News

Consumer Council conducted its third ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 19 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 14 supermarkets in Toi San, Ilha Verde and Fai Chi Kei areas 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. With reference to the local seven 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.
…

Manuel Caldeira Cabral, Portugal’s minister of economy, recently visited the University of Macau (UM) and was warmly received by UM Rector Wei Zhao and Vice Rector (Research) Rui Martins. Both parties had an in-depth discussion on how to nurture bilingual language professionals to promote the economic development of Macao and Portugal. Cabral praised UM for its contributions to the training of bilingual language professionals, adding that he will help to increase collaboration between UM and higher education institutions in Portugal. During the meeting, Vice Rector Martins told Cabral and his colleagues about UM’s latest developments, the ‘4-in-1’ model of education, and recent achievements in the training of bilingual professionals in Portuguese and Chinese. He also noted that UM is an important member of the Association of Universities of Portuguese Language and has been working hard to increase collaboration among all member universities. Cabral praised UM for its policy on Portuguese language education, adding that the university provides a very good environment for teaching and learning Portuguese, which can help Macao residents to improve their Portuguese language skills and understanding of the Portuguese culture. In addition, Cabral noted that Portuguese-speaking countries highly recognise Macao’s advantages in education and its role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Therefore, he plans to vigorously promote collaboration in student exchange programmes as well as teaching and learning between UM and Portuguese universities, including the University of Lisbon, University of Porto, University of Minho and Nova University of Lisbon.
…

According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) both increased in August 2016. With regard to the outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed monthly increases. New lending approved In August 2016, new RMLs approved by Macao banks increased by 6.0% month-to-month to MOP3.7 billion. Of which, new RMLs to residents, accounting for 95.6% of the total, rose by 3.2% to MOP3.5 billion while those to non-residents increased by 156.5% from a lower comparison base in the previous month. When compared with the same period of 2015, new approvals of RMLs dropped by 33.6%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) increased by 26.9% from the preceding month to MOP296.8 million. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 98.8% of the total, increased by 32.3% to MOP293.3 million. Attributable to the higher comparison base in the same period last year, new equitable mortgage approved dropped by 74.6% on an annual basis. New CRELs surged by 111.4% month-to-month to MOP7.4 billion; of which, new CRELs to residents, accounting for 98.0% of the total, increased considerably by 230.9% to MOP7.3 billion, mainly attributed to larger loan amounts recorded for a number of approvals. In contrast, new CRELs to non-residents dropped by 88.9% from the previous month. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs declined by 23.6%. Outstanding balances As at end-August 2016, the outstanding value of RMLs was MOP177.9 billion, an increase of 0.4% from one month earlier or 5.3% from a year ago. The resident component made up 93.6% of the total. When compared with the previous month, outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents rose by 0.3% and 1.6% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs rose by 0.2% month-to-month or 13.1% year-on-year to MOP170.0 billion. Residents accounted for 89.0% of the loans. Compared with a month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents increased by 2.1% whereas those to non-residents dropped by 12.4%. Delinquency ratios At the end of August 2016, the delinquency ratio for RMLs was 0.15%, up 0.03 percentage points from a month ago or 0.06 percentage points from a year earlier. The ratio for CRELs was 0.11%, up 0.07 percentage points from a month ago or 0.06 percentage points from end-August 2015.
…

