News

The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP143.8 billion (USD18.01 billion) at the end of November 2015. The reserves decreased by 0.8% from the revised value of MOP145.0 billion (USD18.16 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-November 2015 represented 12 times the currency in circulation or 103.0% of Pataca M2 at end-October 2015. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca rose 1.75 points month-to-month and 6.50 points year-on-year to 107.13 in November 2015, implying that overall speaking, the pataca appreciated against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau has recently launched the QR Code for “Cultural and Creative Venues．Works of Literature” to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Inscription of “The Historic Centre of Macao” on World Heritage List. The Bureau has installed a QR code sign on each of the bronze information boards of the city’s World Heritage sites and plazas, except in Mandarin’s House and “Leal Senado” Building which are still under the construction and will be installed with QR code sign later. Public can scan the QR code with their mobile devices in order to link to the corresponding website, where they can get general information about cultural and creative venues nearby. The website also offers Chinese and Portuguese literary masterpieces and poems about most of the scenic spots. The website linked to the QR Code for “Cultural and Creative Venues．Works of Literature” is separated into two parts: “Cultural and Creative Venues” and “Works of Literature”. The “Cultural and Creative Venues” mainly offers an overview of the cultural and creative venues in the vicinity of the World Heritage sites and their locations. Users may click the name of the venue to access basic information such as the venue’s brief introduction, address, telephone number, website and opening hours. “Works of Literature” provides a collection of renowned literary quotes and poems relevant to the tourist attractions. The QR code enables residents and tourists to explore the city and the nearby cultural and creative venues through a convenient platform, and deepen their understanding of local original brands and products. It not only helps to enhance the promotion of Macao’s cultural and creative industries, but also helps to widen the public’s knowledge about Macao’s World Heritage sites. Local literature can then be widely known to the public.
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The Suncity Group 62nd Macau Grand Prix was held successfully on November 19 to 22, reliant upon the support of the general public in Macau. The Event has reached to an end, with a count of 80,000 spectators during the 4 days and ended in spectacular fashion by generating a total revenue over MOP53 million from publicity, sponsorship and ticket selling, breaking the revenue record of 4 days event, which included MOP12.7 million from ticketing, surpassing the bestselling record in the history of the Macau Grand Prix (MGP). In 8 races of this year Grand Prix, registered 90 teams of 221 drivers and riders, origin from 31 countries/regions, amongst them 49 were local. Media participation counted 1,023 journalists from 19 countries/regions, with a total of 220 organizations for coverage, including 27 TV stations with the event live or delayed broadcast. Over the 4-day period, the Macau Grand Prix official website received more than 15 million Website Hits, with the increase of 5 million hits and 53% from previous year. The top 10 Web visitors include Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Japan, United States of America, Germany, Canada and Australia. This popularity has proved that the Macau Grand Prix is a worldwide motorsport event. The visitors to the Macau Grand Prix included students and teachers from 21 kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, as well as 11 local tertiary education entities. In addition, Macau Grand Prix theme exhibitions took place in 18 local primary schools and in 8 public areas. Moreover, with the support from the Macau Government Tourist Office, 7 local associations had organized promotional activities for the festivity of the Grand Prix, namely: The Macao Federation of Trade Unions, the General Union of Neighbours Association of Macau, the Industry and Commerce Federation of Macau Central and Southern District, the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macao, Macau Federal Commercial Association of Convention & Exhibition Industry and Creative Industries Promotion Association of St. Lazarus Church District. The Grand Prix has role in promoting the diversity of the city’s tourism industry. According to the statistic from Macau Government Tourist Office and Public Security Police Force, during the 4-day period, 400 thousand visitors arrived in the city, with impressive hotel occupancy of 3 to 5 star hotels recorded in 93.47%. The success of the Macau Grand Prix was due to the support, understanding and co-operation of the people of Macau. Would like to take this opportunity to to thank Macau residents for their invaluable support of the Grand Prix.
