News

The Government has signed three agreements with the government of Fujian Province during the first Fujian-Macao cooperation meeting held in Macao. The three agreements signed on Monday (17 October) were: the cooperation agreement on strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Fujian and Macao; the memorandum of cooperation on medical and health exchanges between Fujian and Macao; the memorandum of cooperation on strengthening tourism cooperation between the Pingtan General Experimentation Area Tourism Board of Fujian Province and the Macao Government Tourism Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac – representing the Government in the meeting – said the gathering marked an opportunity for a further optimisation of the mechanism for Fujian-Macao cooperation. The meeting was attended by the Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Liang Jianyong, and officials from that province responsible for supervising the economy, business, tourism, health, finance, education and culture. Macao would use its unique advantages in order to contribute to the country’s development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “Belt and Road” initiative), said Mr Leong. The Fujian government has the opportunity to make use of Macao’s role as a platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, thereby boosting Fujian’s economic exchanges, trade, and investment with Portuguese-speaking countries, said the Secretary. The Government would intensify the existing Fujian-Macao cooperation model to the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) industry in particular, enhancing the role of environmentally friendly practices and policies in the sector’s operations, said Mr Leong. The Secretary also stated the two places should strengthen and diversify tourism promotion efforts, in order to push forward a multi-destination travel model. Fujian and Macao would additionally explore further the opportunities in maritime tourism, themed around cultural activities related to the goddess A-Ma. Mr Leong said the two sides would strengthen exchanges in cultural affairs, education, and youth affairs, in order to expand cooperation into fields related to the respective livelihoods of the two communities. Officials attending the meeting included: the Deputy Director General of Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Zhu Hong; the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Lok Kit Sim; and the Deputy Secretary General of Fujian Provincial Government, Mr Zhan Zhijie.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference on 18 October. The mentioned data collected during 12 October to 18 October are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. 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, HK, and Macao. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference on 18 October. The mentioned data collected during 12 October to 18 October are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the third quarter of 2016 decreased by 3.50% year-on-year to 126.86, a notable slowdown from the drop in the second quarter (-7.00%). The decline was attributable to lower charges for hotel accommodation and reduced prices of airfares that pushed down the price index of Accommodation and Transport & Communications by 15.45% and 14.45% respectively year-on-year. Meanwhile, price index of Miscellaneous Goods and Restaurant Services rose by 4.36% and 2.17% respectively. In comparison with the previous quarter, TPI for the third quarter of 2016 increased by 1.33%, as higher hotel room rates during the summer holidays drove up the price index of Accommodation by 13.23%. On the other hand, price index of Clothing & Footwear dropped by 7.19% quarter-to-quarter due to seasonal sale of handbags and summer clothing. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the third quarter of 2016 decreased by 5.05% from the previous period, with marked decline being observed in the price index of Accommodation (-19.44%) and Transport & Communications (-6.29%); however, price index of Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco increased by 2.56%. For the first three quarters of 2016, TPI went down by 5.77% year-on-year, with notable decrease in the price index of Accommodation and Transport & Communications, falling by 23.06% and 7.71% respectively. 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.
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To commemorate the Legislative Assembly Building Open Day, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Square of Legislative Assembly Building at 10H00 to 18H00 on 22nd October 2016, providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Legislative Assembly Building Open Day”. A commemorative envelope with stamp priced at MOP6.00 will be issued, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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To celebrate the 21st Macao International Trade & Investment Fair, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Centre and our Philately Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters during 20th to 22th October 2016 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “21st Macao International Trade & Investment Fair”. Opening hours as follow: 20/10 Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Centre 12:00 to 18:00 Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters 12:00 to 18:00 21-22/10 Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Centre 10:00 to 18:00 A commemorative envelope priced at MOP3.00 will be issued, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit us and collect Macao Stamps.
