News

The Macao Orchestra, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will cooperate with the famous American artist Dan Kamin to present Journey into the World of Music – The Lost Elephant, a Comedy Concert, which will be conducted by Francis Kan, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium on 6 December, Sunday, at 3:00 pm. In the virtual music jungle, Dan Kamin will use amazing movement skills together with simple props representing each animal, to have a thrilling show with kid audience. This is also a golden opportunity to introduce classical music to them. Dan Kamin created a series of physical comedy action in Benny and Joon and conducted training for Robert Downey, Jr. in Chaplin, who was awarded with Oscar nomination. Kamin’s Comedy Concertos, which combine comedy with classical music, have become popular in the worldwide symphonies. In addition to The Lost Elephant, his programmes include Charlie Chaplin at the Symphony, The Classical Clown, The Horrible History of Music, The Haunted Orchestra, and Stop the Music!. Asian orchestras such as those symphonies in Singapore, Shanghai, Hangzho and Malaysia invited Kamin to have performance several times. In this concert, Kamin plays as a zookeeper to search for the missing elephant. Summoned by the extraordinary music played by the Macao Orchestra like Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee, Rossini’s William Tell Overture and Camille Saint-Saens’ Swan, he has wonderful interaction with different animals in the jungle. Eventually, the missing elephant is drawn forth under the music. With the perfect combination of comedy and classical music, the audience can experience a wonderful journey. Tickets for Journey into the World of Music – The Lost Elephant, a Comedy Concert are priced at MOP150 and various family discount packages are available by purchasing tickets personally at the Macau Ticketing Network or via the Internet. The Macao Ticketing mobile application and the self-service ticket purchasing machines do not support the purchasing of discount packages yet. Booking Hotline: (853) 2855 5555. For details of programme, please visit the Macao Orchestra website: www.icm.gov.mo/om; for enquiries, please call 8399 6699 during office hour.
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Macau International Airport conducted the full scale emergency exercise early this morning (23 October 2015) to simulate an aircraft crash upon landing which led to injuries and deaths. The airport emergency plan was immediately activated. The exercise was deemed smooth and achieved its goal. The full scale emergency exercise started at 03:00. At its final approach to land at Macau International Airport, the aircraft encountered sudden system error resulting in failure of flight instruments. The captain immediately declared emergency. After touching down on the runway, the aircraft veered off the runway to the left and eventually broke into two parts, with one part crashing onto the water. The aircraft was carrying 75 passengers, 2 flight crew members and 5 cabin crew members. More than 20 people were injured or killed as a result of the accident. When the Administration of Airports, Ltd. (ADA) was informed of the accident, they immediately activated the airport emergency operations centre to take charge of the accident. The Fire Services and the rescue team arrived on spot to provide search and rescue services; the injured were sent to hospital for medical treatment in a timely manner; a family reception area and a counseling centre were respectively set up in the passenger terminal to provide enquiry and counseling services to the uninjured and the family members of the injured and the deceased. The exercise was concluded at 05:30 with good results. All participating entities were able to act in accordance with the airport emergency plan as well as their own contingency plans. The number of participants was 300. The Administration of Airports Ltd. was the coordinator of the exercise. Other participating entities were Unitary Police Force, Macao Customs Services, Public Security Police Force, Judiciary Police, Fire Services Bureau, Health Bureau, Social Welfare Bureau, Marine and Water Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority, CAM-Macau International Airport Co. Ltd., Air Macau Co. Ltd., Macau Security Company Ltd. (airport security) and Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI for September 2015 increased by 4.23% year-on-year to 106.49, down by 0.41 percentage points from the 4.64% growth in August. The increment was attributable to higher rentals for dwellings and rising charges for eating out. In comparison with September 2014, in addition to the increase in tobacco tax that pushed the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco up significantly by 38.42%, price index of Education (+8.93%) and Health (+6.12%) also saw notable increase upon higher tuition fee and dearer charges for out-patient services. On the contrary, price index of Communication and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 0.98% and 0.65% respectively. The CPI-A (106.70) and CPI-B (104.69) increased by 4.37% and 3.22% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for September 2015 increased by 0.14% month-to-month. Higher tuition fee in the new academic year drove up the price index of Edcuation by 8.64%. Price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages increased by 0.24% owing to higher charges for eating out, as well as dearer prices of fresh fish, seafood and vegetables. Milder growth in rentals for dwellings caused the price index of Housing & Fuels to rise marginally by 0.05%. On the other hand, price index of Clothing & Footwear; Recreation & Culture and Transport decreased by 1.66%, 1.54% and 0.45% respectively upon seasonal sale of women’s clothing and footwear, receding charges for package tours and lower prices of airfare and gasoline. The CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 0.14% and 0.13% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended September 2015, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.08% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+9.91%); Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+8.33%); Health (+5.62%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.30%) showed marked increase. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.51% and 4.35% respectively over the previous period. The average Composite CPI for the third quarter of 2015 increased by 4.54% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 4.85% and 3.51% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first nine months of 2015 rose by 4.79% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 5.18% and 3.93% respectively. The Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general households. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP10,000 to MOP29,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP30,000 to MOP54,999.
