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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in November on 22 November 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. 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 Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, today said the Government was progressing with plans for a minimum wage system that would apply to all employees in Macao. Speaking to reporters this morning following a meeting of a Legislative Assembly committee, he stated the Government had not deviated from its goal of pressing ahead with creating a city-wide minimum wage system, within three years of the enactment of a law that has given such rights to cleaning staff and security workers. The Law on the Minimum Wage for Cleaning and Security Workers of the Property Management Industry came into force on 1 January, 2016. The Government has been closely monitoring and analysing the local situation regarding the implementation of a minimum wage for cleaning and security workers, said Mr Leong. Such an analysis would be a major reference point in order to introduce a system covering all sectors in Macao, he said. Under the current law, the hourly minimum wage for cleaners and security workers is set at 30 patacas. Their daily and monthly salary is set respectively at 240 patacas and 6,240 patacas.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council on 22 November collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference. The mentioned data collected during 16 November to 22 November are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference. The specific price surveys on fresh pork and vegetables are now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), iPhone & Android ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ app, and the Council’s WeChat Account page. The relevant surveys include the average selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective the average selling prices rom Zhuhai, HK, and Macao. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Under the substantial adjustment of Gaming & Junket Activities, Gross Value Added of all economic activities of Macao declined by 21.9% year-on-year in real terms in 2015. With a decrease in Gross Value Added of Gaming & Junket Activities and an increase in that of Construction, the relative importance of the tertiary sector to the economy dropped from 94.9% in 2014 to 92.2% in 2015, while the share of the secondary sector rose from 5.1% to 7.8%. Analyzed by primary distribution of income, Taxes on Production and Imports, Operating Surplus and Compensation of Employees amounted to MOP95.4 billion, MOP156.4 billion and MOP104.9 billion respectively in 2015, accounting for 26.7%, 43.8% and 29.4% of GDP. Despite a significant drop in GDP in 2015, Compensation of Employees registered growth, bringing the relative importance of Compensation of Employees to GDP up by 7.5 percentage points year-on-year. Meanwhile, the shares of Operating Surplus and Taxes on Production and Imports dropped by 1.1 and 6.4 percentage points respectively. Changes in Gross Value Added of Economic Activities Gross Value Added of the secondary sector surged by 17.2% in real terms, with that of Construction growing by 19.0%, and that of Manufacturing and Electricity, Gas & Water Supply rising by 9.6% and 9.0% respectively in real terms. On the other hand, Gross Value Added of the tertiary sector decreased by 24.0% in real terms, due to a 35.6% plunge in that of Gaming & Junket Activities. Gross Value Added of Wholesale & Retail, Hotels & Similar Activities and Restaurants & Similar Activities dropped by 18.0%, 0.6% and 20.1% respectively in real terms, and that of Real Estate Activities and Renting & Business Activities fell by 7.1% and 18.5% respectively. Notwithstanding the substantial fall in Gross Value Added of the tertiary sector, some service industries still performed well, in which Gross Value Added of Financial Activities that include Banking, Insurance & Pension Funding went up by 8.9% in real terms, and that of Transport, Storage & Communications, Education and Health & Social Work grew by 3.1%, 6.8% and 8.0% respectively in real terms. Changes in Industrial Structure The relative importance of the secondary sector to total Gross Value Added (7.8%) increased by 2.7 percentage points year-on-year, in which the share of Construction (6.5%) grew by 2.4 percentage points and the shares of Electricity, Gas & Water Supply (0.7%) and Manufacturing (0.6%) both rose by 0.2 percentage points. The relative importance of the tertiary sector dropped from 94.9% in 2014 to 92.2% in 2015, down by 2.7 percentage points. The share of Gaming & Junket Activities tumbled by 10.4 percentage points to 48.0%, while the shares of other industries rose to different extents as their Gross Value Added increased, or decreased at a rate far smaller than that of Gaming & Junket Activities. The shares of Wholesale & Retail (5.6%) and Hotels & Similar Activities (3.8%), which are closely related to Gaming & Junket Activities, both went up by 0.4 percentage points, and the share of Restaurants & Similar Activities (1.8%) rose by 0.2 percentage points. Notable growth was observed in other industries, including: Real Estate Activities (10.0%) up by 1.5 percentage points, Banking (5.3%) up by 1.3 percentage points, Public Administration (4.2%) up by 1.2 percentage points, Transport, Storage & Communications (2.7%) up by 0.7 percentage points, and Education (1.8%) up by 0.5 percentage points.