News

“Hosting large-scale conventions and business events attracts professional visitors and business delegations to Macao, promoting the local economy”. This is an idea that is materialising gradually as more and more international conventions and meetings are coming to Macao. In September, Macao hosted three high-profile conventions, attended by more than 20,000 visitors. In addition to boosting the economy in the Cotai area, those events also contributed to increasing trade for businesses in Taipa village and in the northern part of Macao. According to the organiser of the “Greater China NU Skin Academy”, the stay of the 5,000 attendees and their families contributed a total expenditure of approximately 40 million patacas. Estimating an average per capita spending of 5,000 patacas, the three events contributed an aggregate of about 100 million patacas in consumption in different areas of the city – a very encouraging figure. The organisers of the three events agree that the well-established hotels, venues and other infrastructure in Macao – together with the diversified activities surrounding these venues – make it easy to tour the city and arrange sightseeing activities: something convenient for organisers planning events in Macao. The three organisers say Macao continues to be the first choice for large-scale meetings and conventions; they expect to hold other events in Macao. Macao, the perfect match for work and entertainment In September, Macao hosted three large-scale events, each with more than 1,000 attendees: “Nu Skin SouthEast Asia Star Academy Macao 2016” (1,000 participants), early in the month; “Amway Diamond Recognition Meeting” (14,000 participants), in mid-September; followed by the “Greater China NU Skin Academy” (5,000 participants). Evita Quiambao Singson, Regional Vice President of Sales for Asia Pacific of Nu Skin, said her event in Macao was “a perfect match of work and entertainment”. According to Ms Singson, Macao is well equipped with facilities for large-scale conventions, having also attractive tourism landmarks and a unique history, with a diversified suit of products. Visitors that love to shop have a very enjoyable experience in Macao, she noted. “If you only sit in the conference room without walking around, then your trip to Macao will be meaningless,” said Ms Singson. With such a unique combination between the convention and exhibition industry and the tourism sector, Ms Singson said she expects to host more large-scale events in Macao in the future. Large-scale conventions promote community-based economy With co-ordination from the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), the organiser of the “Nu Skin SouthEast Asia Star Academy Macao 2016” worked with industry representatives; and trade associations from the Islands District, the Central and Southern District and the Macao Northern District; as well as travel agents, in order to organise tours of the city for the event’s participants. The attendees visited famous landmarks in Macao, such as the Macau Tower, the Ruins of St. Paul's, and Rua da Felicidade, among others. The visits were a good opportunity for the participants to enjoy scenic spots of Macao, and helped stimulate consumption in different communities across the city. Hsu Min-Che, General Manager of Fulin International Limited, the organiser of the “Amway Diamond Recognition Meeting”, said the event attracted a total of 14,000 attendees from over 40 countries and regions. Since the meeting took place in the afternoon, participants were able to enjoy other time on their own, going shopping or exploring the city and sampling some traditional gastronomy products. Mr Hsu said that without doubt the conventions and exhibitions industry attracts professional visitors to Macao, helping to propel a community-based economy. Patrick Yeung, President of Hong Kong & Macau and Regional Vice-President of Leaderships at Nu Skin Enterprises, said most of the 5,000 participants of the “Greater China NU Skin Academy” came to Macao with their families. According to Mr Yeung, a large number of the participants extended their stay for one or two days after the event, so as to visit some of the city’s landmarks, such as the Ruins of St. Paul's, Rua do Cunha and other attractions; with some of them even exploring the city’s Northern District, as well as trying local delicacies. The estimated tourism consumption figure reached approximately 40 million patacas, said Mr Yeung. Estimating an average spend of 5,000 patacas per attendee – based on 20,000 participants in the three events in September – the total consumption associated with these events is expected to have reached 100 million patacas – an amount spent in the community. Such an outcome shows that the volume of business grows whenever there is a large-scale event in Macao, said merchants in the Islands District, adding they hoped that the city welcomes further large-scale events. More Large-Scale Events to Come Macao is to host a number of large-scale events in the fourth quarter of 2016. These include the “9th ACM SIGGRAPH Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques in Asia (with more than 5,000 participants expected). Several other events are each expected to attract more than 7,000 participants. For more information, please visit the official website of IPIM: http://www.ipim.gov.mo
…

Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 28 October 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), and the ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps. 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 over 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.
…

Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 28 October 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.
…

