News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for April 2012 amounted to MOP643 million, up by 12.6% year-on-year, of which value of re-exports (MOP448 million) and domestic exports (MOP194 million) increased by 15.2% and 7.1% respectively. Total merchandise import amounted to MOP5.78 billion, up by 20.5% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.14 billion in April 2012. In the first four months of 2012, total value of merchandise export increased by 19.6% year-on-year to MOP2.62 billion, of which value of re-exports and domestic exports rose by 28.4% and 2.8% respectively; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 29.0% to MOP23.11 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first four months of 2012 amounted to MOP20.49 billion. Merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.28 billion) and Mainland China (MOP444 million) in the first four months of 2012 increased by 34.6% and 25.5% respectively year-on-year. Exports of Non-textile (MOP2.25 billion) expanded by 29.5%, of which exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP415 million) and Articles for casino (MOP80 million) surged by 141.3% and 108.9% respectively; however, exports of Textile & garment declined by 18.0% to MOP372 million. In the first four months of 2012, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP7.34 billion) and the EU (MOP5.34 billion) expanded by 36.6% and 18.8% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 29.2% to MOP14.14 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP2.28 billion), Watches (MOP1.63 billion) and Handbags & wallets (MOP1.33 billion) increasing by 46.0%, 54.3% and 43.1% respectively. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP4.41 billion) registered year-on-year increase of 37.3%. In the first four months of 2012, total value of external merchandise trade amounted to MOP25.73 billion, up by 27.9% compared with MOP20.11 billion a year earlier.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, returned to Macao today after a five-day visit to Beijing and Sichuan. Upon arrival at the Macau International Airport at dusk, Mr Chui told the press that he had visited the Ministry of Commerce to exchange views with officials on the introduction of domestic helpers from Mainland to Macao. He said the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, would follow up on the details of setting up a mechanism for this and he was optimistic that it would materialise soon. Mr Chui also said he had cordial meetings with officials of the Beijing municipality. He said the Secretary for Economy and Finance had led a business delegation of about 80 to attend the first China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services and their participation had enhanced links with Beijing in different areas, particularly in trade and services. Speaking about the reconstruction projects in Sichuan, which had suffered devastating earthquakes in 2008, Mr Chui said the Macao SAR Government and the Macao Foundation had jointly sponsored 5.5 billion patacas for 105 projects. He said that the constructions of 103 projects had been completed and the other two projects were scheduled to be finished by September. The construction quality of these projects would be tested and their accounts would be audited, he said. Asked by reporters about the prospect of round-the-clock custom services between Zhuhai and Macao, Mr Chui said that Guangdong and Macao would try to extend the opening hours of the checkpoints and provide round-the-clock services ultimately, in accordance with the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement. As for the new passageway announced in the previous Guangdong-Macao conference, he said that the two governments had been working on a proposal to be submitted to the Central Government. He said he would visit Beijing again with Secretary for Transport and Public Works Mr Lau Si Io to meet the related ministries and commissions and introduce the proposal for this new passageway.
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By a close bilateral co-ordination mechanism, post-earthquakes reconstruction works funded by the Macao Government have practically helped the local population in Sichuan. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, said this today as he accompanied the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, to attend the completion ceremony of a large-scale sports centre sponsored by the Macao Government.
Speaking to the media, Mr Cheong said of 105 relief projects sponsored by Macao, only two awaited completion before the end of this year. He said more than half of the projects were to build schools to benefit more students and to cultivate personnel training; about a quarter of the total projects were to build hospitals, health centres, care centres for the physically changelled, social service facilities, sport centres and bridges which helped the local population.
Mr Cheong praised the Sichuan people's self-reliance spirit and their gratitude to Macao people.
There was much to be done down in addition to completing the two remaining projects, such as projects and to audit reports of the completed projects, which he said might take a year.
The Macao Government and the Macao Foundation injected 5.5 billion for reconstruction works in Sichuan in 2008: , the two governments have decided to use the $30 million remaining in the fund for the purchase of rehabilitation equipment for the physically challenged.
