News

Consumer Council conducts a questionnaire on the application details and disclaimer of travel agents for package tours, 9 travel agents will exchange consumers with another tour or refund them in case of Force Majeure, though certain travel agents charge consumers a service fee and the highest fee amounts to 40 percent of the package tour cost. Consumers are advised to pay attention to all different fees involved. Details of the questionnaire can be found in the latest issue no.269 Consumer Report. In recent years, package tours are often canceled due to Force Majeure as sudden incidents like public health and political issues arise, Consumer Council therefore sent out questionnaires to 9 travel agents to check their application details and disclaimer, including all charges involved and ways of withdrawal from package tours. Regarding tours canceled due to Force Majeure, 3 agents will refund consumers according to their requests, or help them switch to another tour; 3 agents will only switch consumers to another tour without any refund; 1 agent will only refund consumers while another 2 agents state that both refund or switching tours depend on contract terms and arrangements of airline companies. 4 agents are found to have a service fee of up to 40 percent of the tour cost levied on consumers regardless of the solution plan, while 1 agent states in its response that the amount of service fee varies case by case. The questionnaire also reviews that travel agents will switch tour or arrange refunds for consumers if package tours are canceled due to other reasons, although most agents do not refund consumers if withdrawal from package tours are made due to consumers’ personal reasons. Notification time of different travel agents regarding unsuccessful tour varies from 1 to 7 days or 5 to 14 days. Consumer Council believes that notification time affects consumers’ holiday arrangement and therefore advises consumers to pay attention to travel agents’ terms and conditions when signing up for package tours. The mentioned questionnaire also compares promotional information of the 9 travel agents, and details can be found in the latest issue no. 269 Consumer Report. The latest Consumer Report also includes a report on the promotion of ‘Certified Shops’ by The Institute for Sustainable Development of Macau University of Science and Technology as commissioned by the Council. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) and WeChat official account. For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Considering the public’s overwhelming response to the 27th Macao Arts Festival (MAF), the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) is organising additional performances for the most sought-after shows, which will be on sale from 16 March (Wednesday). Early bird discounts on tickets is only available until 20 March (Sunday). Tickets are limited and subject to availability. In order to give the public more opportunities to enjoy the 27th MAF and to increase artistic appreciation, the following shows will offer additional performances: The Fairy Tales from the World of Chaos, by Breakthrough Association, on 7 May (Saturday) at 3pm; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) by Godot Art Association, on 14 May (Saturday) at 3pm; and the children’s puppet play Circles by Step Out, on 21 May (Saturday) and 22 May (Sunday) at 8pm. Tickets for these additional performances will be available from 10am on 16 March (Wednesday) at the Macau Ticketing Network outlets (except the Av. Horta e Costa branch, where tickets will be available from 10:30am). Tickets may also be purchased through the internet or by telephone. An early bird 30% discount is offered before 20 March, subject to certain criteria, and a 20% discount is offered from 21 March onwards. Holders of BOC Multi-Currency Credit Card or BOC card will receive a 30% discount on tickets for the designated performances, as well as a 20% discount on all other shows. A 20% discount for all shows is also available for ICBC Macau, BCM Bank, OCBC Wing Hang Bank or Tai Fung Bank MasterCard, Visa or Unionpay card holders. A 50% discount will also be offered to Macao Senior Citizen Card holders and holders of the Disability Assessment Registration Card, with purchases limited to one ticket per person per performance. For more information about the performances, ticket purchase and other discounts, please visit the MAF leaflet, which can be download at (www.icm.gov.mo/fam), follow the MAF’s page on Facebook or subscribe to IC’s WeChat account. Ticket reservation: 2855 5555. Online ticket reservation: www.macauticket.com
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This year’s Macau Grand Prix would include more input from the city’s cultural and creative industries, including the production of souvenirs designed locally. This is in order to enhance the promotion of the annual event, and better to integrate Macao’s sports, cultural and tourism sectors. The information was disclosed on Monday (14 March) by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, prior to the first plenary session of the revamped Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee. The Committee has been created in its updated form to coordinate cross-departmental efforts within the Government regarding the staging of the Macau Grand Prix, according to an Executive Order published on Monday. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture heads the Committee; the President and Vice-presidents of Macao’s Sports Bureau are the coordinator and deputy coordinators of the Committee respectively. The Committee also has representatives from a range of public bodies, including the Macao Government Tourism Office, the Health Bureau, the Unitary Police Service and the Fire Services Bureau. The updated structure of the organising body – which involves the Sports Bureau taking the lead on planning and delivering the event from this year onward – would take the Grand Prix to a new level of achievement, the Secretary said. Mr Tam also told reporters that the Government was working on the expansion of the city’s Grand Prix Museum, with the aim of completing the work in two or three years. The museum improvements are part of the Government’s effort to refresh Macao’s existing attractions and to create new ones in order to widen the appeal of the city for visitors, added Mr Tam. The 63rd Macau Grand Prix will be held from 17 November (Thursday) to 20 November (Sunday) inclusive.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP153.2 billion (USD19.13 billion) at the end of February 2016. The reserves decreased by 1.4% from the revised value of MOP155.4 billion (USD19.39 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-February 2016 represented 12 times the currency in circulation or 105.5% of Pataca M2 at end-January 2016. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca dropped 1.23 points month-to-month but rose 2.74 points year-on-year to 106.41 in February 2016, implying that overall speaking, the pataca depreciated against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners on a monthly basis but appreciated on an annual basis.