In order to create more channels for selling local cultural and creative products and promote local creativity, every year the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) selects entities from the Database for Macao Cultural and Creative Industries (Database) to present and sell their own creative products on consignment in the Mandarin’s House Cultural Relics Information Centre and Gift Shop. The application for 2017 consignment programme is now open until 11th November 2016. All interested cultural and creative entities are welcome to apply for inclusion in the Database to join the selection of 2017 consignment programme. Those already on the list of the Database are qualified for selection and need not re-apply, but may submit any updates to IC before the application deadline. IC set up a Cultural Relics Information Centre and Gift Shop in the Mandarin’s House in 2011. Every year, IC selects entities from the Cultural and Creative Database to present and sell their own creative products on consignment in the Gift Shop. The Gift Shop markets souvenirs themed on the Mandarin’s House and Macao cultural heritage, IC publications and design items, as well as products of Macao’s cultural and creative brands on consignment. The shop sells products such as design items, anime and comic products, audio and visual products as well as books and other publications. The selection criteria is based on the product originality, industrial and market potential, brand image, capacity for sustainable development or R&D, and relevance to the Mandarin’s House and Macao cultural heritage. The selection will be made upon a comprehensive evaluation of all these factors. The Gift Shop aims to create an extra window and sales platform for local cultural and creative industries, thus publicising and supporting the development of cultural and creative products with Macao features. The Information Collection Form for applying for inclusion in the Database can be downloaded from the IC website (www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc) or from the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com). Interested parties can apply for inclusion by submitting the completed form in print, along with the electronic copy of the form and attachments, to the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building in Tap Siac Square or to the Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries (No. 567, Av. da Praia Grande, Edif. BNU, 12th Floor A-D, Macao). For enquiries, please contact IC through tel. no. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours or through email to info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo.
…

Further rounds of complementary cooperation between Beijing and Macao will advance ties regarding the economy and trade, youth exchanges, cultural affairs, education and regional integration. The Beijing municipal government and the SAR Government will jointly launch tomorrow (20 October), the Beijing-Macao Cooperation Partnership 2016, with the theme “cooperation, innovation, and development”. Tomorrow’s ceremony will be led by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, and the Mayor of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Mr Wang Anshun. The two sides will sign a number of agreements, including: cooperation in science and technology between the Zhongguancun National Demonstration Zone in Beijing and Macao higher education institutions; promotion of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games; participation in the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019, in Beijing; and enhancement of economic and trade strategies, youth exchanges and exchanges for civil servants. Highlights of the cooperation between Beijing and Macao will also comprise: exchange activities for young people from Beijing and Macao, regarding innovative entrepreneurship in the Historic Centre of Macao; and events in relation to the promotion of Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Macao officials accompanying the Chief Executive at Thursday’s ceremony will include: the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; and the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam.
…

The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) officially introduces Japanese and Korean versions of the “Step Out, Macao” Mobile App to offer greater convenience and encourage visitors to explore hidden gems along the eight “Step Out, Experience Macao’s Communities” walking tour routes in different districts around Macao, thus promoting community tourism and smart tourism. Originally in Chinese (traditional and simplified), English and Portuguese, the content of the Mobile App is now available in Japanese and Korean as well. Besides maps of the eight walking tour routes, the App also offers descriptions of tourism spots including the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macao, schedule of cultural performances, restaurants, bus routes, Wi-Fi locations, public sanitary facilities and other useful information along the routes. Users can also scan the QR codes on direction signs along the themed routes with their Smartphone and obtain the tourism information nearby offline. The Mobile App can be downloaded for free from App Store or Google Play. The Mobile App has previously been awarded by the 2016 PATA Gold Awards in the category of Marketing Media – Mobile Travel Application, in recognition of its exceptional achievement in media marketing. The “Step Out, Macao” Mobile App was first launched by MGTO in December 2013 together with four walking tour routes, and was later upgraded in February 2015 to introduce eight redesigned walking tour routes across different parishes in Macao, Taipa and Coloane. Through the App, MGTO encourages visitors to explore different neighborhoods, with the aim to balance visitor flows around Macao and foster community tourism development. Japan and Korea have both been major visitor source markets for Macao all along. In the first eight months this year, Macao has received 187,011 Japanese visitors and 422,379 Korean visitors, recording a year-on-year increase of 7.5% and 12.8% respectively. Through introducing different language versions and new features of the “Step Out, Macao” Mobile App, MGTO hopes to offer more convenient and enriching travel experiences for visitors during their journey in Macao, at the same time attracting more international visitors to the city. MGTO will keep optimizing and enhancing the features of the Mobile App so as to offer different functions and services for all visitors. This press release is available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/
…

