News

Consumers’ response to Consumer Council’s ‘Keep your shopping receipts’ activity is overwhelming and the activity will end on 14 November. The Council will continue to hold this kind of activity to strengthen consumers’ awareness in retaining shopping receipts. To encourage consumers to keep their shopping receipts and invoices, Consumer Council held an activity called ‘Keep your shopping receipts’ last year and received great responses. The Council is holding the activity again to further enhance consumers’ awareness in their own consumer rights and encourage businesses to provide consumers with receipts spontaneously. The Council commissioned a third party to conduct a survey earlier this year, 1,028 residents were interviewed. Over half of the interviewed residents regard that it should be compulsory for shops to provide consumers with receipts; about 17 percent of the interviewed regard that shops should provide consumers with receipts when they have purchased a certain amount. Both of the above comments amount to about 67 percent of the interviewees, and about 35 percent of them are found to have the habit of asking for receipts. This year’s ‘Keep your shopping receipts’ has attracted many consumers since it was launched in May. When making purchases of MOP50 or above, consumers can use their receipts, together with a ‘Keep your shopping receipts’ sticker provided by the participating shops, to exchange a draw ticket at the Council’s offices (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 26 or Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52 RAEM Services Centre ). Draw prizes include cash prizes of MOP2,000 (1 winner), MOP1,500 (2 winners), MOP1,000 (3 winners), and MOP500 (4 winners). 100 winners will also be drawn for a special ‘Certified Shop’ edition of electronic money card of MOP100 each. There are 254 shops participating in this activity this year. Interested parties may visit the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo) to check for the details and the list of all participating shops. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Government attaches great attention to the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which regarded as an important strategy to adequately diversify the economy. Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, delivered a speech when he was in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to oversee the signing ceremony of a framework agreement between the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao and a TCM company from the mainland on 7 September. He said such co-operation would expedite TCM development for Guangdong and Macao, adding the company would benefit from the policies favouring the Hengqin Area of Zhuhai, China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone and from the bridging roles of the Park. As the first company from the mainland to establish business in the Park, the company would serve as an example in the industry, and could establish linkage with the Portuguese-speaking countries and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations through international network of the Park, said Mr Leong. Constructions of the Park are expected to conclude in the first half of 2017. The Park is gradually initiating discussions with the Portuguese-speaking countries in issues such as international registration, and import and export trade. The Macao Government and Zhuhai Government signed an agreement in 2011 for the Park’s development, which was also listed as one of the major tasks in this year for implementing the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao. Directions of work include to support the building of a planting base for Chinese medicine, and to assist the processing, research and development, healthcare industries and personnel training. Officials presented at the ceremony included the Deputy Director of the National Health and Family Planning Commission and Director-General of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mr Wang Guoqiang; and Chief of Office of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mr Zha Dezhong.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) promoted Macau at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2015, this year held in Bangalore, in India, between September 6 to 8. One of the highlights of the event was once again the PATA Gold Awards Lunch and Awards Presentation hosted today (September 8) by MGTO. Ahead of the travel mart, MGTO Director joined the PATA Executive Board meeting for the first time, after being nominated as a member of the governing body of the association. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, joined by Head of Communication and External Relations, Kathy Iong, and other MGTO staff, is in the southern Indian city of Bangalore to attend the PATA events and the meetings. A group of travel trade representatives from five Macau tourism entities also joined MGTO to promote Macau at PATA Travel Mart to delegates from Asia Pacific region and tap into the Indian market. MGTO hosts prestigious PATA Gold Awards Lunch One of the highlights of the program of PATA Travel Mart, the 2015 PATA Gold Awards Lunch and Awards Presentation, hosted by MGTO, was held today (September 8) at the last day of the event. