News

Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at General Post Office and Communications Museum, from 9:00 to 17:30 on 1^stMarch 2017 to provide the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “11^th Anniversary of Communications Museum”.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that value of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased by 1.1% year-on-year to MOP 15.89 billion, driven by a rebound in visitor spending coupled with the festive seasons such as Christmas, representing the first year-on-year growth since the second quarter of 2014. Value of retail sales for the fourth quarter rose by 16.2% compared with the revised figure of MOP 13.67 billion in the third quarter. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery accounted for 21.0% of the total, followed by sales of Goods in Department Stores (15.1%), Adults' Clothing (13.2%), Leather Goods (11.5%) and Goods in Supermarkets (6.5%).With regard to the year-on-year change in value of retail sales, Leather Goods (+18.1%) and Automotive Fuels (+13.4%) recorded significant growth in the fourth quarter, while Motor Vehicles (-43.6%), Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories (-25.6%) and Goods in Pharmacies (-17.4%) showed marked decrease. Notable quarter-to-quarter increase was observed in the retail sales of Adults' Clothing (+31.0%), Motor Vehicles (+28.5%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+21.6%), Communication Equipment (+18.3%), Leather Goods (+18.1%) and Goods in Department Stores (+17.1%).After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 rose slightly by 0.1% year-on-year, of which sales of Leather Goods (+27.4%), Automotive Fuels (+11.6%), Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles (+8.5%) and Footwear (+8.2%) registered significant increase. On the other hand, sales of Motor Vehicles (-46.6%) and Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories (-28.7%) showed marked decrease. Volume of retail sales for the fourth quarter rose by 15.1% quarter-to-quarter, with notable growth in the sales of Motor Vehicles (+28.2%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+26.5%), Adults' Clothing (+24.8%), Communication Equipment (+19.0%), Leather Goods (+15.9%) and Goods in Department Stores (+12.6%).Total value of retail sales for the whole year of 2016 amounted to MOP 57.51 billion, down by 6.6% year-on-year. Value of retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (MOP 11.76 billion), Goods in Department Store (MOP 8.60 billion) and Adults' Clothing (MOP 7.25 billion) accounted for 20.5%, 15.0% and 12.6% respectively of the total. Affected by the vehicle tax hike at the end of 2015 and the economic adjustment of Macao, notable decrease was observed in the sales of Motor Vehicles (-45.7%) and Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories (-35.2%). Moreover, sales of Communication Equipment (-19.0%) and Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-14.0%) also went down. On the other hand, sales of Leather Goods (+6.1%), Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles (+5.0%) and Adults' Clothing (+4.1%) registered increase. Volume of retail sales for the whole year of 2016 dropped by 5.5% year-on-year, with marked decrease in the sales of Motor Vehicles (-48.7%), Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories (-38.3%) and Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-14.1%); meanwhile, sales of Leather Goods (+18.4%) showed marked increase.In respect of retailers’ comments, 49.8% of the retailers anticipated that sales volume in the first quarter of 2017 will remain stable compared with the same quarter of 2016, 46.2% forecasted a decrease and 4.0% expected an increase. Meanwhile, 74.5% of the retailers anticipated stable retail prices in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same quarter of 2016, 17.2% expected a decrease, and 8.3% predicted an increase. Moreover, 48.9% of the retailers anticipated the business will worsen in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, 44.3% expected the business to remain stable, and 6.8% expected an improvement.
