News

Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on tissue papers on 20 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council’s ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. For inquiry, please call the Council’s hotline: 8988 9315.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said the Government aimed to use undeveloped land – plots previously classified as “idle” – to build public housing. The proposal is subject to reversion of such land to the Government. The Chief Executive said the Government was not yet in a position to announce further details of its plans due to ongoing legal proceedings concerning those holders of Government land concessions that had failed to develop such plots according to the timetable and terms stated in the agreements. Mr Chui made his remarks on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the Macao Media Workers’ Association on 19 October. When asked by reporters about a recent protest related to local housing by some members of public, the Chief Executive said he understood Macao residents’ demands on housing, adding the Government would continue pushing forward measures already outlined in its Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2015. The Government is determined to identify fresh sources of land for building public housing, as a way to fulfil Macao residents’ housing needs, he said. The Government plans to build 28,000 housing units in ‘Area A’, a part of Macau peninsula recently reclaimed by landfill. The pledge is in line with Mr Chui’s manifesto commitment made when he sought election in August 2014 for a second term as Chief Executive. He added that the Government would review the rules relevant to its home ownership scheme for Macao residents. It would also give consideration to revisions in the method of sorting applications for public housing and for drawing lots among applicants, as suggested by some opinions from the public. When asked by reporters, Mr Chui said he believed the recent application round for the home ownership scheme would not be the last such event during his tenure, which ends in 2019. The Chief Executive stated that maintaining an active two-way communication with Macao residents from all walks of life was a core task of his administration team; one that would be actively pursued by his five policy secretaries. Reporters also asked Mr Chui for comment regarding the case of a Macao resident detained in the United States. Mr Chui said he noted the relevant news reports but had no comment on the issue in view of the ongoing legal proceedings. During the reception on 19 October, to celebrate National Day and to present service awards to members of the Macao Media Workers’ Association, Mr Chui also said the Government respected the freedom of the media and of publication, and would continue supporting the sector. He said the Government aims to strengthen relations between the administration, the media and Macao residents in order to enhance the distribution of information. In his speech, the Chief Executive spoke highly of the media sector for its contributions to the successful implementation of the Central Government’s “One country, two systems” policy and for the media’s efforts in serving the people. He urged the sector – together with the people of Macao – to study in depth the Basic Law of Macao, as a way to intensify the implementation of “One country, two systems”, and to maintain the long-term stability and sustainability of Macao, thus contributing to the country’s development.
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Consumer Council conducted its seventh ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 19 October 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 six 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 annual international gala economic and trade event of Macao, the 20th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), will be held from 22 to 25 October 2015 at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The theme of the 20th MIF continues to be “Co-operation - Key to Business Opportunities”, a theme that links the past to the future, advancing with times. MIF also closely follows the footsteps of the country’s development strategy of the “Belt and Road” initiative and the SAR Government’s goal of building Macao into a “World Tourism and Leisure Centre” and establishing the “Business and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” (One Centre, One Platform). Activities of this year’s MIF will focus on topics such as the “Belt and Road” initiative, platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Free Trade Zones, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), youth entrepreneurship, “Internet +”, Traditional Chinese Medicine industry, as well as cultural and creative industry. Special topic exhibition areas and series of forum are set up to support these topics, enriching the contents of MIF. Free business-matching service is also