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The CCAC completed an investigation report on municipal ordinances and municipal regulations. At the beginning of this year, during the inspection of an ombudsman case involving the Transport Bureau (DSAT), it was found that the said Bureau has been charging and imposing fines on those who allegedly violated the regulations based on the provisions of the Regulation of Use of the Centre for Driving Lessons and Exams. However, such Regulation was no longer effective since 2nd June 2001. During the investigation of the reasons for the DSAT to apply expired regulations for management and law application, the CCAC found that the Regulation of Use of the Centre for Driving Lessons and Exams is a regulation promulgated by the former municipal body and the problem with the regulation already existed when the Transport Bureau was established. Taking into account that the content of the municipal ordinances and municipal regulations are closely related to the daily life of the residents, particularly in relation to important livelihood issues such as the market management, sales of fresh products, etc., the CCAC deems that it is necessary to conduct a specific study and follow-up on the existing municipal ordinances and municipal regulations, so as to better facilitate the revision and perfection of such laws and regulations. When conducting the preliminary study on the municipal ordinances and municipal regulations that are still in force, the CCAC found that a significant number of norms are already outdated, and there may even be a possible existence of a scenario where the reality of the situation contradicts with the normative content. Thus, a comprehensive follow-up and investigation has been conducted targeting at the normative issues on the Licensing Regulation on the Establishment for Retail of Meat, Seafood, Poultry and Vegetable (hereinafter “Licensing Regulation”) and the Regulation of Municipal Market of the Macao Municipal Council (hereinafter “Regulation of Municipal Market”). The Licensing Regulation stipulates that certain establishments shall be used for selling only one kind of food. For example, those permitted to sell meat shall not sell seafood, poultry, vegetable and fruits. Such provision apparently does not meet the demands related to everyday life and fit for the economic environment nowadays. Meanwhile, some articles of the Regulation of Municipal Market are obsolete or no longer adopted. Being too superficial and abstract, they are insufficient to provide an efficacious system of inspection and punishment. In this sense, it is difficult to effectively regulate the operation of the markets. Therefore, the CCAC recommends the DSAT to formulate a new set of rules about the use and management of the Centre for Driving Lessons and Exams as soon as possible in order to fill the gap in the legal system left by the extinguishment of the Regulation of Use of the Centre for Driving Lessons and Exams; and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau to revise Article 3 of the Licensing Regulation - which restricts certain establishments from selling more than one kind of food, to conduct a complete review and revision of municipal ordinances and regulations including the Regulation of Municipal Market so as to amend and perfect the provisions which do not fit in with the reality of everyday life but are still in force. For the detailed content of the investigation report, please visit the CCAC’s website.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will deliver the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2016 on 17 November at the Legislative Assembly. The session will be held at 3pm. It will be followed by a press conference at the Government Headquarters at 5pm, when Mr Chui will answer questions from the press. The following day (18 November), from 3pm to 6pm, Mr Chui will attend the plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly to explain his policy programme to legislators and to answer their questions. The public can see and hear the policy address and press conference, and the following day’s question and answer session with legislators as they happen. The television channels and radio service of Macao’s public broadcaster Teledifusão de Macau (TDM) will broadcast both events live. The live broadcasts can also be viewed online via the following routes: the Government Portal website of the Macao SAR (http://www.gov.mo); the website of the Office of the Chief Executive (http://www.gce.gov.mo); the website of the Legislative Assembly (http://www.al.gov.mo); the website of the Government Information Bureau (http://www.gcs.gov.mo); and the official channel for Macao Government news on YouTube (www.youtube.com/macaogcs). Chinese and Portuguese versions of the 2016 Policy Address document will be available for download on these websites. In preparation for the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2016, the Chief Executive has met with representatives of associations and people from all walks of life in Macao in order to hear their views on key topics.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council conducted its specific price surveys on oral care products and milk powder on 22 October. Results of the mentioned surveys have been uploaded to the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and are available in the Council’s ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council’s hotline: 8988 9315.