News

According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) both witnessed decreases in February 2016. With regard to the outstanding balance, RMLs remained virtually unchanged from the previous month while CRELs increased. New lending approved In February 2016, new RMLs approved by Macao banks decreased 29.5% month-to-month to MOP2.3 billion; of which, 91.8% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents decreased by 31.9% whereas those to non-residents increased by 17.1%. When compared with the same period of 2015, new approvals of RMLs fell by 57.1%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) decreased by 14.9% month-to-month to MOP0.7 billion. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 86.4% of the total, dropped by 22.1%. When compared with the same period of 2015, new RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units decreased by 23.2%. New CRELs fell by 49.6% month-to-month to MOP2.7 billion; of which, 87.9% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents decreased by 55.6% whereas those to non-residents increased from a low comparison base in the previous month by 2,326.5%. The notable increase of the non-resident component was mainly caused by new loans granted to enterprises collateralised by business premises. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs dropped by 43.4%. Outstanding balances As at end-February 2016, the outstanding value of RMLs, at MOP174.0 billion, remained virtually unchanged from the previous month but increased by 11.6% from a year ago. The resident component made up 93.7% of the total. Compared to end-January 2016, outstanding RMLs to residents was stable whereas those to non-residents grew by 0.2%. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased by 1.0% from end-January 2016 and by 30.0% from end-February 2015 to MOP166.1 billion. Residents accounted for 88.4% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents grew 0.6% and 4.1% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of February 2016, the delinquency ratio for RMLs was 0.09%, up 0.01 percentage point from a month ago and from end-February 2015. The ratio for CRELs, at 0.02%, remained virtually unchanged from a month ago or was down 0.04 percentage points from a year earlier.
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The Government would – as scheduled – launch before the end of this month a public consultation on planned revisions to the Legislative Assembly Election Law, said the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan. The Government would organise public consultation sessions to hear public opinion regarding the proposed revisions, in an effort further to optimise the process for Legislative Assembly elections, she told reporters on Sunday (10 April). The revisions as proposed so far had already taken account of public opinion. The proposed revisions were drafted following an official report published last December, concerning the fifth Legislative Assembly Election. Ms Chan said the Government needed to deal with the revision process carefully as the election mechanism was pivotal to Macao’s political development. She noted an election for the Legislative Assembly would be held next year. The Government would press ahead with optimisation of a coordinated legislative mechanism, she added. Commenting on other issues covered by her portfolio, the Secretary mentioned the Government would submit to the Assembly this year proposals relating to eight statutes. She said this was in line with the Government’s legislative plan for the current year. The Government would continue enhancing the quality of its legislation by hiring greater numbers of bilingual legal professionals and by providing further training to Chinese-Portuguese translators. In addition, Ms Chan stated that the revision of regulations relating to passenger services operated by designated light vehicles or taxis was likely to be completed this year. Noting that there was opposition from some quarters regarding some of the proposed changes to the regulations, Ms Chan said the Government had to balance residents’ views with those of the sector, given that taxis were a form of public transportation. Regarding a suggestion that meetings of Government consultative bodies should be opened to the public, the Secretary said such bodies had discretionary powers to do so, subject to consultation with the members of those bodies.
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The Government has launched a website for the Urban Renewal Committee, to share more information with the public regarding the Committee’s work. The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário, mentioned the website on Friday (8 April) following the second meeting of the Urban Renewal Committee. Mr Rosário is the Chairman of the Committee. The Secretary said he encouraged all public bodies under his portfolio to increase the amount of information they share online with the public. Friday’s meeting of the Urban Renewal Committee discussed internal rules, near-term work arrangements, and was given a presentation on the work done by a preceding consultative committee regarding urban renewal of Macao's older districts, said Mr Rosário. The website of the Urban Renewal Committee (http://www.cru.gov.mo/zh/news.php) is available in Macao’s two official languages – Chinese and Portuguese.