available, helping trade visitors to find new business opportunities. Concurrent events include the setting up of an ”exhibition-within-an-exhibition”, namely the “Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition”, as well as the organisation of the “World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs”. This MIF is organised by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) as the Special Supporting Organisation. The Governmental Co-organisers are Macao Economic Services of Macao SAR Government, Macau Government Tourist Office of Macao SAR Government, Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, Chongqing Foreign Trade & Economic Relations Commission, and Fujian Macau Economic Co-operation Promotion Committee. A total of 19 government bodies and business associations from Mainland China, Portuguese-speaking Countries, as well as countries/regions such as Hong Kong and Macao are invited as co-organisers, partner organisations, and co-ordinators. As the first exhibition in Macao accredited by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), the first MIF was held in 1996 and after 20 years of development, the exhibition area has expanded from 3,000 square metres to more than 37,000 square meters while number of exhibition booths has grown from around 100 to more than 1,900. There are more than 50 concurrent events such as high-level forums, presentations and seminars on investment environment and projects, and industry-specific conferences, enabling exhibitors from around the world and local SMEs to explore business opportunities together. I A Networking Platform with Macao Characteristics The “Belt and Road” Initiative with Macao Characteristics Due to its special geographic location and its role as an economic region, Macao possesses unique advantages in the implementation of the “Belt and Road” initiative. This year, the initiative is featured in many MIF forums and seminars, including the “International Trade and Investment Forum 2015”, a keynote forum of the 20th MIF to be held in the afternoon of the first day (22 October). Ministerial officials and renowned academics from Mainland China and various countries along the “Belt and Road” route are invited to share their insights on the “Belt and Road” initiative and regional economic development. Other forums focusing on the “Belt and Road” initiative include “One Belt One Road Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Opportunity” and a forum on “Extension to One Belt One Road - How the Ancient Maritime Silk Road can foster China-Latin America Ties for Promoting the Economic Integration of Asia and Latin America and the Cultural Exchange of the two Regions”. On the other hand, coastal countries along the “Belt and Road” route, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Pakistan, and Cambodia will also participate in MIF exhibitions and forums. Returned overseas Chinese of Macao play an importance role in networking and liaisons, highlighting Macao’s unique role as a platform in the business co-operation brought about by the “Belt and Road” initiative. Advance the Chinese Portuguese Platform by Establishing the “Three Centres” In promote the development of the Business and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries as well as to support and collaborate with the SAR Government’s plan to establish the “Three Centres”, this year’s MIF will further enrich the contents and the size of the exhibition area of the Portuguese-speaking Countries. An exhibition entitled “Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition” (an “exhibition-within-an-exhibition”) will be held. This exhibition will take up a space of 2,241 square metres, with 249 exhibition booths set up by more than 150 exhibitors from Portuguese-speaking countries. Exhibitors will present the latest economic development trends and investment environment of these Portuguese-speaking Countries. They will also showcase food and beverages from these Portuguese-speaking Countries as well as various commerce and trade professional services for industries such as: finance, translation, advertising media, exhibition and advertising, E-commerce, tourism, legal consultation, accounting, and retail that can facilitate interactions with Portuguese-speaking Countries. In order to improve the effectiveness of the “exhibition-within-an-exhibition”, exhibitors and trade visitors have been registered in advance so as to ensure that business matching meetings at the venue can be more purposeful and effective. To further promote the “Three Centres” and the “Economic & Trade Co-operation and Human Resources Portal between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” (the Portal), MIF has, for the first time, established a “Portal Professional Service Supplier Exhibition Area”. In order to strengthen interaction and exchanges between Macao enterprises and Portuguese-speaking Countries exhibitors, 16 professional service providers have been invited to participate in this