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said that so far in October, monthly gaming revenue performance judged year-on-year has been better than in the prior few months. Gaming revenue recorded so far this month showed a 20 percent year-on-year decline, compared to a near-40 percent aggregate decline year-on-year in the first half of 2015, the Secretary told reporters on 21 October. He said better gaming performance in October was due to Golden Week, a week-long holiday on the mainland to mark National Day. Mr Leong was asked by reporters about the impact on Macao of a slowing in the growth of the mainland economy. He noted that the economy of Macao – a city driven by its tourism and gaming industries – was influenced by what happened in neighbouring areas. To limit any negative impact, the Government had stepped up its efforts in promoting diversification of the city’s economy. Mr Leong stated that the benefits brought by new industries would be felt long-term rather than necessarily in the short term. The administration would work closely with the community to grasp fresh economic opportunities during the period of adjustment in the gaming industry, he said. The Secretary had stated on the sidelines of a public event on 20 October that the Government had decided, after comprehensive analysis, to allocate respectively 250 and 100 new-to-market mass-market gaming tables to two of the city’s operators. The table allocations aim to encourage the gaming industry to strengthen its efforts in promoting non-gaming attractions, thus aiding the city’s economic diversification, Mr Leong had said that day. Mr Leong said 250 new-to-market gaming tables were being allocated to Studio City in view of the project not having VIP business. A total 200 tables can be operated right after the opening of the property and the additional 50 tables can be used from 1 January 2016. Regarding the Galaxy Macau phase 2 and Broadway Macau, Mr Leong said on 20 October that the Government welcomed the company’s partnership with local small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Government has decided to allocate 100 tables to the company’s mass-market gaming operations. A total of 50 new-to-market tables can be introduced with immediate effect while the rest can be utilised from 1 January 2016. That day the Secretary also said the Government wanted to see any additional tables utilised for mass-market play rather than for VIP play. This could help encourage the development of further non-gaming elements in Macao’s tourism sector, such as food and beverage retailing, and the hotel industry. This was especially helpful in the period of adjustment in the local gaming industry, when the gap between the revenue generated from the mass market and that from VIP rooms has been narrowing, Mr Leong added. The Secretary reiterated that the Government would strictly follow the principle of allowing a compound annual growth rate in new-to-market tables of no more than 3 percent for a 10-year period from 1 January 2013. Major considerations for table allocation on new projects include each project’s non-gaming elements; each project’s contribution to help transform Macao to a world centre of tourism and leisure; the scale of the non-gaming elements; and whether such elements could drive development of local small- and medium-sized enterprises, said Mr Leong. He added that the Government has been keeping close touch with the gaming sector, adding he believed the operators were aware of the procedures and timetable for approving table allocation applications.
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The 20th Macau International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held from 22 to 25 October. In order to encourage the SMEs participating in MIF to take advantage of this annual event to connect with clients and explore business opportunities, during the “SME International Business Days” (hereinafter referred to as “SME Days”) which are held annually during the MIF, will feature various services and seminars, to foster the participation of a greater number of enterprises and entrepreneurs. These services and seminars include: (1) SME Service Counter; (2) Marketing Consultancy Services; (3) Advisory Service for entrepreneurs; (4) seminars on SME business transformation and youth entrepreneurship; (5) “Macao Ideas” products showcase. Experts to provide marketing consultancy and advisory service for SMEs and entrepreneurs During the four-day event, the SME Service Counter located at the Macao Pavilion will provide several services for SMEs, including “One-Stop Service” enquiry on Macao business environment, as well as information on exhibitions and conventions. This year, several brand consultants, entrepreneurs and business advisors from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao will provide free consultancy service and enterprise diagnosis for enterprises. SMEs and entrepreneurs currently considering upgrading or are in transition should take advantage of this service to learn more from the consultants regarding brand packaging, products and services repackaging and business promotion. Due to the limited number of consulting slots available, pre-registration is recommended (Tel. : 87989613). Professional organisations and business associations share on business operations for SME and young entrepreneurs During “SME Days” there will be three seminars on leveraging business capacity, SME business transformation and youth entrepreneurship. The Seminar on “SMEs and Leveraging Business Capacity” held in the afternoon of 23 October, will gather marketing consultants and specialists from the Macao Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre, the Macau Management Association and the Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association, to share their experience and ideas on enterprise sustainable development, best practices on business transformation, etc. In the afternoon of 24 October, there will be Forum on “Let your dream fly, start your business” and “Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Innovation – 10 Tips for Starting your Own Business”. The above events will invite representatives from different industries and sectors to share their insights on cases and essentials of starting a business. Interested parties are advised to pre-register for the seminars (Tel. : 87989711). The Opening Ceremony of the “SME Days” will be held at 12.00 p.m. on 23 October in the 20th MIF Protocol Signing Center located in the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. For more details, please visit the MIF official website at http://www.mif.com.mo/mif2015/schedule.php or contact IPIM´s SME Service Center (SMEC). Enquiry hotlines: 87989613/87989711 (Mr. Ho or Ms. Leong).