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The University of Macau’s (UM) recently published a paper in Lab on a Chip, a journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry in the United Kingdom. The paper discusses a novel method that can shorten the duration of DNA melting curve analysis to less than seven seconds. This is another breakthrough in UM’s microchips research. The paper from UM’s State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI is titled ‘Sub-7-second Genotyping of Single-nucleotide Polymorphism by High-resolution Melting Curve Analysis on a Thermal Digital Microfluidic Device’. It discusses a novel thermal digital microfluidic (T-DMF) device which enables precise thermal modulation and pipelined measurement of multiple samples. Ultrafast DNA melting curve analysis was achieved impressively in less than seven seconds, while keeping the resolution adequate for single-nucleotide discrimination on the device. The paper is co-authored by UM doctoral student Chen Tianlan, Dr Jia Yanwei, doctoral students Dong Cheng and Gao Jie, Prof Elvis Mak Pui In, and Vice Rector Prof Rui Martins. The research was funded by the Macau Science and Technology Development Fund. The thermal digital microfluidic (T-DMF) device enables ultrafast DNA melting curve analysis (MCA). Within seven seconds, the T-DMF device succeeded in differentiating a melting point difference down to 1.6 °C with a variation of 0.3 ̊C in a tiny droplet sample (1.2 μL), which is 300 times faster and 20 times less sample spending, than the standard MCA (35 minutes, 25 μL) run in a commercial qPCR machine. Such a performance makes it possible for a rapid discrimination of single nucleotide mutation, relevant to prompt clinical decision-making. Also, aided by electronic intelligent control, the T-DMF device facilitates sample handling and pipelining in an automatic serial manner. An optimised oval-shaped thermal electrode is introduced to achieve high thermal uniformity. A device-sealing technique averts sample contamination and permits uninterrupted chemical/biological reactions. Simple fabrication using a single chromium layer fulfils both the thermal and typical transport electrodes. Capable of thermally-modulating DNA samples with ultrafast MCA, this T-DMF device has the potential for a variety of life science analyses, especially for disease diagnosis and prognosis.
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Aiming to encourage the upgrade and transformation of Macao´s SMEs, to assist local entrepreneurs to seek business opportunities in chain operation and franchising, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) organised a Macao entrepreneur delegation of 46 to visit Taiwan from 10 to 12March, to participate in the 17th Taipei International Chain and Franchise Spring Exhibition (TICFFE2016). During the stay in Taiwan, IPIM promoted Macao´s brands and products on several occasions, aiming to help local enterprises to explore market opportunities in Taiwan and overseas through chain and franchising operation. Furthermore, visits to renowned chain and franchise enterprises in Taiwan were organised to enable delegation members to know more about related business processes, financial management and marketing techniques. IPIM setup Macao Pavilion with Macao Enterprises to Promote Overall Image TICFFE 2016, organised by the Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, was held from 11 to 14 March at Pavilion One of the Taipei World Centre. It aimed to provide an exchange platform for exhibitors from all parts of the world, to jointly create business opportunities for local and overseas branded products. This year’s event was participated by over 200 enterprises with more than 500 booths. In addition to Taiwan´s branded enterprises, other exhibitors included chain and franchising brands as well as related equipment manufacturers from Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. IPIM set up a “Macao Pavilion” covering 54 square metres to promote the Macao International Environment Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF) to be held at the end of March, the Macao Franchise Expo (MFE) scheduled for July as well as the 21st Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), which will take place in October this year. In addition, four Macao enterprises, engaging in fine ornaments retailing, aromatherapy, animation production and photography showcased and promoted their products and services at the Macao Pavilion. Macao Enterprises can learn from Taiwan franchise brands’ rich experiences In the evening of their arrival in Taipei, the Macao entrepreneur delegation participated in the “Macao-Taiwan Entrepreneurial Business Networking Dinner”, co-organized by IPIM and the “Taiwan Trade Development Council” (TAITRA), with Macao Cultural and Economic Office in Taiwan acting as supporting organisation. Over 50 representatives of chambers of commerce of different business sectors, franchise organizations and branded enterprises, including the President & CEO of “Taiwan External Trade Development Council”, Mr. Peter W. J. Huang, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of “The Friends of Hong Kong & Macau Association”, Mr. Chang Shih Shien and Vice Chairman of “Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan”, Mr. Hsu Ho Sen. During the networking dinner, IPIM´s President, Mr. Jackson Chang, and the Secretary-General of TAITRA, Mr. Peter W.J. Huang, delivered their respective speeches, Mr. Chang said that Macao and Taiwan has close business relations, trading of goods between the two places amount to 180 million USD, increase by 1.3% per annum. Flights to Taiwan accounted for 24% of commercial flights in Macao. In 2015, Macao received 1 