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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that value of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 amounted to MOP 15.59 billion, down by 10.5% year-on-year and up by 6.8% compared with the revised figure of MOP 14.59 billion in the third quarter. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (MOP 3.37 billion) accounted for 21.6% of the total, followed by sales of Goods in Department Stores (14.4%), Adults' Clothing (13.0%), Leather Goods (9.8%), Motor Vehicles (7.1%) and Goods in Supermarkets (6.6%). As regards the rate of change, value of retail sales of Footwear (-29.1%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-22.8%), Leather Goods (-17.3%), Communication Equipment (-13.3%) and Goods in Department Stores (-11.5%) recorded notable year-on-year decline, while that of Motor Vehicles (+11.7%) and Adults' Clothing (+11.0%) showed increase. After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 rose by 8.5% quarter-to-quarter. Attributable to the sales promotion of automobile dealers prior to the vehicle tax hike, volume of retail sales of Motor Vehicles rose substantially by 38.9%. Moreover, retail sales of Communication Equipment (+23.9%), Leather Goods (+20.3%), Goods in Pharmacies (+18.7%) and Adults' Clothing (+18.1%) also registered notable growth. Volume of retail sales for the fourth quarter decreased by 7.7% year-on-year, with significant decrease in sales of Footwear (-24.5%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-16.0%), Leather Goods (-11.3%) and Goods in Department Stores (-10.0%); nevertheless, sales of Adults' Clothing increased by 14.1%. Total value of retail sales for the whole year of 2015 amounted to MOP 60.89 billion, down by 10.4% year-on-year. Value of retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (MOP 13.53 billion), Goods in Department Store (MOP 8.93 billion) and Adults' Clothing (MOP 6.91 billion) accounted for 22.2%, 14.7% and 11.3% of the total respectively. Notable decrease was observed in sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-25.0%), Leather Goods (-21.9%), Goods in Department Stores (-13.7%), Footwear (-12.4%) and Motor Vehicles (-9.1%). On the other hand, sales of Communication Equipment and Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles increased by 15.9% and 13.4% respectively. Volume of retail sales for 2015 dropped by 7.9% year-on-year, with marked decrease in sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-20.0%), Leather Goods (-18.9%), Goods in Department Stores (-13.9%) and Motor Vehicles (-9.9%). Furthermore, value of retail sales of Automotive Fuels decreased by 6.6% year-on-year due to receding gasoline prices, whereas the corresponding volume of retail sales increased by 11.7% on account of the rise in number of licensed vehicles. In respect of retailers’ comments, about 60.0% of the retailers stated that sales volume in the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased from the previous quarter, up by 3.3 percentage points compared with the corresponding figure in the third quarter; 29.0% reported stable sales volume and 11.0% stated an increase. In terms of the retail prices, about 61.1% reported stable prices, 34.3% noted a decrease and 4.6% stated an increase. Moreover, about 68.8% of the retailers expressed that the stock level remained stable compared with the fourth quarter of 2014, while 21.6% indicated that the stock level decreased. As regards business outlook for the first quarter of 2016, 48.0% of the retailers anticipate that sales volume will decrease from the fourth quarter of 2015, 39.4% expect sales volume to remain stable, while 12.6% predict an increase. Concurrently, 70.9% anticipate stable retail prices, 21.4% expect a decrease, while 7.7% predict an increase.