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Cinematheque．Passion, under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will host a salon seminar on “Independent Film Production and its Prospects” at 3pm next Saturday, 31st October 2015, at which renowned filmmakers from Hong Kong and Macao are invited as lecturers. Enrollment for this seminar starts from today until 28th October, with free admission. Limited seats are available. Interested parties are welcome to enroll soon. The salon seminar on film titled “Independent Film Production and its Prospects” is one of the activities for the experimental operation of Cinematheque．Passion. Albert Chu Iao Ian, President of the Macau Association of Audio-Visual “CUT”, and Vincent Chui, Artistic Director of Ying E Chi, have been invited as the lecturers at this seminar. The lecturers will use different film production cases to share and explore the potential of indie film and its prospects. Chu Iao Ian was the director of the film series Macao Stories based in Macao. He founded the Macau Association of Audio-Visual “CUT” in 2000, and has actively promoted Macao’s film and TV production. The group is one of the most active film associations in Macao. Vincent Chui is an independent film director in Hong Kong, who has participated in organising the Hong Kong Independent Film Festival and Macau Independent Film Festival, in order to promote the development of independent films. Committed to promoting independent film production to society, Chui also advocated and coordinated the Chinese Independent Filmmaking Fundraising Project. All interested parties are welcome to enroll for the seminar via email (info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo) with the subject stated as “Enrollment for the salon seminar on ‘Independent Film Production and its Prospects’”, as well as providing the following information: (1) Name of attendee; (2) Contact number; (3) Contact email, by 5pm on 28th October 2015. For enquiries regarding Cinematheque, please contact Mr. Leong via Tel: (853) 2892 4040 during office hours. For details, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo) or the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com).
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The Government is working diligently – in line with the “Centre and Platform” strategies laid down by the Central Government – to promote further the adequate economic diversification of Macao, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. “Centre and Platform” strategies refer respectively to Macao’s development as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and as an economic and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Mr Chui made his remarks to Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso, a former president of the European Commission and a former prime minister of Portugal, during Mr Durão Barroso’s visit to Government Headquarters on 19 October. The Chief Executive said Mr Durão Barroso had in those earlier roles made major achievements in propelling relations between Macao, the Portuguese-speaking Countries and European countries. Mr Chui also expressed his gratitude to Mr Durão Barroso for accepting an honorary professorship from the Macao Polytechnic Institute (IPM). As well as having discussions on how to boost exchanges between Macao, the Portuguese-speaking Countries and European countries, Mr Chui also briefed Mr Durão Barroso on the present development of Macao. Mr Chui said the current consolidation period for the gaming industry might bring more opportunities to reinforce the pace of adequate economic diversification. To accommodate new development opportunities, the Government would constantly improve its infrastructure and promote a balance between gaming and non-gaming elements, he stated. In the 15 years since Macao returned to Chinese administration, the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region has striven – with the concerted effort of local people – for the successful implementation of the “One country, two systems” policy and for a more prosperous future, Mr Chui added. Mr Durão Barroso said he was pleased to be honoured with a professorship from IPM and hoped to share his experience with various sectors in Macao. He said Macao has achieved a steady development especially in its economy, tourism and infrastructure under the “One country, two systems” principle. Mr Durão Barroso noted the Chief Executive has paid great attention to promoting ties with European countries and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and in training increasing numbers of bilingual professionals. He said he was pleased to be able to make further contributions to the relations between China, Macao, the Portuguese-speaking Countries and the European countries. Officials also attending the meeting included: the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; and Consul-General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong, Mr Vítor Sereno.
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