million visitors from Taiwan, increase by 3.6% per annum, overnight visitors has recorded a 10% increase. In the long run, Macao can learn from the rich experiences that TICFE has accumulated through the years. IPIM´s Executive Directors, Mrs. Irene V. K. Lau promoted the “2016 Macao Franchise Expo” (MFE) and took the opportunity to invite the “Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan” to organize a delegation to participate in the said 2016MFE and 2016MIECF. Macao and Taiwan entrepreneurs conducted over 100 business matching sessions during the dinner. On-site visit to local branded chains On the following day, members of the Macao entrepreneur delegation visited several renowned Taiwan branded enterprises, including food and beverage chains “Easy Way Group” and “Sun Spark Group”. Apart from the field visits aiming to understand more about business processes and management, delegation members also met management personnel who shared their experience in business operation and answered queries raised by the delegation members. Rich reward for both Macao entrepreneur and exhibitors IPIM recruited 4 local companies to exhibit in the Macao Pavilion. “Kids Kingdom Foto Company Limited”, “Choo Choo Multi-Media Production House” and “Bella Ornaments Gift Shop”have exhibited in previous editions of TICFE and have returned this year because of the high quality buyers and matured branded chain market. “Kids Kingdom Foto Company Limited” said they are in touch with 2 companies from Taichung and Miaoli and will have a further meeting at their shops. “Choo Choo Multi-Media Production House” said they will open a design shop and factory in Taiwan to further develop in the Taiwanese market. First time exhibitor “Ngai Tin Enterprise-Chelsea” had business matching sessions with several clients and signed an agreement with one of the top 5 online sales company “Popular” and will start sales online and exporting to East Asian markets after settling all documents. Other than that, “Po Chi Lam” had business matching session with “Yuloong Group” and has agreed to conduct a project in Taichung.
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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) mark their joint presence at the 20th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) with the first Macao Pavilion set up in the event. The two offices also led a delegation of film and television industry partners from Macao to take part in FILMART. The 20th edition of FILMART is currently held in Hong Kong from 14 March until 17 March. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Chief of Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries of IC, Frankie Ho, Head of Destination Marketing Department of MGTO, Betty Fok, and Acting Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of MGTO, Jennifer Si Tou, attended the Joint Cocktail Reception for the 20th Anniversary of FILMART & the 40th Anniversary of Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) today (14 March). The reception was officiated by John Tsang Chun-wah, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Macao delegates and industry professionals of Hong Kong updated each other on the current situation and development trends of the film and television industry in Hong Kong and Macao. Macao Pavilion debuts in FILMART MGTO and IC have teamed up to run the first Macao Pavilion in FILMART, which occupies an area of 72 square meters in the event. The two offices have also invited 12 entities from the local film and television industry to introduce their business in the Pavilion, with chances to meet up with worldwide industry professionals to exchange news and explore partnership opportunities. The joint promotion is rolled out not only to raise the standard of local movie and television production, but also to steer local industry development towards the international market. Local film and television entities joining FILMART this year include Salon Multimedia Macau Limited, Macau Film Limited, Aomen TV Limited, Pride Entertainment Productions Co. Limited, Day Day Studio Company Limited, Chessman Entertainment Production Co. Limited, Pontus Maximus Productions, Moon Culture, Maisoriente Consulting Limited, Efficient Productions (Macao) Co., Limited, Cinematheque – Macau Cultural and Cinematographic Association as well as Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association. Film and television production enhances tourism development MGTO has always been a supporter to local cultural and creative industry while IC actively promotes local industry development. The two offices have partnered with each other in different projects to foster local tourism development through combination of cultural and tourism elements for a stronger synergistic effect, in line with the SAR Government’s endeavor to promote industry diversification. In recent years, film and television crews have come from Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, the United States and other places to Macao for film or TV drama shooting. Audiences around the world can appreciate the city’s glamour through their camera angles, which have given wider publicity to Macao. Their far-reaching promotional effects have drawn more visitors to Macao for a first-hand experience of the movie scenes. They have also built up Macao’s positive image and international profile. Last year, certain scenes of different Hollywood and Greater China movies were filmed in Macao. Some of the movies even unfold their storyline in the city, proving the growing attention Macao has received internationally. IC also encourages local industry development by granting subsidies for local film shooting, cultivating local talent for the growing market as well as