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the economy of Macao expanded by 4.0% year-on-year in real terms in the third quarter of 2016, the first positive quarterly growth recorded over the past two years, attributable to a rebound in both exports of services and investment. External demand showed improvement, leading to a pickup in exports of gaming services and exports of other tourism services, rising by 0.2% and 6.5% respectively year-on-year, an upswing from the second quarter (-9.9% and -6.0%); meanwhile, exports of goods decreased by 15.6%, a slowdown from the 24.7% drop in the second quarter. Domestic demand recovered, private consumption expenditure and investment grew by 0.3% and 2.3% respectively; meanwhile, government final consumption expenditure and imports of goods fell by 1.3% and 7.3% respectively. The implicit deflator of GDP, which measures the overall changes in prices, rose marginally by 0.2% year-on-year in the third quarter. Private consumption resumed growth. Sustained favourable employment situation and reduced inflationary pressures pushed private consumption expenditure up slightly by 0.3% year-on-year, ending its downward trend in the previous two quarters; nevertheless, expenditure on durable goods remained weak, revealing that households were still relatively cautious about spending on non-essential items. Household final consumption expenditure in the domestic market and abroad grew by 0.5% and 4.5% respectively. Government final consumption expenditure diminished, falling by 1.3% year-on-year, lower than the 6.1% growth in the second quarter. Compensation of employees increased by 2.2%, while net purchases of goods and services decreased by 4.9%. Investment gained momentum. Gross fixed capital formation, the gauge of investment, grew by 2.3% year-on-year, rebounding from the second quarter (-20.0%). Investment growth was underpinned by an increase in private investment. Private investment in construction and equipment increased by 1.3% and 11.2% respectively, resulting in a 2.4% rise in total private investment. Meanwhile, government investment rose by 1.8%, of which equipment investment grew by 17.5% but public construction edged down by 0.1%. Decline in merchandise trade tapered off. Overall demand stabilized, with private consumption, investment and visitor spending showing modest growth. Both imports and exports of goods decreased at a slower rate, by 7.3% and 15.6% respectively year-on-year, far lower than the 17.0% and 24.7% declines in the second quarter. Service trade returned to positive growth. Owing to increases in visitor arrivals and spending, exports of services grew by 3.3% year-on-year, putting an end to the downtrend over the past two years. Exports of gaming services and exports of other tourism services increased by 0.2% and 6.5% respectively. Meanwhile, imports of services rose by 6.2% year-on-year, improving from the 3.1% drop in the second quarter. In the first three quarters of 2016, the economy of Macao contracted by 5.4% in real terms. In terms of major GDP expenditure components, private consumption expenditure decreased by 1.6%, investment receded by 18.1%, exports and imports of goods dropped by 22.0% and 15.4% respectively; exports and imports of services shrank by 5.8% and 1.0% respectively, in which exports of gaming services and exports of other tourism services fell by 8.7% and 2.6% respectively; meanwhile, government final consumption expenditure rose by 1.6%, the only major expenditure component that registered growth. Economic growth for 2014 and 2015 was revised downwards from ­0.9% and -20.3% to -1.2% and -21.5% respectively, while the rate of growth for the first and second quarters of 2016 was revised upwards from -13.3% and -7.1% to -12.4% and -7.0% respectively.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) is now calling for submission of information in order to publish the Macao Music Yearbook 2014 and the Macao Music Yearbook 2015. Local art associations or artists are welcome to provide relevant information starting from today until 26 January 2017, in order to facilitate the compilation of the yearbooks. With the growth of Macao’s classical music scene and artistic exchanges with other countries and regions, it is necessary to keep a detailed record of Macao’s artistic development. In recent years, the Cultural Affairs Bureau planned to compile the publication of three performing arts yearbooks in the field of Macao’s theatre, dance and music. Last year, with the support of art associations and performing arts practitioners, the related performing arts events and activities were documented systematically. In view of this, IC keeps on collecting information for the Macao Music Yearbook 2014 and the Macao Music Yearbook 2015. These yearbooks will document the performing art activities held in the past two years, featuring information on classical music, jazz, and musical theatre, among other areas, as well as information of local and overseas concerts, competitions, master classes, workshops, courses, seminars, exchanges and exhibitions, research and related publications (such as books, periodicals, scripts, dissertation and critiques), photos, videos and so forth, based on its objectivity and authenticity. As the yearbooks involve a vast scope of materials, associations and individuals, IC is now gathering relevant information for the Macao Music Yearbook 2014 and 2015 in order to prevent the omission of any data and ensure the integrity of the data. All interested parties in providing the aforementioned information may download application forms at the webpage https://sites.google.com/site/macaomusicyearbook20142015/ or obtain them at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building in person. Applicants may submit the completed application form by fax to 2847 3747 or by email to musicyearbook1415@gmail.com. Submission of documents can also be made by post or in person at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building located at the Tap Siac Square. For enquiries, please contact Ms. Lee or Mr. Cheong through tel. no. 6629 6463, during office hours.