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In January 2016, IFT Multimedia Library has become the first World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Depository Library in Macao. Launched by UNWTO in 2003, the Depository Library programme aims to foster the access to the research analysis and reports which are published by UNWTO with public audience. Till now, there are approximately 60 libraries in 30 countries and regions having joined the programme and been included as the depository libraries, and IFT Multimedia Library has recently become the first one in Hong Kong, Macao and Chinese Taiwan. From 2016 onwards, IFT Multimedia Library will receive UNWTO’s all English official publications and make them accessible to the public, in order to provide more abundant and complete tourism related information and to support research in tourism related areas for Macao and neignbouring regions. In addition to IFT’s faculty and students, IFT Multimedia Library also welcomes those of other higher education institutions to borrow books and publications with the Macau Academic Library Alliance Card. Practitioner of Tourism and Hotel Industry are eligible to apply for an Industry Library Membership to borrow resources from the Library while scholars and researchers are also welcome to use the resources on site through application. Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 97 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students. Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has the most bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and won twice the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
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The Government is committed to promoting a balanced development of the city’s gaming and non-gaming offerings, and to encourage the use by casino operators of more services and products from local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, made the comments today, when he attended the press conference for the promotional campaign “Macau Loves Locals”. The Secretary expressed his support for the campaign, which he said was in line with the Government’s strategies to promote diversification of the city’s economy. The “Macau Loves Locals” campaign offers discounts and promotions to Macao residents – who bring along a valid identification – when enjoying non-gaming offerings at hotels and resorts operated by the city’s six casino operators. Mr Leong spoke highly of the diversification efforts made by the six casino operators during the ongoing adjustment period in the city’s gaming industry. Such efforts were helpful to enhance Macao’s tourism competitiveness internationally and to support Macao’s economic sustainability as they encouraged a greater involvement of local SMEs, he added. Asked by reporters, the Secretary said key factors taken into consideration in the mid-term review of the city’s gaming industry included how obligations set out in the gaming concessions had been executed and the opinions of the public regarding the operations of integrated resorts. Regarding the drafting of a master plan for economic diversification, the Secretary said a proposal has been submitted to the Chief Executive. Such proposal included mid- to long-term measures for diversification of the city’s economy, in a bid to accomplish the goals under the “Centre and Platform” policies. “Centre and Platform” refers to transforming Macao into a world centre for tourism and leisure and into a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. The Government would closely monitor the expansion of the city’s non-gaming offering, which is perceived as essential to implement the “Centre and Platform” policies, Mr Leong said. The Government would also continue to optimise gaming-related regulations, in a bid to strengthen supervision of the industry. The Secretary urged casino operators to take on greater social responsibility and to provide more on-the-job training to local employees in order to help them advance their careers. The Government attaches great attention to the challenges that might arise due to the ongoing adjustment period in the gaming industry. The Government will take all necessary steps to minimise any possible impact on the city’s economy, Mr Leong added.
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The Government will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure a good working environment for the media, improving communication channels between the Government, the press and the public, said today the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. A better working environment for the media and improved communication between the Government, the media and the public would contribute to the development and long-term stability of Macao, Mr Chui told representatives of local Chinese media during a lunch. The Government highly respects and values the freedom of the press and publishing freedom, the Chief Executive stated. As the media sector thrives – making use of modern technology and new platforms to disseminate information – the public has now more ways to receive news; hence, more opportunities and challenges have emerged for the media industry, Mr Chui stated. The Chief Executive noted the devoted spirit and effort of media companies better to serve the public, and their long-term contribution to the implementation of the principle “One country, two systems”. Mr Chui additionally said the Government would – in accordance with the Basic Law – make every effort to attend to deep-rooted social issues. In a year of potential volatile external environment, it is crucial that such social issues are addressed with the support of the Central Government and the collaborative efforts of the local community, he stressed. Mr Chui also said the Government’s efforts to build a long-term social welfare system had not wavered, despite the ongoing adjustment period in the city’s gaming industry. His team would keep working closely with the local community – under the Government’s policy strategy of “boosting the economy, focusing on people’s livelihood, and ensuring stable development” – to transform Macao into an international city with more favourable conditions for living and working, and to develop the city’s transport, travel and entertainment sectors. The Government would make every effort to maintain a proper and sound management of its maritime boundaries – including a newly demarcated area of 85 square kilometres of maritime waters – and to make use of further development opportunities that might emerge in the future related to the city’s maritime economy, Mr Chui said.
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Hosted by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, with the Environmental Protection Bureau and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute as Host Co-ordinators, the 2016 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF) will be held at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from 31 March to 2 April. This year, the event is held under the theme “Green Economy – Opportunities for Waste Management”, providing a multilateral platform for exchanges on green commerce, technology and information between environmental industries in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region and the international markets. Incepted in 2008, this year marks the ninth year of the MIECF. It is a significant annual event in the environmental industry, constantly enhancing its quality and standards and promoting exchange and co-operation between business partners. In 2011, MIECF received recognition from UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and become an important green platform for innovative opportunities in the environmental industry and for publicising environmental concepts. The 2015 MIECF Green Showcase covered an area of around 16,900 square metres and successfully attracted more than 9,600 visitors during the three-day event. The Green Forum, comprising of 6 forum sessions and one seminar were attended by more than 3,600 people coming from nine countries and regions, with the participation of more than 50 speakers including environmental pioneers, leaders in multi-national environmental enterprises and regional policy-makers. The three-day event has concluded the signing of 28 projects, and 296 on site business negotiations have been conducted in the business-matching area. The Green Public Day held during the last day of MIECF was participated by over 2,400 visitors. Other than the two major components, the Green Forum and the Green Showcase, various activities such as the Green Business Networking Cocktail Reception, Green Public Day, Green Matching, Seminars and Presentations will continue to be held during 2016 MIECF to strengthen commercial and technological exchange on advances in environmental protection between international and Pan-Pearl River Delta Region entities, to promote co-operation and developments in international environmental protection, to publicise environmental protection concepts and to create business opportunities in the environmental industry. For further information, please visit the official website:http://www.macaomiecf.com/miecf2016, or call: +853-87989675.