supporting local film and television production entities to develop their business. The film and television industry creates a strong momentum for local tourism development and effectively builds up a destination’s colorful image. As great examples, widely-acclaimed Hong Kong movies and the booming film and television industry in Korea have both created a positive impact on travel and tourism in Hong Kong and Korea by driving local tourism growths and raising their destination profile. MGTO and IC will continue their partnership to support cultural industry development and promote the city via film and television production, capitalizing on the cultural industry to enhance tourism development for Macao’s long-term benefits. To further the promotion, MGTO has invited a delegation of local media to inspect FILMART and visit the Macao Pavilion tomorrow (15 March). The Office is also hosting a media reception to exchange news with industry professionals and media from Hong Kong and Macao on the current situation and future prospect of the film and television industry, as well as its impact and momentum on tourism.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in March on 14 March for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 12 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. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. 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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15 March is World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), each year, the Consumers International (CI) highlights an issue that is important to consumers around the world and set an annual theme for consumer organizations worldwide to work together to promote the issue. This year, CI announces the theme as ‘Antibiotics off the menu’, and consumer organizations from different places, including Macao Consumer Council, will join together to call on international fast food companies to stop serving meat from animals routinely given antibiotics used in human medicine. Antibiotic resistance is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that, without urgent action, human beings are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which important medicines stop working and common infections and minor injuries can once again kill. Growing antibiotic resistance is driven by over use of antibiotics. Around half of the antibiotics produced globally are used in agriculture, with much of this being used to promote faster growth and to prevent, rather than treat, disease. Despite worldwide concern about the overuse of antibiotics, their use in agriculture is due to increase by two thirds by 2030: from 63,200 tons in 2010, to 105,600 tons in 2030. To solve this global health problem, and to protect medicines for humans in the future, a Recommendations document was published by CI in March 2014, listing out measures which can be taken by countries to reduce global consumption of antibiotics in agriculture, and the fact that restaurant chains can use their massive global purchasing power to affect faster change than government action alone by simply refraining globally from using any meat that has been produced from animals administered with antibiotics for growth promotion. Macao Consumer Council is an official member of the CI, and in response to CI’s appeal, the Council has already forwarded the abovementioned information on antibiotics to the relevant government departments, including Health Bureau (SSM), Civic And Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), and Macao Government Tourist Office (DST). Further, the Council will work together with IACM’s Food Safety Centre to hold talks on topics such as veterinary drug residues and food safety law, etc. for ‘Certified Shops’ in food and beverage industry. For enquiry, please call 89889315.
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Given the recent security situation in Turkey, the Consulate-General of China in Istanbul issued a travel security alert to Chinese citizens. Following is the translated version of the full text: “On the 13th of March of 2016 at 18:45, a terrorist attack took place in the center of Ankara, capital city of Turkey when a car bomb exploded causing many injuries and fatalities. In the last six months several terrorist attacks have taken place in Turkey and the government has issued an order to strengthen national security and counter-terrorism measures. Considering that the security situation in that country has been worsening, the Consulate-General of China in Istanbul recommends Chinese citizens to cautiously consider their recent travel plans to Turkey. Chinese citizens already in that country should avoid leaving their residences and going to sensitive areas or where large gatherings of people take place. In case of emergency, they should contact immediately the police and the Chinese Embassy or Consulates for assistance. Emergency contacts: Turkish Police Services: 155; Emergency Services: 112; Embassy of China in Turkey for Consular Protection and Assistance: +90-5388215530” The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will keep monitoring the latest developments and alerts Macao residents who intend to travel to Turkey to follow closely the situation, critically assess the security risks and cautiously consider their travel plans. Macao residents already in Turkey should strengthen security precautions to protect their personal safety. From information gathered through the Macao travel industry, there is currently no Macao tour group in Turkey. Until the present moment, GGCT has not received any requests for information or 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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