News

The Air Services Agreement between the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Lao People's Democratic Republic was officially signed today in Macao. Both parties have granted each other the fifth freedom traffic rights with no restrictions, hence creating liberal conditions for the operation of air services by the airlines of both places who will be interested to fly in the future. The signing ceremony was convened in the meeting room of the Cabinet of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works at 12:00 noon. The signatories were the Secretary for Transport and Public Works of the Macao SAR, Mr. Lau Si Io, and the Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mr. Sommad Pholsena. Guests who were present in the ceremony were the Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central People's Government in Macao SAR, Mr. Feng Tie, the Chief of the Cabinet of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works of the Macao SAR, Mr. Wong Chan Tong, the President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR, Mr. Chan Weng Hong, the representatives from the Macau International Airport Co. Ltd. and Air Macau Co. Ltd., as well as the government officials and the airline representatives from Lao. In accordance with the Agreement, the two governments can designate more than one airline to operate the routes; the designated airlines can enjoy fifth freedom traffic rights with no restrictions to develop their passenger or cargo services between the two places. The two governments also held a courtesy meeting before the signing ceremony to exchange the updates about the economic development of Macao and Lao, especially the air transport markets. Both sides agreed that the Air Services Agreement has paved favourable conditions for the operation of air services between Macao and Lao in the future.
…

Following the soft launch of its Beta-version website last year, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) now officially unveils its brand-new website in 15 languages in accord with its aim of diversifying the tourism markets and expanding the international markets for Macau. With the booming popularity of the Internet and Smartphone products today, visitors commonly search online for travel information prior to vacation for more perfect trip planning. In view of this, MGTO specially renovated its original website. With a brand new web design, the office offers the latest Macau travel information to visitors around the world and runs the website in 15 languages to cater for diverse needs of travelers from a variety of countries and regions. The new website is expected to captivate more visitors of different nationalities. The webpage can be viewed in 15 languages ranging from Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian to Arabic. The website presents travel information in 9 categories namely Plan your trip, Sightseeing, Shows & Entertainment, Shopping, Dining Out, Events & Festivities, Business Tourism, Useful Info and Interactive Corner. Besides general sightseeing info, the website comes with different new items and provides more elaborate categorization as well as comprehensive travel tips for visitors. New subcategories such as Shows, Cultural & Creative Industries Zones, Family Fun, etc. are added into the category of Shows & Entertainment; in addition, the Shopping category inspires ideas of shopping in Macau by zone and category, whereas Macanese Cuisine and Recipes are introduced in the Dining Out category. Visitors can experience Macau in wide-ranging perspectives through the website. The innovative website is equipped with not only practical travel tips but also multi-media and interactive elements, e.g. Trip Planner and 3D Tours. These functions enable visitors to have a glimpse of Macau's scenery in advance and leisurely plan their itinerary. During their trip planning, visitors can listen to the audio introduction or view the panorama of different sightseeing spots online; they can also click the map right on the website. For visitors who enjoy a stroll around the city, 9 suggested routes are available in Walking Tours for their reference. MGTO seeks to promote Macau to visitors around the world through the wide use of information and technology nowadays. The office also launched the App named "Experience Macau" in iPhone and Android versions earlier ago, a Smartphone application which offers visitors a swift and convenient access to the latest Macau travel tips. Welcome to www.macautourism.gov.mo for a fun travel experience in Macau!
…

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (CAB) organises, once again, the 'Parade through Macao, Latin City', in celebration of Macao's Handover to China. Interested groups can apply until June 28th. The 'Parade through Macao, Latin City' is a cultural event that unfolds as a procession through the streets of the Historic Centre of Macao. It is held annually, on the 20th of December, to mark the anniversary of Macao's Handover to China, offering residents and tourists a celebratory activity full of local and international cultural characteristics, whilst establishing the image of Macao as a cultural city.
The 'Parade through Macao, Latin City' was first held in 2011, gradually becoming one of the main events among Macao's festivals. In order to encourage an increasing number of local groups to display their creative talent, promote the development and diversity of Macao's cultural industries and create opportunities for Macao's performers to observe and conduct mutual exchange activities with various international groups, the CAB is now calling local groups to apply for this event.
Any local group registered with the Identification Services Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region may submit an application form, programme proposals and related information to the Edif. do Instituto Cultural, located in Tap Seac Square, from today until the 28th of June (Monday through Friday, except public holidays, from 9.30am to 5.30pm). The application form and regulations can be consulted and downloaded on the Cultural Affairs Bureau website, at www.icm.gov.mo. For more details or enquiries, please call (853) 8399 6608 or 8399 6651 during office hours.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals increased by 9.1% year-on-year to 2,342,523 in May 2013; same-day visitors accounted for 51.7% of the total, at 1,211,591. In May 2013, visitors from Mainland China increased by 17.3% year-on-year to 1,491,231, mainly coming from Guangdong Province (643,267) and Fujian Province (67,609); Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) totalled 598,790. Moreover, visitors from the Republic of Korea (33,113) increased by 5.8% year-on-year, while those from Hong Kong (540,056), Taiwan, China (61,988) and the Philippines (29,231) decreased by 0.1%, 21.4% and 0.7%. Long-haul visitors from the UK (4,788) and France (3,933) increased by 14.9% and 11.3% year-on-year, whereas those from the US (14,146), Australia (8,063) and Canada (6,552) decreased by 11.6%, 2.8% and 15.3% respectively. The average length of stay of visitors held stable from a year earlier, at 1.0 day in May 2013. Overnight and same-day visitors had an average stay of 1.9 days and 0.2 day respectively. In the first five months of 2013, visitor arrivals increased by 3.0% year-on-year to 11,817,305, with same-day visitors accounting for 51.8% of the total. Visitors from Mainland China increased by 8.0% year-on-year to 7,441,687, while those from Hong Kong (2,803,049) and Taiwan, China (382,183) decreased by 3.9% and 7.8% respectively. Moreover, long-haul visitors from the US (72,768), Australia (46,833) and Canada (31,115) all registered year-on-year declines.
…

