News

As Macao’s most important and popular annual international economic and trade event, the “21st Macao International Trade and Investment Fair” will be held from 20 to 22 October 2016, at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. This year’s MIF will not only establish, for the first time, a co-operation project with a “partner country” and “partner city”, but will also feature differently themed on-site exhibitions as well as free business matching and negotiating sessions, aiming to assist enterprises creating business opportunities within the diversified industry. As the first Macao local exhibition to be awarded with UFI certification by The Global Association of Exhibition Industry, MIF has become, throughout its 20 years’ development, a crucial international economic and trade event within the exhibition industry. Last year, during the four-day fair, more than 500 business negotiation sessions were conducted at the Business Matching Area, and 50 co-operation projects were signed in the Protocol Signing Centre. Summarising its experiences over the last 20 years, MIF has evolved and with the times. Besides changing the exhibition schedule from four to three days, it continues to use the theme of “Co-operation–Key to Business Opportunities” keeping in line with recent international economic development situations, further enriching the exhibition contents and improving the level of service which will create much more business opportunities for local companies and enterprises around the world. In order to respond to Macao’s moderate economic diversification and highlight Macao’s function as a business and trade co-operation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs) , this year’s MIF has included the “partner country” and “partner city” project for the first time, and has invited Portugal and Beijing to participate, which they have accepted . This year's event covers around 30,000 square metres, which is roughly the same as last year. A variety of themed exhibition areas will be set up, including “Partner Country, Partner City Themed Pavilion”, “E-Commerce Pavilion”, “Finance Pavilion”, “Chinese Medicine Health Industry Pavilion”, “Shenzhen International Cultural Industry Fair”, and “Macao Creative Pavilion”. The “Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition” will be run concurrently with the 21st MIF. The fair is expected to attract the participation of delegations from various countries and regions. At the same time, during the exhibition period, a series of business matching and negotiation sessions will be provided free of charge, which will be mainly conducted through the online business matching service platform. This will create business opportunities for enterprises that are developing, transitioning and forming in combination with exhibitions, themed sessions and delegations. For any further information, please contact MIF Co-ordinators Administrative and Service Centre on +853-2882 8711 or via email at marketing@mif.com.mo. For the most up-to-date information please add the official Wechat account of MIF: MIFMacau or visit MIF official website: www.mif.com.mo.
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Macao Post will release a set of 6 postcards “Cultural Heritage of Macao – Another Sight”, marking the 25th Anniversary of Association of Parents of Mentally Handicapped Macao. It aims to achieve a greater social recognition of creativity of authors with mental disabilities, through their paintings on the World Heritage of Macao. The postcards will be available for sale on 6th October 2016, priced at MOP42.00 per set. It will be available for sale at the Macao Post Headquarters and all post offices.
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The Macao Museum of Art (MAM, from the Portuguese acronym), under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, has launched the “Macao Arts Window” since 2012, which aims to encourage creativity and develop contemporary art in Macao. The theme of this edition of the “Macao Arts Window” is the exhibition “Dwelling on objects – Fragments drawn by Yuen-yi Lo”, the vernissage will be held this Thursday, 6 October, at 6:30pm, on the third floor of MAM. The artist Yuen-yi Lo will give a finishing touch to her works by varnishing them. Admission is free and all are welcome. The “Macao Arts Window” aims to provide an open and diverse exhibition space and exchange platform, and encourage local artists to explore and express concepts and forms of contemporary art. Local artist Yuen-yi Lo trained in the fields of Communication Design and Fine Arts in Hong Kong, Italy and Britain. She has held solo shows and has participated in joint exhibitions in Britain, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. She is currently dedicated to artistic creations, writing and teaching. Her works are mostly pencil drawings and visual anthropology and are centered on scripts and graphics and old objects; while her writings explores themes such as art and culture, feminism and oral history. Yuen-yi Lo contributed writings about art and life in Hong Kong’s “Mingpao” newspaper; 76 pieces of them were compiled and published in the book “Drawing the Writing”. Her other publications include “Love Messages across the