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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that he saw no direct link between banning smoking in casinos and the drop in gaming revenues. The amendment bill for introducing a full smoking ban in all indoor areas will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for discussions later this month. Speaking at a press briefing before leaving for a three-day visit to Beijing, Mr Chui said it was more important to adequately diversify the economy, explore opportunities in regional co-operation, and combine gaming and non-gaming elements during the consolidation period of the gaming industry. Mr Chui said the Government had a well-established financial system that includes the basic fiscal reserves, foreign currency reserves and surplus reserves, and this had helped to cope with situation following the drop in gaming revenues. The Government is exploring more stable and low-risk investments that would make adequate returns from the financial reserves. And if it was necessary, government departments would reduce their spending, but he stressed that social services, in particular welfare, would not be affected. On his visit to Beijing Mr Chui is scheduled to meet officials from the General Administration of China Customs and the State Oceanic Administration to exchange views on Macao’s jurisdiction over its “customary waters” and boundary-crossing arrangements. The work on waters jurisdiction will be completed before the end of this year, in line with the suggestion of the Central Government. The cross-departmental group, headed by the Chief Executive’s Office, is working closely with mainland authorities on issues such as the area, legislation, management, and the development in maritime economy in the near future.
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Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, has said that in the long run part of Macao’s financial reserves would be invested in the emerging opportunities in co-operation platforms with the mainland. The Government would study how to take advantages of China Development Bank, regional integration mechanisms and the Pilot Free Trade Zones in Fujian and Guangdong so as to take part in the country’s development, he said. Mr Leong was speaking to reporters after a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly on 15 June, when he disclosed that the Government would consider investing in projects related to the people’s livelihood if they fulfilled certain requirements. In making best use of the reserves accumulated in the late decade, the Government would invest cautiously and make best efforts to ensure a stable return. Currently, reserves are invested mainly through financial institutions in Macao, Hong Kong and overseas.
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Consumer Council conducted a survey on the after-sales services of personal computer products. Surveyed criteria include terms of warranty, charged items and fees involved within the warranty period, etc. Details of the survey can be found in the latest issue no. 261 Consumer Report. Personal computers, including desktop, tablet, and notebook, have become necessities of many consumers; it is important for consumers not only to compare their prices and functions but also the terms and charged items of different brands of personal computers. The survey on the after-sales services of personal computer products reflects that warranty period, charged items, and fees involved within the warranty period vary quite a lot. Consumers are reminded to pay attention to the scope of after-sales services of different brands of personal computers. The mentioned survey that includes responses from 5 computer brands are featured in issue no. 261 Consumer Report. Results of the 2015 accuracy test of fuel metres at petrol station can be found in issue no. 261 Consumer Report. Two samples of this year’s test do not meet the requirement of the testing standard, which reflects instability of fuel metres and other facilities. The Council has already informed the relevant department and requested the involved petrol station to improve the accuracy of their machines. The latest Consumer Report also includes news from other consumer organizations in the Mainland and overseas. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Consumer Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). Further, Consumer Report now welcomes local secondary school students to submit articles on any topics regarding consumer rights or consumption. Chosen pieces will be published in the magazine with a submission fee. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Consumer Council conducted its fourth ‘Supermarket price survey’ in June on 15 June for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Horte e Costa, Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga and Rua da Emenda 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. 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 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.
