News

The Civil Aviation Authority of Macau SAR launches its new homepage www.aacm.gov.mo today which enables readers to browse through and search information more conveniently with the enhanced content and layout as well as the optimized channel for opinion submission. The fast development of internet has motivated people in places everywhere to browse through the different websites or other online platforms to obtain information. The homepage has therefore become an important element in devising promotional strategies. The new AACM homepage is constructed with its content targeting at the audiences including the industry, the local residents and the media, which include the Macao aviation laws and regulations, standards and requirements, technical documents and aeronautical circulars, procedures for flight applications and other services and so on; in what concerns passengers or residents, the new website provides information about passenger guide on security issues, requirements for performing flying activities, civil liability regime (for example, delay in transporting passengers and baggages) and interesting facts about aviation. In addition, residents can now take opportunity of the online systems to submit their enquiries, complaints and opinions; in what concerns the work of the news media, considering the usual enquiries made by them on statistics and in the hope of facilitating their work, the new homepage has a new chapter on “traffic statistics” which publishes data on the airport traffic figures, the destination network and other industry information. AACM ensures that the homepage is secure on the technical aspect. The sessions about the Macao Confidential Aviation Reporting System and the online complaint channel are equipped with SSL functions, ensuring that the transmission of personal information is done in a highly secure environment. AACM also makes sure that the new homepage is easily read and compatible, which means that the homepage has the pure text version and the mobile version, it supports the commonly used browsers (but best viewed in Google Chrome) and words can be enlarged. The homepage can be well loaded in different gadgets such as desktop computer, notebook and electronic pad. The new homepage is published in Chinese, Portuguese and English.
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Consumer Council conducted its first ‘Supermarket price survey’ in March on 1 March for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets in São Lázaro and São Lourenço Parishes. 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 seven 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 CCAC has recently detected a case involving former leadership staff of the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), where a former leader has been remanded in custody in accordance with the order of the judge of the Court of Final Appeal. Yesterday, two more persons involved were subject to the same coercive measure adopted by the relevant judicial body. Based on a criminal investigation, the CCAC last year referred four suspects involved to the relevant judicial body, including the former Chief of the Office of the Prosecutor General, a former assessor of the Office and two from the local business circle. Following the suggestion of MP, the Court of Criminal Instruction of the Court of First Instance already ordered coercive measures to be adopted against the four suspects, including prohibition of contact and restriction from departure. However, in a recent investigation the CCAC found that the two local businesspeople already declared as suspects violated the court’s order. Their acts included collusion with each other to give unanimous testimonies and disruption of evidence collection and of the normal running of proceedings. Therefore, based on the suggestion of MP, the judge of the Court of Criminal Instruction approved on 29th February that the duo would be remanded in custody immediately. Since the investigation of the case is still underway, the CCAC will make further announcements if there is any update on the case.
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The Government was determined to boost efforts to combat corruption, stated the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan. Such efforts included further optimisation of Macao’s anti-corruption measures, she added. The Secretary said she believed society was pleased to see the Government’s current enforcement action against suspected corruption. The Commission Against Corruption is currently investigating a criminal case of suspected corruption involving staff at the Public Prosecutions Office. Ms Chan made her comments to reporters on Monday (29 February), when she attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new President of the Management Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Mr José Maria da Fonseca Tavares. In addition, Ms Chan disclosed that a review of the organisational law on the judiciary was now under way. The review is expected to be completed before the end of this year. Likely amendments to the law would cover optimisation of the operation of the Public Prosecutions Office, including measures to advance the processing of cases. The Secretary also commented on the government plan for the establishment of a municipal organisation without direct political power. She said a public consultation on such a body had been scheduled and would be held as planned at the end of this year. The Government would make proposals regarding such a body after analysing opinion collected via the public consultation. Such proposals would take into consideration the way such a body would differ in nature and function from the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and other existing public bodies.
