpe expressed that Disney is satisfied with the performance of IFT students in the past. She further stated that there will not be any quota for the recruitment and she hoped to receive more IFT students for this cultural exchange programme.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met the Director of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Mr Shao Qiwei, in Beijing today to exchange views on further enhancing cooperation on tourism between Macao and the motherland. Mr Chui expressed his gratitude for the support of the Central Government to Macao in terms of the tourism industry. He said that Macao would strive to position Macao as a global tourism and leisure centre, as stated in the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020). He said that Macao would continue to enhance the quality of its tourism services and promote further cooperation with the motherland in terms of the tourism industry. Mr Shao told Mr Chui that the mainland’s development of the tourism industry remained stable despite the global financial crisis. He said that CNTA would, as usual, enhance cooperation on tourism between Macao and the motherland.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Committee, Mr Wang Yang, in Beijing today and discussed bilateral co-operation. Mr Chui expressed his gratitude to Mr Wang over Guangdong's long-standing support to Macao, especially on water, electricity and food supply. The implementation of the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020) and the general development planning of Hengqin Island was crucial to the development of Guangdong and Macao, he said. Mr Chui said he hoped that the two could further co-operate on tourism, convention and exhibition, and in the traditional Chinese medicine industries. Mr Wang said both Guangdong and Macao should further co-operate to contribute to the sustainable development and long-term stability and prosperity of the region. Guangdong would, as usual, fully support Macao, he added. Also present at the meeting were the Governor of Guangdong, Mr Huang Huahua, the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council and Advisor to the Chief Executive, Ms O Lam, and the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, arrived in Beijing today for the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh National People's Congress, which opens on Friday. Speaking to the press before his noon departure, Mr Chui said he would be meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Committee, Mr Wang Yang, and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. They would discuss implementation of the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020) and the general development planning of Hengqin Island, as well as ways to further enhance co-operation. Mr Chui also re-iterated his gratitude to Guangdong Province over its support in Macao’s drive to diversify its economic spectrum. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, is Acting Chief Executive during Mr Chui’s absence.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the number of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) events held in various venues in Macao totalled 445 in the fourth quarter of 2009, up by 44% quarter-to-quarter, with 422 meetings & conferences (95% of total) and 23 exhibitions. Total number of participants and attendees rose by 7% from the third quarter to 232,353. The average duration of the MICE events increased from 2.0 days in the previous quarter to 2.1 days, with an average of 2.1 days for meetings & conferences and 2.6 days for exhibitions. As regards subject of MICE events, the majority focused on Commerce, Trade & Management (158), Tourism & Culture (62) and Education & Training (60). Analyzed by type, most of the events were Corporate Meetings (184) and Association Meetings (123). There were 283 MICE events held in hotels, drawing a total of 146,529 participants and attendees. Attendees to the 15 exhibitions reached 124,421 and the majority were attendees to the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair, accounting for 48% of the total. Meanwhile, 162 MICE events were held in convention & exhibition centres and other conference venues, bringing in 85,824 participants and attendees, of which 8 exhibitions attracted 67,360 attendees. For the whole year of 2009, a total of 1,485 MICE events were held in Macao, with an average duration of 2.0 days, attracting 660,881 participants and attendees. In respect to the subject and attendees of MICE events, those related to Commerce, Trade & Management accounted for 33% and 58% of the total; besides, exhibition event had the longest average duration, at 3.4 days.
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The Government would soon launch a general study on population and immigration policies, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, disclosed today. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event today, Mr Chui said the Government had gathered opinions on the investment residency policy from various sectors of the community and reviewed the history of the policy, a scheme which was suspended in April 2007. Mr Chui said the Government would gather more opinions on the scheme and that it had not decided whether to abolish it at this stage. The Government would comprehensively review the overall population and immigration policy in order to attract the appropriate talents and investments that would benefit Macao. Mr Chui said the Government was fully concerned about the people’s livelihood and would help solve the housing issue.
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