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Holders of Republic of Korea passports are now required to fill in a health declaration form upon arrival, as the Government stepped up measures to prevent an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Macao. And leaflets are being distributed at immigration checkpoints urging Korean visitors to wear surgical masks if they developed symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, and to seek medical treatment immediately. Meanwhile, the Public Security Police Force had invited the Health Bureau officers to brief its staff on how to handle suspected MERS cases, its symptoms and preventive measures. The Government has advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel to Korea and introduced a string of measures, including the 24-hour operation of the MERS cross-departmental group and the extension of the enquiry hotline 2870 0800 from 9 am to midnight. It also urged the public to use ambulances and go to Conde S. Januário Hospital if they experienced MERS symptoms within 14 days of returning from affected areas instead of using public transportation or visit other clinics. So far no report of the virus has been detected in Macao.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) hosts the Committee Meetings, Global Seminar & Stakeholder Dialogue of 2015 of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) in Macao on 15–19 June 2015. This international event are attended by over 200 members and stakeholders representing various countries and jurisdictions. The Committee Meetings on 15–17 June focuses on various insurance supervision issues, which are for the participation by IAIS members only. Furthermore, a two day Global Seminar & Stakeholder Dialogue will be arranged for both members and the stakeholders on 18–19 June for providing updates on IAIS activities in the areas of standard setting, financial stability and implementation. There will be arrangements to allow dialogue between participants and the IAIS Executive Committee, in order for the stakeholders to express opinions on select topics. The IAIS was established in 1994 and the AMCM is one of its founding members. The IAIS has strictly adhered to its general principles for the purpose of promoting cooperation and exchange among its members; and also for collecting and disseminating useful information of a statistical and technical nature.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP139.1 billion (USD17.42 billion) at the end of May 2015. The reserves increased by 1.3% from the revised value of MOP137.3 billion (USD17.20 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-May 2015 represented 12 times the currency in circulation or 105.2% of Pataca M2 at end-April 2015. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency’s exchange rates against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners, fell by 1.09 points month-to-month but rose by 6.51 points year-on-year to 103.77 in May 2015.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council conducted its specific price surveys on fresh, refrigerated, and frozen pork on 11 June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council’s ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps For inquiry, please call the Council’s hotline: 8988 9315.
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The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (“DICJ”) has always maintained close communications and cooperation with the Judiciary Police to fight against illegal activities such as illegal gambling websites that accept bets under the name of the DICJ illicitly. In response to the rising number of public inquiries on issues related to illegal gambling websites, the DICJ made the following clarification: 1.The only official website of the DICJ is www.dicj.gov.mo. 2.So far, the Macau Government has never issued any online interactive gaming license to any companies. Hence, all online interactive gambling websites in Macau are considered illegal operations. 3.The function of the DICJ is to monitor and supervise the various gambling activities. As such, the Bureau will not encourage, promote or operate any form of gambling activities. 4.Any unauthorized use of DICJ official website information and photos for promotional purposes without obtaining prior consent is an offense. The DICJ will not tolerate such illegal acts and will reserve the rights to pursue the matter through legal channel.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) launched today (12) a fun activity “Take Selfies to Win Prizes” under the project of “Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities – Walking Tour Routes”, inviting residents and visitors to join. The fun activity aims to encourage residents and visitors to explore the beauty of different areas of Macau, thus boosting community tourism and smart tourism development. Following the launch of the stamp collection fun activity for "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" in June last year, MGTO is presenting this year the initiative “Take Selfies to Win Prizes”, aiming to develop tourism community as well as smart tourism. From June 12 until November 30 this year, residents and visitors only need to download the “Step Out, Macau” smart phone application (App), take selfies on two designated shooting spots of any walking tour route, present them to staff of any MGTO Tourist Information counter and redeem a souvenir. In addition, visitors can also access “Step Out, Macau” App to upload selfies and share their travel experience in Macau, to enter a lucky draw, with prizes including two round-trip air tickets in business class (from winner’s place of residence to any destination), tablets, and other awards. (Only visitors are eligible to join the lucky draw.) MGTO launched on 27 September 2013 the first four walking tour routes under the theme “Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities”, and in February this year, the existing routes were redesigned with a total of eight walking tour routes presented, to encourage visitors to explore different neighborhoods, while also balance visitor flow trends around Macau and foster community tourism development. The eight routes are as follow: Footsteps into the Historic Centre; An Experiment of Creativity; Crossroads of China and Portugal; A Legacy of Arts and Culture; Enchanting Stories of Our Lady of Fatima Parish; The Marriage of East and West in St. Anthony’s Parish; Bygone Days of Taipa Village and Nostalgia in Coloane. On weekends, MGTO presents different performances at certain sightseeing points along the tour routes, further enhancing livelihood to their specific neighborhoods. Moreover, the Office joins hands with local organizations to present community tourism activities and boost the charm of the communities. With the variety of activities offered, visitors can enjoy a more fantastic stroll along these routes and explore different local quarters for hidden gems and a glimpse of the city’s aroma. Residents and visitors can download the free App “Step Out, Macau” on App Store and Google Play. More information is available on MGTO’s website www.macautourism.gov.mo and Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000. This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/ MGTO “Take Selfies to Win Prizes” promotional video available at: http://en.macautourism.gov.mo/corner/videoclips.php
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