News

During the Lunar New Year holidays ( February 6 to 10), the office of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) located at the China Plaza in Avenida Praia Grande will be closed. For those who wish to apply for "self- exclusion", they may continue to submit their applications through the casino or on their own through any one of the 19 “Responsible Gambling Information Kiosks” in Macau. (Kiosks locations refer to http://www.dicj.gov.mo/web/en/responsible/isolation/kiosks.html). As usual, the DICJ will have inspectors stationed in the casinos 24 hours to monitor the operation and to provide assistance to the public and visitors whenever necessary. If any assistance is required from the DICJ inspectors in the casino during February 6 and 10, aside from the usual way of contacting via the casino employees, the public and visitors can also contact the inspectors through hotline 66121323 during 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..
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The Government would continue its steady efforts at economic diversification in the coming Year of the Monkey, and with the collective wisdom of the residents, Macao would accomplish greater social achievements, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On in his Lunar New Year Message. In the Lunar New Year the Government would step up efforts to maintain a sound and robust financial environment, and would weather internal and external challenges by working closely with people from all walks of life, said the Chief Executive in his message delivered today. The Government would, as always, prioritise projects that help to enhance the people’s quality of life and welfare, in a bid to make Macao an even more liveable city. Mr Chui said the Government would press ahead with policies to build a better Macao. These include: improving the livelihood of senior citizens and their care; creating a positive environment for young people to develop fully their potential; shaping an atmosphere in which children can grow up happily; and endeavouring to create more favourable conditions for leisure and working life in Macao. The Chief Executive added that all should share with their families and people in need the joy and warmth of this festive season. He extended his sincere gratitude to all those workers – in the private and public sectors – involved in keeping essential services operating during the holidays. On behalf of the Government, he wished everyone a happy, healthy and successful Year of the Monkey.
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The Government has expressed great concern regarding the 6.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Kaohsiung, in the southern part of Taiwan, this morning. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and expressed his profound sympathy for those injured as a result of the earthquake. The Government is paying close attention to the latest developments in relation to the incident. It would also provide assistance to any Macao residents who have been affected by the earthquake in Taiwan. The Government would maintain close contact with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Macao, as a source for updates of information, and as a route by which the Government can offer any assistance that might be needed.
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) is paying close attention to the earthquake that occurred today in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China, and maintaining close contact with the Macao Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan for further developments. From the information gathered through the Macao travel industry, until the present moment, there is no indication that any Macao resident has been affected. Until the present moment, GGCT has not received any request for information or assistance. If necessary, Macao residents can call the 24-hour Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000.
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A grand opening ceremony was held this morning (5 February) to kick off the Sapporo Snow Festival. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government Dr. Alexis Tam was invited to attend the opening ceremony as one of the officiating guests, and inspected various tourism promotion projects Macao has rolled out on the HBC Macao Square. Making a debut in this year’s Sapporo Snow Festival with Macao chosen as a feature destination, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is showcasing a snow sculpture of the Ruins of St. Paul’s at the center of the major event venue with a video projection mapping show. The Office also runs a Macao Café and a photo exhibition by a Macao artist based in Hokkaido, as well as hosted a gratitude dinner in the event. Besides the above highlights, the Office has invited a team from Macau Culinary Association to join the International Snow Sculpture Contest. The Ruins of St. Paul’s comes into the spotlight in Sapporo Snow Festival The Sapporo Snow Festival kicked off this morning (5 February) with an opening ceremony held on the HBC Macao Square located at 7 chome, the heart of Odori Site, the major venue of the Festival. The giant snow sculpture of the Ruins of St. Paul’s served as the key backdrop of the opening. Many Japanese citizens and international visitors stood in awe of the magnificent sculpture in the falling snow, enthralled by this masterpiece built with delicate artistry. At the opening today, Sapporo City Mayor, Katsuhiro Akimoto, mentioned that a total of 208 snow and ice statues in varying sizes are on display this year. Among them, the Ruins of St. Paul’s in snow, located at the main street and the opening venue, has become the icon of this edition. He also encouraged local citizens to travel to Macao. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government Dr. Alexis Tam, Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ip Peng Kin, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, and General Manager of MGTO Representative in Japan, Fumihiro Sakakibara, attended the opening ceremony among other guests. After the opening ceremony, Secretary Tam paid an inspection to different tourism promotion projects rolled out by MGTO specially for the Festival on the HBC Macao Square. Destination promotion in creative ways During the Snow Festival, MGTO will project a 3D video mapping show upon the snowy façade of the Ruins of St. Paul’s, to radiate the myriad sparks of Macao’s cultural heritage and events ignited by their synergistic effect. The 10 minute-long projections will dazzle the snow sculpture every half an hour, enchanting the audience with the beauty of Macao in a fairytale of winter wonderland. Next to the snow-carved Ruins of St. Paul’s, a romantic Macao Café is set up to serve heartwarming Macao delicacies and hot drinks for visitors this snowy winter. In this café filled with Portuguese aroma, guests can relish Macao’s signature flavor recreated by Japanese chef who specially travelled to Macao to gain culinary experience. Besides, MGTO has invited Macao artist Season Lao, born in the 80s and currently based in Hokkaido, to share with visitors stories about Macao through a display of his stunning photographs of Macao. In addition, MGTO has invited a team of three snow-carving artists from Macau Culinary Association to join the 43rd International Snow Sculpture Contest, another highlight of the Festival, on behalf of Macao. Led by Chairman of the Association Perry Yuan Kam Hung, the team has to carve a snow sculpture openly at 11 chome on Odori Site from 4 to 7 February, presenting a piece of artwork known as “Golden Lotus Flower Embraced by the Dragon”. Winners will be announced on site on 8 February followed by a prize-giving ceremony. The Macao SAR Government hosted a gratitude dinner in the evening. During the dinner, Secretary Tam remarked that the event was a great success and an enhancer for friendly cooperation and tourism connections between Japan and Macao in the future. Nearly 30 Japanese officials, executives of travel trade and the press attended the dinner upon invitation. Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sapporo, Sun Zhen Yong; Sapporo City Mayor, Katsuhiro Akimoto; Director of Department of Policy Planning and Coordination, Hokkaido Government, Hitoshi Kubota; Director General for Tourism, Hokkaido Government, Shinako Jin; Director General of Culture and Tourism Bureau, City of Sapporo, Masao Konishi; Chairman of Sapporo Tourist Association, Hisao Hoshino and President of Hokkaido Broadcasting Company, Takashi Watanabe, were present in the dinner among other guests.
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The Health Bureau has announced the opening hours for major health centres and for services at the Conde S. Januário Hospital during the Lunar New Year period (7 to 10 February inclusive). Health centres The following health centres will provide general outpatient services on a non-appointment basis from 9am to 1pm on 8, 9 and 10 February: Areia Preta; Fai Chi Kei; Tap Seac; Porto Interior (Inner Harbour); Fong Son Tong (São Lourenço); Ocean Gardens; Nossa Senhora do Carmo; and the Seac Pai Van temporary health centre. Community nurse services at those health centres will be available from 9am to 1pm on 7, 8, 9 and 10 February. On call doctors On call doctors will be available at the Seac Pai Van temporary health centre 24 hours per day during the holiday. The Coloane health centre will provide community nurse services and on call doctor services from 9am to 1pm on 7, 8, 9 and 10 February. Conde S. Januário Hospital The Emergency Department (including 24-hour outpatient services), inpatient services and the Island Emergency Station – will be open round the clock as usual. Night Emergency Pharmacy – will extend its opening hours to provide 24-hour service on 8, 9 and 10 February. Haemodialysis Centre – closed on 7 February but will have normal 8am to 9pm services on 8, 9 and 10 February. The following will be closed on 7, 8, 9 and 10 February: Hospital Conde S. Januário specialist medical services; the hospital outpatient pharmacy and stamp services; the civil servant medical examination centre; Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Centre and the registration service for the Provisional Support Scheme for Mothers and Babies. The Blood Transfusion Centre will maintain normal operating hours on 7 February. It will be closed on 8, 9 and 10 February and will resume normal service on 11 February. Conde S. Januário Hospital inpatient visiting hours remain unchanged. For emergency wards they are: 12 noon to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm. For other wards they are: 1pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm daily). Except for special circumstances, no visits are permitted outside those times.
