News

Consumer Council conducted its third ‘Supermarket price survey’ in September on 7 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Iao Hon Market and the Border Gate area (Portas do Cerco ) in N. Sra. de Fátima 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. 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.
…

The “Joint Working Committee on Tourism to Support Macau's Aspirations to Build a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” organized a delegation of Taiwanese media and travel agency executives to visit Macau and Zhuhai for a multi-destination experience, with the aim to promote regional cooperation in tourism, attract more Taiwanese visitors to both destinations in one trip and steer Macau towards the goal to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Taipei Office of the Association for Tourism Exchange across the Taiwan Straits helped send out invitations to the delegates. Comprising nearly 40 travel agency executives and members of the press from Taiwan, the delegation visited Macau and Zhuhai between 4 and 7 September for a four-day multi-destination familiarization tour. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau both updated the delegation on their latest industry trends and multi-destination travel to boost their Taiwanese visitor market and brand their cities as one regional destination. The delegates came from Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung including senior personnel of over 30 travel agencies and representatives of two travel magazines. MGTO held a destination presentation about Macau and hosted a luncheon for the delegation. Acting Director of MGTO, Cecilia Tse and Head of Destination Marketing Department, Betty Fok welcomed the delegation in the occasion. The delegation visited various resort hotels, a grand art exhibition, the Historic Centre of Macao and old Taipa Village in Macau. They also enjoyed the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and a big theme show in town along with a chance to taste local culinary delight. After visiting Macau, the delegation headed Zhuhai for other familiarization activities, including a seminar and destination presentation about Zhuhai, theme park visit and seeing the circus in Hengqin, etc. Deputy Head of the Department of Tourism Affairs for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan of the China National Tourism Administration, Ren Jiayan; Deputy Director of Taipei Office of the Association for Tourism Exchange across the Taiwan Straits under China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Kong Lun; Deputy Director of Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau, Wang Linping as well as representatives of Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province and MGTO were among the seminar attendees in Zhuhai. The Macau Special Administrative Region Government and CNTA signed an agreement for official establishment of the “Joint Working Committee on Tourism to Support Macau's Aspirations to Build a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” in early June this year. The Committee held an expert seminar to explore ways to foster Macau’s development into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure on the same day. This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo
…

The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) hosted the Making Waves in Macao: the 3rd International Conference on Events (ICE 2015) from 7 to 9 September 2015 with co-organiser Bournemouth University, United Kingdom. Following the success of and building upon the first International Conference on Events in Bournemouth and the second in Sheffield, IFT is proud to host the conference this year. ICE2015 is one of the series of events celebrating the 20th anniversary of IFT. During the opening session of the Conference, Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT and Dr. Julie Whitfield from Bournemouth University welcomed all the delegates, including 70 scholars and participants. It is hoped that a high level of quality, thought-provoking discussion and inspiration could be shared and exchanged. The conference aims to examine a variety of contemporary issues in festivals and events. It aims to gather those interested in the exciting yet complex field of event studies and event management together to disseminate latest research, initiate collaborations and exchange ideas. Delegates from the academic community and from the industry come from 14 countries and regions. Keynote speakers include Cecilia Tse, Deputy Director of MGTO, Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer of MGM China Holdings Limited, Professor Leo Jago, University of Surrey, UK, Professor Brian King, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, among many others. The conference provides a platform for like-minded people where they meet everybody, network with everyone and enjoy the inspiring discussions of latest research in events. IFT from the Macao community can also learn from all the experts gathered here in this conference. Through organising and participating in international conferences, ITRC of IFT plays a more active role in fostering research locally and internationally. Its collaboration with other universities helps bring attention to the most relevant issues about tourism related developments as well as benefit the tourism development of Macao in the long run.
…

Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with the Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Margaret Chan, to exchange views on public health issues and the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry in Macao. In the meeting on 6 September, Mr Chui thanked the WHO’s support in establishing the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine in Macao, which would help to raise the quality of TCM scientific research, and to enhance quality control and management. The Government pays great attention to the development of TCM as it plays an important part in the adequate diversification of the economy. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, the Government has set forward a string of co-operative projects in different areas including healthcare service, scientific research, education and cultural affairs. He said the Government would continue to contribute in the country’s Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, and to deepen co-operation with WHO and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the process of the TCM industry. Dr Margaret Chan, who visited Macao after attending the events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-Fascist war in Beijing, said WHO would continue to strengthen co-operation with the Macao Government, adding the Government’s efforts in boosting the TCM industry, and in preventing and controlling infectious disease were recognised. The establishment of the Centre in Macao would serve as an important platform for WHO members to share experience, to promote TCM development and would help further regulating the industry, she said. Dr Chan also pointed out WHO would continue to support the Government for talents training, especially the training of public health professionals.
…

To celebrate the Teachers’ Day 2015, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters, from 9:00 to 17:30 on 10th September 2015 to provide the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Celebration of Teachers’ Day”. A commemorative envelope with stamp will be distributed to public. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
…

Consumer Council conducted its second ‘Supermarket price survey’ in September on 4 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Iao Hon Market and the Border Gate area (Portas do Cerco ) in N. Sra. de Fátima 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. 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.
…