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Not long ago, the CCAC uncovered a case in which a customs inspector allegedly accepted bribes to facilitate the release of an incoming passenger who was intercepted due to the carrying of cash exceeding the statutory amount. The persons involved allegedly committed passive corruption to perform illicit acts and active corruption under the Penal Code. The case has been referred to the Public Prosecutions Office. Following the recommendation of the Public Prosecutions Office, the Court of Criminal Instruction has taken coercive measures against the suspects in accordance with the law, including suspension from public duties and reporting to the competent authorities regularly. According to the information, as his/her client, when entering Macao via the Lotus Flower Bridge Checkpoint, was detained by the customs personnel due to the carrying of cash exceeding the statutory amount, a person engaging in gaming-related activities got in touch with a customs inspector (the suspect surnamed Lok) through another person also engaging in gaming-related activities and a chief officer of the Macao Prison surnamed Wong. Lok was tempted to facilitate the release of the detained passenger by the promise that “tea money” would be offered in return for the help. Subsequently, Lok used his powers to release the detained passenger. During the investigation, it was confessed that an illicit advantage was offered to a public servant through third persons so the detained incoming passenger with excessive cash could be released. Wong, the chief officer of the Macao Prison, was already subject to suspension from public duties and other coercive measures due to bribes taking uncovered by the CCAC this March. Wong and the two persons engaging in gaming-related activities were declared as suspects in this case. The CCAC has also uncovered another case recently, involving a chief of the Marine and Water Bureau who allegedly committed passive corruption to perform illicit acts and abuse of power under the Penal Code. The relevant investigation has been completed and the case has been referred to the Public Prosecutions Office. During its investigation into a passive corruption case involving a leader and a chief of the Marine and Water Bureau in the beginning of this year, the CCAC discovered that, between 2012 and 2015, yet another chief of the Bureau repeatedly abused his powers to solicit and receive illicit advantages from a person in charge of a ferry services company, including free ferry tickets, hotel accommodation and food and beverage. The chief even asked the company to secure jobs for his relatives and friends and reserve some shops at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal for them to operate businesses. According to the investigation results, the chief had also used his powers to help cover up the irregular practices of the ferry services company on many occasions, so the latter could be free from penalties even though its operations did not comply with the instructions and regulations set out by the Marine and Water Bureau. The CCAC pointed out that the suspects in the above two cases violated the law knowingly and their acts seriously undermined the principle of fairness and justice upheld by the Macao SAR Government in law enforcement. The CCAC will keep a close eye on and continue to combat all kinds of corruption-related offences, with its unwavering determination to develop a fair, corrupt-free society.
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Consumer Council assigns QR code to each ‘Certified Shop’ for consumers to check their genuineness using the newly launched ‘Certified Shop’ app. Consumers are also able to look up details of ‘Certified Shops’ and choose the one they are interested in through the app. The Council continues to raise the standard of evaluation for ‘Certified Shops’ since its launch in 2001, training courses are also provided to businesses for enhancing their standard. Businesses bearing the ‘Certified Shop’ emblem are therefore certified by the Council and also a guarantee to consumers. To avoid unscrupulous traders who use the ‘Certified Shop’ emblem to infringe consumer rights, the Council will start to assign a unique QR code to each ‘Certified Shop’ in 2016. Each QR code is a unique identity of each ‘Certified Shop’ and serves as an anti-fake mark. According to this year’s annual assessment results, about 1,000 emblems with QR code have been printed in the first phase. Consumers can use the ‘Scan your code’ function in the app to scan the QR code to verify the qualification of ‘Certified Shops’, the code not only helps to protect consumers but also maintain the image of ‘Certified Shops’. Each QR code presents details of each ‘Certified Shop’, including their scope of business and location, to help consumers’ easy navigation. Other functions in the app include ‘Nearby Certified Shops’ which enables consumers to check the nearest and most popular ‘Certified Shop’; ‘My favourite’ allows consumers to check their interested shop directly for the assessment results and latest news; other information on ‘Certified Shops’ will be published through ‘Push Notification’. Consumer Council hopes to bring convenience to consumers, especially tourists who are not familiar with the shopping environment in Macao, and to provide them with comprehensive information. The ‘Certified Shops’ app is now available on the Council’s website, App Store, and Google Play Store for download to be used on iOS and Android.
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The “Parade through Macao, Latin City”, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) in celebration of the 16th Anniversary of Macao’s handover to China and the 10th Anniversary of the Inscription of “The Historic Centre of Macao” on World Heritage List, was held on 6 December and was greatly acclaimed by both residents and tourists. The organiser now will give the popular “Revellers” that appeared at Tap Seac Square this year for adoption, in order to carry on the Parade’s creativity and vitality and spread the power of “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration”. This year, local illustrator Lam Ieong Kun was invited to create four appealing “Revellers” for the Parade. The four brothers have different appearances and different colours, blue, green, red and orange, respectively. On the day of the Parade, a large number of “Revellers” appeared at St. Lazarus' Square and at Tap Seac Square, participating in the extraordinary multimedia closing performance of the event. Their unique and colourful features were greatly acclaimed by the public. In order to make good use of the existing resources, promote local creativity and share the joy of the Parade with the citizens, the organiser is launching an adoption scheme for “Revellers”. There will be 100 “Revellers” for the public to adopt. Each “Reveller” is made of fibreglass, and measures 50cm (height) by 50cm (waist) and is supported by a base. Interested parties can apply for adoption from 16 December 2015 to 15 January 2016 by filling the application form available at the Parade’s page on Facebook and website or through IC’s WeChat account. Each applicant can only submit one application. Results will be announced on 22 January 2016. Successful applicants will be notified by email regarding the pickup date of their respective “Reveller”; the colour of the “Reveller” will be decided by drawing lots. In addition, Hong Kong’s TVB will broadcast a special programme about the Parade on 15 December at 7pm, featuring the event’s highlights. For more information about the Parade’s activities, please access the respective website www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade and page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/macaoparade.