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The International Conference on Teaching and Learning Portuguese as a Second Language opened today (8 April) at the University of Macau (UM). The event was co-organised by UM, the University of Lisbon, and Beijing Foreign Studies University. During the two-day event, a professional association for Portuguese language teachers in Asia will be established. UM will provide support for this association by offering assistance to the teachers and creating collaboration opportunities for them. ‘Macao has been playing a leading role in the globalisation of languages, particularly among Portuguese-speaking countries,’ said Sou Chio Fai, director of the Tertiary Education Services Office of Macao SAR. ‘Therefore, Macao not only plays an important role in the relations between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, but also has the responsibility to promote Portuguese language education in the Asia-Pacific region, in order to help others in the region rapidly adapt to the changes brought by globalisation, cultivate bilingual talent in all professional areas, and create new collaboration opportunities.’ ‘Portuguese is not just a subject for academic study for UM, but also one of Macao’s two official languages, including the language of our legal system,’ said Prof Lionel Ni, acting rector of UM, in his opening speech. ‘That explains why we have such a strong Faculty of Law, attracting many international students. That also explains why the University of Macau has always attached great importance to Portuguese language education.’ Prof Hong Gang Jin, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, also gave a speech at the conference. ‘Because of Macao’s unique history, culture, linguistic environment, and geographic location, we not only have a deep sense of responsibility for promoting the Portuguese language and culture,’ she said. ‘But also a noble mission of cultivating a large number of linguistically capable and culturally competent Portuguese bilinguals or trilinguals.’ She added: ‘UM’s Department of Portuguese has 35 years of Portuguese teaching history and is the largest Portuguese department outside of Portugal and Brazil. In each semester, the department offers three full-fledged degree programmes in various fields of studies for more than 550 students.’ The conference attracted nearly 100 scholars, professors, and postgraduate students in the area of Portuguese language education from 36 universities in different parts of the world, including mainland China, Taiwan, Macao, Portugal, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, and India. During the event, the participants had an in-depth discussion on research and teaching activities related to Portuguese language education in Asia. The two-day conference aims to enhance communication among Asian universities in the teaching and learning of the Portuguese language. The event includes two keynote speeches, three keynote roundtable discussions, and 12 presentation sessions for 48 papers.
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As from January this year, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) took over responsibility for the overall co-ordination and promotion of Macao´s convention and exhibition. Under the new theme “Macao - Mega Events City”, IPIM endeavours to promote Macao´s advantages as a convention and exhibition destination to all sectors of the society, in a bid to push forward the development of the local MICE industry. After the participation in the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME 2016) held in Melbourne, Australia, in February this year, , IPIM organised a Macao convention and exhibition and tourism delegation to participate in the 2016 Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings, China (Shanghai) (IT&CM China - 2016) from 6 to 8 April. The delegation promoted the advantage of Macao´s conventions and exhibitions as well as the “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao, to Mainland and overseas event organisers, as well as executives and representatives of the MICE industry. Strong appeal of the IT&CM China Since its inception in 2007, Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings, China (Shanghai) (IT&CM China) has become Mainland China´s premier commercial and networking platform for MICE-related activities (professional meetings, incentive travel, international conferences and exhibitions). This year’s IT&CM China was participated by over 3,000 participants including heads of governments departments in charge of convention and exhibition affairs, as well as representatives of chambers of commerce and business associations, destination management companies and professional conference organisers. The participants come from various countries such as Abu Dhabi Germany, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Over 12,000 business negotiations and 70 commercial, education and social activities were held, thus highlighting IT&CM China´s function as an important exchange platform for the world´s exhibition and business tourism industry. IPIM fully commits to promote the appeal of Macao´s MICE market A press conference was organised by IPIM during the event and attracted the presence of a large number of media from Mainland China and the Asia-Pacific. At the press conference, Mr. Sam Lei, Senior Manager of IPIM´s Promotional Activities Department, talked about the latest development in Macao’s convention and exhibition industry such as IPIM’s “One-stop” Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao, as well as the recently completed hotel projects and the newly opened convention and exhibition facilities. A “Macao Pavilion” covering 192 square metres was set up at the venue of the IT&CM China, to highlight the theme of “Macao - Mega Events City”, and introduced to exhibition industry from around the world the advantages of Macao´s conventions and exhibitions. Furthermore, a promotion counter was set up to introduce IPIM´s services and answer enquiries. Apart from IPIM and the Macao Government Tourism Office, other exhibitors included 28 local enterprises such as hotels, travel agencies, professional conference organisers, destination management companies and conference service providers, and enabled the “Macao Pavilion” to more comprehensively promote Macao as an ideal MICE destination. On the other hand, IPIM´s representatives also participated in over 20 business matching sessions arranged by the Organiser and conducted business negotiation with potential buyers. Fully utilises Macao’s strengths as a “Mega events city” In a bid to attract more international and domestic conference and exhibition organisers to organise events in Macao, through the “One-Stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao, IPIM has been assisting local associations and organisers to bid for the holding of international MICE activities in Macao since 2014. Since the launching of the service, it has already successfully bid for a number of international conventions and exhibitions to be held in Macao, such as the following events: Worldwide Chinese Life Insurance Congress and International Dragon (estimated participants: 6,000); SIGGRAPH - Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques in Asia (estimated participants: 7,000); Jeunesse Greater China Meeting (estimated participants: 10,000) and the Nu Skin Star Academy Macau 2016,. In the future, IPIM expects to co-operate with a larger number of local associations or organisations, to bid for more international conferences to be held in Macao and further develop the advantages of “Macao - Mega Events City”.
