News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead a delegation on a visit to the Portuguese Republic, following an invitation by the Portuguese President, Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The trip will take place from 10 to 15 September. During the visit, the Chief Executive is also to meet Portugal’s Prime Minister, Mr António Costa. Mr Chui will additionally co-chair – with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Mr Augusto Santos Silva – the latest meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee. The latter will explore further opportunities for cooperation between the two places. The Macao-Portugal Joint Committee was established under the Framework Agreement of Cooperation between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two sides in a number of areas. The first meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee was held in Lisbon, in April 2011. Regarding the continuation of the Framework Agreement, and expansion of the longstanding cooperation between Portugal and Macao, the Chief Executive’s upcoming visit aims to focus on areas including: Portuguese language teaching; education; culture; environmental protection; and youth affairs. The Government is confident that Macao will further strengthen and expand its links with Portugal, so that Macao can further expand its role as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.
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The Government continues to coordinate follow-up work in relation to the recent accident involving a tourist bus. Such work is in order to provide all necessary practical assistance to those affected by the incident. There was a total of 11 mainland tourists still being treated in Kiang Wu Hospital as of today. Of those hospitalised, a female patient – who had undergone head surgery – remained in a coma in intensive care, and in a stable condition. Her physical responses showed improvement yesterday. The other hospitalised patients were each in a stable condition. Among the 44 mainland tourists involved in the accident, a total of 24 have left Macao. Nine tourists – aside from those being treated in hospital – remain in Macao either to accompany family members injured in the accident, or for discussions with their respective travel agent regarding insurance matters. In addition a total of nine people not on board the bus at the time of the accident – but identified as relatives of hospitalised patients – were currently staying in Macao to assist their injured family members. One of those nine relatives is due to leave Macao later tonight. The nine have been staying in hotel accommodation arranged by a travel agent. The accident occurred on Monday, 8 August, when a tourist bus carrying 44 mainland visitors crashed into a building in Rua da Entena, near Kiang Wu Hospital. As well as causing injury to passengers of the bus, the crash seriously damaged one of the building’s supporting pillars. The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau concluded that – following stablisation work on the building following the accident – most apartments and shops in the affected building are safe to use. The exceptions to that are five apartments and one shop in the part of the building supported by the pillar that was struck by the tourist bus. The affected building has six storeys, accommodating a total of 21 residential units and six shops. The Government has taken measures to reinforce the structure of the building and has been monitoring its safety. Measurements taken showed that the building structure is in a generally stable condition. The Bureau said the fabric of the building – post full repair – would be stronger than prior to the accident. A total of seven people displaced following the damage to the building are currently staying at the Centre for Victims of Disaster, after emergency arrangements were made for them by the Social Welfare Bureau. An aggregate of 18 people from a total of four families are staying in temporary accommodation managed by the Social Welfare Bureau.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said he had confidence the Government would be able to cover the city’s ‘land debt’ – i.e., the amount of land the Government owed to those developers that had given up land concession plots in order to help public-sector building projects. That ‘land debt’ would be met provided that all the city’s expired and undeveloped land concessions reverted to the Government, as was required. Such plots could then form part of the Government’s reserves of land, said Mr Chui. The Government’s policy on land resources had not changed. Any plots of land that reverted to the Government would be considered – on a priority basis – for the following uses: public housing units; facilities for the general public; and offices for Government departments, he added. Mr Chui said the Government had a total outstanding ‘land debt’ of 88,806 square metres. This 'land debt' would be paid off - by compensating in kind with new land -those developers previously required to relocate projects in order to enable development of Government initiatives. The Government had already taken steps, in line with the Land Law and the Basic Law, to ensure that ‘idle plots’ – i.e. cases where leaseholders failed to develop a land concession according to the timetable and terms attached to the concession – would revert to the authorities. The Government would announce – in a timely manner – more information about the topics of ‘idle lands’ and the ‘land debt’. It would take time to analyse all the cases involved, he said. The Chief Executive made the remarks this morning at Macau International Airport, before leaving Macao for a three-day visit to Beijing. While there, Mr Chui is scheduled to meet officials from several ministries and departments, in order to discuss Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan. The latter focuses on the city’s socio-economic development spanning the period from 2016 to 2020. The Beijing meetings are designed to gather further opinion regarding how to incorporate Macao’s development into the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan and the nation’s Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative). The talks will also consider how to coordinate and communicate such matters, with reference to the Central Government’s own administrative role. The Chief Executive and officials in Beijing would also discuss how further to intensify Guangdong-Macao cooperation, in accordance with the principles and vision stated in the Framework Agreement on Cooperation Between Guangdong and Macao. How Macao could enhance transportation links with neighbouring cities, and how the places could improve services at boundary checkpoints, would also be included in the discussions. The Chief Executive gave comment on other matters. When asked by reporters, Mr Chui stated the Government adhered to two principles in relation to the city’s planned centre for infectious disease control. First, in order to prevent and control outbreaks of disease – as per the guidelines of the World Health Organization – any region or city capable of building further facilities for that purpose should do so. Second, protecting public health was always the most important issue, namely if ever there were outbreaks of disease in a community or a threat of such outbreaks. The construction of further facilities to control infectious disease was aimed not only at providing better health services, but also was aimed at securing further the health of Macao’s population and the health of the city’s medical personnel. Mr Chui also commented on the newly-constructed Pac On Ferry Terminal, located in Taipa. He said trial operations had begun recently at the new facilities, and followed several adjustments to the plans for the terminal. The Government aimed to utilise the passenger capacity of the ferry terminal – along with that of Macau International Airport – in order assist the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, he stated.