Centuries: 21 Letters to Parisian Artists”, “A Room” and “A Journal of Nüshu, Women’s Script”, among others. Yuen-yi Lo considers that pencil drawing has been something “peripheral” in traditional Western art, but this is the core of her artwork to explore its role and meaning in contemporary art. By drawing ordinary old objects, she retains traces of faded life experiences and memories. In the words of French philosopher Jacques Derrida, perception is recollection, and people choose to draw in order to record what is gone or what will be gone. The author invites the audience to tour around and watch the stories flowing in this series of artworks, so as to observe and feel the images, sounds, smells and textures of objects displayed. The exhibition “Dwelling on objects – Fragments drawn by Yuen-yi Lo” is held until 20 November. The MAM, located at Avenida Xian Xing Hai, is open daily from 10am to 7pm (no admittance after 6:30pm, closed on Mondays). Admission fee is MOP5 and is free on Sundays and public holidays.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Total Receipts (comprising Value of Construction Work Done and Other Receipts) of the Construction Sector increased by 17.8% year-on-year to MOP93.35 billion in 2015, underpinned by the ongoing construction of large-scale hotels and entertainment facilities, of which Value of Construction Work Done rose by 18.0% to MOP92.23 billion. Intermediate Consumption (MOP69.83 billion) and Labour Cost (MOP14.52 billion) went up by 14.4% and 28.0% respectively. Gross Surplus, which equals Total Receipts less Intermediate Consumption and Labour Cost, increased by 31.1% year-on-year to MOP9.00 billion. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy totalled MOP23.52 billion, up by 29.2%. A total of 2,750 establishments were operating in the Construction Sector in 2015, an increase of 117 year-on-year; number of persons engaged rose by 5,593 to 50,961. There were 1,236 establishments engaging in construction projects with permits and 1,514 undertaking simple renovation projects. For establishments engaging in construction projects with permits, Total Receipts (MOP90.49 billion), Value of Construction Work Done (MOP89.39 billion) and Intermediate Consumption (MOP68.04 billion) increased by 19.0%, 19.2% and 15.0% respectively year-on-year, spurred by the construction of hotels and entertainment facilities of gaming enterprises in Cotai. Gross Surplus (MOP8.70 billion) rose by 32.5% year-on-year, Gross Value Added (MOP22.45 billion) grew by 32.9%, and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (MOP336 million) went up by 26.8%. A total of 1,377 construction projects with permits were carried out in 2015, an increase of 108 year-on-year; number of private construction projects (906) rose by 133 and that of public works (471) dropped by 25. Value of Construction Work Done by the private sector increased by 18.4% year-on-year to MOP79.21 billion, of which value of construction of hotels and entertainment facilities (MOP60.70 billion) rose by 13.8%, and that of private residential buildings (MOP15.73 billion) grew by 47.6% following a decline in 2014. On the other hand, Value of Construction Work Done by the public sector increased by 25.4% year-on-year to MOP10.19 billion, driven by a 63.2% growth in value of construction of Light Rapid Transit (LRT) & Roads (MOP2.53 billion) owing to the speeding up of construction works for the LRT Taipa and Cotai sections; meanwhile, value of construction of public housing decreased by 5.0% to MOP2.17 billion. Analysed by location, a total of 1,027 construction projects were carried out in the Macao Peninsula, and Value of Construction Work Done increased by 28.8% year-on-year to MOP14.30 billion. The growth was mainly due to a 118.5% surge in value of construction in the Parish of N.a Sr.a de Fátima (MOP7.83 billion), including private residential construction in Areia Preta, as well as public housing and school construction in Fai Chi Kei & Ilha Verde. Meanwhile, 85 projects were carried out in Cotai, with Value of Construction Work Done rising by 10.2% year-on-year to MOP55.02 billion. Moreover, 109 projects were in Coloane, consisting mainly of hotel and private residential projects, and Value of Construction Work Done rose by 64.6% year-on-year to MOP12.16 billion. As regards establishments undertaking simple renovation projects, Total Receipts (MOP2.86 billon), Value of Construction Work Done (MOP2.84 billion), Intermediate Consumption (MOP1.79 billion) and Gross Value Added (MOP1.06 billion) decreased by 10.6%, 9.9%, 4.9% and 18.7% respectively year-on-year; meanwhile, Gross Surplus rose slightly by 0.3% to MOP294 million.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau will perform regular monitoring to the facade of Ruins of St. Paul’s by using a three-dimensional scanner to conduct a comprehensive scan of the surface of the facade and make data records for safety measures and research purposes. The monitoring works will be carried out in three periods of time, on 7th, 14th and 21st October respectively, from 11pm to 6am on the following day. The stone platform in the front part of the Ruins of St. Paul’s will be partially closed. For enquiries, please call IC through tel. no. 8399 6699, during office hours.
