News

Maggie, Mak Weng Ian and Tommy, Chan Tat Ian, alumni of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), won the Champion and the Best Local Talent Award respectively at the 2013 Portuguese Wine Challenge. The competition was hosted by the newly-formed Macau Sommelier Association (MSA) aims to raise the level of sommeliers' knowledge and skill, also to serve as a platform of idea exchange among the members. While promoting Portuguese wines, the competition will also promote a culture of responsible drinking by highlighting the benefits of wine drinking as a part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. With the continuous growth of Macao's economy and tourism industry, the number of fine dining restaurant keeps on increasing when new mega resorts establish, this results in the rapid growth of wine market in Macao. Other than the Portuguese wines which the local are more familiar with, Macao starts to import more variety of wines from different regions, hence increasing the demand for professional sommelier and giving a better room for developing local talents in this industry. Maggie and Tommy are the alumni of IFT, both of them devoted themselves in the food and beverage sector after they graduated. They mentioned that their interest in wine began to develop when they attended wine studies class in IFT. After that, they chose to work in food and beverage department of fine dining restaurants in hotel during their internship programme, which gave them the first taste of working in the industry that they are interested in, bringing them joy and satisfaction. Besides learning the compulsory wine studies courses in the institute, they also attended various wine seminars, certificated wine courses offered by IFT. The two of them had joined the Wine Appreciation Club of the institute and both were even once the President of the Club. Sommelier is considered to be an emerging profession in Macao, both Maggie and Tommy expressed that this is a really challenging career. They have to deal with different things and people each day and yet they need to keep up with the market trend, and absorb new knowledge continuously. They both stated that they have strong faith and confidence towards the development of this industry, and have extreme enthusiasm in it. With the establishment of more and more international hotels and mega resorts, the drought for talents in different areas raises rapidly. Therefore, IFT has been successively expanding its list of international partners with the renowned training and certification organisations, including the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Servsafe®, International Bartenders Association (IBA), London Chamber of Commerce (LCCI), Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School, Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC), American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AH&LEI), Court of Master Sommelier and Burgundy Wine School. The current scope of accreditations includes culinary arts, nutrition, food security, catering and hospitality, accounting, management, public relations, supervision, retail, information technology and advertising. IFT hopes to provide up-to-date and comprehensive training for the human resource market of Macao, for which citizens can enjoy more self-value added chances brought in by the development of the tourism industry.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased by 6.33% year-on-year to 142.26, attributable to higher hotel room rate and rising charges for restaurant services. Notable increase was observed in the price index of Accommodation (+13.32%); Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco (+8.36%); and Restaurant Services (+6.53%) on account of higher hotel room rate, dearer prices of local food products and rising charges for restaurant services. On the contrary, lower prices of gold jewellery and communication equipment drove down the price index of Miscellaneous Goods by 6.06% year-on-year. TPI for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased by 10.41% quarter-to-quarter. Soaring hotel room rate during the National Day holidays, the Macao Grand Prix and Christmas holiday period pushed up the price index of Accommodation by 35.86% quarter-to-quarter; price index of Clothing & Footwear increased by 10.84% on account of dearer prices of clothing and handbags. Meanwhile, price index of Transport & Communications, Miscellaneous Goods, and Medicine & Personal Goods registered quarter-to-quarter decrease. The average TPI (132.76) for the whole year of 2013 increased by 6.80% year-on-year, with marked increase being recorded in the price index of Clothing & Footwear (+10.50%); Accommodation (+9.68%); and Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco (+9.15%); meanwhile, price index of Miscellaneous Goods decreased by 3.56% year-on-year. The 2009/2010-based TPI reflects the price change of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are selected according to the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.
…

The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP129.0 billion (USD16.15 billion) at the end of December 2013. The reserves rose by 1.9% from the revised value of MOP126.6 billion (USD15.85 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves dropped by MOP3.6 billion or 2.7%. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-December 2013 represented 15 times the currency in circulation or 121.5% of Pataca M2 at end-November 2013. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency's exchange rates against the currencies of Macao's major trading partners, dropped 0.22 points month-to-month and 0.14 points year-on-year to 96.71 in December 2013. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
…