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In regard to the supply of banknotes through automated teller machines (ATMs) during the long holiday period of the forthcoming Chinese New Year (6th – 10th February), the Monetary Authority of Macao has co-ordinated with the banking sector for arranging relevant measures in order that the need for ATM cash withdrawal by both local citizens and tourists can be satisfied. For enquiries, please dial 66537917 or 62896857 from 9:00 – 18:00 during the period.
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Macao Post will issue an exquisite “Annual Album 2015” on 17th February 2016. The design of the protective hardcover used construction blocks and simple colour to create the scene of Macao, in which a group of goats is living harmony in the city. This album comprises the full collection of 17 sets of stamps and 10 souvenir sheets issued in 2015, on which the colour stamp images and the technical data are printed on the pages. This Annual Album 2015 will be available for sale at the Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters, “Rua do Campo” Post Office, Maritime Ferry Terminal Post Office, Airport Post Office, and the Communications Museum. The selling price is MOP448.00 each, it is certainly an excellent product, either as a collectable or as an elegant gift. Customers can also purchase the empty Annual Album, by which the purchased 2015 Macao’s stamps and souvenir sheets can be protectively organized. Empty Annual Album is priced at MOP110.00.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that number of new incorporations registered continuous decline. In the fourth quarter of 2015, a total of 1,048 new companies were incorporated, down by 406 year-on-year; total value of registered capital increased by 32.2% to MOP412 million. As the government launched a public tender of special license taxis, a number of companies operating in taxi services were established in the fourth quarter of last year, leading to a 629.3% year-on-year surge in the value of registered capital of Transport, Storage & Communications. Meanwhile, companies in dissolution totalled 171, and the value of registered capital of companies in dissolution amounted to MOP27 million. In the fourth quarter of 2015, capital of the new companies came mainly from Macao (MOP199 million) and Portugal (MOP161 million). Capital from Mainland China amounted to MOP16 million, including MOP8 million from the 9 Provinces of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, with Guangdong province sharing MOP7 million. Analysed by combination of the shareholders, there were 690 new companies established solely by Macao shareholders, and 127 joint ventures between shareholders from Macao and other countries or territories. For the whole year of 2015, a total of 5,023 new companies were incorporated, a decrease of 386 year-on-year; total value of registered capital dropped by 28.8% to MOP1.3 billion. Analysed by industry, there were 1,804 new incorporations operating in Wholesale & Retail and 1,239 in Business Services, with the value of registered capital amounting to MOP226 million and MOP403 million. Number of companies in dissolution totalled 595 in 2015, and the value of registered capital of companies in dissolution amounted to MOP190 million. Analysed by size of registered capital, there were 3,502 new companies (69.7% of total) registered with capital under MOP50,000, and the total value of capital was MOP92 million (7.0% of total). Meanwhile, there were 108 new companies registered with capital of MOP1,000,000 or over, and the total value of capital amounted to MOP1 billion. At the end of 2015, number of registered companies increased by 4,431 year-on-year to 53,057, including 472 commercial offshore companies, down by 8 year-on-year.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the credit card statistics for the fourth quarter of 2015. The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 926,091 at the end of December 2015, equivalent to an increase of 2.9% over a quarter earlier. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 665,989, 81,062 and 179,040 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective growth of 2.6%, 1.6% and 4.8% quarter-to-quarter. Compared with a year ago, MOP cards and HKD cards rose 11.2% and 4.2% respectively, while RMB cards, the majority of which were MOP/RMB dual-currency cards, rose even faster by 16.3%. As at end-December 2015, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao reached MOP21.1 billion, up 4.3% from end-September 2015. Credit card receivables amounted to MOP2.4 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP681.8 million, accounting for 29.0% of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, edged up from 1.10% at end-September to 1.13% at end-December. For the fourth quarter of 2015, the credit card turnover grew 6.2% to MOP4.7 billion. The cash advance turnover was MOP216.6 million, accounting for 4.6% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, edged up 0.6% from the previous quarter to MOP4.6 billion.
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