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The Government will continue to assess the social impacts of the ongoing adjustment in the city’s gaming industry, and will take all necessary measures to ensure those changes do not affect public security, said the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak. Mr Wong’s comments were made after the Beijing-Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Prison Forum, held in Macao on 14 October. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Wong stressed that Macao remains a safe city, as shown by the official crime statistics for the first two quarters of 2015. He noted that there had been a continuous decrease in serious criminal cases, in addition to improved rates of crime detection. Mr Wong also mentioned improvements made in crime prevention and control. The Secretary acknowledged that the adjustment in the gaming industry could pose some challenges to Macao’s public security. Therefore, the Government would strengthen supervision and security controls in casinos and their vicinity, he said. These measures would be implemented under the guiding principle of not hindering the development of the gaming industry, Mr Wong added. Questioned about the control of financial activities in the gaming sector, the Secretary said the Government had specific departments overseeing that area. Any suspected criminal activity would be reported to the relevant authorities, he stressed. Regarding the alleged fraud case involving Macao gaming promoter Dore, the Judiciary Police is probing the case, following the complaints it has received, Mr Wong said. He added that this case was complex as it involved numerous people and a large amount of capital. The police would make further announcements based on the progress of the investigation, he added. Mr Wong also stated that the Government is looking into revising the legislation on illegal immigration. The revision might include the increase of detention period to 90 days from the current 60 days. The Secretary explained that 60 days could be insufficient for the police to complete the repatriation procedures in more complex cases. In those cases, issuing a “temporary stay permit” to illegal immigrants – who might not have enough funds to support themselves in Macao – could impact social stability, Mr Wong added.
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The Government Headquarters will open to the public during the weekend (17 and 18 October) from 9am to 6pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to join several family-friendly activities specially organised for this annual event. During the two days, members of the public will be welcomed to visit the Protocol Palace of the Government Headquarters – a brightly coloured landmark built more than 160 years ago – and its garden, located on Avenida da Praia Grande. There will be guided tours of the ground floor of the Headquarters and a display in the Multipurpose Room of the Protocol Palace, titled “Photo Exhibition on ‘The Historic Centre of Macao’ as World Heritage”. There will additionally be a flower show under the theme “Joy of Family”. The highlight of the display will be the Calla Lily (or Zantedeschia aethiopica). The colourful blooms will be in the Protocol Palace, on the grass lawn, in flower racks and in the front yard. During the weekend, the backyard of the Government Headquarters will be turned into a children’s playground. It will feature colourful swings made from old tires, in a Government effort to promote reuse of waste and spread a green message. There will be live performances by the Macao Police Band and dance performances staged by students of the Macao Conservatory. The Macao Post will set up a temporary booth near the Nam Van Lake opposite to the Government Headquarters, selling commemorative items and offering decorative postmark cancellation. The Macau Government Tourism Office will also set up a booth there to distribute promotional materials. The programme additionally includes performances from the Nam Van Lake Cybernetic Fountain, operated by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau. Visitors can enter the Government Headquarters by the entrance on Travessa do Paiva, on the right side of the Protocol Palace. They should then follow the designated route, which includes visits to the Multipurpose Room and the Lotus Room on the ground floor. Walking up the marble staircase to the first floor, visitors can explore the Grand Hall, the Green Hall, the Yellow Hall and the Blue Hall. For the convenience of visitors, special traffic arrangements will be in force throughout the weekend in some sections of Travessa do Paiva. Drivers are urged to pay attention to the temporary traffic signs and follow police advice. For more detailed information and a schedule of Open Day sessions activities, please visit http://www2.gcs.gov.mo/openday/en/index.php or http://www.gov.mo, or download the official mobile application available for either Android or iOS portable devices using the keywords “Macau Open Day 2015” in either App Store or Google Play.
