News

For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council on 7 March collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference. The mentioned data collected during 1 March to 7 March are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference.The specific price surveys on fresh pork and vegetables are now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), iPhone & Android ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ app, and the Council’s WeChat Account page. The relevant surveys include the average selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective the average selling prices rom Zhuhai and Macao.For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Bilateral cooperation on cultural and creative industries is a priority in the relationship between the Republic of Cape Verde and the Macao Special Administration Region (SAR), and a topic for further exploration.The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, made the remark on Monday (6 March) during a meeting at the Government Headquarters with the Minister of Culture and Creative Industries of Cape Verde, Mr Abraão Vicente. Mr Vicente’s official visit to Macao included attendance at events during the 6th edition of “The Script Road – Macau Literary Festival”.With the support of the Central Government, the SAR Government had dedicated increasing effort to the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as a hub for cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, said Mr Tam.The two officials agreed that existing cooperation – in particular on tourism and education – had helped extend further the ties between the two places.Cape Verde has a greater number of young people studying at higher education institutions in Macao than any other Portuguese-speaking country. Cooperation between Macao and the World Tourism Organization had provided favourable conditions under which Macao is able to train a greater number of tourism professionals.During Monday’s meeting, Mr Vicente noted that among those Cape Verde students that had received an education in Macao many had gone on to make a significant contribution to the development of the country’s tourism sector.The Minister added that Cape Verde had rich resources for tourism: the historic centre of Praia, the country’s capital, had been listed by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The ongoing development of Cape Verde had gained China’s support, added Mr Vicente.Officials attending Monday’s meeting included: the Ambassador to China of Cape Verde, Ms Tânia Romualdo; and Cape Verde’s Representative to the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Mr Mário Vicente.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released survey results of Manpower Needs and Wages of the Gaming Sector for the fourth quarter of 2016. Survey coverage excludes junket promoters and junket associates.At the end of the fourth quarter of 2016, the Gaming Sector had 55,794 full-time employees, down by 0.8% year-on-year, of which the number of dealers dropped by 2.4% to 24,039In December 2016, average earnings (excluding bonuses) of full-time employees in the Gaming Sector stood at MOP21,990, up by 1.7% year-on-year. Average earnings of dealers increased by 0.3%, at MOP18,840.Job vacancies totalled 555 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2016, up by 93 year-on-year. Most of the vacancies were for clerks and service & sales workers.In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 30.3% of the vacancies required work experience; 85.2% required senior secondary education or lower; requirement for knowledge of Mandarin and English accounted for 94.8% and 43.6% respectively.In the fourth quarter of 2016, a total of 662 new employees were hired, a substantial increase of 76.1% from 376 in the same quarter of 2015. Furthermore, the employee recruitment rate (1.2%) and the job vacancy rate (1.0%) went up slightly by 0.5 and 0.2 percentage points year-on-year respectively, while the employee turnover rate (1.4%) fell slightly by 0.4 percentage points. These indicators suggested that the human resource situation of the Gaming Sector was relatively stable in this quarter.As regards vocational training, the Gaming sector had 52,025 participants attending training courses provided by the enterprise (including courses organised by the enterprise or in conjunction with other institutions, and those sponsored by the enterprise), up by 50.7% year-on-year. Most participants attended courses in Business & Administration (35.7%), followed by Gaming & Entertainment Services (28.3%). The majority of courses were organised by the gaming enterprises, and the number of participants accounted for 99.8% of the total.