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Due to a programme change, the concert Weekend Music Party – Classical Jazz by the Macao Orchestra, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, originally scheduled to be held on Saturday, 11 June, at 4pm at Dom Pedro V Theatre, has been anticipated to Saturday, 28 May, at 4pm. The venue and programme of the performance as well as the ticket prices remain unchanged. Spectators with tickets may change their tickets with priority at the Macau Ticketing Network outlets from 1 March to 10 March. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The concert Weekend Music Party – Classical Jazz introduces a brand new idea and features a number of relaxing and happy Jazz themes, including Ragtime dance, Blue Mink Blues and St. Louis Blues, adapted for string quartet and brass quintet. Participate and enjoy yourself. Tickets for this concert will be on sale again from 1 March and are priced at MOP120 and MOP100, with various discounts available. Interested parties can purchase tickets through the Macau Ticketing Network outlets or online. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. For more details and programme enquiries, please visit the Macao Orchestra webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/om.
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The University of Macau’s (UM) Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) and Thomson Reuters today announced the launch of the Thomson Reuters Trading Room, at a special opening ceremony held at the university. The Thomson Reuters Trading Room can provide Thomson Reuters Eikon terminal access for up to 80 users, and is equipped with analytics tools, and real-time data and financial information to facilitate the faculty’s various teaching and research activities. During the ceremony, UM Vice Rector (Student Affairs) Prof Haydn Chen; FBA Dean Prof Jacky So; Thomson Reuters Managing Director, Financial & Risk, North Asia, James Mirfin; and Thomson Reuters Sales Director, Hong Kong and Macao, Cecily Luk, rang the opening bell in the trading room. Prof Chen said in his welcome speech that an increasing number of laboratories have been established at UM, adding that the new lab will not only enhance the research capabilities of UM scholars, but will also provide a good learning environment for UM students. Prof Chen also expressed special thanks to Thomson Reuters Corporation Pte Ltd for its continuous support to UM. He added that he believes the new trading room will provide UM students with hands-on experience in a world-class simulated trading environment and bring them closer to real-world financial markets. ‘The new partnership with UM bridges academic and professional environments, and strengthens our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration at every level of the financial ecosystem,’ said Mirfin. ‘With access to Eikon in Thomson Reuters Trading Room, students are given the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of financial markets, prepare for professional life with industry-standard tools, and stay ahead of the game.’ ‘Thomson Reuters continues to be a leader in the Macao market, combining industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers across financial institutions, governments, universities, media and corporate enterprises. As the Answer Company, Thomson Reuters combines intelligence, technology and human expertise to help customers find trusted answers,’ he added. After the opening ceremony, Mirfin gave a lecture titled ‘The Findustrial Revolution’. The lecture attracted nearly 200 people, including UM faculty members and students, students from local high schools, government officials, and professionals from local banks, companies, and other organisations. In his lecture, Mirfin discussed the future of fintech innovation and how financial services firms are increasingly turning to cutting-edge technology as a way of connecting with customers more efficiently and conveniently.
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In 2015, a total of 482 applications for temporary residency for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders were received by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) (an increase of 46 compared with last year), 79 applications for major investment and major investment plans (a decrease of 1 compared with last year), representing 85.92% and 14.08% of the total of 561 new applications in 2015. Approved cases for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders amounted to 81 (a decrease of 196 compared with last year), approved applications for major investment and major investment plans totalled 7 (a decrease of 38 compared with last year). In accordance with the Administrative Regulation No. 7/2007, temporary residency applications for investment in real estate have been suspended since 4 April 2007. Over 4,000 cases were registered before the Administrative Regulation came into effect, all cases under temporary residency applications for investment in real estate were all processed by 17 July 2015. Statistics of Temporary Residency Applications and the Cases and Number of People Approved in 2015 Read attachment! For further enquiries on the residency application guidelines, please contact IPIM by visiting the website: www.ipim.gov.mo, email: gjfr@ipim.gov.mo, tel: 28712055 or fax: 28713950. Applicants may also visit the website and enquire about the progress of their residency application status.