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In order to expand the merchandising of local cultural and creative products and promote local creativity, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) set up the Mandarin’s House Cultural Heritage Info Center and Gift Shop which opened to the public on 29 January 2011. Every year IC selects entities from the Database for Macao Cultural and Creative Industries (Cultural and Creative Database) to present and sell their own creative products on consignment in the gift shop. Applications for 2016 start today and run until 13 November 2015. All interested cultural and creative entities are welcome to apply for inclusion in the Cultural and Creative Database. Those already listed on the Database need not re-apply but may submit any updates to IC before the application deadline. The Mandarin’s House Cultural Heritage Info Center and Gift Shop is specialized in souvenirs themed on the Mandarin’s House and the Macao cultural heritage, IC publications and design items, as well as products of Macao’s cultural and creative brands on consignment. Merchandise includes design items, anime and comic products, audio and visual products as well as books and other publications. The selection criteria is based on originality, industrial and market potential, brand image, capacity for sustainable development or research and development of the products, and relevance to the Mandarin’s House. IC hopes to increase external merchandising platforms for local cultural and creative industries through the Gift Shop, in order to promote and support the development of cultural and creative products with distinctive native features. The Information Collection Form for applying for inclusion in the Database can be downloaded from the IC website (www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc) or the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com). Interested parties must complete and submit the printed form together with the electronic copy of the form and its attachments to the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building located at the Tap Seac Square or to the Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries (No. 567, Av. da Praia Grande, Edif. BNU, 12th Floor A–D, Macao). For enquiries, please contact IC through tel. no. (853) 8598 6716 or no. (853) 8598 6723 during office hours or through email: info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), together with industry delegates of 13 local corporations, are spotlighting Macau as a business and incentive travel destination at America’s Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events (IMEX America 2015) in Las Vegas, the United States of America. IMEX America 2015 is staged at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas from 13 – 15 October. MGTO is leveraging this major platform to promote its Travel Stimulation Program for professional buyers, and takes the opportunity to showcase Macau’s latest trends and products in business tourism as well. The Tourist Office also offers a springboard for industry delegates from Macau to exchange industry news and discuss business opportunities with buyers and potential partners from around the world. Celebrating its fifth edition this year, IMEX America is the largest trade show specialized in incentive travel, meetings and events in the United States of America. Larger than any of its previous editions, IMEX America boasts a new addition of 80 booths this year, with a total of 3,100 exhibitors joining the trade show from 150 countries and regions. Some of the returning exhibitors set up larger booths this year than before. Besides providing face-to-face business opportunities for industry partners, the Exhibition also offers a range of networking activities and professional education programs.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP145.3 billion (USD18.21 billion) at the end of September 2015. The reserves increased by 0.2% from the revised value of MOP145.1 billion (USD18.17 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-September 2015 represented 13 times the currency in circulation or 108.6% of Pataca M2 at end-August 2015. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca rose 0.07 points month-to-month and 6.90 points year-on-year to 105.79 in September 2015, implying that overall speaking, the pataca appreciated against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners.
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The Government will strive to create a better working environment for Macao’s judicial system, in order for it to deliver justice more efficiently and effectively, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. That includes the construction of a building exclusively to house the city’s judicial authorities, Mr Chui added. Mr Chui said the Government would continue working on the revision of the organic law of the judiciary and other related legislation, and providing support for the training of judicial personnel. Mr Chui made the comments at the opening ceremony of the 2015/2016 Judicial Year, held at the Macao Cultural Centre this afternoon. The Chief Executive said the Government would continue to review and improve Macao’s existing legislation. He added that the Government would actively cooperate with judicial authorities, especially in cases involving the Government. In his speech, Mr Chui reiterated the principles of safeguarding judicial independence and ruling in accordance with law as stipulated in the Basic Law. He added that these principles make up the foundation to effectively promote Macao’s development. The Government has been firmly adhering to the rule of law since the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region 16 years ago, he stated. Mr Chui additionally said Macao would continue to enjoy judicial independence and the power of final adjudication as stipulated in the Basic Law. Judicial independence is the cornerstone for Macao to realise the principles of “One country, two systems”, “Macao people governing Macao” and a high degree of autonomy. It is also the basis for Macao to guarantee the city’s long-term social stability. Mr Chui noted that the city’s economy is currently undergoing a period of adjustment. He said the Government would do its best to seize the opportunities brought in by mainland China’s development. That, coupled with the support from the society – including Macao’s judicial authorities – would benefit social development and the progress of the city’s judicial system, he added.
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Consumer Council conducted its fifth ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 14 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets at Lam Mau, Patane and San Kio areas in Santo António 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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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that lower charges for hotel accommodation and reduced prices of clothing brought the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the third quarter of 2015 down by 2.72% year-on-year to 131.46, the first decline since the third quarter of 2002. Notable decrease was observed in the price index of Accommodation (-10.88%) and Clothing & Footwear (-6.96%); meanwhile, price index of Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Transport & Communications; and Entertainment & Cultural Activities increased by 5.87%, 3.94% and 3.14% respectively. TPI for the third quarter of 2015 dropped by 2.34% quarter-to-quarter. Price index of Clothing & Footwear and Accommodation fell by 6.78% and 5.28% respectively due to seasonal sale of ladies’ summer clothing and lower hotel room rate. However, higher airfare drove up the price index of Transport & Communications by 1.67% quarter-to-quarter. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the third quarter of 2015 increased by 0.55% from the previous period, with marked increase being observed in the price index of Restaurant Services (+5.78%); Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+5.12%); and Entertainment & Cultural Activities (+4.82%). For the first three quarters of 2015, TPI went down by 0.10% year-on-year, of which price index of Accommodation decreased by 5.86%; meanwhile, price index of Restaurant Services and Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco increased by 4.92% and 4.76% respectively. TPI reflects the price change of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are selected according to the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.
