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Consumer Council conducted its sixth ‘Supermarket price survey’ in April on 22 April 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), 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. 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.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI for March 2015 increased by 5.10% year-on-year to 104.54, down slightly from the 5.30% growth in February 2015. Rising rentals for dwellings and higher charges for eating out remained the main drivers of the increase in CPI. In comparison with March 2014, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+10.58%); Health (+5.71%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.48%) on account of higher rentals for dwellings, as well as dearer charges for out-patient services and eating out. On the contrary, price index of Transport and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 0.66% and 0.39% respectively. The CPI-A (104.71) and CPI-B (103.08) increased by 5.46% and 4.27% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for March 2015 increased by 0.19% month-to-month. Higher wages of domestic helpers and rising rentals for parking spaces drove up the price index of Household Goods & Furnishings and Transport by 1.69% and 1.52%. On the other hand, price index of Recreation & Culture and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 6.43% and 2.52% upon lower charges for package tours after the Lunar New Year and seasonal sale of winter clothing. The CPI-A increased by 0.22% month-to-month but the CPI-B edged down by 0.04%. For the 12 months ended March 2015, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.77% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.67%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.75%) and Health (+4.82%) registered remarkable increase. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.24% and 5.49% respectively. The average Composite CPI (104.10) for the first quarter of 2015 increased by 5.05% year-on-year, with the price index of Housing & Fuels and Health increasing by 10.97% and 5.54% respectively. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.45% and 4.43% respectively. 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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There was a fire accident in one of the rooms in Choi Kai Yau College at the University of Macau (UM). One security guard on campus arrived at the scene immediately and put out the fire. No student was injured in the incident. The university has taken follow-up actions and will actively cooperate with police investigation. At about 3:00am this morning, a fire accident occurred in one of the rooms on the first floor of Choi Kai Yau College at UM. After receiving the call, a fire crew immediately arrived at the scene. More than 200 students were evacuated immediately. One security guard felt sick from smoke inhalation while putting out the fire and was sent to the hospital. It is suspected that the fire was caused by a short circuit in an electric appliance used in the student’s room. No student was injured in the fire. During the incident, the fault protection system on campus worked properly, with tripping of the circuit breakers and fire alarm going into action as expected. The campus security guard acted swiftly, and managed to put out the fire before the fire crew arrived at the scene. The university would like to thank and compliment the security guard for his prompt assistance in putting out the fire. After the fire, the university’s senior management immediately called a meeting to discuss follow-up actions. The university also assigned staff to provide counselling for students and faculty members. It is reported that there was some conflict between one of the students and a journalist during the incident. That student’s intention was to protect the privacy and feelings of those students who were dressed only in underwear because of the hasty evacuation. The police are now looking into the incident, and the university will actively cooperate with police investigation.
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Three more IFT’s bachelor degree programmes are granted the prestigious UNWTO.TedQual Certificates for a time period of 4 years until March 2019. The programmes include: Tourism Retail and Marketing Management, Hotel Management - Evening Programme and Tourism Event Management - Evening Programme. The two evening programmes adopt Chinese as the teaching medium, with almost the same outline and content as the daytime programmes, and they produced their first batch of graduates to serve the industry in 2014. IFT is the first United Nations World Tourism Organization UNWTO.TedQual institution in tourism education in 2000, and the institute has constantly and successfully to renewal the Certificates every few years. Currently, IFT has 7 bachelor degrees certified by UNWTO Tedqual Certification, leading IFT to be one of the institutions with the most accredited bachelor degree programmes in the world. The Certification recognises the global standards of quality education and training in tourism that IFT has reached. However, it is not granted indefinitely, being subject to regular reviews to guarantee that the quality standards are maintained. Since 2000, several reviews were carried out, and it proves IFT’s quality standards are upheld by receiving the renewal certificates within these 15 years. IFT is the only higher education institution in Macao exclusively devoted to tourism and hospitality education. The Institute offers the largest selection of tourism and hospitality-related bachelor programmes in Macao, plus executive development courses and professional training. IFT has strong links with leading hotel and hospitality businesses in Macao and globally. The students can perform their internship in over 500 companies and organisations worldwide. Links have been established with over 85 organisations in 27 countries and regions. The international environment and specialised facilities on campus have provided the students the best environment to gain theory knowledge and practical skills by which to fulfill the requirement to take up the management positions in the industry.