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Consumer Council revised its “Code of Practice” for intermediary services in real estate operations and added several terms to further safeguard the right of consumers to information. The Council will revise its current “codes” according to changes of law and society, as well as consumers’ behavior, more “codes” will also be established for various industries in the future to enhance fair and harmonious relations between traders and consumers. The Council has made two revisions on its “Code of Practice” for intermediary services in real estate operations since the promulgations and amendments of the law applied to the intermediary services in real estate operations (“Actividade de mediação imobiliária”) and the enforcement rules of such law (“Regulamentação da Lei da actividade de mediação imobiliária”), the latest revision the “code” is updated with several newly-added terms that require real estate agencies that are entitled to the “Certified Shop” emblem to abide by the two laws, the related shops are also required to provide factual and accurate information when placing real estate advertisements and promotional materials. Meanwhile, all selling and rental prices must be displayed in patacas, and the property prices should be displayed clearly whether they are calculated based on saleable or gross floor area. The newly-added terms helps to strengthen the right of consumers to information, and provide comprehensive and secured protection to consumers when purchasing properties. The Council states that the revised edition of its “code” define the rights and duties of both parties in a property transaction, this helps to promote a fair and harmonious relations between both parties as well as regulate a well-established business model for the industry. The revised edition of “Code of Practice” for intermediary services in real estate operations is now available in leaflets, free of charge at Consumer Council, and the Housing Bureau, and can be downloaded from the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo). “Certified Shop” are reminded to comply with the “codes” applied to their industries, failure to do so will affect the annual assessment result. For enquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau organizes the “34th Macao Young Musicians Competition”, this year dedicated to Chinese and Western instruments, to be held between 25 July and 7 August in several venues in Macao. In order to promote the development of classical music in Macao and offer local young musicians valuable performance and learning opportunities, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has enlarged the list of compulsory pieces required by the Macao Young Musicians Competition for the wind and percussion instruments examinations. More information regarding the list of compulsory pieces can be checked and downloaded in the Macao Young Musicians Competition’s website (www.icm.gov.mo/cjmm). Applicants may consult the compulsory pieces scores from today at the Macao Central Library, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library and Taipa Library during office hours. Applications for this edition of the Macao Young Musicians Competition will be accepted from 22 to 29 April, online or in person. Applicants who choose to apply online must register online first, from 10am on 22 April to 12am on 29 April through the Macao Young Musicians Competition’s webpage (www.icm.gov.mo/cjmm). The supporting documents and an application fee of MOP80 per category must be submitted at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, located at Tap Seac Square between 28 and 30 April, from 10am to 7pm (open during lunch hour and on Saturdays). Applicants may also choose to apply in person at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building during the period and time indicated, together with the completed application form, required documents and an application fee of MOP100 per category. All applicants must hold a valid Macao SAR Resident identity card and those who apply for the solo Chinese and Western instruments categories must have been born on or after 1995; while applicants for the vocal solo category must have been born on or after 1991. For more information regarding the application, the competition’s regulations, the application forms and the list of compulsory pieces, please visit and download the forms at the Macao Young Musicians Competition’s website. For enquiries, please contact IC through tel. 8399 6911 or 8399 6979, during office hours.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will attend a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly on 22 April and answer legislators’ questions on Government policy and social issues. The session will start at 3pm and will be broadcast live on television and radio channels of public broadcaster Teledifusão de Macau (TDM). Members of the public also have the option of watching the proceedings online via: the website of the Legislative Assembly (http://www.al.gov.mo); the Macao SAR Government Portal (http://www.gov.mo); the website of the Office of the Chief Executive (http://www.gce.gov.mo); the website of the Government Information Bureau (http://www.gcs.gov.mo); the official channel for Macao Government news on YouTube (www.youtube.com/macaogcs); and Government apps for mobile devices. The Chief Executive pays great attention to communication with the Legislative Assembly. Besides attending plenary sessions of the Assembly in November every year in order to deliver the Policy Address relating to the following fiscal year, the Chief Executive also attends similar sessions in April and August each year. This is in order to update the public with the progress of Government work; to enhance communication with legislators; and to optimise administrative transparency.