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The “Macao Special Administrative Region Travel Alert System”, approved and published via Chief Executive Order n.º26/2017, takes effect today, the 7th of March, 2017. It is the responsibility of the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) to manage the said Alert System.The objective of establishing a Travel Alert System is to allow an easy and timely dissemination of information about crisis situations, emergencies or catastrophes affecting different parts of the world, in order to raise the awareness of the population and to facilitate their decision when travelling abroad.The Travel Alert System covers 77 countries or travel destinations which are the preferred travel destinations of Macao residents, categorized in three different levels and identified by the numbers 1, 2, and 3.Level 1 represents an imminent threat to personal safety. Macao residents planning to travel or already in the destination should be alert and vigilant towards their own safety. It is suggested to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect their personal safety.Level 2 represents that the threat to personal safety is elevated. Macao residents planning to travel to or already in the destination should reconsider travelling at this time. It is suggested to avoid non-essential travel to the destination.Level 3 represents the presence of an extreme threat to personal safety. Macao residents planning to travel or already in the destination should be aware of the severity of the situation and limits that any official assistance can be provided there. It is advised to avoid travelling to the destination and in certain situations, follow the advice issued by the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) to leave the destination.Based on situations including but not limited to new type of terrorism, adverse weather conditions, security issues, political conflicts or issues related to public health, the GGCT issues Travel Alert – Level 1 to five countries and Level 2 to two countries:Please read attachmentIn order to carefully plan their itineraries, Macao residents can consult the effective Travel Alert System and other relevant information on the GGCT website www.ggct.gov.mo .Tourism Crisis Management Office reminds that the Travel Alert System merely serves as an indicator of the emergency status in order to raise the awareness of each individual on the subject of self-protection, and it does not constitute as any form of guarantee for safety. The Travel Alert System does not have a prohibitive nature and it is up to each individual to decide or adjust their travel plan according to the information provided.With the implementation of the Travel Alert System, the GGCT advises Macao residents before travelling to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, with coverage option for the Macao SAR Travel Alert System, international emergency medical evacuation coverage, and to also verify with their insurers in case of any doubts regarding the terms and conditions of their insurance coverage.If necessary, Macao residents can call:24-hour Tourism Hotline +853 2833 3000;The Chinese Embassy and consulates or the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour hotline: +86 10 12308 for assistance.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today had discussions with mainland authorities regarding ways in which Macao could cooperate with the city’s network of overseas Chinese in the development of the country’s “Belt and Road” initiative; and on development of local sports sector.Mr Chui had meetings in Beijing with, respectively, the Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Ms Qiu Yuanping; and the Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China, Mr Gou Zhongwen.The Chief Executive had been on a four-day visit to Beijing, including attendance at the opening of the 5th Session of the 12th National People's Congress. A Government delegation led by the Chief Executive returned to Macao on Monday evening.During the meeting with Ms Qiu, Mr Chui said the visit to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office was aimed at expressing the Government’s gratitude for the Office’s long-term support, and to gather more opinion regarding Macao’s participation in and contribution to the “Belt and Road” initiative.Macao’s involvement in the country’s implementation of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative) is part of the city’s strategic development programme.The Government had been pleased to learn that the Central Government had approved the Macao SAR’s participation in and contribution to the “Belt and Road” initiative. The Government was particularly focused on how to use Macao’s connections to overseas Chinese as a route to boosting people-to-people exchanges, which is one of the major goals of the initiative.The Government planned to announce this year a plan for Macao’s role regarding the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative. The advice and opinion of Ms Qiu and her office would help the Government better coordinate its efforts with regard to this new task, said Mr Chui.Ms Qiu said her office would form closer ties with the SAR Government in relation to support for Macao in order that the city could participate in and contribute to the development to the “Belt and Road” initiative.In his meeting with Mr Gou of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chief Executive discussed further cooperation in order to support the development of Macao’s competitive sports and the promotion in the city of the concept “sport for all”.The support of the General Administration of Sport of China – for tasks including training a greater number of local athletes, monitoring levels of physical activity in the community and supporting Macao’s participation in a greater number of international sporting events – was central to sport development in Macao.As a member of the Olympic Council of Asia, Macao had spared no effort in promoting the development of local sport teams. The Government fully understood the constraints that applied regarding participation in the Olympic Games, as only “independent states” have been recognised by the International Olympic Committee since revisions made in 1996 to the Olympic Charter.With the support of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Olympic Committee, Macao had successfully held the 2005 East Asian Games, the 2006 Lusophony Games and the 2007 Asian Indoor Games.Macao would actively take part in events organised by the Olympic Council of Asia and promote development of competitive sport and “sport for all” in Macao, said Mr Chui.Mr Gou said his Administration would continue support the SAR Government in promoting sport development in Macao.While in Beijing, Mr Chui also held a meeting on Saturday (4 March) with the Minister of Education, Mr Chen Baosheng, to exchange views on cooperation on education between the mainland and Macao.The Chief Executive expressed his gratitude for the support of the Ministry, in particular its provision of further training for teachers and its help in enabling a greater number of Macao young people to receive an education in mainland universities. Such efforts were a source of encouragement for Macao’s education sector, added Mr Chui.Mr Chen said he believed cooperation between the Ministry and the Macao SAR would grow in strength, and provided ongoing, solid cooperation in several fields.Macao officials also attending Mr Chui’s meetings with mainland authorities included: the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng.