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A cooperation protocol signed between the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Macao Scientific and Cultural Centre of the Ministry of Education and Science of Portugal in 2015 marked the establishment of a significant platform for Luso-Chinese cultural exchange. In order to achieve resources sharing, “Where the World Heritage Shines – Photography Exhibition of the Historic Centre of Macao”, jointly organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre in Portugal, will be inaugurated on 8 March 2017, at 6pm, at the Macao Scientific and Cultural Centre in Lisbon. The exhibition features 100 photographs of the world heritage listed Historic Centre of Macao taken by local photographer Chan Hin Io, revealing the beauty and vitality of Macao’s cultural heritage and showing the charm of this small city through various angles.Chan Hin Io is a senior photographer nationwide and a recognised photographer in Macao. In recent years, he has been devoted to capturing Macao’s customs as well as the city’s landscapes, collecting several photography awards. Among his published works are The Neighbourhood of Macao – Documentary Photographs by Chan Hin Io, Memories of the Old Crafts and Trades in Macao, Life in Macao 2012 – Photographs by Chan Hin Io, and the album Where the World Heritage Shines – Photographs of the Historic Centre of Macao.The photography works in this exhibition offer new perspectives of the city’s World Heritage sites, including photographs taken from high altitude and long distance, taken through different angles and shooting times, which allow the public to get to know the Historic Centre of Macao through the eyes of Chan Hio Io and the changes it went through.“Where the World Heritage Shines – Photography Exhibition of the Historic Centre of Macao” was held in Macao and Zhongshan, China, last year. It will be held at the Macao Scientific and Cultural Centre in Lisbon from 8 March to 31 May 2017 and will be held at the Vila Flor Palace in Guimarães from 23 June to 15 August 2017. The exhibition is a manifestation of the friendly cooperation and resources sharing between cultural institutions in Portugal and Macao and an example of the growing Luso-Chinese cultural exchange.
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The University of Macau (UM) today (24 February) held an inauguration ceremony for its Centre for Chinese History and Culture. The centre aims to promote research in Chinese history and culture, increase the dissemination and influence of Chinese history and culture in Portuguese-speaking countries, and enhance Macao residents’ understanding of Chinese history and culture. Chan Hoi Fan, acting chief executive of the Macao SAR, says that the establishment of the centre will enable UM to consolidate its resources and maximise its strengths in order to make strong contributions to the study of Chinese history and culture and its promotion.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said participation in the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative would complement Guangdong-Macao ties, and in particular advance the two places’ development goals.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said participation in the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative would complement Guangdong-Macao ties, and in particular advance the two places’ development goals.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ inFebruary on 24 February for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 13 supermarkets in Sé 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.
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The Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries and the Division for Planning and Developing Cultural and Creative Industries, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), will be relocated to the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, located at Tap Siac Square, Macao, on Monday, 27 February 2017.New contact information will be as follows:Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative IndustriesAddress: Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, Tap Siac Square, MacaoTel.: (853) 2836 6866Website: www.icm.gov.moE-mail: info.dpicc@icm.gov.moDue to the relocation, the applications for the “2016 Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Animation Short Films” and the Macao Database for Cultural and Creative Industries, of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, must be henceforth submitted at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building located at Tap Siac Square, in Macao.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that owing to rising exports of services, GDP for the fourth quarter of 2016 expanded by 7.0% year-on-year in real terms, higher than the 4.4% growth in the previous quarter. Total exports of services increased by 8.2% year-on-year, underpinned by the continued expansion in tourism and gaming services, with exports of gaming services and exports of other tourism services rising by 8.1% and 8.4% respectively; meanwhile, exports of goods weakened, declining further by 21.2%. Domestic demand slipped slightly, as private consumption expenditure dropped by 0.5%, government final consumption expenditure remained stable, and gross fixed capital formation rose marginally by 0.2%; imports of goods declined by 8.0% while imports of services went up by 1.6%. Moreover, the implicit deflator of GDP that measures changes in prices increased by 1.0% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2016. Economic growth for the second and third quarters was revised upwards to -6.8% and 4.4% respectively.For the whole year of 2016, the economy of Macao shrank by 2.1% year-on-year in real terms, an apparent improvement from the 21.5% drop in 2015. The economy contracted by 9.7% in the first half of the year, followed by a rebound of 5.7% in the second half.The economic contraction in 2016 was mainly due to the weakening of total demand. Domestic demand slackened, diminishing by 5.8% year-on-year; private consumption expenditure and gross fixed capital formation reduced by 1.3% and 13.3% respectively whereas government final consumption expenditure rose by 1.7%. External demand recovered significantly in the second half of the year; total exports of services declined at a slower rate of 2.5% amid continued growth in visitor arrivals and spending; exports of gaming services and exports of other tourism services shrank by 4.4% and 1.0% respectively whereas exports of goods dropped by 21.8%.In 2016, GDP amounted to MOP358.2 billion and per-capita GDP was MOP 554,619 (about USD 69,372). The implicit deflator of GDP increased by 0.9% year-on-year.Principal Indicators of GDP* Attachment