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Tickets for Next Month's Grand Prix Now on Sale The Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 17 to 20 this year. The status of the prestigious Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix has this year been further elevated by the FédérationInternationale de l’Automobile to be the FIA Formula 3 World Cup. With the Macau GT Cup designated the FIA GT World Cup for the second time, Macau becomes the first event in the world to host two FIA World Cups on the same programme. Other exciting events include the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 50th Edition, Suncity Group Macau GuiaRace 2.0T, CTM Macau Touring Car Cup, Suncity Group Macau Road Sport Challenge, and the Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup. Racing fans will be familiar with a number of the top competitors who will come to Macao to compete for victory. Tickets for the event are available at www.macauticket.com, and other sales outlets can be found on the official website at www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo. Supercar and motorcycle show and photography and poster design competitions In order to encourage wider participation on Macao’s motorsport carnival, the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee has organised a number of events and activities. On November 12 and 13 at Tap Seac Square, a promotional event will showcase the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, Macau GT Cup and Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix competition vehicles, as well as a number of classic motorcycles, enabling the public to get a close up look at the racing machinery free of charge. The event will also feature a Grand Prix exhibition and souvenir sales booths. In addition, to encourage Macao residents to participate in the event in a variety of ways, deepen understanding of the competition, enhance residents' support of motorsport and create a harmonious atmosphere, a photographic competition with the theme of the “Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix”, and a creative / concept poster design contest with a “Macau Grand Prix” theme, have been launched for local photographers, artists and designers to showcase their talents. The top three winners of the two competitions will be awarded MOP8,000, MOP5,000 and MOP3,000 cash prizes respectively in addition to trophies. Seven merit awards will also be chosen in each competition and the winners will each be presented with MOP1,000. The winning entry of the poster design competition has a chance to be the thematic design of the 2017 Macau Grand Prix. Members of the public who are interested in taking part in the competition may submit their entries to the Sports Bureau (Address: Av. Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, n.o 818, Macao) from October 17, 2016 to November 30. Entries for the photographic competition may also be submitted to the Macau Institute of Photography (Address: No.36, Rua Almirante Costa Cabral R/C – “C", Macao). Application forms and regulations may be obtained from the official Macau Grand Prix website: www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, sent today a congratulatory message to the Central Government on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft. On behalf of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive expressed his warmest congratulations to the country for another breakthrough in aerospace science. Mr Chui said the successful launch of Shenzhou-11 represented a key milestone in the country’s space programme and in manned spacecraft technology. Mr Chui also conveyed his highest respect and sincere greetings to the two astronauts on board of Shenzhou-11, and to all those who had contributed to the development of the country’s aerospace industry. Shenzhou-11 will dock with space lab Tiangong-2, where the two astronauts will spend 30 days and conduct a series of tests and experiments. Mr Chui said the Macao people, along with the overall Chinese people, showed the utmost joy and enthusiasm for the country’s achievements in aerospace technology. The Government – together with Macao’s population – would continue to support the development of the country’s manned space programme and contribute to the prosperity of the motherland, he said. The spacecraft took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 7.30am.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 216 establishments were engaging in Real Estate Management Services in 2015, down by 7 year-on-year. Receipts amounted to MOP 1.32 billion, up by 4.1% year-on-year. Expenditure went up by 4.5% to MOP 1.09 billion, of which Compensation of Employees (MOP 567 million) and Operating Expenses (MOP 411 billion) increased by 5.0% and 0.7% respectively year-on-year. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy totalled MOP 804 million, up by 4.1% year-on-year and Gross Surplus rose by 2.0% to MOP 237 million. Meanwhile, Gross Fixed Capital Formation leapt by 703.9% year-on-year to MOP 229 million on account of an increase in acquisition of properties and in major renovation projects. Number of persons engaged decreased by 7.8% to 5,412, of which 59.4% were property caretakers (3,216). There were 38 establishments operating in Security Services, up by 6 year-on-year. Receipts amounted to MOP 1.69 billion, up by 41.5% year-on-year. Expenditure surged by 40.4% to MOP 1.53 billion, with Compensation of Employees (MOP 1.38 billion) predominating at 90.6%, up by 44.4% year-on-year. Operating Expenses decreased by 14.4% to MOP 61.98 million. Gross Value Added (MOP 1.55 billion) and Gross Surplus (MOP 162 million) soared by 45.3% and 53.7% respectively year-on-year, and Gross Fixed Capital Formation rose by 23.1% to MOP 12.25 million. Number of persons engaged totalled 8,891, an increase of 35.0% year-on-year, of which security guards accounted for 