In order to enrich the population’s cultural life and broaden its cultural horizons, the Cultural Affairs Bureau organizes the “Lectures by Masters of Culture” programme. This year’s “Lecture by Masters of Culture”“ will be held on Sunday, 30 October at 3pm, at the Macao Science Centre Convention Hall. Hosted by the British keynote speaker Charles Landry, an international authority on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change, known as the “innovator of the creative city concept”, the lecture is entitled “Macao: A Culture of Ambition and Creativity as Catalysts for a Sustainable City”. Charles Landry is an international authority in the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. In the late 1980s, he renewed the concept of “creative city”, focusing on how cities can create conditions for people and organizations to think, plan and act with imagination in solving of problems and in the development of opportunities. The notion, which became a global movement, changed the way cities think about their capabilities and resources. Charles Landry has worked and given talks in over sixty countries and helped change the way to assess and harness the possibilities of reinventing cities. His “Creative City Index” is a powerful tool to measure the creative eco-system of places. His works such as The Creative City: A Toolkit for Urban Innovators and The Digitized City have met great public demand. In this lecture, Charles Landry will share successful cases in famous cultural cities across the world, and will prove that ambition and creativity are the keys to establish a creative city, in addition to cultural events, imagination and creativity he advocates for urban change. Charles Landry opens new perspectives for all those interested in the establishment of a creative, energetic and liveable city. The Cultural Affairs Bureau launched the “Lectures by Masters of Culture” in 2013, inviting world famous scholars, artists and individuals from cultural circles to come to Macao and, through the exchange of experiences and the sharing of knowledge, stimulate thoughts with an international outlook, and deepen Macao’s culture, thereby creatively and vigorously contributing for Macao’s cultural development. The lecture will be conducted in English, with simultaneous translation to Mandarin and Portuguese. Registration for the lecture opened in the end of September. The public responded with enthusiasm and the 300 seats have already been reserved. Applicants who have received a confirmation message are advised to arrive at the venue 15 minutes prior to the lecture. Interpreting equipment (headsets) are available on a first come, first served basis. For enquiries, please contact IC through tel. no. 8399 6699 during office hours. For more information, please visit www.icm.gov.mo/deippub/masters/2016.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for September 2016 amounted to MOP821 million, down by 3.5% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP589 million) dropped by 17.4%, with that of Clocks & watches falling by 35.5%; value of domestic exports (MOP232 million) soared by 68.8%. Total merchandise import decreased by 8.5% year-on-year to MOP6.32 billion, of which imports of Motor cars and Construction materials declined by 57.9% and 48.4% respectively. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.50 billion. In the third quarter of 2016, total value of merchandise export (MOP2.63 billion) and merchandise import (MOP18.83 billion) fell by 2.8% and 10.0% respectively year-on-year, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP16.21 billion. From January to September 2016, total value of merchandise export dropped by 5.2% year-on-year to MOP7.73 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP6.25 billion) decreased by 8.1%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.48 billion) increased by 9.3%. Total value of merchandise import fell by 17.8% to MOP52.19 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP44.46 billion for the first three quarters of 2016. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Mainland China decreased by 1.3% year-on-year to MOP1.34 billion in the first three quarters of 2016, of which exports to the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta (MOP1.26 billion) fell by 3.9%, and exports to Hong Kong (MOP4.30 billion) dropped by 13.0%. Meanwhile, exports to the EU (MOP140 million) and the USA (MOP110 million) reduced by 17.7% and 26.2% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles declined by 4.6% year-on-year to MOP7.19 billion, of which value of Clocks & watches (MOP740 million) dropped by 30.1%, but that of Tobacco & wine (MOP621 million) grew by 45.8%. Exports of Textiles & garments totalled MOP545 million, down by 12.6%. By place of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP18.92 billion) and the EU (MOP12.75 billion) in the first three quarters of 2016 decreased by 19.4% and 10.8% respectively year-on-year. Analysed by place of consignment, merchandise import from Mainland China declined by 6.2% to MOP9.00 billion, of which imports from the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta (MOP8.52 billion) fell by 6.6%. Imports of Consumer goods dropped by 13.6% to MOP32.85 billion, with imports of Watches (MOP3.32 billion) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP911 million) decreasing by 31.9% and 55.6% respectively. Moreover, imports of Fuels & lubricants (MOP4.66 billion), Mobile phones (MOP3.06 billion) and Construction materials (MOP1.51 billion) declined by 12.7%, 44.9% and 37.3% respectively. External merchandise trade totalled MOP59.93 billion in the first three quarters of 2016, down by 16.4% compared with MOP71.67 billion a year earlier.
…