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The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym) under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presents the concert Horn Concerto by Radovan, part of the Shining Virtuosos Series, to be held on 5 March, Saturday, at 8pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, featuring international horn player Radovan Vlatković, who will debut in Macao. Tickets are on sale at the Macao Ticketing Network. The concert Horn Concerto by Radovan will be conducted by the Music Director of the Macao Orchestra, Lü Jia, and features Richard Strauss’s Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major, the extremely challenging work for the complex musical instrument, performed by Radovan Vlatković. The OM will also perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s famous Symphony No. 5 “Fate”. Radovan Vlatković was Principal Horn of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and received the First Prize at the ARD International Competition in Munich. His recording of the Mozart concertos was awarded the German Recording Critics’ Prize. He received the Croatian Porin Award for his Life's Work in 2012. Aficionados should not miss this marvelous performance. Tickets for the concert are priced at MOP200, MOP150 and MOP100, and various discount plans are available. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. For more details and programme enquiries, please contact OM through tel. 2853 0782 during office hours or visit the Orchestra webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/om.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI increased by 3.81% year-on-year to 107.36 in January 2016, higher than the 3.73% growth in December 2015. The increment was attributable to soaring prices of vegetables, dearer charges for eating out, and rising rentals for dwellings and parking spaces. In comparison with January 2015, notable increase was observed in the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, up by 39.11%. Higher tuition fee, rising wages of domestic helpers and dearer rentals for parking spaces drove up the price index of Education; Household Goods & Furnishings; and Transport by 8.91%, 5.96% and 5.95%. Meanwhile, price index of Clothing & Footwear (-2.23%) and Communication (-1.26%) registered decrease. The CPI-A (107.60) and CPI-B (105.30) rose by 3.92% and 2.87% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for January 2016 rose slightly by 0.04% month-to-month. Price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Health; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages increased by 1.03%, 0.88% and 0.54% on account of dearer prices of tobacco, rising charges for in-patient services and eating out, as well as higher prices of vegetables due to the extreme cold weather. Despite a slowdown in rental growth, management fees for dwellings increased, causing the price index of Housing & Fuels to rise by 0.34%. On the other hand, seasonal sale of winter clothing and lower charges for package tours pushed down the price index of Clothing & Footwear and Recreation & Culture by 2.08% and 1.80%. The CPI-A increased by 0.06% month-to-month while the CPI-B dropped by 0.10%. For the 12 months ended January 2016, the average Composite CPI increased by 4.48% from the previous period. Price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+20.55%) and Housing & Fuels (+7.39%) showed marked increase. The average CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 4.76% and 3.55% respectively over the previous period. The Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general households. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP10,000 to MOP29,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP30,000 to MOP54,999.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said he was confident that – under its new leadership – the Customs Service would strive to provide the city with better services, namely regarding the management of Macao’s maritime waters, thus contributing to the city’s development. Mr Vong Iao Lek was sworn in this afternoon as Director-General of the Macao Customs Service. The ceremony was held at the Government Headquarters and was presided over by the Chief Executive. Mr Chui stressed the need to ensure a smooth leadership transition and to maintain the regular operations of the Customs Service. The Chief Executive convened a work meeting on Saturday (20 February) – following the announcement of Mr Vong’s appointment – to review the leadership transition in the Customs Service. Mr Vong and the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, attended the meeting. Mr Wong served as interim Director-General of the Customs Service since 31 October 2015. Mr Chui said today that the work of the Customs Service was of particular importance to the development of Macao, especially following the demarcation of the city’s maritime boundaries. Such boundaries include a newly demarcated area of 85 square kilometres of maritime waters to be administered by Macao. The Customs Service will also play an important role in helping the city to take advantage of the development opportunities arising from the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and contribute for Macao to become a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (known as “Centre and Platform” policies), Mr Chui added. Asked by reporters, the Chief Executive reiterated that Mr Vong had been nominated to lead the Customs Service after careful and comprehensive consideration of his capabilities and past experience in leadership roles. The State Council ratified Mr Vong’s nomination on Friday (19 February). Mr Chui said that the Macao SAR principal officials do not necessarily have to be appointed from the field they are put in charge. He added that there had been similar cases to that of Mr Vong in the past, with those appointed achieving successful results. The main factors under consideration when selecting a candidate for a principal official position included policy-making abilities, sense of responsibility, and management and execution skills, the Chief Executive added. During today’s ceremony, Mr Vong said that to head the Customs Service is a challenging position. He added that, with the support of a professional and united team, he was confident to contribute for Macao’s stability and help achieve the Government’s vision for the city. Mr Vong’s priority at the Customs Service would be to ensure the proper management of the city’s newly demarcated maritime area. Building an effective and efficient team – making use of modern equipment and facilities – would help achieve that goal, he added. Earlier today – prior to the swearing-in ceremony – Mr Wong and Mr Vong met with the top management of the Customs Service. During the work meeting – held at the Customs Service headquarters – the Secretary urged all staff to support Mr Vong; he added that his office would give full assistance to the Customs Service whenever needed. The Secretary extended his gratitude to all staff of the Customs Service for their work during the period he headed the service.