exhibition. Several forums and seminars involving Portuguese-speaking Countries have been scheduled during MIF, including “Young Entrepreneurs Forum of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, “Presentation on the Economic & Trade Co-operation and Human Resources Portal between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, “Beijing • Macao • Portuguese-Speaking Countries Matchmaking Symposium for Cooperation Projects”, “The 5th Jiangsu – Macau Portuguese-Speaking Countries Business Forum”, “Dongguan - Portuguese Speaking Countries Networking Meeting”, “Presentation on Fishery Industry Development Situation and Fishery Food Trading and Processing Business Opportunities in Portuguese-speaking Countries”, and “Introduction to Taxation Policy on Cross-border Trade and Trade with Portuguese-Speaking Countries” Expand Guangdong-Macao Co-Operation and Promote Business Opportunities brought about by the Free Trade Zones The Guangdong Free Trade Zone has become the latest hot spot of regional investment and co-operation. A Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Industrial Park on Hengqin Island exhibition area will be set up at MIF to present the current investment projects and business opportunities offered by the Free Trade Zone. The Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort will also have its own designated exhibition area. At the same time, Zhongshan will have a Lighting Fixture Exhibition Area and a “Zhongshan-Macao Investment and Trade Promotion” event at MIF. Meanwhile MIF will continue to provide “One Trip, Multi-Stop” service to arrange visitors to conduct investment environment study at Hengqin, Zhuhai, aiming to expand exhibition industry collaboration and promote regional economic and trade co-operation. Promote Development of Youth Entrepreneurship and SMEs Collaboration In order to assist youth entrepreneurs as well as SMEs to expand their businesses, more than 20 young entrepreneurs were invited to participate in this year’s Macao SME Pavilion, “Creative Power Exhibition Area”, and “Macao International Design Exhibition”. MIF has especially arranged a series of activities focusing on youth entrepreneurship and SME business operation during “SME International Business Days”. Forums and seminars relating to youth entrepreneurship include:“Let your dream fly, start your business” Forum and “Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Innovation – 10 Tips for Starting your Own Business”. Macao Economic Services will provide on site consultation service for young entrepreneur. A wide variety of exhibitors will be exhibiting in the “Macao SME Pavilion”, including: souvenir, food products and wines, electronic products, clothes/shoes/leather products, jewellery /accessories/handicrafts, household items, cultural and creative products, environmental/industrial equipment. Interactive elements such as live demonstrations and miniature workshops will also be set up this year. SME Service Counter is set up at the venue to provide business consultation, timely market information, and business matching service to SMEs, helping Macao SMEs to transform and leverage their business to grasp opportunities. Exhibition Industry Co-operation Platform to expand Communication within the Industry For many years, under the collaborative efforts of IPIM and other co-organisers, MIF has gradually become an incubation platform for the exhibition industry. Besides creating an “Exhibition within an Exhibition” to promote the development of this industry, the exhibition industry has also organised a “The 8th Exhibition Industry Co-operation Forum of Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macao and Other Cities in Pan-PRD & Exhibition Industry Forum for Economic Cooperation” during MIF to deepen the exchanges and co-operation of the exhibition industry between cities in the Pearl River Delta region. Moreover, a Launching Ceremony for the Macao Exhibition Ambassador Programme will be held during MIF to promote the development of MICE human resources. At the same time, in order to improve the industry’s awareness on green exhibition and implement waste reduction at source, to the organiser decided to organise the Green Booth and Green Electricity Fee Rebate programme again this year, and received enormous support from the exhibition industry. E-Commerce to Promote Internet Platform Following the development of economic globalisation and Informatisation, cross-border E-commerce is also developing at an unprecedented rapid pace. 2014 cross-border E-commerce trade volume has reached 3.75 trillion yuan. In order to further assist local SMEs to develop E-commerce, this year’s MIF has invited many E-commerce enterprises to participate in its exhibitions and forums. Service providers from E-commerce platforms, online shopping malls, cross-border electronic merchant platforms, finance and payment services, mobile Internet services, and digital technology from around the globe will promote their leading products, brand