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The Macau Grand Prix Committee (MGPC) today unveiled the most impressive line-up in event’s six-decade history. The race programme for the November 19 to 22 Suncity Group 62nd Macau Grand Prix features no fewer than four prestigious, international headline races: the Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 Intercontinental Cup; the SJM Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup; the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 49th Edition; and the Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T, in addition to three support races. The celebrated Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 Intercontinental Cup, first won by Ayrton Senna in 1983, and ever since firmly established as the finest talent showcase for future F1 stars, returns for its 33rd edition. Thirty of the world’s best young open-wheel drivers will be invited to take on the mighty Guia Circuit, regarded as the ultimate test of driver skill, courage and intelligence. Mr Frederic Bertrand, Director Circuit Championships Department/FIA General Secretary for Sport commented that Formula 3 has always been very successful in Macau, and that today the category is also healthy in both Japan and Europe. Bertrand stated that he believes this year’s FIA F3 Intercontinental Cup will once again attract a strong entry and be a great show. A spectacular success on its debut in 2008, the Macau GT Cup instantly attracted the attention of the world’s foremost GT car manufacturers as well as the leading names in international sportscar competition. This year, Macau’s remarkable achievements receive recognition of the highest order, with the city awarded the first FIA GT World Cup. That the newest world cup created by the sport’s global governing body is for GTs reflects the enormous popularity of this category of racing, and Macau’s selection as host for the inaugural event illustrates the city’s role in promoting its reputation. As in previous years, the SJM Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup is for GT3-homologated sportscars, and driver eligibility and format details will be announced at a later date by Macau and the FIA. However, what is already assured is an historic moment this November when the greatest automobile names in GT competition, along with its most successful teams and accomplished drivers, assemble in Macau to contest the world’s first FIA cup for the burgeoning racing category. Mr Christian Schacht, President of the GT Commission, who is visiting Macau for meetings with the MGPC, commented that Macau was the ideal venue for the new FIA cup and together, the FIA and MGPC aim to create a unique event, as successful as the well-established Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix. As it approaches its half Century as one of the most celebrated – and respected – road races on earth, the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 49th Edition is guaranteed to provide plenty of white-knuckle competition as the world’s leading road and endurance specialists brush the famous Macau Armco barriers at speeds of up to 280kph. Regarded as one of the greatest motorcycle street races, the event is attracting an increasingly international field each year. Since its creation in 1972 as a race for modified production cars, Macau’s famous Guia Race has become celebrated as an unrivalled end-of-season showstopper for international touring cars. Evolving through the decades along with the development of the automobile, the Guia Race has long been one of the Grand Prix’s most popular fixtures due to the fascinating diversity of its cars and drivers. This year, the Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T will once again be run as two races of 10 laps each, with two-litre turbocharged touring cars - such as those used in the new TCR International Series - eligible to enter. Entry will be at the invitation of the MGPC, looking at the popularity of the new series and the affordability of the cars. While the leading touring car drivers from around the world will be looking for a place on the Guia Race grid, Asia’s finest will do battle in the ever-popular CTM Macau Touring Car Cup. The Macau Road Sport Challenge, which last year featured cars by ten different manufacturers, is back for the eighth year, while the new, 10-lap Suncity Lotus Celebrity Cup Race will add an extra dash of star power to the four-day motorsport carnival. Preparations for the Suncity Group 62nd Macau Grand Prix are already well underway, with emphasis once again placed on both safety and the training of event personnel. With the Grand Prix’s success and reputation wholly dependent upon the support of local residents, the professionalism and competence of Macau’s marshals and race officials enjoys the official recognition of the FIA. Six Marshal training courses, will be organized by the Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC) between April and June, with a total of 720 participants. An FIA seminar will be held in June, with an FIM seminar following in August. In October, FIA doctors will visit Macau to conduct Rescue training. With a race programme of unprecedented stature, the assurance of the finest international and regional drivers from the worlds of open-wheel, sports and touring car competition, and the bravest, most skilled road and endurance motorcycle riders on earth, the Suncity Group 62nd Macau Grand Prix is guaranteed to be nothing short of sensational.
