News

Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has at all times endeavoured to implement the policies of the Macao SAR Government, by enhancing regional co-operation and highlighting the advantages as the business and trade co-operation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, in order to actively promote Macao’s economic diversification. At the same time, IPIM´s Mainland liaison offices in Hangzhou, Jieyang, Chengdu, Shenyang and Fuzhou constantly serve as the bridge to actively promote trade and interactions between Macao, Mainland China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. In 2015, the five liaison offices have jointly contributed to attract bilateral investments between Mainland China and Macao, involving investments totalling nearly 3 billion Patacas, involving the fields of high technology, tourism, real estate, biomedicine, new energies for electricity generation, logistics and warehousing, and environmental technology. IPIM´s outreach programme assists Mainland China and Macao´s enterprises to attract investment from abroad and “going global” In 2015, IPIM assisted Macao enterprise to establish businesses on the Mainland involving a total investment of nearly 2.3 billion Patacas, and by means of the outreach programme, successfully introduced to Macao a renowned Mainland listed company, the Newland Hi-Tech Group which intended to set up a high technology industry platform and intelligent transportation system in Macao. In this connection, Newland Group incorporated a new company in Macao – the Macao Newland Tech Co Ltd. According to its General Manager, Mr. Liu Jindong, “IPIM´s referral and support were extremely important to the set up of the company in Macao.” Mr. Liu stated thanks to the continuous efforts of the Fujian and Macao governments, the active support of IPIM´s liaison office in Fuzhou, which acted as a go-between and provided advisory services on policies and business referrals, Newland´s intelligent transportation system and environmental protection technologies became key elements of the trade and economic co-operation between Fujian and Macao, and through the said high technology, promote the development of Macao´s economic diversification. For the first phase of development, the company plans to increase its investment to one billion Patacas. Mr. Liu hopes that in view of Macao´s role as a business and trade co-operation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Newland intends to use Macao as a window to establish relationship with the international market, especially the markets in the Portuguese-speaking Countries and the coastal areas along the “Belt and Road”, and also to use the city as a support base for the group´s head office, and thus disperse its high-tech intelligent industrial chain to the neighbouring regions, including Shenzhen and Guangzhou, intending also to play a role in the field of international scientific and technological co-operation. On the other hand, according to the statistics, in 2015, IPIM´s Mainland liaison offices assisted in the trade in goods and services, involving contracts amounted to 17 million Patacas and 8 Million Patacas, respectively. Support to Mainland Macao´s companies to develop bilateral trade As far as promotion of trade between Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries are concerned, IPIM´s Mainland liaison offices, by drawing attention to principal trade and economic activities that are held in Macao, try to attract government officials and enterprises in the Mainland to visit the city, to participate in fair-related activities. According to preliminary statistics, in 2015, IPIM´s liaison offices have assisted in the organisation of approximately 900 visitors to participate in exhibitions in Macao. The liaison offices have also promoted and organised about 100 business visits to Macao involving approximately 500 persons from Mainland China. Furthermore, IPIM´s liaison office in Mainland China also assisted in the signing of 17 agreements between government agencies, chambers of commerce and business associations of Macao and Mainland China. They are also following-up on 60 co-operation projects with the participation of Macao and Mainland China´s enterprises, resulting in the signing of 24 co-operation agreements, in the areas of convention and exhibition, trade and economic interaction, products agency, research and development of new products and environmental technologies. As far as Macao is concerned, last year, IPIM´s Mainland liaison offices has assisted 360 Macao entrepreneurs to participate in trade fairs in several Chinese provinces, as well as organising about 70 business visits for approximately 450 entrepreneurs. Trade promotion by developing the functions of the service platform for trade and economic cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries It is worth mentioning that, in 2015, IPIM´s Mainland liaison offices have made progress in the development of the business and trade co-operation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. For instance, IPIM´s liaison office in Fuzhou have gathered data on 80 local professionals familiar with the Portuguese language, thus enriching the capacity of the Economic & Trade and Human Resources Portal between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (http://platformchinaplp.mo), while the liaison office in Shenyang has assisted local enterprises to import wine and chocolate from Portugal, which successfully entered the local hotel market and E-commerce sales channel. In January this year, the liaison office in Fuzhou has set up an area to showcase food products from Portuguese-speaking Countries, for the first time in Mainland China, and received positive feedback from the local distributors. As a matter of fact, through IPIM, a Fuzhou wine distributor has already started negotiations with a Macao enterprise to act as its agent for table wines.
