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Date of “Classical Jazz” concert by the Macao Orchestra changed
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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UM, Thomson Reuters co-launch trading room
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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Statistics of Investment Residency Applications in 2015
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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IC launches promotional video “Visible Cultural Forces”
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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IC hosted Spring Luncheon of the Year of the Monkey and introduced projects for 2016 inviting the Cultural Consultative Committee, the Cultural Heritage Committee and the media
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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External merchandise trade statistics for January 2016
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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Package tours and hotel occupancy rate for January 2016
Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitors on package tours totalled 581,000 in January 2016, down by 31.2% year-on-year and 18.5% month-to-month. Package tour visitors from Mainland China (455,000) decreased by 33.2% year-on-year, and those from the Republic of Korea (32,000), Hong Kong (16,000) and Taiwan (33,000) dropped by 18.1%, 29.7% and 29.1% respectively; meanwhile, those from Japan (14,000) increased by 27.1%. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies totalled 118,000 in January 2016, up by 5.3% year-on-year. Residents travelling on package tours rose substantially by 27.5% year-on-year to 52,000; the main destination was Mainland China (78.1% of total), up by 21.3%, followed by the Republic of Korea (7.2%) and Hong Kong (4.3%), both showing year-on-year growth. There were 106 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of January 2016, an increase of 9 year-on-year. Number of guest rooms totalled 32,000, up by 4,000 (+16.0%) year-on-year, with those of 5-star hotels (20,000) and 4-star hotels (8,000) together accounting for 87.5%. A total of 895,000 guests checked into hotels and guesthouses in January 2016, up by 11.9% year-on-year. Guests from Mainland China increased by 8.3% to 580,000, while those from the Republic of Korea (28,000), Japan (17,000), Hong Kong (108,000) and Taiwan (40,000) recorded double-digit growth. The average length of stay of guests held stable as January 2015, at 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses was 76.5%, down by 3.2 percentage points year-on-year; 4-star hotels had the highest occupancy rate at 78.9%, up by 1.2 percentage points. Visitor-guests accounted for 73.7% of the total overnight visitors, up substantially by 5.1 percentage points year-on-year.
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Consumer Council starts its annual assessment on ‘Certified Shop’
To ensure honest business practice and quality services of ‘Certified Shops’, Consumer Council carries out continuous inspection on its ‘Adherents’ and ‘Certified Shops’ with diversified criteria. The Council kicks off its 2016 assessment with on-site evaluation in March, almost 1,500 shops will be graded according to over 30 grading principles, and shops being evaluated are called on to cooperate with the Council. The ‘Certified Shop’ mechanism is an important measure taken by Consumer Council to safeguard the rights of consumers prior to consumption, since its launch in 2001, the ‘Certified Shop’ emblem has increased both local and foreign consumers’ confidence in the retail business in Macao. The annual assessment on ‘Certified Shops’ is carried out by the Council based on a set of scientific, systematic, and objective assessment mechanism, assessment criteria include on-site evaluation, mystery shoppers, and complaint records from other government departments, etc.. The annual assessment is conducted throughout the year and the final results are announced at the end of the year. The ‘Certified Shops’ assessment team kicks off its annual assessment work in March, starting from on-site evaluation on about 1,500 ‘Adherents’ and ‘Certified Shops’. The assessment team will rate the shops according to over 30 guiding principles, including business practices of shops, after-sales service, price labelling, and the environment of the premises, etc., shops being evaluated may also be asked to present certain documents or information to prove that they are qualified in the assessment mechanism. The assessment team has been given training on how to conduct the evaluation for the assurance of work quality and objectiveness. The Council will continue to improve the assessment mechanism for the enhancement of the quality of ‘Certified Shops’ and protection of consumer rights. The Council therefore calls on all shops being evaluated to cooperate with the Council. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Book collection for “Book Exchange” Activity starts on 1 March
As part of “2016 Macau Library Week”, the Macao Public Libraries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau will launch the “Book Exchange” activity on 1 March, in order to promote reading habits as well as to encourage residents who love reading to make friends through books and share their resources. The book collection period will last from 1 March to 17 April. Any residents interested in participating in the “Book Exchange” activity can bring their collection to the Bureau’s libraries and receive a stamped scorecard. During the activity on 23 and 24 April, residents can exchange books of equivalent value on the scorecard at the Old Court Building located in Av. da Praia Grande. Book collection locations: Macao Central Library, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, Ilha Verde Library, Mong Ha Library, Coloane Library, Red Market Library, Taipa Library, S. Lourenço Library, Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Areia Preta Urban Park, Library in Ho Yin Garden and Mobile Library. Book collection rules: the staff will categorise the books by their original price and count the books individually. The scoring method is one point for every MOP10 but the score for books worth less than MOP10 will be rounded off; each point will be stamped once. The maximum for each book or set is 100 points, and the books without prices indication will be counted as MOP10. Textbooks, exercise books, magazines, indecent publications, books related to religion, comics, IT books published one year ago, travel books published before 2014, audio-visual materials, promotional materials, pirate books (which violat the copyright law), damaged and contaminated books, incomplete collection and books with inside pages inscribed cannot be exchanged. Only individuals can participate in this activity. For more information, please contact the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library through tel. 2893 0077, the Macao Central Library through tel. 2855 8049 or the Taipa Library through tel. 2884 3105, during office hours.
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Applications for the Cultural Affairs Bureau “Academic Research Grants” open in March
The applications for the “Academic Research Grants”, launched by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), will be open from 1 March to 31 May, 2016. The “Academic Research Grants” aim at encouraging original academic research on the culture of Macao and on the cultural exchange between Macao, Mainland China and other countries. Local or overseas doctorate degree holders with proven academic research experience, and local or overseas individuals with sufficient research experience and recognized academic production are eligible to apply and submit the duly filled out application form and research project plan to IC by double registered mail or in person. Applicants must also submit their curriculum vitae and certified copies of educational qualification certificates; incomplete applications or applications that fail to comply with the above will not be accepted. The grants, in the amount of MOP280,000.00 and MOP250,000.00, will be awarded according to the applicant’s academic background and to the content of the project and are subject to IC’s decision under proposal of the Selection Panel. The “Academic Research Grant Regulations”, application forms and research project plan are available for reference and download on IC’s webpage www.icm.gov.mo. Applications must be submitted before the deadline otherwise they will not be accepted. For more information, please contact Ms. Silvia Kuan, staff member of IC, through tel. 8399 6483 during office hours, or by email to silviak@icm.gov.mo.
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