The 27th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest officially kicked off tonight (5 September) with the first dazzling fireworks presented by Malaysian team. The spectacular attracted many locals and visitors. The second fireworks display by Grupo Luso Pirotecnia from Portugal is cancelled due to delay of transportation of pyrotechnic materials. The 27th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is held above the sea in front of Macau Tower on 5, 12, 19, 27 September and 1 October. French and Austrian teams will come on stage on 27 September, a day to celebrate both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the World Tourism Day. Teams from Australia and Mainland China will boost the festive vibe in town with their fireworks finale on 1 October, the National Day. Same as before, MGTO requests the teams to orchestrate their pyrotechnic shows with music and laser effects in a way that brings out their theme and enhances the audience experience with a pyrotechnic extravaganza. Spectators can watch the live broadcast of the Contest with background music on TDM – Macau Chinese TV Channel and TDM - Radio Macau’s Chinese Channel (FM 100.7) each fireworks evening. Locals and visitors can therefore enjoy the fireworks shows in different ways. MGTO again presents the "Macau International Fireworks Display Contest SMS Game" jointly with CTM this year to encourage locals to be part of the event. Citizens are also welcome to join the Trophy Design Competition, Photo Competition and Student Drawing Competition of the 27th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest organized by the Tourist Office. The three annual competitions are now open for applications. Famous pyrotechnic companies came from around the world to join the past editions of the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. Without exception, the Contest rolls out a strong line-up this year, with ten teams coming from Malaysia, Portugal (performance date to be confirmed), Finland, Taiwan China, Korea, Italy, France, Austria, Australia and Mainland China (in the order of performance time and date). This is the first time for the Contest to feature teams from Malaysia and Finland. The pyrotechnic companies from Italy and France will also make their debut in Macau. The first fireworks display starts at 9 p.m. each night, followed by the second show at 9:40 p.m. MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau are joining hands again to host Fireworks Carnival 2015 at the open area next to Macau Tower during the fireworks evenings. Featuring stage performances and delicacy stalls, the Carnival will add a lively ambience to the fireworks nights.
…

According to a press release of Fitch Ratings on 4 September 2015, although Macao’s economy continued to contract in the second quarter of 2015, the rating agency affirms Macao’s credit rating at “AA-” with a stable outlook attributable to the SAR’s strong sovereign balance sheet and external position. While the local economy has entered into a phase of adjustment, the credit rating highlights the capability of the Macao SAR Government to maintain its creditworthiness. Fitch points out the key factors supporting the Macao SAR Government’s overall creditworthiness, which include: 1. The Macao SAR Government has strong external position and maintains its debt-free status. Fiscal reserves and accumulated surpluses exceed 100% of Macao’s gross domestic product and is enough to almost cover six years of expenditures at the 2015 level budgeted by the Government. The sturdy fiscal position will provide the SAR Government significant policy space to accommodate economic adjustment and promote economic diversification. 2. Fitch expects gaming revenues to stabilise in the second half of 2015. The rating agency also expects that new tourism facilities due to be completed in the next few years could boost more tourist arrivals, expand the market, and benefit economic diversification. 3. In regard to financial stability, prudential operations of Macao’s banking sector support its asset quality and relatively healthy capitalisation. Based on its expectation for relatively stable gaming revenues in the second half of the year, Fitch maintains its forecast on Macao’s economy to shrink by 16% in 2015.
…

The 27th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest will take place at the seafront of Macau Tower on 5, 12, 19 and 27 September, and 1 October. The fireworks display of Grupo Luso Pirotecnia from Portugal scheduled to perform at 9:40 pm on 5 September has to be cancelled because the pyrotechnics materials of the company are not able to be delivered to Macau as scheduled, yet the first display at 9:00 pm will be performed as scheduled, by which Macau Government Tourist Office would like to inform all residents and visitors and request their comprehension. Macau Government Tourist Office will announce the arrangement for the display of the fireworks company from Portugal early next week. The latest contest program is available at: http://fireworks.macautourism.gov.mo
…

The Government would push ahead with adequate diversification of the economy in time of consolidation, maintaining the development process of the small- and medium-sized enterprises and ensuring the stability of job market. This is according to Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, who told the press today as he wrapped up his three-day visit to Beijing for the commemorative events marking the 70th anniversary of victory of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and world anti-Fascist war. He said the grand parade held at 3 September was exciting and the commemorative events showed the country’s policy direction of peace loving and honour for martyrs. Mr Chui revealed the Government would roll out a campaign to promote tourism of Macao to attract more tourists, and expecting number of visitors would rise from the base of 31.5 million yearly. The Government’s strategies to adequate diversify the economy include more involvement in the country’s Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives, and more co-operation with different regions. On retrenchment measures, Mr Chui re-iterated they aimed at cutting unnecessary internal spending of government departments, without affecting the work to better people’s livelihood, social welfare and the expenditure on social security. He said the Government had stable financial reserves and was confident in achieving a fiscal balance or surplus this year; while it would closely monitor the economic environment, especially revenue in September, to determine the necessity of launching further measures to control public expenditure.
…