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Festival de ArtesThe 28^thMacao Arts Festival (MAF) Outreach Programme features 23 programmes multiplied in 44 activities, including talks, master classes, workshops, meet-the-artists sessions, school performances, art critique, accessibility services and movie screenings, expanding different art spaces and travelling across time and artistic spaces.The famous Hong Kong expert in Japanese culture, Kengo, holds the lecture “The Untold Secrets of Japan – Kengo’s Talk on Japanese Culture”, showing participants the way to understand the Japanese Yamato people and unveil crazy and bizarre secrets of Japan. In “Miss Revolutionary Idols Berserk”, Japanese director Toco Nikaido leads her artists in surprise appearances in the streets of Macao and in the appearance of idols in a mind-blowing performance.In turn, in “New Directing on Classics - Lecture-Workshop with Yana Ross”, Latvian theatre director Yana Ross addresses new directing methods and techniques in adapting classical texts by playwrights like Anton Chekhov. The “Master class with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company” helps participants to explore themselves, practice and reflect on how to use one’s own body in performances to express social issues. Acclaimed Japanese choreographer Hiroaki Umeda returns to Macao to share his unique perception of the human body, of technology, of performing arts and the aesthetics of multimedia.“One Day! Cantonese Opera” passes on the artistic essence of tradition, allowing participants to join hands with young actors and put into practice their Cantonese opera techniques, gain in-depth knowledge of the performing techniques of Cantonese opera, texts and costumes, and experience the world of Cantonese opera. The literary epic “Westland Feuds” leaps from the pages of the book to the stage and, in a pre-show talk, local playwright Lawrence Lei will share some of its highlights with the audience and explore the literary, performing and artistic value of this work. The “MAF Free Talks” invite art critics from all over the world to share their observations on and expectations on the Macao Arts Festival. Additionally, the organizer specially offers the digital platform “Your Reviews” to allow art lovers to leave their opinions and express their feelings. Likewise, the “Secondary School Students Writing on the MAF” will continue to improve young critics’ writing and arts appreciation skills.The Macao Arts Festival Outreach Programme aims to promote art activities for the whole family. Dutch TAMTAM objektentheater hosts the “Waste in Transformation – Creative Craft Classes for Parents and Children”, encouraging children to recycle used materials and “make the impossible possible”. The Strawberry Fields Arts Education Workshop also offers “Adventures of Illustrated Stories” and encourages children and adults to interact, revealing their performing abilities and imagination; family service organisations and groups are welcome to register. In “Remote Macao Performances for Schools”, participants put on their headphones and take part in a “remote-controlled journey”.For this edition of the MAF, seven outstanding and varied films were selected to be screened in several venues around Macau. In order to allow people with visual and hearing impairments to enjoy arts without barriers, arts accessibility services will be made available for several shows, including accessible captions and sign language interpretation services at the screenings of “My Way” and “Little Prince”. The children’s musical “Metamorphosis under Starry Night” will also feature Cantonese audio description for theatre services and 6 complimentary tickets for each performance are available for those in need of such services.Other activities are also available in the 28^th MAF Outreach Pogramme. For more information, please refer to the 28^th MAF Outreach Programme booklet or access the MAF’s webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/fam. Registration is free for most of the activities and applications are open from 13 March onwards. Places are limited, subject to availability. Interested parties can register online through the webpage www.icm.gov.mo/eform/event, or by phone. For more information and reservations, please call IC through tel. no. 8399 6699, during office hours.