new business models to visitors at the exhibition platform. At the same time, representatives from Google and Alibaba are invited as speakers of the E-commerce seminar to share their views and their successful experiences. Related activities also include “Zhuhai Cross-border E-commerce Conference”. MIF will also arrange well-known E-commerce service providers to provide free consultation services during the event. Promote Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry to assist Diversification of Industrial Development The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Exchange Center for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao is going to set up a “Chinese Medicine Health Industry Pavilion” during MIF. The pavilion covers 432 square meters of space and has attracted a group of outstanding traditional Chinese medicine enterprises to attend. Key exhibitors include Gansu Cheezheng Tibetan Medicine Industry Group Co Ltd, the first Tibetan enterprise obtaining GMP certification in China, which is coming to MIF for the first time. Guangdong-Macao Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park Development Co Ltd will also be at the pavilion. A series of related forums will also be held during the exhibition, including “International Forum on Development of Chinese Medicine (Macao)”, and “2015 Macau Traditional Chinese Medicine Forum (MTCMF)”, helping to advance diversified industrial development of Macao. Integrate Characteristics of Macao to Promote Local Cultural Creative Industry Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government continues to host their “Macao Creative Pavilion” at MIF. This year, latest Macao creations will be presented to MIF visitors under the theme of cultural creative map. Since the 15th MIF in 2010, the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre (CPTTM) started to work together with IPIM to host a “Macao Fashion Festival” during MIF, showcasing up-to-date Macao fashion design concepts and Macao fashion trends will be the focus of the festival. Fashion seminar and several Macao fashion shows will also be presented at the festival. A “Macao International Design Exhibition” will be set up as part of this year’s MIF. The exhibition covers an area of about 1,000 square meters. Over 400 pieces of outstanding design works gathered from around the globe will be on display, including fascinating works from well-known U.K. female architect Zaha Hadid, Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza, and Chinese Academy of Engineering member Cui Kai. “The Cultivation of International Design Talents and the Combination of Enterprise Development Needs Forum” will also be held at the same time. Over 500 exceptional designers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao, Singapore, and other overseas areas will attend the forum for academic exchanges, explore international design development trends, and study the cultivation of international design talents. The exhibition and forum aim to promote better development of the design industry in Macao and Chinese regions as well as building a long-term learning and exchange platform between Macao and the international community. This is the fourth year that “Shenzhen International Cultural Industry Fair” is held during MIF, bringing with it China’s best forefront cultural creative concepts, products, and creative culture. Meanwhile, the Macao International Printing Products Expo 2015 will showcase latest technology and creative ideas from the printing industry. Other concurrent events include the “5th China Print Awards Outstanding Works Exhibition” and “2015 Printing Summit Forum”. Chinese Entrepreneurs Worldwide Join Together to Collaborate on Mega Development Plan Chinese entrepreneurs from around the world will be invited to attend this year’s MIF. Through their participation in exhibition, “World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs”, other related forums, as well as business promotion and business matching, they will explore the developing business opportunities offered under the “Belt and Road” initiative, promote interaction and co-operation between global Chinese entrepreneurs. “The 12th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs” will be held on 24th October and the theme is “Belt and Road” development opportunities and challenges. Chinese entrepreneurs and leaders of Chinese entrepreneurial associations from around the globe will gather together at the event to explore and exchange information on how to improve economic and trade co-operation for Chinese entrepreneurs from mainland and overseas. On the same day, “2015 Excellence in Achievement of World Chinese Youth Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony” and “The Forum of Excellence in Achievement of World Chinese Youth Entrepreneurs” will also be held. II Rich Exhibition Contents with Practical Layout This year‘s MIF has again successfully invited more than 50 delegations from Mainland as well as overseas