Mr Cheong said that the Sichuan and Macao bilateral co-ordination mechanism has closely monitored the quality of reconstruction works and the use of fund, adding that based on this good co-operative relation, both sides could further boost exchange and co-operation on trading, culture, toruism, sports and education.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2012 expanded by 18.4% in real terms from a year earlier. The economic growth was powered by the increase in exports of services and investment, as well as the low comparison base in the first quarter of 2011; meanwhile, exports of gaming services rose by 19.6%, visitor spending by 21.2% and investment by 43.8%. Moreover, the implicit deflator of GDP that measures overall changes in prices increased by 7.7% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2012. In respect of private consumption expenditure, the vigorous job market sustained, increase in both total employment and working income encouraged private consumption expenditure to grow by 5.4% year-on-year. Household final consumption expenditure in the domestic market went up by 5.8%, while consumption expenditure abroad increased by 8.7%, with MOP 1.85 billion being spent in Mainland China. Government final consumption expenditure increased by 11.6% year-on-year, of which compensation of employees rose by 3.1% when net purchases of goods and services surged by 30.1%. As the gauge of investment, the increase in gross fixed capital formation widened to expand by 43.8% year-on-year, far higher than the 15.8% rise in the preceding quarter. Private investment increased by 21.2%, of which construction investment and equipment investment went up by 22.3% and 19.2% respectively. Government investment soared by 449.8%, attributable to the construction, in full swing, of the Hengqin Campus of the University of Macau and the public housing projects, driving public construction investment recorded an upsurge of 524.4%; however, equipment investment shrank by 83.0%. Merchandise exports rose by 23.8% year-on-year, higher than the 7.7% rise in the previous quarter. Merchandise imports increased by 27.3% upon rising private consumption expenditure and visitor spending, as well as expansion in total investment. Regarding the trade in services, exports of services grew by 19.2% on the back of rising visitor arrivals and visitor spending, of which exports of gaming services increased by 19.6% and total visitor spending went up by 21.2%. In addition, imports of services increased by 11.9%.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the completion of a sports centre sponsored by Macao in Sichuan would boost co-operation and exchanges in sports between Macao and Sichuan. He was speaking at the completion ceremony, which was also officiated by the Vice Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ho Hau Wah, and the Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial CPC Committee, Mr Liu Qibao. The Macao SAR Government donated 200 million RMB for its construction after devastating earthquakes struck Sichuan in 2008. The complex, located in Guangyuan Municipality, includes a sports centre and sports pavilion with a total area of 25,500 square metres and an outdoor field of 26,800 square metres. In a speech at the completion ceremony, Mr Chui praised the Sichuan people for their persistence and determination in rebuilding their homes. He reiterated that Macao's general public backed the Government's decision to support the reconstruction works in Sichuan. Mr Chui also said Macao and Sichuan had extended their partnerships in tourism, sports, trade, culture and some other areas, and he was confident that they would further their co-operation for the development and advance of the two places.
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The 9th of June, 2012, marks the 7th annual China Cultural Heritage Day. In observance of the auspicious occasion, the Cultural Affairs Bureau is offering a series of diverse activities including themed shows, workshops, a poster exhibition, concerts, lectures, folk arts demonstrations, special docent services and free admission to various attractions and exhibition venues. In organising these delightful activities, the Cultural Affairs Bureau continues its ongoing effort to raise awareness of conservation and cultural heritage among the general public. This year's China Cultural Heritage Day activities are supported by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government. Genesis and Spirit – Exhibition and Performance of Inner Mongolian Folk Arts – Chinese National Intangible Cultural Heritage is a large-scale showcase for the intangible heritage of Inner Mongolia, jointly organised by the Department of Culture of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and co-organised by Galaxy Macau™. It includes the exhibition Memories of the Grasslands, to be held in Galaxy Macau's East Square, and the Inner Mongolian Folk Performances: Traditions of the Past, which unfold against the backdrop of the Ruins of St. Paul's. The grand opening of this Inner Mongolian showcase takes place on 9th June. With heritage preservation one of the major themes in the development of Chinese culture, China Cultural Heritage Day seeks to create a favourable environment for the protection of cultural heritage, raising public awareness of the importance of its