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The 28^thMacao Arts Festival (MAF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will be held from 28 April to 31 May, taking “Heterotopia” as theme and establishing, through texts, stories, images, music and imagery, a diversified space away from reality yet closely connected to it, bringing new possibilities to existence. This edition comprises 25 extraordinary shows and exhibitions, which, combined with the outreach programme, total of over 100 activities, leading the audience to explore various possibilities of space by means of different art manifestations.In “Thematic Highlights: Fantasies of Different Spaces” and opening the event, this edition of the MAF presents, the show Play and Play: An Evening of Movement and Music, a reinterpretation of Schubert and Ravel’s classics by internationally acclaimed North-American modern dance company Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane; the same company also presents the hypnotizing performance A Letter to My Nephew. The closing show The Seagull, one of Russian author Anton Chekov’s masterpieces, is performed by the Reykjavik City Theatre, which moves the plot from a Russian country estate to Iceland to explore human nature from a unique point of view. On the 110^th anniversary of Chinese theatre, the Shaanxi People’s Art Theatre takes to the stage a production of magic realism of the classic Westland Feuds, while the Comuna de Pedra Arts and Cultural Association presents Songs of Migrants, revealing memories of local migrants and an important part of local history.The MAF seeks to broaden several art perspectives. The soundscape theatre play Back to the Catastrophic Typhoon of 1874, which original novel was awarded at the Macao Literature Competition, recreates daily life sounds in a real life space allowing the audience to explore their own imaginative spaces. Remote Macao uses sound effects to take participants in a journey from the past up to the present through the city’s streets and alleys; The Nether portrays the seemingly limitless dividing line between the real and virtual worlds; the ground-breaking Miss Revolutionary Idol Berserker offers viewers a mind-blowing experience of Japan. Double Bill by Hiroaki Umeda is a new work developed in cooperation with local dancers, as well as a solo piece that breaks down the human body’s barriers. Emerging Portuguese choreographer Marco da Silva Ferreira presents the ballet Hu(r)mano, while Aneckxander: a tragic autobiography of the body re-examines one’s own body through a fusion of acrobatics and body language.Family programmes are also catered for all ages to take part in the Arts Festival. Rusty Nails & Other Heroesmakes use of different materials and multimedia to create an amusing theatre of objects; the Performing Arts Gala gathers an array of performing arts and injects vitality in the community through the arts; in addition, the children’s musical Metamorphosis under Starry Night and the children’s theatre reliant solely on hands and clay dolls A Mano further feed the spirit through the arts.Traditional arts are passed from generation to generation. The National Peking Opera Company presents an abridged adaptation of the classic Lady Anguo; the Macao Kaifong Cantonese Opera Juvenile’s Troupe takes to the stage the Cantonese opera “The Tale of Lady General”; the Dóci Papiaçám di Macau Drama Group returns with another look at current events in Stormy Luck; and Chu Chan Wa and Macao Cantonese opera actors bring the Cantonese opera classic The Butterfly Lovers. Additionally, the Macao Orchestra presents the concert Resonance through Space-Time while the Macao Chinese Orchestra performs “The Soul of Macao – Peking Opera Concert. These and other shows, together with the exhibitions “The Art of Zhang Daqian”, “Constellation – Works by Nicolas Delaroche” and “Debris – Works by Alexandre Farto aka Vhils”, broaden artistic experiences, in different and varied ways,.Tickets for the 28^thMAF are available at the Macau Ticketing Network from 10am on 12 March (Sunday). Reservations can be made by phone or online from 12pm onwards on the same day. On the first day of ticket sales, each person can purchase a maximum of ten tickets per performance, except for the performances Rusty Nails & Other Heroes, Metamorphosis under Starry Night and A Mano, a maximum of four tickets per person. Early bird discounts of 30%, subject to certain criteria, are available from 12 to 19 March and a 20% discount will be offered from 20 March onwards. Members of the public who purchase their tickets with a BOC Credit Card or BOC card will receive a 30% discount on tickets for the opening and closing performances, Play and Play: An Evening of Movement and Music and The Seagull, as well as a 20% discount on all other shows. A 20% discount on tickets for all shows is also available for purchases with MasterCard, Visa Card or UnionPay Card from ICBC (Macau), BCM Bank, or OCBC Wing Hang Bank. A 50% discount will also be offered to holders of Macao Senior Citizen Card or Disability Assessment Registration Card, limited to one ticket per person. For each purchase over MOP800 (net price after discount), purchasers may receive one discount voucher to enjoy exclusive offers at MGM’s selected restaurants and spa (available while stocks last). Air Macau customers can enjoy a 20% discount on ticket purchases at the ticketing outlets by presenting the respective boarding pass (flight code NX) within 7 days upon their arrival in Macao. There is also a special ticket arrangement for the show Remote Macao. For more information, please refer to the MAF’s booklet.This edition of the MAF has the support of the Macao Government Tourism Office, TDM – Teledifusão de Macau, Air Macau and MGM. The Macao Arts Festival website: www.icm.gov.mo/fam; email: fam@icm.gov.mo. For enquiries regarding the programme, please contact the Cultural Affairs Bureau through tel. 8399 6699 during office hours. 24-hour ticket reservation hotline: (Macao) 2855 5555; (Hong Kong) 2380 5083; (Mainland China) 139 269 11111; online ticket reservation is available at www.macauticket.com.The 28^thMAF’s press conference was held on 6 March, at 3pm at The Vista, MGM. The press conference was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leung Hio Ming; the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Vice-President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin; the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, Grant Bowie; the President of Executive Committee and Chief Executive Officer of Air Macau Company Limited, Chen Hong; the Deputy General Manager of Bank of China Limited (Macau Branch), Ip Sio Kai; Acting Manager of Communications & Multimedia Department of Teledifusão de Macau S.A., Cheong Sio Fun; the Acting Head of the Department of Cultural Events, Paula Lei; and the Acting Head of the Division of Performing Arts, Tong Pui I.
