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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, sees economic prospects next year as remaining positive and steady. He added the Government would definitely continue using long-term mechanisms that have helped enhance the livelihoods of the people. Mr Chui made his remarks to reporters today prior to the National Day reception celebrating the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. He stressed the Government was financially stable, and its financial management efforts had ensured a modest public surplus would be recorded this year. Gaming revenue contributed a significant portion of the Government’s income, and gaming revenue amounted to at least 20 billion patacas per month in the first half of 2015, said Mr Chui. The Government would pay close attention to the gaming revenues in September and for the fourth quarter, tailoring accordingly its budget proposal for the coming fiscal year, he added. Mr Chui reiterated the Government would strictly abide by the Basic Law in keeping its expenditure within its revenues; reconsider any non-essential spending during what is a time of gaming industry consolidation; and at the same time ensure spending on social welfare would not be affected. With the full support of the Central Government, the Macao Government will actively participate in the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” initiative, (also known as “Belt and Road”), and engage in projects of regional cooperation. The work of clarifying Macao’s administrative and jurisdictional role in relation to its customary waters would also strengthen Macao’s efforts in achieving adequate economic diversification and the expansion in Macao of more non-gaming tourism features, added the Chief Executive. Mr Chui said the Government’s work in boosting non-gaming elements in the tourism sector had made a positive impact during the past two years, as shown by the increasing importance of these features within the sector. Mr Chui said the Government had not yet started using its fiscal reserve to invest in infrastructure projects in the mainland. If any such projects were initiated, the Government would act in line with the law and submit proposals to the Legislative Assembly. The main conditions for the Government to invest in the mainland were that the principal capital be guaranteed, that the project should achieve returns within certain measured boundaries, and that there was a mechanism enabling withdrawal from the investment if the Government wished to do so. Asked by reporters about a new measure imposing a new annual cash withdrawal limit on China UnionPay Ltd cards used outside the mainland, the Chief Executive said the Government would collaborate on the new guidelines. The Government would also closely observe any changes in tourists’ consumption behaviour in Macao.
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The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) will continue to engage in the nation’s process of advantageous development, in an effort to encourage the vitality of Macao’s economy during a period of consolidation in its gaming industry. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, made the comments when addressing more than 1,150 guests at a reception hosted by the Government at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. The event was part of the celebrations for National Day, marking the 66th anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China. The Government is confident and capable, and with the support of the people, will overcome any challenges encountered during this development process. Macao will advance with the times, seize emerging opportunities in the country’s evolution, and become an even better home for its residents, despite a period of some economic volatility and of consolidation in Macao’s gaming industry, the Chief Executive said. He added the Government would continue to support a healthy development of the gaming industry, and would make good use of the mid-term review of gaming concessions, to strengthen supervision of the industry and to encourage more non-gaming features so as to accommodate the goal of transforming Macao to a world centre of tourism and leisure. The Government would expedite Macao’s own sustainable development; foster the transformation of Macao’s role as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries; and accelerate the establishment of the “three centres” in order to boost ties between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. “Three centres” refers to: a business and trade service centre for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Portuguese-speaking countries; a goods distribution centre; and a convention and exhibition centre for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr Chui said the Government would continue to make best use of the country’s development opportunities and to engage actively in regional integration. An example is Macao playing a greater role in the regional economy via the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and its supplements; in matters such as the establishment of pilot free trade zones in Guangdong and Fujian Provinces; via involvement in building a logistics hub in coastal areas covering Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; and via the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” initiatives. The Chief Executive stressed betterment of the people’s livelihood was the centrepiece of the administration’s policy. He said expenditure in social welfare and in the Investment and Development Expenditure Scheme would not be affected by the previously announced measures limiting public spending that became effective in September. The Government would use all its strength to boost economic advancement, support local SMEs, secure employment of local people, support disadvantaged groups, and construct, for all citizens, long-term systems to address the issues of housing, transport, social security and healthcare. Guests attending the reception included the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Gang; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Hu Zhengyue; the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Mr Wang Wen; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. In the morning, approximately 250 guests had attended the National Day flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Lotus Square. During Thursday Mr Chui also officiated at the launch ceremony and then the award presentation ceremony of a 2015 National Day event called “Macao People Celebrate the National Day - World Walking Day Fun Run”. A number of government departments will also hold celebratory events on Thursday, including a variety show at the Macao East Asian Games Dome at 2pm; and a Chinese acrobatic show “Nutcracker” staged at the Macao Forum at 8pm. Pyrotechnic displays by teams from Australia and China will be held at the 27th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, on the waterfront near Macau Tower at, respectively, 9pm and 9.40 pm tonight. The Macao Post service will offer commemorative postal stamp cover sets for sale, and a stamping service is available at its headquarters building near Senado Square until 5.30pm today.