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The Government is preparing warmly to welcome member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, who will inspect Macao from 10 to 12 October. During his three-day visit, Premier Li will on 11 October attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao); a body also known as Forum Macao. The visit of Premier Li shows the Central Government’s great support and significant encouragement for the Government to push forward economic development in Macao. The 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao will be held in Macao from 11 to 12 October inclusive. The theme will be: Working Toward Stronger Sino-Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Trade and Economic Relations – Combining Efforts, Jointly Building a Platform, Sharing Fruits of Development. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr José Ulisses Correia e Silva; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Mr Baciro Djá; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Carlos Agostinho do Rosário; the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic, Mr António Costa; the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Angola, Mr Abrahão Gourgel; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Services of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mr Marcos Pereira; and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Mr Estanislau Aleixo da Silva, will lead their respective government delegations to join events of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao. The opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao will be held in the morning on 11 October, and will be officiated by the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Gao Hucheng. The Meeting of the 5th Ministerial Conference will be held in the afternoon on 11 October. It will focus on the development vision and direction for cooperation among the participants, in relation to the period 2017 to 2019. Delegates representing the participating countries will sign several memorandums of cooperation. Meetings between entrepreneurs from China and those from Portuguese-speaking countries will be held in the morning on 12 October. The Government hopes the holding of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao will be a further step in reinforcing and strengthening Macao’s bridging functions as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (known as the “Platform” policy). Since its founding in Macao in October 2003, the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) has recorded satisfying achievements; in particular advancing Macao’s roles in connecting and boosting cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. On top of the solid foundation laid over those 13 years, the Government would further the effort to promote Macao’s Platform policy and respectively: the city’s strategic position as a business and trade service centre for small- and medium-sized enterprises in Portuguese-speaking countries; Macao’s role as a goods distribution centre; and the city’s role as a convention and exhibition centre for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portugal. These roles are known collectively as the “Three Centres”.
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The aeronautical authorities of Macao SAR and the Republic of Turkey held air talks on 01 October 2016 in Montreal and initialed the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA). The signed Agreement belongs to one of the most liberal standards as set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and will help to create a liberal environment for the development of the air transport market between the two places. Taking the opportunity during the attendance at the 39th ICAO Assembly at Montreal as part of the China Delegation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) met the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of Turkey to hold the bilateral ASA talks there. The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Considering that any designated airlines of both parties will be able to enjoy the liberal conditions once they are interested to operate the route between the two places in the future, the two delegations adopted an open manner in their discussions and agreed that no limitations should be imposed. At the meeting which was held on 01 October 2016 (Montreal local time), the parties eventually confirmed and initialed the Agreement text. According to the Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding, the two parties can enjoy multiple designation of airlines; the designated airlines can enjoy no restrictions on capacity in their operation of scheduled passenger and all-cargo flights; they can also enjoy fifth freedom traffic rights and no limitation on the number of points to be served. The President of AACM, Mr. Chan Weng Hong and the DGCA of Turkey, Mr. Bilal Eksi, initialed the Agreement on behalf of their governments. The Minister of Transport Maritime Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Ahmet Arslan, presided at the signing ceremony as witness. Macao has concluded ASAs with 49 foreign countries; in other words, the framework which is necessary for the operation of scheduled services has already been established through the conclusion of these agreements. AACM emphasizes that these foreign countries are the main air transport markets in the world; most of these agreements belong to the liberal criteria. In the future, the SAR Government will continue to adopt flexible and facilitation measures to encourage both local and foreign airlines to operate services to and from Macao. In recent years, the number of visitors to Macao has been increasing; the passenger volume of Macau International Airport has also been reporting continuous growth; the air network has also been extending. Presently, a total of 30 local and foreign airlines operate in our airport, flying to a total of 45 destinations.