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes handed the awards to the winners, together with PATA Chairman Kevin Murphy and PATA CEO Mario Hardy. The occasion gathered around 800 guests, including delegates and media. This year PATA presented Grand and Gold Awards to 29 organisations and individuals, for their outstanding performances of the related people and organizations in different disciplines such as marketing, corporate social responsibility and travel media. MGTO, now on its twentieth year of sponsoring the PATA Gold Awards Lunch, supports the program as a contribution to the sustainable development of tourism in the Asia Pacific region, and as an opportunity to promote Macau as a tourism destination through the exposure gained with the sponsorship to the prestigious awards. Experience Macau booth at PATA Travel Mart MGTO promoted Macau at PATA Travel Mart (PTM), held between September 6 to 8, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. Five Macau travel trader representatives, from hotel, maritime transportation, exhibition center and travel agency sector, joined MGTO to promote Macau as a leisure and business tourism destination at the event, with a booth dedicated to the promotional slogan Touching Moments – Experience Macau, showcasing the city’s iconic attractions, including heritage sites and signature events. The booth also served as a platform for Macau trade to conduct businesses with their international counterparts and to tap into the Indian market. PATA Travel Mart attracted hundreds of international buyers and sellers from the Asia Pacific region this year. The programme of PTM also included talks and forums, along with business and networking sessions. MGTO Director attends PATA Executive Board Meeting Following the nomination as member of PATA Executive Board and as Chairman of PATA Nominating Committee in June this year, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes attended the PATA Board Meeting in Bangalore. The 15-members PATA Executive Board determines industry policies and positions of PATA as the governing body of the association. It is also responsible for governing the corporate affairs and operations of PATA. The Nominating Committee, on the other hand, is primarily in charge of proposing a slate of candidates to fill vacant seats in the PATA Board.
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A collaborative research by a team led by Prof Xiang Yutao from the University of Macau’s (UM) Faculty of Health Sciences and the National Clinical Research Centre of Mental Disorders have found that measurement-based care (MBC) is more effective than standard treatment in improving depressive symptoms of patients with major depression and in achieving a complete clinical remission. The concept of measurement-based care (MBC) has been gaining attention in the treatment of depression because it allows psychiatrists to individualise treatment decisions for each patient based on the changes of psychopathology and tolerance toward antidepressants. Several earlier studies have found that MBC can be successfully integrated into clinical practice and improve patients’ outcomes, but some common weaknesses, including lack of randomization and of masked raters could have biased the findings. In their study, 120 patients with moderate-severe major depression were consecutively randomised to 24 weeks of MBC or standard treatment. Outcomes were evaluated by raters masked to study protocol and treatment. The study shows that significantly more MBC-treated patients reached response (86.9 % vs. 62.7%,) and remission (73.8% vs. 28.8%). Similarly, time to response and remission were significantly shorter with MBC. Study discontinuation, adverse effects, and concomitant medications did not differ between the study groups. The results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of MBC in patients with moderate-severe major depression, suggesting that MBC can be incorporated into the clinical care of patients with major depression. Prof Xiang is currently an associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UM. His research focuses on health service research, mood disorders, and psychopharmacology. Over the past eight years, Prof Xiang has authored or co-authored over 150 papers, which have been published in major international (SCI) journals, including The Lancet, The American Journal of Psychiatry, The British Journal of Psychiatry, and Sleep.
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Consumer Council conducted its third ‘Supermarket price survey’ in September on 7 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Iao Hon Market and the Border Gate area (Portas do Cerco ) in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. 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.