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Themed as “Belt and Road Initiative: Unleashing the New Dynamics of Cultural Tourism”, the Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macau 2015 adjourned today (13 October) with tremendous success. The Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”) has effectively fostered multilateral cooperation through its advanced platform for international exchange and cooperation in tourism, gathering nearly 60 ministerial officials from different countries, leaders from globally‐renowned private corporations, as well as experts and scholars from worldwide to discuss the necessity of leveraging cultural tourism to capitalize on opportunities from the Belt and Road Initiative. Delegates from different countries and cities around the world found their attendance in this edition rewarding. Dr. Alexis Tam, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, stated in his closing remarks that the Forum has unfolded a lively dialogue on how a partnership between culture and tourism can fuel new momentum for economic growth. Prestigious ministers and officials from different countries, prominent leaders of international tourism organizations, private-sector stakeholders, experts and other panelists have outlined the latest tourism trends and pointed out a clear direction and practical advices. Their discussions have opened up a valuable avenue for forging more far-reaching regional collaboration at a deeper and higher level. Secretary Tam added that UNWTO has partnered with the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre to jointly present their Annual Report on Asia Tourism Trends at the Forum, allowing policy makers and industry leaders to further harness their strength and enhance policy coordination in the region with a precise perspective. As the Secretary also pointed out, the Belt and Road Initiative advocates mutual development and win-win cooperation. Regional collaboration is an essential path for all destinations to achieve sustainability. Being one of the key hubs along the Maritime Silk Road and a major gateway that connects China to the world, Macao is dedicated to supporting and contributing to the vision and actions of the Belt and Road Initiative. Sparing no effort to promote urban development and harness Macao’s unique advantages in culture and tourism, the SAR Government will recognize the vast scope of opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation among countries and cities along the Belt and Road to forge new partnerships with different international partners. Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary‐General of GTEF, concluded this edition, “Throughout history, Macau has always been a platform that brings people together to trade, to exchange ideas, and to work together. Ho continues, “As the Secretary General of UNWTO eloquently expressed, globalization has made us so similar, but tourism brings out the beauty of our uniqueness and diversity, giving character and individuality to each culture. Macau in its strategic physical and historic location stands ready to optimize the Belt and Road Initiative to offer multi-dimensional, multi-faceted and multi-cultural offerings that will give its visitors and its residents lasting collective experience and memories, and create a virtuous cycle of positive and enriching influence from the visitors to the residents, and vice versa.” More than 1,200 delegates from different countries and cities, including Featured Partner Countries Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru as well as provincial and municipal delegations from China attended the event, while over 200 local and overseas media representatives were present and covered the event, representing a 42% and 54% growth compared with the first edition of GTEF. The fifth edition of GTEF will be held in Macao in 2016. The organizer is looking forward to carrying on the achievements and invaluable experience from the first four editions and injecting more innovations into the next edition in terms of both program and format, ensuring that the Forum’s participating partners can go forward with further exchanges and cooperation in tourism across industries, sectors and regions through GTEF as an international platform.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today highlighted three major tasks that need to be performed regarding the clarification of Macao’s role in the management of its customary waters. The three tasks are: development of related regulation; training of professionals; and the acquisition of necessary equipment. These are part of the Government’s efforts to prepare for the new role of managing its customary waters, Mr Chui said. Mr Chui’s comments were made in a meeting with members of an interdepartmental group handling the preparatory works. Earlier in the day, Mr Chui inspected Macao’s maritime waters, including visits to the Taipa waterway, the Outer Harbour and a sea area to the east of the Macau International Airport. The Chief Executive told members of the interdepartmental group to pay close attention to planning, including issues related to management, safety and security of Macao’s customary waters. Mr Chui added that proper handling of these issues would benefit Macao’s coastal economy. The meeting with the members of the interdepartmental group was held in the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. The Chief Executive was briefed on the progress made in delimiting Macao’s customary waters and provided with a schedule of works. In addition, he was also briefed on the plans to manage Macao’s customary waters and the next stage of works. Mr Chui praised the group’s efforts and expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Guangdong Provincial Government and related Central Government agencies. Officials attending the inspection and meeting included: the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Ms Lai Man Wa; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Marine and Water Bureau, Ms Wong Soi Man; the Director of the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau, Mr Cheong Sio Kei; the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau, Mr Liu Dexue; the Acting Commissioner of the Public Security Police Force, Mr Chan Man Tak; and the advisor to Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Ko Chin Hung.
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