conservation. A China State Council regulation officially designated the second Saturday in June as China Cultural Heritage Day, an observance that should embrace both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. This year, on 9th June, a series of celebratory events will take place across the whole of the Chinese nation, taking as their theme 'Cultural Heritage, Cultural Prosperity'. Mongolian song and dance inaugurate series of celebratory events; Genesis and Spirit exhibition and performance showcase nomadic lifestyle Jointly organised by the Department of Culture of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and co-organised by Galaxy Macau™, the Genesis and Spirit – Exhibition and Performance of Inner Mongolian Folk Arts – Chinese National Intangible Cultural Heritage serves to reflect the uniqueness of China's intangible cultural heritage, to advocate its conservation and to heighten the flow of cultural exchange between the Chinese Mainland and Macao. This large-scale cultural showcase introduces the diverse customs and folkways of various ethnic groups, exhibiting items of Inner Mongolia's intangible cultural heritage and demonstrating the handcraft techniques of its folk artisans. The grand opening of the showcase takes place on the afternoon of June 9th at 3pm in the East Square of Galaxy Macau, as the curtain rises on Mongolian folk dances and performances of urtiin duu (long songs), Tuvan throat singing and the music of the morin khuur (two-stringed fiddle). The showcase includes both the exhibition Genesis and Spirit – Exhibition of Inner Mongolian Folk Art: Memories of the Grasslands and the Genesis and Spirit – Inner Mongolian Folk Performances: Traditions of the Past. Memories of the Grasslands, held in Galaxy Macau's East Square from 9th June until 2nd July, portrays scenes of Inner Mongolia, showcasing original items of intangible cultural heritage. During the exhibition period, Inner Mongolian folk artisans will personally demonstrate crafts and folkways including traditional costumes, printmaking, wool felt paintings, Mongolian embroidery, Mongolian birch bark handicrafts and the characteristic paper-cutting of Inner Mongolia. Large Mongolian yurts, called gers, will be built in the exhibition venue, enabling visitors to experience a taste of this people's nomadic lifestyle. Inner Mongolian performative heritage is further represented in two sessions of Traditions of the Past, to take place at the Ruins of St. Paul's, on 9th June at 5pm and again on 10th June at 11am. Skilled performers have travelled all the way from Inner Mongolia to present their folk songs and dances, demonstrating the unique personality and characteristics of the Region's intangible cultural heritage. The organisers have arranged special complimentary shuttle buses to transport residents and tourists between the Jardim Iao Hon bus stop, the Galaxy Macau Hotel Resort and the Luso International Bank Building (located between Praia Grande and Hotel Sintra), providing a convenient way for all to participate in the Genesis and Spirit activities. Recollections of veteran journalist Chan Tai Pak celebrate International Archives Day; Macao Central Library holds poster exhibition In joint celebration of China Cultural Heritage Day and International Archives Day, the Historical Archives of Macao have organised the exhibition Witness to Macao History – Chan Tai Pak's Recollections of over Half a Century. Macao's senior journalist, Chan Tai Pak, has dedicated his life to the press for over 70 years. His memory bears witness to the transformation of Macao and the historical development of Macao's newspapers. Chan's experiences and recollections are shared with the public in the form of oral history, precious documents and cultural relics, enabling exhibition-goers to retrace Macao's social situation through history and the development of Chinese newspapers in Macao during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Historical Archives of Macao also hosts the Workshop on Record Preservation and Conservation, held on 9th and 10th June. This class introduces the procedures involved in restoring documents and works on paper. Participants will even learn how to make a simple photo frame. In addition, to inform the public about the value oral history and to facilitate exchange between oral historians in Macao and other parts of the world, the Historical Archives of Macao invites the Director of National Archives of Singapore, Pitt Kuan Wah, to chair the Workshop on Oral History. Ms. Pauline Choi Pui Leng and Dr. Vincent Ho Wai Kit will also be in attendance to share local experiences. The Macao Central Library will hold an exhibition of posters, titled Sentiments of Cultural Heritage, at the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library from 9th to 30th June. The Macao Central Library has selected several special posters showcasing past cultural scenes, society and daily life, and Macao's historic artistic style and graphic design skill. These posters, on display to the public for the first time, reflect the hard work done by various sectors of society for the conservation of cultural heritage. The exhibition will travel afterwards to the Macao Central Library. Macao Chinese Orchestra performs at World Heritage sites; activities at Mandarin's House and Lou Kau Mansion open for registration In the concert