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The “Joint Working Committee on Tourism to Support Macau's Aspirations to Build a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” organized a delegation of Taiwanese media and travel agency executives to visit Macau and Zhuhai for a multi-destination experience, with the aim to promote regional cooperation in tourism, attract more Taiwanese visitors to both destinations in one trip and steer Macau towards the goal to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Taipei Office of the Association for Tourism Exchange across the Taiwan Straits helped send out invitations to the delegates. Comprising nearly 40 travel agency executives and members of the press from Taiwan, the delegation visited Macau and Zhuhai between 4 and 7 September for a four-day multi-destination familiarization tour. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau both updated the delegation on their latest industry trends and multi-destination travel to boost their Taiwanese visitor market and brand their cities as one regional destination. The delegates came from Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung including senior personnel of over 30 travel agencies and representatives of two travel magazines. MGTO held a destination presentation about Macau and hosted a luncheon for the delegation. Acting Director of MGTO, Cecilia Tse and Head of Destination Marketing Department, Betty Fok welcomed the delegation in the occasion. The delegation visited various resort hotels, a grand art exhibition, the Historic Centre of Macao and old Taipa Village in Macau. They also enjoyed the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and a big theme show in town along with a chance to taste local culinary delight. After visiting Macau, the delegation headed Zhuhai for other familiarization activities, including a seminar and destination presentation about Zhuhai, theme park visit and seeing the circus in Hengqin, etc. Deputy Head of the Department of Tourism Affairs for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan of the China National Tourism Administration, Ren Jiayan; Deputy Director of Taipei Office of the Association for Tourism Exchange across the Taiwan Straits under China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Kong Lun; Deputy Director of Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau, Wang Linping as well as representatives of Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province and MGTO were among the seminar attendees in Zhuhai. The Macau Special Administrative Region Government and CNTA signed an agreement for official establishment of the “Joint Working Committee on Tourism to Support Macau's Aspirations to Build a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” in early June this year. The Committee held an expert seminar to explore ways to foster Macau’s development into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure on the same day. This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo
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The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) hosted the Making Waves in Macao: the 3rd International Conference on Events (ICE 2015) from 7 to 9 September 2015 with co-organiser Bournemouth University, United Kingdom. Following the success of and building upon the first International Conference on Events in Bournemouth and the second in Sheffield, IFT is proud to host the conference this year. ICE2015 is one of the series of events celebrating the 20th anniversary of IFT. During the opening session of the Conference, Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT and Dr. Julie Whitfield from Bournemouth University welcomed all the delegates, including 70 scholars and participants. It is hoped that a high level of quality, thought-provoking discussion and inspiration could be shared and exchanged. The conference aims to examine a variety of contemporary issues in festivals and events. It aims to gather those interested in the exciting yet complex field of event studies and event management together to disseminate latest research, initiate collaborations and exchange ideas. Delegates from the academic community and from the industry come from 14 countries and regions. Keynote speakers include Cecilia Tse, Deputy Director of MGTO, Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer of MGM China Holdings Limited, Professor Leo Jago, University of Surrey, UK, Professor Brian King, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, among many others. The conference provides a platform for like-minded people where they meet everybody, network with everyone and enjoy the inspiring discussions of latest research in events. IFT from the Macao community can also learn from all the experts gathered here in this conference. Through organising and participating in international conferences, ITRC of IFT plays a more active role in fostering research locally and internationally. Its collaboration with other universities helps bring attention to the most relevant issues about tourism related developments as well as benefit the tourism development of Macao in the long run.
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Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with the Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Margaret Chan, to exchange views on public health issues and the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry in Macao. In the meeting on 6 September, Mr Chui thanked the WHO’s support in establishing the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine in Macao, which would help to raise the quality of TCM scientific research, and to enhance quality control and management. The Government pays great attention to the development of TCM as it plays an important part in the adequate diversification of the economy. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, the Government has set forward a string of co-operative projects in different areas including healthcare service, scientific research, education and cultural affairs. He said the Government would continue to contribute in the country’s Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, and to deepen co-operation with WHO and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the process of the TCM industry. Dr Margaret Chan, who visited Macao after attending the events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-Fascist war in Beijing, said WHO would continue to strengthen co-operation with the Macao Government, adding the Government’s efforts in boosting the TCM industry, and in preventing and controlling infectious disease were recognised. The establishment of the Centre in Macao would serve as an important platform for WHO members to share experience, to promote TCM development and would help further regulating the industry, she said. Dr Chan also pointed out WHO would continue to support the Government for talents training, especially the training of public health professionals.
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To celebrate the Teachers’ Day 2015, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters, from 9:00 to 17:30 on 10th September 2015 to provide the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Celebration of Teachers’ Day”. A commemorative envelope with stamp will be distributed to public. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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Consumer Council conducted its second ‘Supermarket price survey’ in September on 4 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Iao Hon Market and the Border Gate area (Portas do Cerco ) in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. 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.
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