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Macau SAR launches its new homepage www.aacm.gov.mo today which enables readers to browse through and search information more conveniently with the enhanced content and layout as well as the optimized channel for opinion submission. The fast development of internet has motivated people in places everywhere to browse through the different websites or other online platforms to obtain information. The homepage has therefore become an important element in devising promotional strategies. The new AACM homepage is constructed with its content targeting at the audiences including the industry, the local residents and the media, which include the Macao aviation laws and regulations, standards and requirements, technical documents and aeronautical circulars, procedures for flight applications and other services and so on; in what concerns passengers or residents, the new website provides information about passenger guide on security issues, requirements for performing flying activities, civil liability regime (for example, delay in transporting passengers and baggages) and interesting facts about aviation. In addition, residents can now take opportunity of the online systems to submit their enquiries, complaints and opinions; in what concerns the work of the news media, considering the usual enquiries made by them on statistics and in the hope of facilitating their work, the new homepage has a new chapter on “traffic statistics” which publishes data on the airport traffic figures, the destination network and other industry information. AACM ensures that the homepage is secure on the technical aspect. The sessions about the Macao Confidential Aviation Reporting System and the online complaint channel are equipped with SSL functions, ensuring that the transmission of personal information is done in a highly secure environment. AACM also makes sure that the new homepage is easily read and compatible, which means that the homepage has the pure text version and the mobile version, it supports the commonly used browsers (but best viewed in Google Chrome) and words can be enlarged. The homepage can be well loaded in different gadgets such as desktop computer, notebook and electronic pad. The new homepage is published in Chinese, Portuguese and English.
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Consumer Council conducted its first ‘Supermarket price survey’ in March on 1 March for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets in São Lázaro and São Lourenço Parishes. 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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The CCAC has recently detected a case involving former leadership staff of the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), where a former leader has been remanded in custody in accordance with the order of the judge of the Court of Final Appeal. Yesterday, two more persons involved were subject to the same coercive measure adopted by the relevant judicial body. Based on a criminal investigation, the CCAC last year referred four suspects involved to the relevant judicial body, including the former Chief of the Office of the Prosecutor General, a former assessor of the Office and two from the local business circle. Following the suggestion of MP, the Court of Criminal Instruction of the Court of First Instance already ordered coercive measures to be adopted against the four suspects, including prohibition of contact and restriction from departure. However, in a recent investigation the CCAC found that the two local businesspeople already declared as suspects violated the court’s order. Their acts included collusion with each other to give unanimous testimonies and disruption of evidence collection and of the normal running of proceedings. Therefore, based on the suggestion of MP, the judge of the Court of Criminal Instruction approved on 29th February that the duo would be remanded in custody immediately. Since the investigation of the case is still underway, the CCAC will make further announcements if there is any update on the case.
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The Government was determined to boost efforts to combat corruption, stated the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan. Such efforts included further optimisation of Macao’s anti-corruption measures, she added. The Secretary said she believed society was pleased to see the Government’s current enforcement action against suspected corruption. The Commission Against Corruption is currently investigating a criminal case of suspected corruption involving staff at the Public Prosecutions Office. Ms Chan made her comments to reporters on Monday (29 February), when she attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new President of the Management Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Mr José Maria da Fonseca Tavares. In addition, Ms Chan disclosed that a review of the organisational law on the judiciary was now under way. The review is expected to be completed before the end of this year. Likely amendments to the law would cover optimisation of the operation of the Public Prosecutions Office, including measures to advance the processing of cases. The Secretary also commented on the government plan for the establishment of a municipal organisation without direct political power. She said a public consultation on such a body had been scheduled and would be held as planned at the end of this year. The Government would make proposals regarding such a body after analysing opinion collected via the public consultation. Such proposals would take into consideration the way such a body would differ in nature and function from the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and other existing public bodies.
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Due to a programme change, the concert Weekend Music Party – Classical Jazz by the Macao Orchestra, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, originally scheduled to be held on Saturday, 11 June, at 4pm at Dom Pedro V Theatre, has been anticipated to Saturday, 28 May, at 4pm. The venue and programme of the performance as well as the ticket prices remain unchanged. Spectators with tickets may change their tickets with priority at the Macau Ticketing Network outlets from 1 March to 10 March. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The concert Weekend Music Party – Classical Jazz introduces a brand new idea and features a number of relaxing and happy Jazz themes, including Ragtime dance, Blue Mink Blues and St. Louis Blues, adapted for string quartet and brass quintet. Participate and enjoy yourself. Tickets for this concert will be on sale again from 1 March and are priced at MOP120 and MOP100, with various discounts available. Interested parties can purchase tickets through the Macau Ticketing Network outlets or online. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. For more details and programme enquiries, please visit the Macao Orchestra webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/om.
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The University of Macau’s (UM) Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) and Thomson Reuters today announced the launch of the Thomson Reuters Trading Room, at a special opening ceremony held at the university. The Thomson Reuters Trading Room can provide Thomson Reuters Eikon terminal access for up to 80 users, and is equipped with analytics tools, and real-time data and financial information to facilitate the faculty’s various teaching and research activities. During the ceremony, UM Vice Rector (Student Affairs) Prof Haydn Chen; FBA Dean Prof Jacky So; Thomson Reuters Managing Director, Financial & Risk, North Asia, James Mirfin; and Thomson Reuters Sales Director, Hong Kong and Macao, Cecily Luk, rang the opening bell in the trading room. Prof Chen said in his welcome speech that an increasing number of laboratories have been established at UM, adding that the new lab will not only enhance the research capabilities of UM scholars, but will also provide a good learning environment for UM students. Prof Chen also expressed special thanks to Thomson Reuters Corporation Pte Ltd for its continuous support to UM. He added that he believes the new trading room will provide UM students with hands-on experience in a world-class simulated trading environment and bring them closer to real-world financial markets. ‘The new partnership with UM bridges academic and professional environments, and strengthens our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration at every level of the financial ecosystem,’ said Mirfin. ‘With access to Eikon in Thomson Reuters Trading Room, students are given the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of financial markets, prepare for professional life with industry-standard tools, and stay ahead of the game.’ ‘Thomson Reuters continues to be a leader in the Macao market, combining industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers across financial institutions, governments, universities, media and corporate enterprises. As the Answer Company, Thomson Reuters combines intelligence, technology and human expertise to help customers find trusted answers,’ he added. After the opening ceremony, Mirfin gave a lecture titled ‘The Findustrial Revolution’. The lecture attracted nearly 200 people, including UM faculty members and students, students from local high schools, government officials, and professionals from local banks, companies, and other organisations. In his lecture, Mirfin discussed the future of fintech innovation and how financial services firms are increasingly turning to cutting-edge technology as a way of connecting with customers more efficiently and conveniently.