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said the recently announced cooperation between Alipay and a local third-party payment company could foster the development of Macao’s e-commerce sector. Such cooperation by a local company with Alipay – a leading third-party online payment platform on the mainland – would further promote regional economic integration, Mr Leong told reporters on 13 December. The Government would closely monitor transactions made via the Alipay platform and make sure such transactions complied with existing legislation, he said. Mr Leong additionally said no casinos were among the businesses in Macao accepting payments made via the Alipay platform.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, stressed that adherence to the rule of law was the principle of governance in Macao, adding it was the principle by which issues relating to the land concession for Pearl Horizon would be handled. The Government was paying close attention to the question of the land concession of Pearl Horizon – an unfinished private housing project – and the rights of buyers of units in the project, Mr Chui told reporters on 13 December. Mr Chui detailed the reasons why the Government had decided to revert to the administration the land for Pearl Horizon when the concession expires on 25 December. The decision had been made after listening to a range of professional advice: that from a cross-departmental taskforce; from a team of legal professionals; and independent analysis by respectively the Public Prosecutions Office and the Commission against Corruption. Adherence to the rule of law was a fundamental value of Macao: the Government could not overreach the constraints of the law simply in order to respond to a specific situation, reiterated the Chief Executive. Regarding the project developer’s decision to lodge an appeal via the courts against the reversion of the land, Mr Chui said the Government would formulate a response in order to challenge the lawsuit via the courts. Commenting on suggestions by legislators that the current Land Law required revision, Mr Chui said the Government has been acting in line with the terms of the Land Law since it came into force on 1 March last year. He added his cabinet was available to explain to legislators in further detail the Government’s decision in relation to Pearl Horizon. The Chief Executive additionally stated that if legislators – in their role as members of the Legislative Assembly – proposed revisions to the Land Law, the Government would, as always, cooperate in administrative matters relating to such requests. Mr Chui also said he noted there were examples of other, already-implemented, laws being amended, or complemented via administrative regulation, in order either to improve such laws or to provide them with complementary competences.
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The Macao Orchestra, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presented two sessions of Journey into the World of Music – The Lost Elephant, a Comedy Concert on 6 December at the Macao Tower Auditorium. Students from Escola Caritas de Macau and Concordia School of Special Education and their parents were invited to watch the performances and experienced the art of music in such a close distance. Children were provided with adorable animal masks, and the performances went under a pleasure atmosphere. Targeting for education, Journey into the World of Music is an annual music series presented by the Macao Orchestra. With the elements such as mime and magic as well as bilingual interpretation in Chinese and English added to the show this year, children learned from the games. Parents acclaimed the new concepts of performance and hoped that there would be more similar concerts organised by the Macao Orchestra, as these could help to broaden children’s artistic perspectives. The Macao Orchestra invited more than 100 students from Escola Caritas de Macau and Concordia School of Special Education along with their parents to share the beauty and virtue of music. The principals from the two schools were appreciated for the respective arrangements, they considered it as a valuable experience for students to learn from various aspects. The Macao Orchestra will visit several charitable organisations and elderly centres next month, during which they will host a New Year Concert for seniors and minority groups. They will share the New Year blessing and warm regards with the audience, promoting the caring message of communion cross generation and harmony.
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With the aim to promote security and sustainable development of the financial system of the Macao SAR, the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) has been cooperating with international and Mainland supervisory authorities to combat illegal cross-border financial activities and money laundering. In order to avoid or mitigate the possible negative impact as a result of those illegal activities, AMCM has requested Macao banks/acquirers to implement enhanced due diligence, ongoing monitoring and enhanced training to merchants, as well as to the regular submission of information on high-risk merchants and the timely notification of suspicious transactions of merchants. To follow up the consensus reached in the joint meeting of last year, AMCM will be implementing the new “real-time monitoring system of Mainland bank cards” on high-risk merchants. In this connection, AMCM has organized an explanatory session on 11 December 2015. The initial phase of the real-time monitoring system will be implemented on high-risk merchants near casinos, most of which are jewellery and watches merchants. The real-time monitoring system will be extended to other high-risk merchants selling high-value products in the second phase. In view of the comparatively high turnover incurred, China Union Pay cards related transaction will be focused at the initial stage. The focus will be extended to other bank cards such as Visa, Master at a later stage. The real-time monitoring system is designed with the aim to verify the genuine relationship between card holder and the bank card in the process of acquiring goods or services in order to protect the lawful rights and interests of cardholders, merchants and banks. The implementation of the real-time monitoring system is going to help Macao fulfill the relevant responsibilities as a member of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) -Style Regional Body, in particular, to strengthen the Know Your Customers (KYC) procedures on customers of high-risk transactions.
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