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The Government was closely monitoring the gaming industry, including inspection on the legitimacy of operation and development of gaming promoters, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said today. The Government was optimistic in transforming Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and would step up efforts to fortify a healthy development of the gaming industry, Mr Leong told reporters after a public event. The Secretary said gaming revenue in September this year showed a narrowing decline from the same period last year, and detailed figures would be released soon. There were usually two or three billion patacas difference between August and September based on the patterns of the past, he added. When asked, Mr Leong said the work of analysing the number of gaming tables allocated in those newly-established projects was still in progress; the Government would take into consideration the project’s non-gaming elements, if it helped to improve the industry’s competitiveness, and if it could drive development of other industry. It also had to abide by the Government’s principle of an annual increase of number of gaming tables remained at less than three per cent until 2023, he said. In addition, Mr Leong said the Government would keep in close touch with gaming operators to know better if there was any casino worker taking an unpaid leave during the consolidation period and if this would affect their welfare.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 221 establishments were engaging in Real Estate Management Services in 2014, an increase of 22 year-on-year; number of persons engaged rose by 6.5% to 5,604. Receipts amounted to MOP 1.20 billion, up by 13.6% year-on-year. Expenditure increased 11.4% to MOP 1.00 billion, of which Compensation of Employees (MOP 514 million) and Operating Expenses (MOP 401 million) went up by 14.2% and 7.5% respectively. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy amounted to MOP 711 million, up by 17.4% year-on-year. Gross Surplus (receipts plus changes in inventories minus expenditure) amounted to MOP 198 million, up by 26.5% year-on-year. Meanwhile, Gross Fixed Capital Formation totalled MOP 28.42 million, a surge of nearly 12 times, due to an increase in acquisition of motor vehicles and computer equipment. There were 33 establishments operating in Security Services, up by 10 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 20.2% to 6,539. Receipts amounted to MOP 1.19 billion, up by 44.7% year-on-year. Expenditure went up by 43.9% to MOP 1.08 billion, with Compensation of Employees (MOP 956 million) accounting for 88.2% of the total, an increase of 45.8% year-on-year. Gross Value Added (MOP 1.06 billion) and Gross Surplus (MOP 105 million) grew by 46.5% and 52.7% respectively year-on-year. Gross Fixed Capital Formation surged by 133.8% to MOP 9.95 million on account of an increase in acquisition of machinery & equipment and motor vehicles. A total of 138 establishments were operating in Cleaning Services, up by 25 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 18.9% to 5,505. Receipts increased by 24.5%, at MOP 647 million. Expenditure rose by 26.0% to MOP 569 million, with 81.0% being spent on Compensation of Employees (MOP 461 million). Gross Value Added totalled MOP 539 million, up by 23.8% year-on-year, while Gross Surplus increased by 14.7% to MOP 78.12 million. Gross Fixed Capital Formation soared by 261.1% to MOP 9.16 million in view of an increase in acquisition of computer and machinery & equipment. Number of establishments in Advertising Services expanded by 100 year-on-year to 521; number of persons engaged rose by 61.9% to 1,889. Receipts (MOP 854 million) and Expenditure (MOP 790 million) registered growth of 52.9% and 49.3% respectively year-on-year. Receipts came primarily from Advertising Services (including design services and media dissemination), at MOP 586 million (68.7% of total), while receipts on providing Conference & Exhibition Organising Services amounted to MOP 131 million (15.3%). Expenditure was mainly incurred on Purchase of Goods & Services, up by 43.0% year-on-year to MOP 431 million (54.5% of total). Gross Value Added totalled MOP 279 million, up by 88.7%; Gross Surplus also rose by 87.0% to MOP 61.29 million. In line with a growth in the number of establishments, an increase in the acquisition of premises and computer equipment was observed, leading to a jump of 107.0% in Gross Fixed Capital Formation, at MOP 75.36 million. A total of 61 establishments were operating in Conference & Exhibition Organising Services, up by 23 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 52.2% to 271. Receipts rose by 19.2% year-on-year to MOP 276 million, which were generated mainly from conference & exhibition organising services (MOP 224 million), accounting for 81.2% of total; meanwhile, Expenditure went up by 47.6% to MOP 265 million. With the growth in expenditure being higher than that in receipts, Gross Value Added dropped by 30.5% year-on-year to MOP 53.94 million; Gross Surplus amounted to MOP 11.67 million. In addition, owing to a surge in acquisition of equipment, Gross Fixed Capital Formation (MOP 7.31 million) registered a notable increase of 5.8 times over 2013.