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In 2015, a total of 482 applications for temporary residency for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders were received by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) (an increase of 46 compared with last year), 79 applications for major investment and major investment plans (a decrease of 1 compared with last year), representing 85.92% and 14.08% of the total of 561 new applications in 2015. Approved cases for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders amounted to 81 (a decrease of 196 compared with last year), approved applications for major investment and major investment plans totalled 7 (a decrease of 38 compared with last year). In accordance with the Administrative Regulation No. 7/2007, temporary residency applications for investment in real estate have been suspended since 4 April 2007. Over 4,000 cases were registered before the Administrative Regulation came into effect, all cases under temporary residency applications for investment in real estate were all processed by 17 July 2015. Statistics of Temporary Residency Applications and the Cases and Number of People Approved in 2015 Read attachment! For further enquiries on the residency application guidelines, please contact IPIM by visiting the website: www.ipim.gov.mo, email: gjfr@ipim.gov.mo, tel: 28712055 or fax: 28713950. Applicants may also visit the website and enquire about the progress of their residency application status.
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The promotional video “Visible Cultural Forces”, specially produced and launched by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), puts forward the concept of culture being a major force in the development of the society, concluding that the Macao’s cultural forces as the visible power of the city. The video “Visible Cultural Forces” is divided in six parts: “New Cultural Scene”, “Cultural Heritage”, “Cultural and Creative Industries”, “Cultural Events”, “Public Libraries” and “Culture dissemination by Education”, which highlights IC’s projects this year. IC anticipates to carry out the restoration projects of several cultural heritage items and the establishment of cultural spaces and library facilities as well as revitalization projects such as the Patane Library, No. 80 of Rua das Estalagens and the Maritime Workshops, which will open to the public correspondingly. The cultural and creative industries are an important component of the establishment of a diversified society and economy. This year, IC will launch the Support Programme for the Production of Original Animation Short Films, the Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Song Albums, the Subsidy Programme for Fashion Design on Sample Making and the Support Programme for the Production of Feature Films. These programmes complement each other and contribute to the development of the cultural and creative industries. The promotional video “Visible Cultural Forces” will be available on the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau www.icm.gov.mo, the Macao Heritage Net www.macauheritage.net, the Macao Art Net www.macauart.net, the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website www.macaucci.com, exclusive channel in Youtube “IC Macao”, Facebook Page “IC Art” and on IC’s WeChat account.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) hosted “Introduction of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Works in 2016 and Spring Luncheon for the Year of Monkey” on Monday, 29 February, at the Grand Lisboa Hotel, inviting members of the Cultural Consultative Committee, of the Cultural Heritage Committee, and the local media in the Chinese, Portuguese and English languages, as well as representatives of news agencies in Macao. The Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture (GSASC), Ip Peng Kin and advisor, Lam Wan Nei; members of the Cultural Consultative Committee and of the Cultural Heritage Committee; representatives of the territory’s mass media; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng and the Vice-Presidents, Leung Hio Ming and Chan Peng Fai, as well as the heads of department of IC were present and interchanged ideas in this joyful luncheon. The luncheon was intercalated with a speech by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, in which he reviewed last year’s cultural achievements and highlighted IC’s works for the coming year; and with a new promotional video entitled “Visible Cultural Forces”. The video, divided in six parts, presents IC’s projects for 2016, bringing about the concept of culture being a major force in the development of the society, concluding that the Macao’s cultural forces as the visible power of the city. In addition, the luncheon featured a percussion performance by three students of the School of Music of the Macao Conservatory, showcasing the academic achievements of local music students. The students, Lei U Wan, Chan U Lai , Yang Yuwen, participated as Macao representatives in the “2016 Tokyo International Percussion Competition” held last month, where they achieved satisfactory results by earning several awards. IC took the opportunity to express its gratitude to the members of the Cultural Consultative Committee, of the Cultural Heritage Committee and the media for their contribution to cultural affairs, and listened to their opinions regarding IC’s works for the forthcoming year. Under its new organizational structure, IC will continue to promote the city’s valuable cultural resources, casting the city’s soul with culture in order to achieve the objective of establishing Macao as a “Culturally Sustainable City”.
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