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Consumer Council conducted its First ‘Supermarket price survey’ in August on 15 August for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Areia Preta, Mong Há and Avenida de Venceslau de Morais 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.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP155.2 billion (USD19.43 billion) at the end of July 2016. The reserves increased by 2.6% from the revised value of MOP151.2 billion (USD18.92 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-July 2016 represented 12 times the currency in circulation or 106.2% of Pataca M2 at end-June 2016. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca rose 0.87 points month-to-month and 1.64 points year-on-year to 106.39 in July 2016, implying that overall speaking, the pataca appreciated against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners.
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The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China co-organised the 2nd “Training for Macao Convention and Exhibition Talents”. It was successfully held in Dalian, China, from 9 to 12 August 2016. The latest session of the training event followed a similar event held in 2015, which was co-organised by the Macao Economic Services and the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce. The courses integrated theory with practice, the training programme was conducive to enhancing the professional standards of Macao people working in the city’s convention and exhibition industry. It also aimed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the convention and exhibition industry in Mainland China and that in Macao. IPIM – as the body responsible for coordinating the overall development of Macao’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry – has put an emphasis on the sustainable development of the Macao convention and exhibition industry, including the training of industry professionals. IPIM organised a delegation of 20 representatives from the Macao convention and exhibition industry that joined the training seminar in Dalian. Irene V.K. Lau, Executive Director of IPIM, headed the delegation. Kang Wen, Deputy Director General of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Ministry of Commerce and Zhou Ming Jie, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Dalian Branch Office gave welcoming speech at the training session’s opening ceremony on 10 August. At a networking dinner attended by representatives from relevant MICE-related sectors on the Mainland, Ms. Lau gave a brief presentation about the development of Macao’s MICE industry. Ms. Lau said she hoped such training sessions could help develop the professional skills of Macao people working in the MICE industry, sharpening further the industry’s competitive edge and enhance exchanges and cooperation between the convention and exhibition industry in Mainland China and that in Macao. The Training Center of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the CCPIT Dalian assisted the organisation in inviting experts and experienced professionals as instructors for the four-day training session. The training session analysed and discussed the trends and characteristics of the development of the convention and exhibition industry under the new market fundamentals. In addition, participants visited the venue and related facilities of the BIT Congress Inc. and Dalian International Conference Center.
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The Government continues to coordinate follow-up work on the case of a recent tourist bus accident, in order to provide all necessary practical assistance to those affected by the incident. A total of 11 mainland tourists were still being treated in Kiang Wu Hospital as of today, including one person admitted yesterday (11 August) with headache and hypertension. Of the 11 tourists still receiving treatment, two female patients are still in the intensive care unit: one remains in a coma after head surgery; the condition of the other patient is improving. The remaining nine patients that are still in hospital are each in a stable condition. Among the 44 mainland tourists involved in the accident, a total of 24 have left Macao. A total of nine tourists remain in Macao, either to accompany family members injured in the accident, or for discussions with their respective travel agent regarding insurance matters. Seven relatives – of accident victims still in the hospital – have come to Macao to accompany their respective family members. They are staying in a hotel arranged by a travel agent. The Health Bureau is in close contact with Kiang Wu Hospital regarding the respective condition of each of the accident victims still hospitalised. The Tourism Crisis Management Office would deal with any enquiry – regarding insurance matters – from tourists involved in the accident. The bus accident occurred on Monday (8 August) when the vehicle carrying 44 mainland tourists crashed into a building in Rua da Entena, near Kiang Wu Hospital. As well as causing injury to passengers of the bus, the crash seriously damaged one of the building’s supporting pillars. The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau concluded that – following the accident – five apartments and one shop in the affected building were temporarily not safe to enter. The Government has taken measures to reinforce structure of the building and has been monitoring the safety of the structure. Measurements taken showed that the building structure is in general a stable condition. The Bureau would draft – within 10 days – a repair plan for the affected building. The Government will hold tomorrow (13 August) a meeting with the occupants of the building to help them gain a better understanding of the current status of the building structure. A total of six people that used to live in the damaged building are currently staying at the Centre for Victims of Disaster, following emergency arrangements by the Social Welfare Bureau. These people are currently not authorised to return to their homes due to safety reasons. The Bureau had also arranged for 18 people from a total of four families to be placed in hotel accommodation as a temporary measure. These people will be transferred on Sunday (14 August) to temporary accommodation managed by the Bureau.