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The 13^thChina Expo Forum for International Co-operation (CEFCO 2017) was successfully concluded on 1 January 2017. The 3-day event attracted over eight hundred professionals from the convention and exhibition industry from 25 countries and regions. CEFCO promoted the exchange and co-operation between enterprises in Mainland China and overseas with their Macao counterparts, provided opportunities for the local enterprises to attract business from abroad and further promoted the development strategy of “Priority to Convention” for Macao´s convention and exhibition industry.Michael McCarty, Executive Director of Sales at Venetian Macau Limited, venue supplier for CEFCO 2017, said that members of his team felt very excited to be able to showcase their convention and exhibition meeting spaces to the trade fair organisers and congress organisers and also felt honoured for having the opportunity of serving them. Mr. McCarty believes that the greatest significance of the event was that it enabled participants to personally feel the special characteristics of Macao´s conventions and exhibitions. In addition, he stressed that both he and the members of his team have established friendly relations with potential clients and have even received confirmation that a number of customers will be holding meetings and exhibitions in Macao in 2018 and 2019.Elisa Ng, Chief Executive Officer of Top Holidays – P&E International Travel Co. Ltd., the company responsible for the reception and travel services of CEFCO 2017, said that her company attached great attention to this event, given that all the participants were “Big Brothers” of the MICE industry and disclosed that, after the event, her company received recognitions from the “masters”, which represents the greatest affirmation of the efforts of her dedicated team. She added that both the theme and the activities of the event had special characteristics and were rich in content. In particular, she noted that the convention and exhibition operators shared the latest information and explored market trends with each other, learnt from each other, with the focus on exploring business opportunities.Innovating information technology services to inject new dynamism to the convention and exhibition industryAs a showcase event of the convention and exhibition industry, CEFCO continuously pays attention to the latest developments in the said industry, while creating brainstorming opportunities for professionals in the MICE-related sectors. This will benefit Macao, as it creates a new environment for the local conventions and exhibitions. CEFCO also introduced and showed the VR (virtual reality) technology and cloud photography services, to enable the convention and exhibition industry to gradually enter into the artificial intelligence era, and also bringing a new impetus to the local convention and exhibition industry.Keyvin Bi, Managing Director of China-Macao Resources Advertising & Exhibition Co. Ltd. explained that cloud photography service allows a few minutes after a photo has been taken, for it to be accessible online. He said that this technology will be beneficial to increase the level of participation and interaction among the participants. At the same time, it could enhance both CEFCO and Macao´s image in the area of information technology. During CEFCO, the cloud photography service was much applauded by the participants, and above all, generated more co-operation opportunities for his company.Local operators of the MICE industry agree that CEFCO´s presence in Macao has produced positive resultsA “Macao MICE Business Zone” was set up at CEFCO, which attracted participants from Mainland China and Macao, who visited the zone for information enquiries and exchange. Through this zone, some companies were able to contact over a hundred entrepreneurs in the areas of site management, event organisation and material supplies, with positive results. Sidney Mok, Chief Operating Officer of Brothers Multimedia Lda. said that, besides conventions and exhibitions organisers, hotels and local suppliers also promoted their products and services at the CEFCO venue, thus deepening the exchange between local enterprises and contributed to the co-operation of the said enterprises through the “B2B” business model.Synthia Chan, Director of Sales at Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre said that CEFCO´s presence in Macao has provided a totally new experience for the international operators of the convention and exhibition industry, who have never set foot in Macao or have never thought about organising events here. Thanks to the support of the Macao SAR Government, in facilitating visa procedures, along with perfect convention and exhibition support facilities plus strong the Chinese and Western cultural heritage, were all factors that contributed to show the fascination of Macao to the world. Nelson Liao, Manager of Conference and Exhibition Department of Nam Kwong International Conference & Exhibition Co. Ltd. said that CEFCO is an excellent platform where local companies have the opportunity to co-operate with enterprises in Mainland China and around the world and that local companies might also be invited to participate in exhibition activities, both in Mainland China and other countries and regions, with unlimited business opportunities.
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