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The promotional video “Visible Cultural Forces”, specially produced and launched by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), puts forward the concept of culture being a major force in the development of the society, concluding that the Macao’s cultural forces as the visible power of the city. The video “Visible Cultural Forces” is divided in six parts: “New Cultural Scene”, “Cultural Heritage”, “Cultural and Creative Industries”, “Cultural Events”, “Public Libraries” and “Culture dissemination by Education”, which highlights IC’s projects this year. IC anticipates to carry out the restoration projects of several cultural heritage items and the establishment of cultural spaces and library facilities as well as revitalization projects such as the Patane Library, No. 80 of Rua das Estalagens and the Maritime Workshops, which will open to the public correspondingly. The cultural and creative industries are an important component of the establishment of a diversified society and economy. This year, IC will launch the Support Programme for the Production of Original Animation Short Films, the Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Song Albums, the Subsidy Programme for Fashion Design on Sample Making and the Support Programme for the Production of Feature Films. These programmes complement each other and contribute to the development of the cultural and creative industries. The promotional video “Visible Cultural Forces” will be available on the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau www.icm.gov.mo, the Macao Heritage Net www.macauheritage.net, the Macao Art Net www.macauart.net, the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website www.macaucci.com, exclusive channel in Youtube “IC Macao”, Facebook Page “IC Art” and on IC’s WeChat account.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) hosted “Introduction of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Works in 2016 and Spring Luncheon for the Year of Monkey” on Monday, 29 February, at the Grand Lisboa Hotel, inviting members of the Cultural Consultative Committee, of the Cultural Heritage Committee, and the local media in the Chinese, Portuguese and English languages, as well as representatives of news agencies in Macao. The Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture (GSASC), Ip Peng Kin and advisor, Lam Wan Nei; members of the Cultural Consultative Committee and of the Cultural Heritage Committee; representatives of the territory’s mass media; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng and the Vice-Presidents, Leung Hio Ming and Chan Peng Fai, as well as the heads of department of IC were present and interchanged ideas in this joyful luncheon. The luncheon was intercalated with a speech by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, in which he reviewed last year’s cultural achievements and highlighted IC’s works for the coming year; and with a new promotional video entitled “Visible Cultural Forces”. The video, divided in six parts, presents IC’s projects for 2016, bringing about the concept of culture being a major force in the development of the society, concluding that the Macao’s cultural forces as the visible power of the city. In addition, the luncheon featured a percussion performance by three students of the School of Music of the Macao Conservatory, showcasing the academic achievements of local music students. The students, Lei U Wan, Chan U Lai , Yang Yuwen, participated as Macao representatives in the “2016 Tokyo International Percussion Competition” held last month, where they achieved satisfactory results by earning several awards. IC took the opportunity to express its gratitude to the members of the Cultural Consultative Committee, of the Cultural Heritage Committee and the media for their contribution to cultural affairs, and listened to their opinions regarding IC’s works for the forthcoming year. Under its new organizational structure, IC will continue to promote the city’s valuable cultural resources, casting the city’s soul with culture in order to achieve the objective of establishing Macao as a “Culturally Sustainable City”.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for January 2016 amounted to MOP973 million, up by 1.5% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP834 million) grew by 8.4%, while value of domestic exports (MOP139 million) dropped by 26.2%, with that of Tobacco (MOP27 million) falling by 49.9%. Total merchandise import decreased by 18.5% year-on-year to MOP6.96 billion. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.98 billion. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Mainland China (MOP136 million) and Hong Kong (MOP634 million) increased by 8.9% and 3.6% year-on-year in January 2016, while export to the EU (MOP17 million) and the USA (MOP11 million) decreased by 31.1% and 35.7% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles increased by 2.7% year-on-year to MOP903 million, of which value of Electronic components (MOP85 million) soared by 223.5% and that of Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP84 million) rose by 19.4%; nevertheless, value of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP82 million) dropped by 47.5%. Exports of Textiles & garments totalled MOP70 million, down by 11.4%. By place of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP2.71 billion) and the EU (MOP1.63 billion) decreased by 21.4% and 15.4% respectively year-on-year in January 2016. Imports of Consumer goods dropped by 8.6% to MOP4.36 billion, with imports of Watches (MOP447 million) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP113 million) decreasing by 31.3% and 46.2% respectively. Moreover, imports of Mobile phones (MOP692 million), Fuels & lubricants (MOP434 million) and Construction materials (MOP209 million) declined by 48.1%, 30.6% and 39.6% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP7.93 billion in January 2016, down by 16.5% compared with MOP9.49 billion a year earlier.
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