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For the last three years, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has put the Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (“QTSAS” or “the Scheme”) into practice. After going through suitable adjustments and optimization, the Scheme now calls for new applications from the catering and travel agency sectors from 13 March to 13 April. MGTO held two QTSAS Promotion Seminars today (6 March) to encourage businesses from both sectors to join the Scheme.MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong; Head of Consumer Arbitration Centre of Consumer Council, Ao Weng Tong; Head of Training and Quality Management Department of MGTO, Doris Leong; representative of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Thomas Cham; Lecturer of the Institute for Tourism Studies, Kirk Yan; Chairman of Macau Hotel Association, Samuel Yeung; Vice Chairman of the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao, Elizabeth Chung; Chairman of Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises of Catering, Vincent Ieong; Vice Chairman of Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises of Catering, Lao Sam Chun; Chairman of Macau Travel Agency Association, Kunio Shiga; Vice President of Travel Industry Council of Macau, Paul Wong; Assistant Director, Market Research Business and Subsidiary Operations of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, K. T. Ting, as well as Assistant General Manager, Training and Knowledge Development of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, Edmond Fung, were present at the seminars among others. The seminars introduced the QTSAS assessment criteria and application procedures.During both seminars, Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong remarked that after putting QTSAS into practice for the last three years, MGTO has gained more experience and ideas from industry partners; he believed the right time has come to evaluate the Scheme. Together with the QTSAS Assessment Committee and the technical support team, MGTO has evaluated the assessment system and operation of the QTSAS, followed by suitable adjustments and optimization to simplify the application procedures in order to attract more applicants and encourage awarded merchants to keep joining the Scheme and enhancing their service quality. In his addresses to the catering businesses, he also highlighted the preparation work started by MGTO for Macao’s application to become a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network – a City of Gastronomy. He exhorted catering businesses to maintain their remarkable service and food quality to jointly forge Macao into a City of Gastronomy.The honor of Star Merchant Award for catering businesses was originally valid for three years. After adjustments and optimization of the Scheme, starting from 2017, winners of “Star Merchant Award” in the catering sector are no longer required to apply for entry into the Scheme every three years after their award expires. Instead, they need to go through annual supervision and appraisal. Those who meet the prescribed criteria and pass the appraisal can remain on the list of Star Merchant Award winners for the next year. They can also freely choose whether to be pitted against other qualified businesses for the “Service Star Award”. In addition, MGTO also raised the level of the criteria required for catering businesses to meet before entering the assessments for “Service Star Award”, and made the score on food quality account for a greater proportion of the overall assessment. In terms of the travel agency sector, the Star Merchant Award is valid for two years as in the past. However, instead of allowing only the head offices of licensed travel agencies in Macao to participate, the Scheme is now open to any head office or branch office appointed by licensed travel agencies for participation. The award system has also been adjusted for both sectors.The quota of participating businesses is 30 for the travel agency sector this year, whereas no limit is set on the quota for the catering sector. Interested merchants can submit applications to MGTO from 13 March to 13 April. For details, please browse Macao Tourism Industry Net: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo.MGTO officially launched QTSAS in 2014 to establish service quality standards for the tourism industry, encourage and support industry partners to enhance their service quality as well as recognize tourism merchants and practitioners for their outstanding service and excellent service management, in line with Macao’s goal to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Two accolades, namely “Star Merchant Award” and “Service Star Award”, will be presented through the Scheme. In the first two years, the Scheme targeted the catering sector, until last year when the scope was extended to cover travel agencies as well.A total of 201 catering businesses and 28 travel agencies hold the "Star Merchant Award" up to date. For details about the awarded merchants, the public can obtain the "Star Merchant Award – Restaurants and Eateries Guide” and the brochure “Star Merchant Award – Travel Agency Industry” from any of MGTO’s Tourist Information counters or browse MGTO’s website: www.macaotourism.gov.mo.