The Heritage Foundation released today its 2014 Report on the Index of Economic Freedom, rating Macao's economy as "mostly free" for the sixth consecutive year. The SAR's score of economic freedom stood at 71.3, well above the world and regional averages, making its economy the 29th freest among 178 economies. In the Asia-Pacific region, Macao is ranked 7th out of 42 economies, just behind Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Chinese Taiwan and Japan. Based on 10 parameters, the Report assesses the degree of economic freedom of individual economies around the world. Macao receives relatively high score in parameters such as government spending, trade freedom, investment freedom, monetary freedom, and financial freedom. The Foundation's 2014 Report says that Macao has long benefited from global trade and investment. The entrepreneurial environment is generally efficient and streamlined, and property rights are relatively well respected. Investment in resort and entertainment projects and related infrastructure has transformed Macao's small economy into one of the world's leading tourism destinations. According to the Heritage Foundation, a higher level of economic freedom is not only associated with a higher level of per capita income but also promotes economic and social progress.
…

Consumer Council conducted its 'Supermarket price survey' for January on 13th January for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Horte e Costa, Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga and Rua da Emenda areas in Santo António Parish. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM's Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in package tour totalled 769,447 in November 2013, down by 9.9% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (567,931) decreased by 11.7% year-on-year, with 276,156 from Guangdong Province, which was followed by Taiwan, China (58,163); the Republic of Korea (35,726); and Hong Kong (35,190). In the first eleven months of 2013, visitors in package tour totalled 8,900,010, up by 8.1% year-on-year. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies were 122,593 in November, up by 2.7% year-on-year; those travelling in package tour totalled 46,341 and the main destinations were Mainland China; the Republic of Korea; Hong Kong; and Taiwan, China. In the first eleven months of 2013, outbound residents increased by 13.1% year-on-year to 1,315,344 and 498,153 travelled in package tour. There were 98 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of November 2013, providing 27,773 guest rooms, up by 6.6% year-on-year; 5-star hotels had 18,377 rooms, accounting for 66.2% of the total. In November 2013, a total of 881,202 guests checked into hotels and guesthouses, up by 5.0% year-on-year, with 516,652 staying in 5-star hotels (+7.9%). The average length of stay of guests held stable as November 2012, at 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate was 87.9%, up by 0.7 percentage points year-on-year, with 4-star hotels leading at 90.8%. Total number of guests was 9,704,550 in the first eleven months of 2013, an increase of 12.3% year-on-year; the average occupancy rate stood at 82.5%, down by 0.8 percentage points. From January to November 2013, visitor-guests took up 70.1% of the total number of overnight visitors, higher than the 65.2% in the same period of 2012.
…

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) confirmed today that one residential apartment was allegedly operated as illegal accommodation in Taipa. There were nine guests staying in the premises along with one visitor found. Three of them declared themselves as illegal immigrants. Upon receiving a report earlier ago that the aforementioned apartment allegedly served as illegal accommodation, MGTO took concerted action with the police force to arrive and handle the case on the spot but were unable to enter the premises at the time. The Taipa police authorities took action this afternoon, broke into the premises successfully and informed MGTO to send personnel to the apartment. MGTO's inspectors arrived at the premises for investigation and preliminarily confirmed that the apartment was operated as illegal accommodation. They established a file for the case according to procedures and immediately sealed the mentioned apartment. According to the Office records, individual premises were unveiled as illegal accommodation at the same apartment complex which was not considered a notorious residential property for illegal accommodation.
…