The 21st Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (21st MIF) will be held from 20 to 22 October (Thursday to Saturday) at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Throughout the 20-year path of development, MIF further reinforces the function of Macao as the “commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries” and increases its international influence, this year the model of “Partner Country” and “Partner City” are being set up for the first time, and Portugal and Beijing have been specially invited to serve as the Partner Country and the Partner City respectively. Both sides are organising high-level delegation groups, seeking bilateral and multilateral co-operation opportunities through large exhibitions and displays and promoting activities, and further enhancing Macao's development of moderate economic diversification. Based on the previous experiences while summarising the examples of lessons learnt in the global and neighbouring regions, the duration of this year’s MIF will be reduced to three days. The theme of MIF this year is again “Co-operation – Key to Business Opportunities”, the exhibition space is more than 30,000 square metres, setting up over 1,600 exhibition booths and several different exhibition areas. The Fair has attracted the participation of delegations from over 50 countries and regions. Partner Country - Portugal and Partner City - Beijing, diversifying the exhibition and allowing business opportunities to flourish The “Partner Country - Portugal Pavilion” and the “Partner City - Beijing Pavilion”, which have been set up for the first time in this year’s MIF, cover over 800 square metres in total. The Portugal Pavilion is themed as “Surprising Portugal” and presents the country’s economic and trade investment environment, infrastructure and future development direction. The Beijing Pavilion is divided into several exhibition areas, including Service and Trade Exhibition Area, Traditional Chinese Medicine Exhibition Area, Beijing International Horticultural Exposition 2019 Exhibition Area, Beijing Olympic Winter Games in 2022 Exhibition Area, Pinggu District Exhibition Area., which are all providing investment and co-operation opportunities for participants. Besides presentations with pictures and displays, numerous innovative interactive experiences are also waiting for visitors, including an interactive experience with robots; health counselling by Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners and advice on a healthy diet using Traditional Chinese Medicine: live demonstrations of Chinese Ba Duan Jin and other healthy exercises; the Olympic Winter Games division will build an ice rink for a small ice sports demonstration, and visitors are welcome to experience the joy of ice skating too; furthermore, there are new agricultural products for visitors to taste on site. Aiming to further expand the influence of Beijing as the “Partner City”, the “Beijing Time-honoured Brands Pavilion” exhibition area will also be set up. Besides showcasing a number of intangible cultural heritage contents, there are also various traditional Beijing delicacies on display which will also be for sale.. During MIF, visitors will be able to submerge themselves in the Beijing glamour with their eyes and taste buds. “Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition” with fashion show for the first time In addition, with the aim of further extending the function of the “Partner Country” and the “Partner City” in MIF through diversified approaches and complying with the advantage of Macao as the “commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries”, this year the “Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition” will be held concurrently with an exhibition area of over 1,800 square metres, attracting more than 140 exhibitors to take part. Besides, for the first time a Portuguese-speaking Countries Fashion Show activity would be included in the exhibition, and will be held every afternoon during the three-day Fair. The fashion show has invited many local and Portuguese-speaking Countries’ fashion brand enterprises, including Macao fashion designing brand “Lines Lab”, the Macao local brand “Macarica”, whose operation is specially targeting exports to Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Nadir Tati from Angola, the Domingos Totora from Brazil, plus the Aforest Design, Burel Factory and Qwiu from Portugal, which all are providing a visual way to appreciate the glamourous fashions from Portuguese-speaking Countries. In addition, this year’s MIF also sets up for the first time the “Commercial and Trade Service Area for SMEs between China and PSCs”, which will provide information relating to the products, services, investment projects and business legislation of the “Economic & Trade Co-operation and Human Resources Portal Between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” for those who are intending to expand the markets in Portuguese-speaking countries. More than 40 forums, promotion meetings and seminars are being held concurrently during or prior to MIF, including the “2nd Young Entrepreneurs Forum of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” which will be held on 19 October; the “Portugal-Beijing-Macao Trade and Investment Seminar”, “Opening Ceremony of The 6th Jiangsu – Macau • Portuguese-Speaking Countries Business Forum and the Introduction Meeting of the City of Changzhou”, “Fujian, Macao and Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic Exchange Networking Session”, the “13th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs”., which are all going to be held from 20 to 22 October. Online business matching services, devoted to enhancing efficiency MIF is devoted to providing participated enterprises and exhibitors with professional services on business matching and negotiations. The online “Business Matching Service” platform is established this year with self-service matching function (http://bm.ipim.gov.mo/); with the help of this platform, participating entrepreneurs can find business opportunities for development, transition and entrepreneurship by combining it with their exhibition booth and delegations. MIF will be open to professional visitors from 20 October, and be open to public on 21 and 22 October. A free shuttle bus service is provided for visitors to go to several places in the North District, Central District and Taipa. The service aims to encourage green transportation and promote community economy. For any enquiries, please contact MIF Administrative Centre on ＋853-2882 8711 or via email: info@mif.com.mo . For the most up-to-date information please add the official Wechat account: MIFMacau or visit the official website: www.mif.com.mo.
…