Stories of a Small Town the Macao Chinese Orchestra presents charming and elegant musical works featuring leisurely melodies, adding an aesthetic mood to the ambience of the Macao Museum on 10th June at 3pm. The World Heritage-listed Mandarin's House and Lou Kau Mansion also host several enjoyable activities. The Macao Conservatory Student Chinese Orchestra performs at the Mandarin's House on 9th and 10th June, providing visitors the opportunity to experience the unique architecture of this restored mansion in harmony with wonderfully melodious Chinese music. In addition, two workshops on paper fan painting will be given by local artists, demonstrating the exquisite decorative skills that endow these fans with greater beauty and sophistication. From 31st May to 26th June, Lou Kau Mansion hosts demonstrations of two traditional Guizhou arts: Silver Ornaments of the Miao Ethnic Group and Lacquerware of the Yi Ethnic Group. Both of these folk crafts, inscribed on China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, are imbued with unique and vivid folk and regional characteristics. Renowned artisans Wu Shuigen and Gao Guangyou lead workshops held on 9th and 10th June at 3pm, free of charge. Guided evening tour of World Heritage Sites tells Stories of the Old City; various attractions open free to the public This year, on 9th and 10th June, the Macao Heritage Ambassadors Association co-operates with several other arts and cultural associations to provide the special evening tour Listen to Stories of the Old City – Poetic Path to World Heritage Sites. The activity guides participants through the Historic Centre of Macao along lanes and alleyways under the glimmer of street lamps at sunset, on a route enriched by cultural and arts activities and performances of contemporary dance. Several of Macao's World Heritage sites and exhibition venues adopt special opening hours, free to the public, on 9th and 10th June. The Guia Lighthouse and Dom Pedro V Theatre will be open from 10am to 5pm (with docent services), while the Macao Museum and Heritage Exhibition of a Traditional Pawnshop Business invite the public to visit free of charge on these two days. For enquiries regarding China Cultural Heritage Day activities, please call the Cultural Affairs Bureau hotline on 8399 6699, or visit www.icm.gov.mo.
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Consumer Council conducted a price check on 8 different brands of shampoo and shower gel from 32 supermarkets and drugstores on 24th May, relevant data has been uploaded to the 'Specific Product Price Information Platform' on the Council's website. Consumer Council continues to extend the varieties of surveyed items for its specific price surveys, the current price survey on shampoo and shower gel includes 4 brands of shampoo and 4 brands of shower gel. Survey result shows that prices of the same brand sold in different outlets differed. Prices of 'Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo (700ml)', which recorded a price difference of 45.84 percent, was sold at $39.70 to $57.90 in different outlets; prices of 'VS' Sassoon Moisturizing Treatment Repair Shampoo (750ml)' also differed for 43.64 percent. For shower gel, 'Dove Nourishing Beauty Body Wash (1000ml)' was sold at $33.60 to $48.00, which equals to a difference of 42.86 percent. The Council indicates that selling prices of the same product are found to vary in different branches under the same supermarket chain stores. 'VS' Sassoon Moisturizing Treatment Repair Shampoo (750ml)', which was sold as a discounted item at Park'N Shop in Taipa, was $10.00 cheaper than that at the branch located at Bldg. Grandeur Heights in Macao. Consumers are advised to check with the data provided by the Council on its website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and its 'Supermarket price platform' apps to make price comparisons. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that consumption of Electricity decreased by 9.6% over the previous quarter to 821 million kWh in the first quarter of 2012. Consumption of Electricity by the Business sector (78.7% of total) dropped by 7.4% to 646 million kWh, with that of the Gaming sector falling by 7.7%; consumption by Households went down by 18.3% to 138 million kWh. Imports of Electricity decreased by 10.6% quarter-to-quarter to 747 million kWh in the first quarter, accounting for 88.2% of the available supply; meanwhile, local generation of Electricity rose by 6.0% to 110 million kWh. In the first quarter of 2012, consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) increased by 16.3% quarter-to-quarter to 12,746 tonnes, of which consumption by the Business sector and Households, increased by 14.8% and 20.2% respectively, sharing 67.1% and 31.1% of the total. Meanwhile, imports of LPG increased by 19.1% from the previous quarter to 12,444 tonnes, with the average price of imports rising by 13.2% to MOP9.59 per kilogram. The average price of all types of fuels and LPG products increased from the fourth quarter of 2011, with that of Unleaded Gasoline (MOP12.58 per litre) and Bottled LPG (MOP15.40 per kilogram) rising by 10.7% and 15.4% respectively quarter-to-quarter. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, stock of Gas Oil & Diesel (18.32 million litres) and LPG (1,540 tonnes) decreased by 16.1% and 12.6% respectively quarter-to-quarter.