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The Government has authorised integrated resort Wynn Palace to operate a total of 150 new-to-market live-dealer gaming tables – all mass market – and 1,145 electronic gaming machines, said today the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac. A first batch of 100 gaming tables – out of the total 150 new-to-market tables – would be made available to the resort on time for the opening, scheduled for this year. The remaining 50 new-to-market gaming tables would become available in two separate phases: 25 tables on 1 January 2017; and the remaining 25 tables on 1 January 2018, said Mr Leong. Mr Leong stated that – when assessing applications for gaming tables – the Government would strictly follow the principle of allowing a compound annual growth rate in new-to-market tables of no more than 3 percent for a 10-year period from 1 January 2013. The Secretary added that the Government had received an application for new-to-market gaming tables for integrated resort Parisian Macao. He stated that the application was being reviewed. The Government would take into consideration the following criteria while reviewing applications for new-to-market gaming tables: whether a new project would contribute to the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure; what each resort had to offer in terms of non-gaming offerings; and the degree of each project’s integration in business terms with local small- and medium-sized enterprises.
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Given the recent situation in Thailand, the Embassy of the P.R.C in Thailand issued a travel security alert to Chinese citizens. Following is the translated version of the full text: "Since the 11th of August explosions have occurred in Thailand, resulting in casualties. The Embassy of the P.R.C urges Chinese nationals who intend to visit Thailand to closely monitor the local security situation, reinforce safety measures and avoid places with large concentration of people. In case of emergency, contact the following: Thailand Emergency Hotline: 191 Tourism Police Hotline: 1155 (Service in Chinese) Consular protection hotline of the Embassy: 085-483-3327 Consulate General in Khon Kaen: 080-936-6070 Consulate General in Chiang Mai: 081-882-3283 Consulate General in Songkha: 081-766-5560 Consular protection hotline for the Consulate General in Songkha and Phuket: 094-595-6168 Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: +86-10-12308 / +86-10-59913991. (This alert remains valid until the 26 of August 2016)" The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will keep monitoring the latest developments and alerts Macao residents who intend to travel to Thailand to follow closely the situation, critically assess the security risks and cautiously consider their travel plans. Macao residents already Thailand should strengthen security precautions to protect their personal safety. Until the present moment, GGCT has received 2 requests for information and no requests for assistance. 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, said he believed Macao’s tourism industry has great growth prospects, especially following ongoing enhancements in the city’s tourism facilities and services. The Government would step up efforts to promote a healthy development of the tourism industry, said Mr Chui. The Government’s strategies for a coordinated development of the city’s tourism industry include: an in-depth study about the development opportunities generated by Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan; the establishment of the Committee for Development of the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure; and the drafting of the Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan. Mr Chui made the remarks on Thursday (11 August) during this year’s second meeting of the Committee for Development of the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Mr Chui chairs the Committee. Macao has been positioned to be developed as a world centre of tourism and leisure. This development strategy is part of the national development blueprint as outlined in both the country’s 12th and 13th Five-Year Plan, said Mr Chui. Following the several recent rounds of public consultation, the Government would soon complete drafting Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan, which focuses on the city’s socio-economic development spanning the period from 2016 to 2020. In the coming five years, the Government’s policies would be focused on: pushing forward the steady development of Macao according to existing plans; prioritising social welfare measures and other projects related to people’s livelihood; and promoting a balanced and sustainable economic development. The Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan aims to support the development of the city into a world centre of tourism and leisure, Mr Chui said. The Master Plan would set out measures to promote the transformation of Macao into a renowned world destination, with prominent tourism events and a diverse leisure offering. Transforming Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure is an important initiative for the city and is having a positive impact on socio-economic development, added the Chief Executive. Officials attending Thursday’s meeting included: the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Government Spokesperson, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Policy Research Office, Mr Lao Pun Lap; Consultants to the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Wu Kan and Ms Lei Ngan Leng; and the Deputy Director of the Policy Research Office, Mr Ung Hoi Ian.
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