In order to provide diversified training opportunities for industry professionals and enhance management quality of the local service industry, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration co-orgainsed an Executive Development Programme on “Strategic Thinking” on 17 and 18 October. This course focuses on how managers can guide their organisations in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of strategies. The goal is to develop a mastery of the analytical tools to perform analyses of the industry and competitors. The programme attracted 21 participants, including senior executives of local hotels and mega resorts. IFT had the honour of inviting Dr. Michael Oshins from Executive Education faulty of Cornell University to deliver the lecture. Dr. Oshins’ expertise spans across marketing, service quality and human resource management. He is also active in industry consulting practices, speaking engagements and board involvement. Through the programme, participants can improve their skills in thinking strategically about the formulation and implementation of strategies to create value and competitive advantage. IFT is always striving to enhance its teaching and research so as to contribute to the industry and the society. By organising seminars and workshops, IFT constantly shares with the industry the most updated information and research findings about the future development of Macao’s tourism industry and ways to enhance it. 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 97 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).
…

Consumer Council conducted its second ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 18 October 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. With reference to the local seven 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.
…

The Government will hold an exhibition of photographs to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr Sun Yat Sen. The exhibition features a total of 270 historic and valuable photographs and a number of artefacts associated with him. The exhibition will be held from 22 October to 13 November at Macau Forum, a venue on the city’s peninsula. It is part of the Government’s efforts to foster among members of the public a better understanding of Dr Sun Yat Sen, including: his contributions to national independence; to social advancement; to people’s wellbeing; and his relationship with Macao. The exhibition is being hosted by the Government, and is organised by the Chief Executive’s Office and the Government Information Bureau, with cooperation from the Museum of the Former Residence of Dr Sun Yat Sen, in Zhongshang Prefecture, Guangdong Province. The exhibition’s opening ceremony, on 21 October, will be led by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. The exhibition is divided in two parts. The first aims to explain Dr Sun Yat Sen’s life story, making reference to major historical events and social reform at that time; thereby outlining his visions and goals for the revitalisation of China. The photographs in the first part will give details on how Dr Sun Yat Sen united overseas Chinese in order to contribute to the salvation of China. The second part of the exhibition aims to show Dr Sun Yat Sen’s close relationship with Macao; a place where he worked as a medical doctor, providing the sort of help that was much needed at that time. For Dr Sun Yat Sen, Macao was a doorway to the rest of the world – a base for him to promote his revolutionary ideologies – as well as a place he lived with his family. The exhibition to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr Sun Yat Sen opens to the public on 22 October, and can be viewed between 10am to 7pm. Admission is free, and guided tours are available during those hours.
…