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The number of crimes reported to police in 2015 fell by 2.6 percent year-on-year, and there were no cases of the most serious forms of violent crime reported last year, said today the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak. The Secretary made the comments at a press briefing this morning, when he disclosed the figures for crime cases recorded last year. Mr Wong said the police conducted a total of 13,653 criminal investigations last year, a decline of 363 cases compared to 2014. A total of 5,476 people were transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office for further investigation in 2015, an increase of 680 people from the prior year. The Secretary said the authorities would continue the efforts to maintain public order and use effective crime-fighting measures to ensure the stability of Macao. A total of 1,553 gaming-related cases were recorded in 2015, an increase of 38 percent from 1,125 cases in 2014. The cases reported last year were mostly related to false imprisonment and usury, said Mr Wong. The Government remains on alert for any possible negative impact on security brought by the ongoing adjustment in Macao’s gaming industry, said the Secretary. Intelligence gathered so far showed no unusual activity, he added. Mr Wong additionally said the authorities would constantly keep assessing the situation and would step up enforcement efforts in order to reduce the number of gaming-related crimes in Macao. There were 7,584 cases of crime against property last year, representing a 3.3 percent decline from 2014. A total of 2,721 crimes against persons were reported in 2015, a slight increase of 0.1 percent from the previous year. The number of violent crimes reported last year showed a 24-percent increase compared to 2014, to 755 cases. The increase was mainly due to more cases of false imprisonment: a total of 410 such cases were reported in 2015, an 86.4 percent rise from 220 cases in 2014. The most serious forms of violent crime – such as murder, kidnap and grievous assault – were either at low levels or non-existent in 2015. Cases of telephone fraud fell by 42.9 percent to 161 from 282 cases reported in 2014. The decrease in the number of telephone fraud cases was partly due to the police’s anti-crime promotional campaigns, Mr Wong said. The police would pay special attention to the most recent trends in crime and launch more promotional campaigns to raise awareness among larger sectors of the community, he added. Crimes against society saw a decrease of 9.3 percent year-on-year, to 813 cases. Crimes such as using forged documents went up by 8.7 percent year-on-year in 2015, but there was a 44.7-percent decline in cases related to transferring counterfeit money. A total of 25 cases of arson were reported to the authorities last year. Cases of juvenile delinquency fell by 27.7 percent year-on-year to 47 in 2015, involving 78 youngsters. There were a total of 30,506 illegal immigrants and over-stayers detected last year, representing a significant decline of 38.6 percent from 2014. Of these incidents, 25,053 involved mainland residents and 3,140 involved people from overseas that overstayed their visas. In 2015, there were a total of 5,079 infractions relating to taxi services. The cases included 1,874 incidents of refusing to take passengers; 1,233 cases of overcharging; and 357 cases of unlicensed transportation services. Mr Wong said the police would beef up efforts to implement the Government’s policy strategy for the security area in 2016 – “proactive policing”, “community policing” and “proximity policing” – in a bid to strengthen promotion and communication with the public.
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The Government has created a committee to push forward the role of Macao as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (known as “Platform Policy”). The committee was set up by an Executive Order published today in the Macao SAR Gazette. The Committee for Development of the Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries will be responsible for drafting a development blueprint for Macao based on the Platform Policy. The advisory body will also conduct research related to the Platform Policy. It will additionally suggest guidelines on related matters. The Chief Executive will chair the new committee; the Secretary for Economy and Finance will be the vice chairperson, according to the Executive Order. The Platform Policy – endorsed by the Central Government – leverages on Macao’s unique position and aims to further contribute to China’s development. It is intended to offer mutual benefits to the mainland, the Portuguese-speaking countries and Macao. Macao’s achievements under the Platform Policy include: boosting cultural exchanges and trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries; and providing assistance and consultancy services to involved parties in translation/interpretation and other language-related matters, finance, legal affairs and accounting. The next stage in implementing the Platform Policy – including the creation of the new committee – aims to increase resource efficiency in the public administration regarding Macao’s role as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
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