Please be informed that according to the notification from Universal Postal Union, with effect from 1st September 2013, the international reply coupons issued on 1 st September 2009 will be withdrawn from sales (Model as below). In addition, with effect from 1st January 2014, exchange services will not be accepted. Thank you for your attention.
…

Please be informed that according to the notification from Universal Postal Union, the new model of International Reply Coupon will be available for sales with effect from 1st July 2013 (Model as below). Thank you for your kind attention.
…

To welcome the new scholastic year, Communications Museum has revised the content by adding hands-on activities to the "Special Guided Visit" and "Guided Visit for Seniors" for the disabled and seniors respectively. Regarding the new booing items for school visits, "Lying Eyes" suitable for secondary students and "3-Dimensional Stamps" and "Symmetry" suitable for senior primary students have been added to thematic guided visits of the Postal/Philately Exhibition. In terms of the Telecommunications Exhibition, the Museum has revised the content and newly launched seven science demonstrations suitable for senior primary and junior secondary students, including "Electrostatics", "Optical Fibers", "Laser", "Sound and Resonance", "Electromagnetism", "Direct Current and Alternating Currant" and "Light and Colors" that was awarded the ASPAC Creative Science Communication Award. In the new scholastic year, Communications Museum will continue to invite teachers and extra-curricular activities staff to visit the museum to exchange their ideas and express their needs in terms of the services provided by the Museum. Teachers of Macao will be waived the entrance fee of the Museum any time. In addition, based on the requirements of schools, the Museum will continue to provide tailor-made activities or programs that will last for the whole scholastic year, such as the "Stamp Collection Club" and "Telecom Club". Students are welcomed to join the activities at the Museum, or the services can be provided at schools upon request. "Museum without Boundary" has been one of the Museum's main services provided at schools. The time will be discussed between the school and the Museum. Activities include "Museum at My School" in which the Museum participates in the celebrations or open day of schools by holding game booths, workshops and science demonstrations at the schools. Other activities include the "Stamp College" and "Science College" from primary to senior secondary levels, as well as the "Science Café" where schools can choose combinations of the Museum's workshops and courses. There is also the newly launched "Exhibition-in-Schools" where portable exhibitions are brought to schools for students to experience them or join the special guiding during their lessons or free time. The ASPAC Creative Science Communication Award 2013
Dr. Mamoru Mohri, President of the ASPAC (Asia Pacific Network of Science & Technology Centres) Executive Council, has presented the Creative Science Communication Award to the Communications Museum at the ASPAC 2013 held in Daejeon of Korea in May. Winners of the other awards include Science Centre Singapore and Guangdong Science Center. The ASPAC Creative Science Communication Award is to encourage and reward science demonstration projects that effectively realize science communication in a creative way. The projects may include international hot issues or local topics to promote informal science education. The Communications Museum created and developed a new science demonstration "Light and Colors" and won the award in the competition. This new demonstration together with the other new programs will be open for booking by schools in the new scholastic year. The content will be adjusted according to the students' levels. Festive Program for Family and Friends – "Explore Singapore! Colours of Heritage" Special Exhibition
From June 17 until July 26, the Museum accepts online registration for the "Oil Lamp Painting Workshop" that will be held on from 3:00pm to 5:30pm on August 10 as a celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Singapore. During the break time, the participants may join the special guided tour of the Special Exhibition and also taste the special Singaporean delicacies. Families and friends are welcomed to join! Science Seminar 2013 - IEEE Talks
Starting from May, a series of seminars about the close relationship between the development of science and technology and our daily life are organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers of Macau and Communications Museum. In addition to the seminars held in the Museum, all seminar topics are open for selection by schools of Macao and selected seminars can be held at the schools. Participants of the seminars held between now and end of July will be entitled to the lucky draw of joining a Tour at Hong Kong Museums on 22 August 2013 free of charge.
…