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The “Macao Tourism Data plus” (“MTD plus”), an online platform run by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), is now equipped with new statistical indicators on hotel industry figures. The Office continues to enhance its publication of tourism statistical data and optimize the service features. For users from different circles to check out a range of tourism statistical data easily and experience more convenient public service, MGTO inaugurated an all-in-one online platform known as “Macao Tourism Data plus” in late November 2015 offering inclusive tourism statistical data. Following its addition of new features including Portuguese version, subscription service and user manual this August, the platform now offers three additional statistical indicators regarding the hotel sector in its interactive data. The three new indicators include: 1. Occupancy rate of operating hotel establishments; 2. Number of guests of operating hotel establishments 3. Operating hotel establishments. Currently available in Chinese, Portuguese and English language, “MTD plus” is equipped with an array of features including interactive data, tourism statistics tables, E-publications, other tourism statistics, distribution maps of visitor source markets as well as tourism situation video. At present, a total of eight different indicators are available for search of statistical data in an interactive format, including total visitor arrivals, by source markets, by modes of transport, average length of stay of visitors and that of hotel overnight guests, occupancy rate of operating hotel establishments, number of guests of operating hotel establishments as well as number of operating hotel establishments and guest rooms. In the days ahead, MGTO will make continuous efforts to optimize the various features of the “MTD plus” platform in accord with suggestions from users and members of the trade. All users from various sectors are welcome to access the website of “MTD plus”: http://dataplus.macaotourism.gov.mo
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IFT organises training and education programmes in collaboration with UNWTO via the newly established Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training of IFT. These courses would seek to enhance the human capital of the Asia Pacific tourism sector and promote sustainable tourism in the region. The Centre would also provide training to officials and industry representatives from the local industry as well as Portuguese-speaking countries, contributing to the Government’s goal of building Macao into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, and a Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (“One Centre, One Platform” initiative). Representatives of tourism-related bodies from Asia-Pacific countries and regions attend the course – “Tourism Capacity Building for Government and Public Officials” – organised by the Institute, in partnership with UNWTO from 14-21 November. Participants in the course include: 2 representatives from the Macao Government Tourism Office, 2 representatives from the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), including the Representative of East-Timor in Forum Macao, and 17 participants come from Afghanistan, Bhutan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Mainland China. This is the second time IFT partnered with UNWTO to offer such type of professional training course. Overseas participants attending professional training courses at IFT would be able to learn new, tourism-related, management strategies and practices, as well as gain valuable insights from observing Macao’s tourism industry. It is hoped the knowledge acquired during the courses could be useful for overseas participants in the development of the tourism and hospitality industries in their respective countries and regions. In addition, representatives from Macao – and from elsewhere – could benefit from the experience-sharing process when meeting the other participants on this particular course, and on future courses. The Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) was established in 1995, and offers the most extensive range of tourism and hospitality-related bachelor degree programmes in Macao. Annually, approximately 20,000 participants attend its vocational and professional training courses. IFT collaborates with 101 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and has strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations worldwide that provide internship opportunities to IFT students. IFT was the first institution to be accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, and now has 8 bachelor degree programmes with this certification. Currently, the Institute has the greatest number of bachelor degree programmes certified under that system of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and has twice won the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from PATA.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that there were 28 banks in Macao; number of full-time employees increased by 144 year-on-year to 6,072 at the end of the third quarter of 2016. Analysed by occupation, there were 1,672 directors and managers, and 2,041 clerks (including 748 bank tellers). In September 2016, average earnings (excluding bonuses) of full-time employees amounted to MOP25,650, up by 3.0% year-on-year. Average earnings of bank tellers increased by 5.3% to MOP15,470. At the end of the third quarter of 2016, job vacancies stood at 240, similar to a year ago; vacancies for clerks totalled 143, including 52 for bank tellers. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 62.1% of the vacancies required working experience, 91.7% required tertiary education, and requirement for knowledge of Mandarin and English accounted for 97.1% and 94.2% respectively. In the third quarter of 2016, the Banking Sector hired 265 new employees; the employee recruitment rate (4.4%) and the employee turnover rate (3.4%) fell by 3.9 and 2.3 percentage points respectively year-on-year, indicating that the manpower situation of the Banking Sector was relatively stable in this quarter. As regards vocational training, the Banking Sector had 8,439 employee participants attending training courses provided by the employer (including courses organized by the banks or in conjunction with other institutions, and those sponsored by the banks). The majority of the participants (93.9%) attended courses organized by the banks. Most of the participants (61.1%) attended Business & Administration courses, followed by Law courses (35.0%).
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) is paying close attention to the earthquake that occurred this morning in Fukushima, Japan. Until the present moment, GGCT has not received any request for information or assistance. From the information gathered through the Macao travel industry, until the present moment, there is no indication that any Macao tour group has been affected. If necessary, Macao residents can call: 24-hour Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000; The Chinese Embassy and Consulates or the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour hotline: +86 10 12308 for assistance.
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