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) hosts the activity “Getting to know the Archaeology of Macau”, integrated in the event “Cultural Heritage and Archaeology in Macao”, on Sunday, 30th of October, featuring an introductory presentation on archaeology and a visit to an archaeological site. Admission is free and participants aged fourteen and above are welcome to join. The presentation included in the activity “Getting to know the Archaeology of Macau” held in Carmo Hall (Taipa), will introduce the subject of archaeology, the archaeological works conducted in Macao and how archaeological heritage is protected by the “Cultural Heritage Protection Law”, allowing participants to gain a general understanding of these topics. The presentation is followed by a site visit to the Museum of Taipa and Coloane History and its archaeological site, so as to increase the public's awareness and understanding on archaeological work. The activity is divided in two sessions: a session in Chinese to be held from 10:30am to 1pm; and a session in English, to be held from 3pm to 5:30pm. This activity is integrated in the event “Cultural Heritage and Archaeology in Macao”, which is part of a wider event entitled “New Frontiers for Promoting the Law - Month for law promotion among teenagers”. Registration can be made online through the webpage www.icm.gov.mo/eform/event and is available on a first come first served basis. On the day of the activity, on-site registration is also possible if there are seats available. For enquiries, please call IC through tel. no. 8399 6424, during office hours, or visit the IC webpage www.icm.gov.mo.
…

Consumer Council conducted its ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 27 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets in São Lázaro and São Lourenço Parishes. 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 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.
…

The ‘Parade through Macao, Latin City’ in celebration of the 17th anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China, will be held on 4 December. This year the Parade takes the classic Chinese text Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing) as its background. “VIVA’s Adventures through Shan Hai” comprise 60 local and foreign participating groups in a total of nearly 1,200 participants. Local groups responded actively to the call for participation in the Parade, with performances featuring Cantonese opera, theatre, music, martial arts, folk and traditional and oriental dance. The Parade will also feature a number of outstanding foreign participating groups, from Latin-speaking countries and other foreign regions, including French group Plasticiens Volants which again will bring huge balloons that add colour to the event’s visual impact; Rome Majorettes from Italy, specialized in the classic discipline of majorettes and cheerleading to generate excitement and festive joy; Ballet Afro Tuga from Portugal which presents a big show based on African traditional percussion and rhythms featured in festive celebrations and religious rituals; and renowned Spanish troupe Robots composed by coloured space robots using special jumping stilts. The Parade also features other extraordinary participating groups, such as Revista de Montevideo from Uruguay, Comparsa de Badajoz from Spain, Tambourin Dance of the Liannan Yao Autonomous County of Guangdong Province from Mainland China, inscribed in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Dragon-fish Dance of Sha Chong Cun of Panyu District of Guangzhou City from Mainland China, Make Friends With Puppets from Hong Kong and the Latin Overseas Chinese Group, presenting wonderful performances. This year, the route of the Parade includes installations based on the mythological characters of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Relevant installations are found in different sites, such as the Mottled flying-fish, found at Freguesia de Santo António, a fish that can fly and swim underwater and which arrival brings abundant harvests; the Qiyu-bird, found at Santa Casa da Misericórdia Albergue and Tap Siac, which has three heads and six tails and can drive away nightmares as well as get rid of terrible evils; the Hairy people who have their bodies covered with thick hair; and the Tiny people who have a very short stature. The Torch-Dragon, a deity which can manipulate rains and winds, is also found at Senado Square. The members of public participating in the Parade can have the chance to witness these creative installations. For more information about the Parade, please visit the Parade webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade and the Parade page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/macaoparade.
…