countries and regions to participate in the exhibition, to actively promote Macao’s economic diversification and the development local SMEs. The MIF platform has already successfully driven Macao SMEs to strengthen their desire to exchange information and upgrade their business, working actively to expand their mainland and overseas markets. To ensure the professional standard and effectiveness of this year’s MIF, the organiser strives to continue to optimize its exhibition services in an attempt to maximise business transactions at the exhibition. MIF has invited many buyers, well-known enterprises, and designated pavilion merchants as possible to attend MIF. Up till now, MIF has already arranged over 1,400 trade visitors and buyers from Guangdong and other provinces to participate in the event. III MIF Services to Facilitate Visitors Establish Service and Enquiry Counter This year’s MIF continues to provide on site service and consultation counter. Services offered at the counter include convenience support services such as tourist services, postal services, telecommunication services, and on-site logistic services. To facilitate visitors to easily go through immigration, “MIF VIP Channel” will be established at the Border Gate, Lotus Border, and Hong Kong Macao Ferry Terminal Border. * Encourage Green Travel through Provision of Free Shuttle Bus Service To uphold organisation of environmentally friendly exhibition and encourage participants to practise green travel, free shuttle bus service will be provided during MIF from 22 to 25 October to provide a green travel option to the participants. Visitors driving to MIF can consider parking at the Taipa Central Park Car Park and then take the shuttle bus to the venue. Use of “New Media” to retrieve latest MIF updates and achieve “Paperless” Exhibition To improve exhibition efficiency and to promote a “paperless” exhibition, MIF continues to set up WeChat exhibitor enquiry service and a mobile App this year, making it easier for exhibitors and delegates to access up-to-date exhibition information and guidance. Visitors can also conduct real-time business matching registration to arrange meetings with interested enterprises. For further details of the 20th MIF, please follow MIF WeChat account (ID: MIFMacau), contact IPIM on 853 – 2882 8711, or visit the MIF website: www.mif.com.mo. Anyone interested in the above mentioned items can go to the Business Meeting Centre for enquiries and business matching.
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The 20th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held at the Cotai Strip Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, from 22 to 25 October 2015. The Cultural Affairs Bureau has been setting up the Macao Creative Pavilion at the Fair for the sixth consecutive year. This year, the printed version of Macao Cultural and Creative Map (MCC Map) and its mobile app will be promoted and accessible free of charge on-site. In addition, a number of commodities originated by the cultural and creative entities included in the MCC Map will be exhibited. The Pavilion is open to the general public. Occupying an area of 135m2, this year the Pavilion is themed on the Macao Cultural and Creative Map. In order to further promote the printed map, its mobile app and the cultural and creative entities featured in it, 22 of these entities will showcase selected products such as design products, clothing and accessories, books and periodicals, visual art and music works at the fair, assisting industries to promote their own brands and demonstrating the characteristics of cultural and creativity of Macao. Specialized area for the mobile app of MCC Map will be set up at the Pavilion, where visitors can try the app and get thorough understanding about its operation and functions through simple illustrations and introductions by personnel. Hence it helps visitors to get familiar with Macao’s cultural and creative entities. In addition, the games will be rolled out to enhance the interaction on the scene, and delicate souvenirs will be awarded to winners. Visitors are welcome to participate in the games. The MCC Map currently covers the seven parishes of Macao, introducing each parish and cultural and creative entities through lively illustrations and texts; it also provides information about World Heritage sites, museums and bus routes. Residents and tourists are facilitated to have deeper understanding on Macao’s cultural and creative entities and experience Macao’s diversified culture. Moreover, four itineraries were developed and connected with different cultural and creative spaces and World Heritage sites in each parish, guiding residents and visitors to discover these spaces and appreciating the historical value of each parish in Macao. The MCC Map may therefore be used as a reference for travellers. While strolling through the cultural and creative spaces and World Heritage sites, they can feel the literary and artistic elements in the city.