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Published by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and produced by 100 Plus Cultural Creative Development Ltd., the tenth issue of C2 will be launched on 5 October. This edition discusses the opportunities and challenges that e-marketing brings to the cultural and creative industries of Macao. This edition of “Feature” talks with creative director of Macon, Jane Chan. Macon is the first Macao fashion brand to successfully enter on to the Asian on-line shopping platform TMall. She shares how by analyzing online statistics she can better understand the tastes of the target consumer groups and consequently adjust her marketing strategies. Meanwhile, famous designer Chao Sio Leong thinks that physical stores continue to maintain their value, hoping that Macao designers can focus more on building the character and style of their own brands. Precious metals designer of Handy Garden, Aster Tam, shares the experience of using e-marketing to raise the awareness of her business to the public. “Chit Chat” invites rising movie director Emily Chan Nga Lei to share her experience of “marching” on the road in the movie making business. “Extravaganza” interviews director Chao Koi Wang, the winner of Best Short Film in the 9th FIRST International Film Festival in Xining, China, to share his experience on the festival and achievement of the award. “Around the Globe” invites world famous movie director Johnnie To to share how the Hong Kong film industry uses “Fresh Wave—International Short Film Festival” to cultivate film talents with know-how in business and art. “Blogs” columnists Alvis Sio, Lio Chi Heng, Rai Mutsu, Joe Tang, Choy Sau Ying, Yi-Hsin Lin and Rachel Mok share their unique perspectives on the development of artistic and cultural creations. C2 is a trilingual magazine (in Chinese, Portuguese and English), published online on the first Monday of each month. Readers are welcome to browse or download the magazine at www.c2magazine.mo. The new email subscription function is now available. Please simply click the “subscribe” button on the right corner of our webpage and enter your email address to subscribe to our monthly C2 magazine. For the latest updates, you may also visit the magazine’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/c2magazine.macau, or on WeChat, by clicking “add friend” and inputting “c2magazine” in the ID column. For enquiries, please contact the magazine through the email c2magazine.macau@gmail.com.
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The new session for the General Committee of Consumer Council held its first meeting on 30 September. Vong Kok Seng was elected President, and key issues were discussed at the meeting. According to the Dispatch of the Secretary for Economy and Finance No. 116/2015 inside the Official Gazette B.O. #: 33, Series II, Vong Kok Seng, Henrique Miguel R. de Senna Fernandes, Lei Loi Tak, Kok Lam, Fong Koc Hon, Mok Chi Wai, Sio Un I, Lei Wai Peng, Tse Ka Ming, Paulo do Lago Comandante, and Jan Lei Ioi Hang were appointed members of the General Committee of Consumer Council from 25 August 2015 for a term of 2 years. Members of the General Committee held their first meeting on 30 September, and Vong Kok Seng was elected President. The agenda for the first meeting included the approval of the second revision of this year’s budget. The Executive Committee also reported to the General Committee about the work plans for the third and fourth quarters; discussions were made and suggestions were given by members of the General Committee. In accordance with Law No. 4/95/M and No. 1/98/M, the authority limits of the General Committee include: to provide of suggestions on guidelines formulated for the protection of consumers, to approve Consumer Council’s annual work plans, budget, activity reports and accounts, and to monitor the executions of the decisions of the General Committee by the Executive Committee, etc.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitors on package tours totalled 905,000 in August 2015, up by 8.0% from 838,000 in July and yet down by 20.5% year-on-year. Package tour visitors from Mainland China (777,000) decreased by 17.2% year-on-year, while those from Taiwan (46,000), Hong Kong (21,000), the Republic of Korea (13,000) and Japan (11,000) dropped by 33.6%, 25.3%, 65.6% and 22.5% respectively. Visitors arriving on package tours totalled 849,000, down by 11.2% year-on-year; meanwhile, visitors joining local tours decreased by 69.5% to 56,000. In the first eight months of 2015, visitors on package tours totalled 6,685,000, down by 5.4% year-on-year; those arriving on package tours decreased by 3.6% to 5,609,000. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies totalled 142,000 in August 2015, down by 8.6% year-on-year; those travelling on package tours increased by 6.5% to 59,000, and the main destinations were Mainland China (82.6% of total), Taiwan (6.5%) and Hong Kong (3.6%). In the first eight months of 2015, outbound residents using services of travel agencies totalled 1,012,000, up slightly by 0.1% year-on-year. There were 102 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of August 2015, providing 30,000 guest rooms, up by 7.2% year-on-year. Number of guest rooms in 5-star hotels totalled 20,000, accounting for 66.6% of the total supply. Number of guests checking into hotels and guesthouses reached 999,000, up by 3.6% year-on-year. Guests from Mainland China (652,000) and Hong Kong (156,000) increased by 2.1% and 24.7% respectively. The average length of stay of guests held stable as August 2014, at 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses was 84.4%, up by 2.7 percentage points month-to-month and yet down by 5.6 percentage points year-on-year. Meanwhile, the occupancy rate of 5-star and 4-star hotels led at 85.4% and 85.0%, down by 5.6 and 7.3 percentage points respectively year-on-year. In the first eight months of 2015, guests of hotels and guesthouses totalled 6,751,000 and the average occupancy rate stood at 79.5%, down by 6.4% and 7.0 percentage points respectively year-on-year. Visitor-guests accounted for 67.9% of the total overnight visitors, down by 1.0 percentage point year-on-year.