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The 28th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest concluded in splendour. Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan won the championship, followed by the fireworks teams from Romania and Canada as the first and second runners-up. The prize-giving ceremony was held at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Deputy Directors Cecilia Tse and Cheng Wai Tong attended the ceremony together with other guests and presented the awards to the winners. Giving a speech on behalf of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam, Director Senna Fernandes remarked that over the years, MGTO has dedicated incredible efforts to organize this annual spectacular and keep surprising the audience with new elements in the Contest. Every year, the Office seeks a new range of outstanding fireworks companies from worldwide to bring into the limelight so as to raise the standard of performance. She added that the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture strenuously promotes cooperation among its sub-departments and strengthens its collaboration with the private sector to combine various elements of culture, sports and tourism, in order to bring out greater synergistic effects and enrich the diversity offered by Macao’s tourism and leisure industry. Besides, MGTO also joins hands with local organizations and businesses to hold relevant activities concurrently during the Contest each year, promising more colorful and diverse festive experiences for residents and visitors. Various famous fireworks companies came from worldwide to join the past editions of the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. This year, the ten teams came from different countries as follows (in order of appearance in the Contest): Thailand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Korea, Italy, Canada, Romania and China. The Contest marked its first time to feature a Romanian team this year. The pyrotechnic company from Canada also made its debut in Macao. In this year’s Contest, the fireworks displays were designed to bring out a special theme each scheduled evening. The theme for tonight (1 October) is “Celebration in the Sky”, with splendid fireworks presented by the teams from Romania and China in celebration of the 67th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. Their fireworks displays added a festive vibe in town on the National Day. Visitors came from different parts of the world to enjoy the final evening of the Contest, joining locals’ celebration for this grand occasion. Different vantage points on Macao Peninsula and Taipa were bustled with spectators. Besides the Fireworks Carnival, the Macau Lantern Festival, held at the waterfront promenade of One Central Macau, and “Anim’Arte Nam Van”, the new landmark for leisure, culture and creativity, were both great places to enjoy the fireworks this year and enlivened with a festive ambience. Since the inaugural edition unveiled by MGTO in 1989, the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest has developed into one of Macao’s signature mega events and drawn a vast number of spectators from around the world to Macao every year. In addition, an array of side activities including the Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest are held during the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest to encourage participation among local residents. The Fireworks Carnival, filled with diverse elements, is also staged every fireworks evening of the Contest each year. The Office also partnered with a local business to roll out the first Macau Lantern Festival, showcasing over 40 artistic lanterns until 10 October. In the future, MGTO will keep making a great effort to present more fascinating events and festivals filled with innovative elements, and magnify the scale and effect of mega events through cooperation with different government departments, entities and local organizations, in order to attract a broader diversity of market segments, encourage locals’ participation and boost the destination profile internationally, in line with the goal to build Macao into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.