A group of 40 local students has been invited by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the General Association of Chinese Students of Macau to participate in a large-scale youth exchange event in Hong Kong, namely the 'MaD Forum'. The event will be held from 10th to 12th January 2014 at the Kwai Tsing Theatre. The organisers hope local youngsters will be able to explore their potential through the event, realise social problems from different perspectives, embrace their creativity and develop their innovation so that a forward-looking and creative community can be built. The MaD Forum (Make a Difference) was founded by the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture. Since 2010, this activity has been held under the theme 'change', encouraging participants to discuss changes in thinking, which is necessary for this era, emphasising action to change the world, supporting innovation and breakthroughs, and generating an abundantly creative civil society. It seeks to reform the present and shape the future. This year, the 'change' focuses on taking on greater specificity. It seeks the 'Fifth Direction', a metaphor for the exploration of how to go beyond conventional methods and thought, discussing how to reposition at this moment, finding new directions with foresight and creating a different road for the future. It is predicted that this activity will attract over 1,500 youths from the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and other Asian regions. Through different creative elements - such as stage, space design and experience design - all participants will be connected in sharing knowledge and thinking out new ideas in this creative experience. The three-day MaD Forum boasts an abundant content, in which famous speakers from different sectors in the United States, Denmark, Mainland China and Hong Kong will share their treasured experiences. Meanwhile, innovative workshops and special programmes will inspire youths to put their heads together to discuss individual, economic, social and environmental problems. The programme includes 'An Expanded Concept of Art', which suggests that everyone is an artist. Art can intervene in the society, and participants can experience the concern, criticism and dreams of artists vis-a-vis society. 'Spring Term: Elementary Learning' enables educators to introduce how to use different teaching modes to encourage students to develop their potential and gain knowledge. In IF (DATA == 'OPEN') academics will analyse 'open data' with opinions from different angles since nowadays everything is coded into data. Other interactive activities comprise Fresh Learners, Social Innovation Studio, Exchange with Speakers, Excursions, Night Walk, Documentary Screenings and Ripple Forum. Since 2011, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has collaborated with the General Association of Chinese Students of Macau in recruiting and organising local students and youths to join the MaD Forum, providing them with more exchange and study opportunities and encouraging them to develop their creativity from different angles, therefore cultivating talent for Macao.
…

For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June, Consumer Council conducted its specific price surveys on household cleansing products and shampoo & shower gels on 9th January. Results of the mentioned 2 surveys have been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and are available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, convened an inter-departmental meeting today to evaluate the surveillance measures and response plans that have been put in place after the H7N9 avian influenza virus have been reported in regions neighbouring Macao. So far no H7N9 avian influenza virus case has been reported in Macao. Mr Chui stressed that in any public health crisis, protection of the people's lives and health topped the Government's duties. The Government would also adequately adjust response plans according to the changes in an epidemic situation. He said all related departments would inform the people of the plans to avoid any chance of a panic by the an inadequately informed public. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Mr Cheong U; the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive Mr Tam Chon Weng; the Secretary-General of the Executive Council Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Health Bureau Mr Lei Chin Ion, the Acting President of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau Mr Vong Iao Lek and other officials attended the meeting. Representatives of the Heath Bureau updated the Chief Executive the latest development of the response plans. A response team has been established in April last year who kept close contact with the World Health Organization (WHO) and health departments of the neighboring regions. The team also gives instructions to frontline medical staff on how to examine suspected cases to provide correct treatment in the shortest time once a case confirmed. The government has adequate resources to combat the virus, which included 1,200 diagnostic re-agents, anti-influenza virus medicine sufficient for more than 180,000 patients, supply of disposable protective materials for the Health Bureau and other governmental departments and non-profit organisations for more than three months. Representatives of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau also reported their prevention and control plans, which include examination on all imported live poultry, monitor the health condition of poultry traders and provide free influenza vaccination for them. Mr Chui said all departments, according to its own duty nature, should well prepare for the prevention of the virus. The Health Bureau and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau need to keep contact with the Mainland, the WHO, and neighboring regions by using the notification mechanism of public health emergencies between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The Macao Customs Services will continue to watch out for and stop any illegally imported poultry. On the second quarter of last year, in response to the H7N9 development, the Chief Executive has instructed the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U and his staff to help prevent the spread of the H7N9 avian influenza virus from the Mainland. With the accumulated experience in dealing with infectious diseases, residents will closely co-operate with the Government and comply with the health guidelines, said Mr Chui.
…