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The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) has received a successful International Quality Review from the UK's Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), following a review process carried out in December 2016. The review team acknowledged that IFT meets all the 10 standards set out in Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area.A team of QAA reviewers visited IFT and judged that IFT’s overall quality assurance policy, the academic and administrative standards, the design and review of the programmes, the quality of student learning, teaching and assessment, and the extensive range of support available for students and staff, among many other criteria, all met QAA’s standards.QAA also identified four best practices and made four recommendations. Three of the four best practices were related to student-centred learning, teaching and assessment, while the fourth area of best practice was identified as relating to student admission, progression, recognition and certification. In particular, the inclusion of students and industry partners as interview panel members when interviewing prospective students emphasised the effective relationship IFT has with its students and industry partners.The review report also noted that IFT's processes for the design and review of programmes involves “an impressive range of stakeholders,” making it a sound process that meets international standards. Given the industry orientation of much of IFT's education provision, the review team said that the institution’s approach to delivering and managing internships was “particularly effective”. This was underpinned by a very coherent and interactive relationship with industry partners, suggested the QAA report.IFT would like to thank its students, faculty members and staff, for their concerted effort, continuous feedback and commitment to excellence, which has now been recognised by a prominent external body in the field of quality assurance in higher education. The Institute will continue working closely with the Macao SAR Government and industry partners to respond to the needs of Macao’s expanding tourism market, as well as to contribute to the future development of Macao’s higher education and tourism industry.The International Quality Review is designed to analyse and reflect on each reviewed institution’s approach to quality assurance; and to test and benchmark its existing processes against international quality assurance standards. The review also helps to drive improvement and excellence regarding each participating institution’s approach to quality assurance.Each QAA review is carried out by experts from universities or colleges without connection to the reviewed institution. Every review team includes a student reviewer, as QAA believes that students should be partners in the quality assurance of their education. The official report has been made public and is accessible via the QAA website:http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/ReviewsAndReports/Documents/Institute-for-Tourism-Studies-Macao-IQR-16.pdf.Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 101 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students. Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has now 8 bachelor degree programmes with the Certification. Currently, the Institute has the most number of bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and won twice the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply continued to grow in January with a relatively stable share of patacas. On the other hand, resident deposits rose from a month ago whereas loans to residents posted a decline.Money supplyCurrency in circulation grew 13.2% whereas demand deposits dropped 0.8%. M1 thus increased 2.2% from one month earlier. On the other hand, quasi-monetary liabilities rose 0.6%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, increased 0.8% to MOP536.8 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 grew 0.7% and 13.3% respectively. The shares of Pataca (MOP), Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), Renminbi (RMB) and United States Dollar (USD) in M2 were 32.1%, 52.2%, 4.0% and 9.4% respectively.DepositsResident deposits increased 0.5% from the preceding month to MOP521.4 billion while non-resident deposits grew 0.3% to MOP249.1 billion. On the other hand, public sector deposits with the banking sector dropped 2.5% to MOP170.5 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector decreased 0.1% from a month earlier to MOP941.1 billion. The shares of MOP, HKD, RMB and USD in total deposits were 22.0%, 46.9%, 4.1% and 23.7% respectively.LoansDomestic loans to the private sector decreased 1.7% from a month ago to MOP415.5 billion. Among which, MOP123.6 billion was MOP-denominated, MOP269.8 billion was denominated in HKD, MOP2.7 billion was denominated in RMB and MOP17.7 billion was denominated in USD, representing 29.8%, 64.9%, 0.6% and 4.3% of the total respectively. External loans rose 3.2% to MOP373.1 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP, HKD, RMB and USD accounted for 1.8% (MOP6.8 billion), 26.3% (MOP98.0 billion), 11.6% (MOP43.3 billion) and 54.0% (MOP201.5 billion) respectively.Operating ratiosAt end-January, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector dropped 0.9 percentage points from the previous month to 60.0%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors rose 0.5 percentage points to 83.8%. The one-month and three-month current assets to liabilities ratios stayed at relatively high levels of 50.6% and 52.5% respectively. In addition, the non-performing loan ratio was unchanged from one month earlier but up slightly by 0.1 percentage point from one year ago, at 0.2%.
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