According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) grew whereas those of commercial real estate loans (CRELs) declined in April 2013. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New Lending Approved In April 2013, new RMLs approved by Macao banks rose 5.6% month-to-month to MOP3.3 billion; of which, 97.4% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents increased 5.7% whereas the amount to non-residents edged down 0.1%. When compared with the same period of 2012, new approvals of RMLs witnessed growth of 16.2%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) grew 41.8% month-to-month to MOP0.1 billion. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 99.5% of the total, increased 49.0% whereas the amount to non-residents went down by 86.5%. When compared with the same period of 2012, this type of bank mortgage expanded by 37.5% New CRELs declined 17.2% month-to-month to MOP2.0 billion; of which, 96.4% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents declined 16.6% and 30.2% respectively. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs rose 32.9%. Outstanding Balances As at end-April 2013, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP102.2 billion, an increase of 1.8% from one month earlier or 29.0% from a year ago. The resident component made up 93.5% of the total. Compared to end-March 2013, outstanding RMLs to residents grew 2.0% whereas the amount to non-residents dropped 0.7%. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs went up by 0.9% from end-March 2013 or 19.8% from end-April 2012 to MOP75.3 billion. Residents accounted for 91.6% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents grew 0.9% and 0.2% respectively. Delinquency Ratios At the end of April 2013, the delinquency ratio for RMLs stood at 0.05%, which was largely unchanged from one month earlier but down 0.04 percentage points from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs went down 0.03 percentage points from end-March 2013 but up 0.01 percentage point from end-April 2012 to 0.09%. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department Monetary Authority of Macao
(Tel：83952532; Fax：28353042)
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (122.51) for May 2013 increased by 4.84% year-on-year, attributable to rising charges for eating out and outbound package tours, as well as higher rentals for housing. In comparison with May 2012, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+8.66%); Health (+7.16%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.98%) on account of rising rentals for dwellings, as well as higher charges for out-patient services and eating out; however, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.12% and 2.77% respectively. The CPI-A (122.49) and CPI-B (123.03) increased by 5.30% and 4.74% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for May 2013 increased by 0.28% month-to-month. Dearer prices of women's clothing and footwear, as well as higher charges for outbound package tours, drove up the price index of Clothing & Footwear; and Recreation & Culture by 3.34% and 1.57% respectively. On the contrary, price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Transport decreased by 0.49% and 0.38% due to lower prices of vegetables and gasoline. Moreover, receding prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas tapered off the increase in the price index of Housing & Fuels. The CPI-A and the CPI-B increased by 0.08% and 0.35% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended May 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.59% from the preceding period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+8.38%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+7.30%) registered notable increase, while that of Communication and Education decreased by 2.36% and 1.85%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.09% and 5.64% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first five months of 2013 increased by 5.24% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.82% and 5.13% respectively. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
…

Summer has arrived and the academic institutions are gradually approaching their term end. Most students have started enjoying their summer vacation and many Macao residents are planning to take their outbound travels. The peak time for summer travelling is at its advent. Due to the fact that much travelling is done by air means, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) takes this opportunity to urge passengers to pay attention to and comply with the requirement on the carriage of lithium batteries on aircraft, so that the chance of causing delay during the security screening for checked-in baggage will be minimized. Today, most of the electronic devices such as the cellular phones, the computer notebooks, the cameras and so on, are powered by lithium batteries. AACM points out that lithium batteries, be them simply small or mini in size, will cause fire if they are not handled or kept in a proper manner. This will then cause serious threat to aircraft safety. If the fire incident takes place in an en-route flight, the result can be disastrous. Therefore, lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Organization has issued a guideline on the carriage of lithium batteries on board an aircraft and recommends all states or administrations to adopt it and formulate relevant requirement that is applicable to their own area. AACM published the Aeronautical Circular with reference number of AC/AGA/009R00 on 1 October 2012 stipulating the restrictions on carriage of lithium batteries by passengers or crew. In accordance with this circular, all departing passengers must comply with the following provisions when carrying lithium batteries on aircraft: (Wh = Watt hour = Amps x Voltage)
 Lithium batteries of 100Wh or less must be carried in cabin or hand carry baggage but not in checked-in baggage;
 Lithium batteries of more than 100Wh, OR if for health reasons or other special reasons passengers must carry mobility aids or portable medical electronic devices that are powered by lithium batteries, passengers must make the request to the aircraft operator. With the approval of the aircraft operator, passengers can then follow the instructions of the aircraft operator to put the batteries in hand carry baggage or checked-in baggage. Anyone who wishes to learn the details of the requirement on the carriage of lithium batteries on aircraft can go to the AACM website – "Laws, Regulations and Multilateral Conventions – Aeronautical Circular" at http://www.aacm.gov.mo/english/publications_aga.php to check the text of AC/AGA/009R00. AACM highlights that the security regulations and requirements are devised to create a safer and more reliable environment for travelling. If passengers can get themselves more familiar with the various regulations and requirements, there will be less chance that delay will occur during the security screening. In this way, their travelling trip will always be made enjoyable.
…