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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) held a “Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme Promotion Seminar for Travel Agency Industry” today (7 April) to invite licensed travel agencies in Macao to apply for the Scheme in 2016. Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (QTSAS) is rolled out in Macao for the third year. While QTSAS will once again target the catering sector, the Office now opens up the Scheme to travel agencies as well for the first time. Travel agents can submit their applications between 18 April and 18 May, as part of the Office’s aim to encourage sustained improvements in service quality among travel trade and other related sectors. The promotion seminar, held at Tourism Activities Centre, unveiled the Scheme’s assessment criteria and application procedures to travel agents. MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong; Representative of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Cham Iu Van; Representative of the Institute for Tourism Studies, Dr. Connie Loi Kim Ieng; Assistant Director, Market Research and Subsidiary Operations of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, K T Ting; President of Travel Industry Council of Macau, Andy Wu; Vice Chairman of Association of Macao Tourist Agents, Tsui Wai Man; Vice President of Travel Industry Council of Macau, Wong Fai; Representative of Macau Travel Agency Association, Lao Mei Kuan; President of the Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises of Catering, Ieong Weng Seng; President of the Supervisory Committee of Macau Hotel Association, Noel Wong, and Vice Chairman of the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, Lo Kam Kuan, were present at the promotion seminar among others. As the entity which offers technical support, Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency introduced the assessment criteria on travel agencies during the seminar. In his speech, Deputy Director Cheng Tai Tong remarked that with the changing travel trends around the world, the local sector of travel agencies is faced with various challenges and opportunities. He believed that industry partners, by continuously upgrading and innovating on their service as well as being well prepared at all times, can seize new opportunities and offer more professional, attentive and convenient service for both visitors and residents, creating remarkable travel experiences and garnering a stronger reputation. He invited local travel agencies to join the Scheme actively and together enhance service quality across the sector. Any MGTO-licensed travel agency’s head office which has operated its business in Macao for two years or above is eligible for participation in QTSAS in 2016, with a quota of 30. Interested travel agencies can submit their application to the Training and Quality Management Department of MGTO between 18 April and 18 May. For application form and details, please browse Macao Tourism Industry Net: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo Participating travel agencies have to undergo three types of assessments namely “Mystery Shopping Assessment”, “Service Management System Audit” and “Traveller Satisfaction Survey”. The merchants whose overall assessment results meet the prescribed standard will be given a “Star Merchant Award” accreditation certificate, valid for 2017 and 2018, for display in their premises. Moreover, to commend travel agencies which provide high-quality service in Macao and beyond for their patrons, the Office will confer the “Service Star Award – Inbound Service” and “Service Star Award – Outbound Service” to the “Star Merchant Award” winners which meet the prescribed standard with the highest total score for “Inbound Service” and “Outbound Service” respectively. By joining QTSAS, travel agencies can take the opportunity to self-evaluate their service based on the assessment criteria and apply the given guidelines in their business operation for steady improvements in their service. MGTO keeps supporting and assisting the tourism and other related sectors to organize training activities. In the days ahead, the Office will study the feasibility to widen the scope of QTSAS, hoping to progressively extend it to other tourism-related sectors as well such that tourism service quality can be enhanced overall in Macao, in line with the SAR Government’s goal to transform the city into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.
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A fuel farm exercise was carried out this afternoon (07 April 2016) at Macau International Airport, simulating a fire in the farm to test and assess the capacity of the government entities and the operators in handling a fuel farm emergency when a case arises. All entities involved cooperated closely with each other in resolving the crisis. The exercise was deemed smooth. The “Fuel Farm Exercise 2016” started at 14:30 and ended in one hour. The scenario was of a fire incident taking place in a fuel tank top due to static electricity. Nam Kwong Petroleum & Chemicals Co. Ltd., the fuel provider, immediately activated the safety systems according to their internal procedures and moved away the vehicles that were parked in the area. Simultaneously, they informed all concerned entities involved in the emergency in accordance with the Airport Emergency Plan. The airport fire fighting station delivered their trucks to the spot at once to put off the fire. Although there were no injuries, the commander-in-chief asked for additional support from the Fire Services Headquarters and evacuated the staff in the vicinity of the incident, considering the high critical degree of the incident area. The exercise was coordinated by the Administration of Airports, Ltd. The communication between all personnel involved and the delivery of fire fighting facilities were all carried out efficiently; the staff were evacuated in a timely and orderly manner. About 300 people took part in the exercise, who represented the Unitary Police, the Public Security Police Force, the Fire Services, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR, CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd., the Administration of Airports Ltd., Nam Kwong Petroleum & Chemicals Company Ltd., the Macau Security Company Ltd., Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd., MCS-Macau Catering Services Company Ltd., Air Macau Company Ltd. and Jet Asia Ltd.
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