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Macao and Sichuan would seek more room for co-operation on all aspects, based on the communication mechanism built up when Macao actively took part in reconstruction projects following the earthquakes in 2008. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said this today after he arrived in Sichuan from Beijing where he attended the opening ceremony of the China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). Mr Chui met with the Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial CPC Committee, Mr Liu Qibao on his arrival. Mr Liu said in the meeting that the Sichuan Government had highly appreciated the massive relief works contributed by the Macao Government. He said the disaster area has been reconstructed rapidly, thanks to contributions by the Macao Government, adding that all except two of 105 relief projects sponsored by Macao have been completed, with the remaining to be finished within this year. He said Sichuan had high regards for the co-operation with Macao and both sides might seek for more joint projects based on the good communication mechanism and platform. The Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said Macao top officials highly regarded the relief projects and visited Sichuan to inspect those projects over the past years. He said he was delighted to see reconstruction had gone ahead smoothly. Mr Ho also said that as the two governments continued to enhance co-operation in the near future, he believed more Macao businesspeople would invest in Sichuan and in entire western region.
Mr Chui, in reviewing the works done by the two governments over the past four years, said the reconstruction projects in the disaster areas went smoothly and this demonstrated a good and co-operative relation between the two governments.
Mr Chui said that Macao and Sichuan would broaden and build up co-operation in all areas, and the two governments would plan more co-operative projects in the latter half of the year. Mr Li Benjun, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, was also in the meeting. Macao officials at the meeting included the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam.
Mr Chui and the Macao delegation will attend the festivities to celebrate the completion of the multi-functional stadium sponsored by the Macao Government
On 12 May 2008, after a powerful earthquake that hit Wenchuan in Sichuan, the Macao Government injected five billion patacas for reconstruction works and Macao Foundation injected 500 million patacas for works in the province as well.
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The cultural heritage of Macao's Mong Ha District is abundant and evident throughout the area. To better explain the history and value of this district's cultural sites and to assist tourists with directions and navigation, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has completed a preliminary installation of informative signposts. Currently, 13 locations of historical and cultural value are marked with the new signposts. They are the Barrier Gate, Lin Fung Temple, the Stone Bearing the Coat of Arms of Portugal at the side of Lin Fung Temple, Sin Fong Temple, Kun Iam Tchai Temple and Seng Wong Temple, Mong Ha Hill, Mong Ha Fort, Kun Iam Tong (Temple), the Site of the Signing of the Treaty of Wanghia, the Stone Bearing the Coat of Arms of Portugal next to the stone steps leading to Mong Ha Neighbourhood, Montanha Russa Park, Dona Maria Hill and Dona Maria Fort. The signposts narrate the history and culture of these various sites of cultural interest in Chinese, Portuguese, English and Japanese. While, for Macao's tourists, they serve to imbue the sites with greater historical meaning, for residents, the signposts add to the District's cultural and touristic value, increasing the overall number and distribution of points of interest on the historical and cultural map of Macao. The recently installed signposts are markers for the cultural relics in Mong Ha District. In the future, a considerable number of new maps and signs will also be added along the District's main thoroughfare, Avenida do Coronel Mesquita, to assist both tourists and residents in locating the sites. The Cultural Affairs Bureau plans further installations of these informative signposts at various other cultural sites in Macao, the next targeted district being St. Lazarus.
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