The ‘Parade through Macao, Latin City’, celebrating the 17th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China, will be held on Sunday, 4 December, with the motto “An Annual Celebration for the Entire City - VIVA” and themed “VIVA’s Adventures through Shan Hai”. VIVA will travel through a time gate and set off to the mysterious land of the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing), kicking off a fantastic adventure and taking part in the “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration” party, celebrating the handover together. Set off on a fantastic adventure through a new route This year the Parade takes the Classic of Mountains and Seas as its background. VIVA travels through extraordinary mountains and rivers, where he meets bizarre beasts that tell him amusing stories along the way. On the day of the Parade, VIVA crosses the time gate at 4pm at Largo da Companhia de Jesus, taking off from the Ruins of St. Paul’s, together with performing groups from Latin-speaking countries and other foreign regions as well as hundreds of local talents, on a journey that goes through Rua de S. Paulo, St. Anthony’s Square, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, Rua dos Artilheiros, Rua de Sanches de Miranda, Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro, Santa Casa da Misericórdia Albergue, Rua de São Roque, Rua Nova de São Lázaro, St. Lazarus Square, Rua do Volong, Rua do Tap Siac and Rua de Afonso de Albuquerque, arriving at its final destination at 5:30pm at Tap Siac Square to celebrate the handover in a festive and carnival atmosphere. Additionally, this year the Parade offers an alternative route: some performing groups will depart from Senado Square and march through Largo de S. Domingos, Rua de S. Domingos, Rua da Palha and Rua de S. Paulo, finally joining the remainder of the parade at the Ruins of St. Paul’s, thereby inviting even more participants to take part in the celebration of the handover. The Classic of Mountains and Seas is a popular Chinese ancient classic that records the geography of ancient times, the deities and beasts and bizarre myths, and is known as China’s oldest “encyclopaedia”. In his adventure, VIVA comes across numerous interesting friends. Additional activities contribute to the Parade’s festive atmosphere A series of activities will be rolled out in conjunction with the Parade, including rehearsals throughout the city, which offer a glimpse of the event. Before the Parade kicks off on 4 December, several mysterious creatures with painted faces will pop up along the route to colour the faces of the public. In addition, workshops, a photography contest and social media games with prizes will be progressively announced and open to the public’s participation. The parade is one of the major events in celebration of Macao’s handover to China and has already become one of the city’s trademark festive events since its first edition in 2011. The organizer has made arrangements with TV channels from Hong Kong to broadcast excerpts of the event, thereby increasing the reputation of the Parade. TDM – Teledifusão de Macau S.A. will broadcast the entire event live and outdoor screens will be installed at several locations - Senado Square, Rotunda de Carlos da Maia, Areia Preta Garden and Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro. The popular Hong Kong TVB programme ‘Scoop’ will feature a foretaste of the event on 2 and 15 December, as well as a Parade Special Programme dedicated to the event’s highlights on 17 December. On the day of the Parade, crowd control measures will be implemented and some streets will be temporarily closed to traffic. The public is thus advised to walk to the Parade venues on foot or use public transportation. In order to ensure public safety, use of unmanned aerial devices will not be allowed. The Parade is organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and is co-organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office, the Sports Bureau, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Public Security Police Force, the Transport Bureau, the Fire Services Bureau, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of Macao and the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange between Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The Cultural Affairs Bureau also receives the support from the Macao General Union of Neighbourhood Associations, the Macao Sam Pa Mun Residents Mutual Aid Association, the Macao Soi Ho Cheok Residents Mutual Aid Association, as well as from the VIVA Ambassadors supporters, namely the Bank of China Macau Branch Volunteers Association, the Macao Community Youth Volunteers Development Association, the General Volunteers Association of Macao, The Boys' Brigade, Macau, The Scout Association of Macau and the Association of Volunteers Social Service Macao. This edition is also fully supported by Air Macau Co, Ltd. TDM - Teledifusão de Macau S.A. is the designated live television broadcaster. The Press Conference of the ‘Parade through Macao, Latin City’ was held by the Cultural Affairs Bureau on 27 October, 12pm, at Tourism Activities Centre, 2nd floor, Congress Hall. The Press Conference was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the President of the Sport Bureau, Pun Weng Kun; the Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Services Bureau, Chao Ka Cheong; the Vice-President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leung Hio Ming and Chan Peng Fai; the Chief of the Public Relations Division of the Macau Government Tourism Office, Christina, Lau Fong Chi; the Chief of the Department of Youth of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Un Hoi Cheng; the Acting Chief and Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Department / Islands Traffic Branch of the Public Security Police Force, Sam Chi Nap; the President of the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange Between Asia-Pacific and Latin America, Gary Ngai Mei Cheong; the Chief of the Department of Cultural Events of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin; the Chief of the Department for the Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Frankie Ho Ka Weng; the Chief of the Division of the Cultural Promotion of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Boyce Lam Chon Keong; the Chief of the Division of Recreational Activities of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Cheang Kai Meng; the General Manager of Marketing of Air Macau Co. Ltd, Ringo Chan; the Director of the Programmes and Production Division of TDM - Teledifusão de Macau S.A., Lok Kong; the Vice-President of the Macao General Union of Neighborhoods Associations, Che Mei Leng; the President of the Macao Soi Ho Cheok Residents Mutual Aid Association, Lei Vai Man; and the Executive Director of the Macao Sam Pa Mun Residents Mutual Aid Association, Felisberto Lao, and the representatives of participating groups in the parade this year.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead on 2 November a Government delegation to Beijing for discussions on the planning and management of Macao’s waters. While in Beijing, Mr Chui will call on officials of the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Water Resources, the General Administration of Customs and the State Oceanic Administration. How to advance Macao’s contributions to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st -Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “Belt and Road” initiative) will be also a topic of discussions. Macao officials accompanying the Chief Executive to Beijing will include: the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; the Director of the Marine and Water Bureau, Ms Wong Soi Man; and the Director of the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau, Mr Li Canfeng. The Chief Executive will return to Macao on 4 November. While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, and the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, will consecutively take on the role of acting Chief Executive.
…