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The Government says it will not lightly change its policies on the gaming industry and on labour – policies that have been widely supported by the Macao public. The Government additionally noted that overseeing applications for gaming table allocation for the local casino sector and applications by companies for non-resident labour are executive legal powers of the Macao Government. The Government also expressed regrets over an opinion from a casino operator – reported by news media outside Macao – relating to the city’s gaming policy, said the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac. In order to reiterate the Government’s stance and its principles on the gaming policy issue, the Secretary met with representatives of the relevant gaming operator on 18 October. The Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, Mr Manuel Joaquim das Neves, also attended the meeting. Mr Leong noted that the gaming industry is the main pillar of Macao’s economy. He said the Government will work to optimise the regulations for the industry and urged operators to provide additional non-gaming elements in new projects. That is in order to help transform Macao to a world centre for tourism and leisure (known as the “World Centre” policy), said Mr Leong. The Secretary added that the Government has introduced fresh internal guidelines to the sector recently. They aim to strengthen monitoring of the gaming operators and gaming promoters, as part of the Government’s efforts to promote an adequate development of the sector and to enhance its competitiveness. The aims of promoting an adequate economic diversification for Macao and a moderate control of the pace of development for the gaming sector have the consensual support of Macao society and represent the direction the administration wishes to follow, he added. Regarding casino operators’ applications for gaming tables, Mr Leong stressed that the Government would strictly follow the principle of allowing a year-on-year average growth rate of no more than three percent before the year 2023. Criteria when considering table allocation for a new project include: the project’s non-gaming elements; whether the project could help to improve the industry’s competitiveness and contribute to the implementation of the “World Centre” policy; and if it could drive development of local small- and medium-sized enterprises, he said. Mr Leong stressed that non-resident workers were only to cover any shortfalls in local human resources. The Government has directed the gaming operators to provide on-the-job training to local workers in order to improve their upward job mobility. The Government will closely monitor the jobs market and provide assistance to residents in need of employment services. The Government has always maintained close contact with the gaming sector in terms of giving notice or clarification when launching new measures, Mr Leong said, adding the sector had shown respect, cooperation and compliance regarding public policy.
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The Government will strive to implement its housing policy and ensure all Macao residents have their housing needs addressed. In addition, the Government is committed to creating conditions to improve quality of life for all. The Government respects and understands the opinions of those that today joined a demonstration in order to express views – in a legal and rational manner – regarding Macao residents’ housing needs. The Government has always paid close attention to the housing needs of Macao residents; this is a top concern for the local authorities. As outlined in the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2015, the Government will spare no effort to foster the establishment of a long-term mechanism to ensure the housing needs of Macao residents are satisfied. The Government is using its best efforts to address this issue. Measures taken have included: conducting studies on potential new types of public housing; carrying out ballots for different categories of public housing applications; and pressing ahead with the construction of new public housing. The Government is collecting opinions and suggestions from the public to revise the Government’s home ownership scheme and other public housing-related regulations. The goal of those initiatives is to optimise further the allocation and management of the public housing stock.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is holding a high-profile promotion in Berlin, centered on a Macau 3D video mapping show, titled “Touching Moments”, which is being presented at the world famous Festival of Lights, now running at the German capital, to showcase the city’s tourism appeal in a creative and impressive way, in order to attract more visitors from Germany and Europe. MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse was in Berlin for the promotion, along with the Head of Tourism Product and Events Department, Doris Leong, and the Head of Marketing Division, Cora Vong. On Thursday (15), Cecilia Tse presided over a dinner-reception for travel trade partners, media representatives and other guests at the historical Hotel de Rome, on which facade the Macau video mapping show is being projected. At the occasion, Cecilia Tse, joined by the Festival of Lights Managing Director and Organizer Birgit Zander, held a celebration event ceremony of the Macau’s video mapping show at the facade of the landmark hotel, located in the heart of Berlin. “Our debut at the stunning Festival of Lights offers a great exposure as well as a learning opportunity to Macau as a tourism city. Since last year, Macau Government Tourist Office has been using this creative and impressive modern tool of video mapping to promote the city in Mainland China and abroad. At the same time, we have been testing the waters to introduce regular 3D video mapping displays in Macau as well,” Cecilia Tse remarked at the MGTO organized dinner-reception. The Macau 3D video mapping show “Touching Moments” is being displayed at the 11th Festival of Lights, which opened on October 9 and closes today (October 18). Portraying in an innovative way the cultural and tourism elements of Macau via its emblematic lotus flower, the five minutes-long illumination will have a total of around 150 screenings for the ten nights of the festival. The Macau projection has been seen by the crowds of viewers attending the international festival, as the annual mega-event that turns Berlin into a city of light art displayed on its monuments and buildings, already developed into an important tourism magnet, drawing over two million visitors from Berlin, Germany, Europe and around the world. Cecilia Tse also met with the Director for Market Management of Visit Berlin, Ralf Ostendorf, on October 13, to exchange views on tourism development, and to learn with the experience of Berlin, which has evolved as one of the fastest growing tourism cites in Europe leveraging on cultural tourism. In tandem with the Macau video mapping presentation, MGTO also held other high-impact promotional activities in Berlin to maximize the exposure gained during the popular Festival of Lights. A radio campaign about Macau was running in cooperation with the German station Spreeradio, as well as a promotion on the city’s cabs touring the streets of Berlin, this one lasting until beginning of November, among other initiatives, to enhance the recognition of Macau and its attractions as a tourism destination.