71.0% (6,314). A total of 157 establishments were operating in Cleaning Services in 2015, up by 18 year-on-year. Receipts increased by 39.9%, at MOP 956 million. Expenditure rose by 37.7% to MOP 830 million, of which Compensation of Employees (81.0% of total) took the largest share, at MOP 672 million. Gross Value Added totalled MOP 798 million, up by 38.8% year-on-year and Gross Surplus surged by 55.8% to MOP 126 million. Owing to the increase in acquisition of vehicles and machinery & equipment, Gross Fixed Capital Formation soared by 69.4% to MOP 15.48 million. Number of persons engaged increased by 22.2% to 7,099, of which cleaning workers (6,332) predominated at 89.2% of total. Number of establishments operating in Advertising Services increased notably by 80 year-on-year to 601. Receipts (MOP 917 million) recorded a year-on-year growth of 7.5%, which was generated primarily from Advertising Services (including design services and media dissemination), at MOP 566 million (61.7% of total), while receipts from providing Services for Conferences & Exhibitions and Other Services amounted to MOP 238 million (25.9% of total). Expenditure amounted to MOP 804 million, up by 1.6% year-on-year, which was mainly incurred on Purchase of Goods/Services & Commission, down by 2.4% to MOP 422 million (52.4% of total). Gross Valued Added totalled MOP 335 million, up by 20.6% year-on-year; Gross Surplus expanded by 85.6% to MOP 110 million. Though there was an increase in the number of establishments, Gross Fixed Capital Formation dropped 21.1% year-on-year to MOP 59.51 million, owing to a reduction in acquisition of computer equipment and selling of properties. Number of persons engaged was 2,185 (+15.5%), of which 77.0% were employees. A total of 67 establishments were operating in Conference & Exhibition Organising Services, up by 6 year-on-year. Receipts grew by 13.9% year-on-year to MOP 314 million, of which receipts from Services for Conferences & Exhibitions and Other Services shared 77.4% of the total, at MOP 243 million (+8.6%). Meanwhile, expenditure went up by 14.8% to MOP 304 million. Gross Value Added increased by 29.8% year-on-year to MOP 70.01 million, while Gross Surplus dropped by 11.1% to MOP 10.01 million. Gross Fixed Capital Formation (MOP 2.14 million) tumbled by 70.7% year-on-year on account of a reduction in the acquisition of equipment. Number of persons engaged amounted to 373, up by 36.1% year-on-year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that inward direct investment flows declined by 66.7% year-on-year to MOP 9.1 billion in 2015. This was mainly due to a negative inward flow (- MOP 6.0 billion) in the Gaming sector as profits dropped and the amount of dividends paid exceeded its profits made in the year. On the other hand, inflows of direct investment were recorded in Banks & Securities (MOP 7.8 billion), Wholesale & Retail (MOP 3.9 billion) and Construction (MOP 2.4 billion). Analysed by country/territory of usual residence of direct investors, inward direct investment flows came mainly from Mainland China (MOP 7.4 billion), Hong Kong (MOP 3.2 billion) and the British Virgin Islands (MOP 2.8 billion); however, the Cayman Islands registered a negative inflow (- MOP 6.5 billion). In 2015, inward direct investment income dropped by 39.8% year-on-year to MOP 51.5 billion. Income earned by gaming enterprises (MOP 30.1 billion) and Wholesale & Retail (MOP 6.4 billion) decreased by 47.5% and 30.0%, while that in Banks & Securities (MOP 10.8 billion) rose by 17.8%. At the end of 2015, stock of inward direct investment of Macao reached MOP 231.8 billion, up by 5.0% year-on-year. Analysed by industry, inward direct investment stock in Gaming decreased by 4.8% to MOP 123.3 billion, with 49.5% coming from the Cayman Islands; Banks & Securities had MOP 46.5 billion (+22.9%), of which capital from Mainland China accounted for 60.7%; Wholesale & Retail had MOP 26.3 billion (+17.5%), with investment from Hong Kong contributing 58.1%. Analysed by country/territory, stock of inward direct investment from the Cayman Islands (MOP 65.8 billion) decreased by 9.1% year-on-year, but that from Hong Kong (MOP 59.1 billion) and the British Virgin Islands (MOP 54.4 billion) rose by 8.0% and 4.8% respectively; inward direct investment stock from Mainland China increased by 32.0% to MOP 34.7 billion, of which investment from Beijing made up 93.5%. Outward direct investment flows of Macao enterprises recorded a negative value (- MOP 5.5 billion), resulting in a net inflow of MOP 14.6 billion in 2015. At the end of 2015, stock of outward direct investment decreased by 19.4% year-on-year to MOP 24.7 billion; investment in Hong Kong amounted to MOP 5.6 billion, and that in Mainland China totalled MOP 4.2 billion, which was mainly concentrated in Guangdong (MOP 3.1 billion) with MOP 1.7 billion in Zhuhai (including Hengqin). Outward direct investment income earned by Macao enterprises increased by 22.2% year-on-year to MOP 0.8 billion, with that by Gaming enterprises (MOP 0.5 billion) rising by 19.2%. Outward direct investment stock in Gaming (MOP 19.8 billion) and Wholesale & Retail (MOP 3.0 billion) decreased by 22.9% and 9.9% respectively year-on-year. Direct Investment Statistics provide an analysis of the direct investment profile of Macao with other economies. For statistical purposes, Macao and Mainland China are considered as two economies. Coverage of Direct Investment Statistics comprises Macao enterprises engaging in Industrial Production; Construction; Wholesale & Retail; Hotels & Restaurants; Transport, Storage & Communications; Financial Services; Gaming; and Other Services; however, personal investment and enterprises operating in other industries not specified above are excluded. In 2015, there were 2,597 enterprises involved in inward direct investment and 64 enterprises in outward direct investment.
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