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Casinos’ gross gaming revenues have been in positive territory for two consecutive months, namely in August and September, noted today the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac. In September, casino gross gaming revenue totalled 18.396 billion patacas, representing a 7.4 year-on-year growth for that month. Speaking at the National Day reception hosted by the Government, Mr Leong said the Government was confident that casino gross gaming revenue in 2016 would reach the Government’s target of 200 billion patacas. Factors favouring the likelihood of such an outcome included: the positive performance in gaming revenue in September, a month that is commonly considered an off-peak period for inbound tourism to Macao; and the seasonal peak in tourism expected in October. August’s casino gross gaming revenue totalled 18.836 billion patacas, a 1.1 percent year-on-year growth. The August increase was probably due to the peak travel period in summer; the increase in the number and type of non-gaming offerings in the city; and the launch of more entertainment projects, Mr Leong said. The Government would closely monitor the possible challenges posed to Macao by the volatile environment in international markets, added Mr Leong. In addition, the Secretary also commented on the proposed revision of the Regulation on the Conditions of Entering, Staying and Gaming in Casinos, including a restriction on casino workers entering casinos during their leisure hours. The Government was collecting opinions from local associations and businesses, in order to optimise the regulation while protecting the rights of employees. Mr Leong said the Government was currently preparing the budget for the fiscal year 2017 and collecting data from public departments. In drawing up its budget, the Government would follow closely the principle of keeping expenditure within the limits of its revenues. The Government would additionally make sure all public funds were used properly.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today prosperity and strength of the country are the driving forces of the city’s development and a strong backing for the stability of Macao.Speaking in the morning at the reception hosted by the Government to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Chui said further active integration with the country’s development would significantly enhance Macao’s strength for comprehensive growth.The Government will, as always, spare no effort in advancing economic development and livelihood betterment; and promoting democracy and social harmony, Mr Chui stated in a speech delivered during the reception with more than 1,300 guests.The Government will devote more effort to push forward Macao’s strategic development as a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies).Mr Chui said at present and in the near future, the Government will dedicate more effort on implementing the following tasks:1. Implement the instructions from the Central People’s Government to strengthen coordination and planning. The Government officially announced in early September Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan in order to sustain the implementation of the national 13th Five-Year Plan. The Five-Year Development Plan serves as a strategy for Macao to improve governance and respond to the demands of the city’s short-, medium-, and long-term development. In addition, the Government would continue the work on the long-term planning for development of the 85 square kilometres of waters surrounding Macao, in order to promote further sustainability.2. Strive to stabilise the economy and protect employment. The Government has been working out to stabilise employment, optimise human resources and maintain the current low unemployment rate. The Government would continue to promote the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industries; traditional Chinese medicine and cultural and creative industries; and would continue to boost new development concepts – such as specialised financial industry, community economy and young entrepreneurship – to expedite the sustainable development and adequate economic diversification.Mr Chui said the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries – which to be held in Macao from 11 to 12 October – was a great opportunity for Macao to reinforce its bridging roles and functions.3. Improve livelihood and promote social harmony. The Government launched optimisation on long-term mechanisms on social security, healthcare, housing and education, in order to allow Macao people to enjoy a happier life. The Government also increased many allowances and subsidies for supporting the underprivileged.4. Promote regional symbiosis and expedite integration. The Government will continue to follow the schedule of major tasks under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, and to work in line with the instructions from the State Council regarding deepening regional cooperation within the Pan-Pearl River Delta region. The Government will consolidate advantages of regional cooperation and Macao’s unique functions in order to make further contribution in the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative).In the morning, some 300 guests had attended the National Day flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Lotus Square.Guests attending the ceremony included: the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Wang Zhimin; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao SAR, Mr Ye Dabo; the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Mr Wang Wen; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; members of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Assembly; Macao’s delegates to the National People’s Congress and to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and people from across the community.Later in the day, Mr Chui also officiated at the launch ceremony and then the award presentation ceremony of a 2016 National Day event called “Macao People Celebrate the National Day - World Walking Day Fun Run”.A number of Government departments will hold events to celebrate the anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. They include: a variety show – organised by the Sports Bureau – at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, starting at 2pm; and an acrobatic performance called “The Legendary Swordsman” staged at 8pm tonight.Pyrotechnic displays for the 28th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest – by a team from Romania and a team from China – will take place on the waterfront near the Macau Tower at, respectively, 9pm and 9.40pm tonight.Macao Post will offer commemorative stamp covers for sale to mark National Day. A stamping service will be available at its headquarters building from 9am to 5.30pm today.
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