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Being one of key events of the 20th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), the Macao International Trade and Investment Forum 2015 will be held at 2:45 pm on 22 October (the opening day of MIF) in the Sicily Room of Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. There will be increasing international participation in this year’s forum, with ministerial-level officials, experts and academic from Mainland China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries to discuss about the “Belt and Road” initiative and regional economic co-operation, exploring the new trends of the “Belt and Road” initiative in international business and regional co-operation, as well as capitalising the strengths of the Macao business platform and new international co-operation opportunities. The Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government Leong Vai Tac will give a speech at the Forum. Other speakers are the Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Yin Zonghua, Vice-Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and Chairman of Transfar Group Co. Ltd. (a famous company in Zhejiang and Shanghai) Xu Guanju, the Vice-Minister of Trade, Industry and Environment of East Timor Filipus Nino Pereira, the State Secretary of Planning and Regional Integration of Guinea-Bissau Degol Mendes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AICEP Portugal Global Miguel Frasquilho and the President of Macao Chamber of Commerce Ma Iao Lai. Furthermore, the Organiser has also invited Deputy Director-General of Development Research Centre of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province Li Huiwu who has been engaged in policy consultation studies for years, and has considerable experience in macro-economic operation, regional development strategy as well as the economy in Hong Kong and Macao. He will discuss with forum participants on how to grasp the opportunities derived from the “Belt and Road” Initiative, enhance competitiveness through the deepening of regional co-operation, so as to allow companies from Mainland China, Portuguese-speaking Countries, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao to gain better understanding of the “Belt and Road” Initiative and the opportunities it brought about. All from the business community are welcome to join the event by presenting their 20th MIF admission badges. Admission is free, please register early as seats are limited. Simultaneous interpretation in Mandarin, Cantonese, Portuguese and English will be available. For further details about the above event or the 20th MIF admission badge, please contact Ms. Kwan of the Research and Information Division of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). (tel: 853-87989 127, fax: 853-2872 8208 or 853-2859 0309, or e-mail to ipimpcom@ipim.gov.mo )
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The CCAC held an event entitled “Build a New and Clean Community” at the park of Iao Hon Market in this afternoon (17th October). In his opening speech, the Commissioner Against Corruption, Cheong Weng Chon, stated that the CCAC has seen certain achievements resulting from its efforts in graft fighting over the years, which have gained many citizens’ support. At the same time, it also enables more citizens to understand the hazardous impact of corruption and that integrity, justice and rule of law are the cornerstones of robust development of society. The CCAC will continue to strengthen every kind of media publicity in order to perfect its interaction with citizens and join hands with them to build an unbreakable anti-corruption network. Moreover, Cheong added that the CCAC will put more efforts in promotion targeting teenagers so as to promote the values of integrity, honesty, justice and fairness among them. Co-organised with the Youth Committee of Macao Federation of Trade Unions, the Youth Affairs Committee of General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau, the Macao New Chinese Youth Association and the Fu Lun Youth Association of Macau, the event featured performances by Hong Kong singer Fred Cheng and Macao singer Vivian Chan, booth games, dance performance and magic show, attracting many citizens.
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