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The distribution work of 2015 Wealth Partaking Scheme had basically finished on 30 September this year. In the course of implementation, 182,532 beneficiaries had received the cash premium by means of bank transfer, accounting for MOP$ 1,608,883,200, while 482,856 crossed cheques had been mailed, which summed up to MOP$ 4,160,613,600. Until the present time, 395,223 cheques were withdrawn, representing 81.9% of the total number of cheques written out. In line with the scheme, a Support Centre for Wealth Partaking Disbursement entered into service on 6 July to cater for enquiries and deal with procedures related to the cash disbursement. As of 30 September, some 25,620 enquiries had been handled, with the majority of which being personal visit, summing up to 16,352 enquiries, around 63.8% of the total. The second most popular channel was telephone enquiry, which stands for 9,065 or 35.4% enquiries. Personal visits to the Centre were mainly for re-issuance of cheques, which totalled 4,053 cases. The Support Centre operated until 30 September. Residents can still go to the Service Centre of Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau located in Avenida da Praia Grande, China Plaza, 2/F for assistance regarding procedures associated with the Wealth Partaking Scheme of present and previous years. The opening hours of this Service Centre are from 9am to 6pm straight, Monday to Friday, except public holidays. Telephone enquiries are available at 8795 2675 and 8795 2676. The service hotline 2822 5000, fax 2822 3000 as well as the official website of Wealth Partaking Scheme http://www.planocp.gov.mo will be retained to provide relevant information. Support Centre for Wealth Partaking Disbursement Number of cases received (From 6 July to 30 September 2015) *Annex Table
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The 29th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will be officially inaugurated on Sunday, 4 October, at the Macao Cultural Centre lobby, at 7:40pm. Ticket holders for the opening concert are invited to attend. The opening concert, Gustav Mahler － Symphony No. 3, lead by Macao Orchestra’s Principal Conductor, Lü Jia, features world-renowned mezzo-soprano Charlotte Hellekant, the Macao Orchestra, the China NCPA Orchestra and Choir and the Macao Youth Choir. This MIMF edition includes several highlights, such as the highly sought after opening concert Gustav Mahler － Symphony No. 3 and the closing performance Faust – Opera in 5 Acts by Charles Gounod, among other already sold out performances. Other remarkable performances also take to the stage of the MIMF, such as Gidon Kremer with Kremerata Baltica in the concerts Masks and Faces and New Seasons, which include the works Fratres by Arvo Pärt, the video project Russia: Masks and Faces and the Asian première of the Violin Concerto No. 2 “The American Four Seasons” by Phillip Glass. Pedro Moutinho, one of today’s most renowned fado voices, cooperates with Portuguese accordion quartet Danças Ocultas in the concert Danças Ocultas and Pedro Moutinho which takes Portuguese sounds to Mount Fortress, allowing the audience to experience fado under the autumn breeze. Several discounts are available in the purchase of MIMF tickets. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. For more information, please access the Festival’s webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/fimm, or call IC through number 8399 6699, during office hours.
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Consumer Council conducted its eighth ‘Supermarket price survey’ in September on 29 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 12 supermarkets in Taipa and Coloane area. 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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