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The CCAC recently detected a case where two employees of the Civil Engineering Laboratory (LECM) allegedly accepted bribes from some people of an engineering company in return for assistance in making false soil test reports that served as proof of quality for a road section. During criminal investigation of the case, the CCAC found that there were still conspicuous cracks on the road surface even after restoration was carried out at the section concerned. However, the results of a preliminary assessment show that they would not pose imminent dangers to traffic. Upon completion of the criminal investigation procedure, the CCAC immediately sent a letter to IACM that is responsible for maintenance and restoration of the concerned road section, requesting it to follow up the matter and to ensure the safety of drivers and other road users. According to the information, IACM has already assigned staff to examine the said road section and will announce the relevant road safety conditions to the public.
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To cater for business development, please be informed that the EMS Mail Collection Centre will be located to the 1st floor of the Macao Postal Savings building (i.e. upper floor of Parcel Section) with effect from 23rd April, 2015. The office hour is as below: Monday - Friday: 9:00 ~ 18:00 Saturday : 9:00 ~ 13:00 Thank you for your attention.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is organizing this week its annual promotional highlights in Korea to meet trade, public and media. MGTO is heading a delegation with a record number of travel trade participants from Macau and for the first time the promotion will be extended to Gwangju, in tandem with Seoul and Busan. Korea is the city’s top international visitor source market after Greater China and one of the most promising ones to diversify the city’s visitor source markets. MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse is in Korea to preside over the promotional events, accompanied by the head of Destination Marketing Department, Betty Fok, and the head of Marketing Division, Cora Vong, along with Macau travel trades, representing 30 tourism related companies, namely hotels, travel agencies, convention and exhibition venues and transportation companies. The program of the annual promotion includes Macau Travel Marts in Seoul, Gwangju and Busan, a dinner with Korean tourism executives, an art exhibition about Macau, among others. Macau through Korean artists’ perspective Cecilia Tse, accompanied by MGTO and Macau Travel trade representatives, opened today (22) in Seoul the exhibition “Touching Moments in Macau through Artists' Perspective” at Ganainsa Art Centre, with works of Korean contemporary artists offering a new angle for Korean public to see Macau. The display presents Macau-inspired works by six renowned Korean artists, following their visit to the city, in January this year. The displayed artists are: the sculptor Byungjoo Kim, the videographer and photographer Sehwan Roh, the painter and sculptor Heeseop Park, the painters Kangwook Lee, Dongjae Lee and SueJin Chung. The exhibition is curated by Heekyung Kang, the chief-executive-officer of Gana Art Park, a prestigious institution dedicated to enhance the artistic environment in Korea. “We have shown Macau on television, magazines, newspapers, through photos, design and so forth. I have to stress that contemporary art is our very first attempt in Korea. Especially, the collaboration with such acclaimed Korean artists has a very special meaning. As the title of the exhibition says, the art works will provide a brand new point of view to experience Macau”, Cecilia Tse said at the opening. Macau Travel Marts in Seoul, Gwangju and Busan The Macau Travel Mart in Seoul and a press conference were held yesterday at the Korean capital. At the meeting with the press, Cecilia Tse noted that “for the seventh consecutive year, we are organizing in Seoul and Busan our big annual promotion, this time in a more extensive scale including one more city, Gwangju, to match the growing interest of Koreans about Macau, and the great potential we see for further growth.” The Macau Travel Mart in Seoul was joined by around 160 Korean travel trades for conducting businesses with its Macau counterparts. The program of the travel mart included an update presentation about new tourism complexes slated to open soon in Macau. Also in Seoul, on Monday MGTO hosted a dinner, where Cecilia Tse met a group of Korean travel trade executives, including the leaders of Korea Association of Travel Agents, airlines and major travel agencies. On Thursday, MGTO officials and Macau travel trade representatives will be in Gwangju, Korea 's third largest city in the western region of the country, to meet around 50 Gwangju counterparts for business contacts and a luncheon reception. On Friday, DST representatives and Macau tourism operators will be in Busan, Korea’s second largest city, where around 80 guests are expected for the Macau Travel Mart, followed by a dinner reception. Good performance of Korea market Last year, Korea achieved the landmark of becoming Macau’s first international market to surpass half million in terms of visitor arrivals, after Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan). Korea is currently Macau’s top international visitor source market, and fourth largest visitor source market, after Mainland of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Macau welcomed in 2014 more than 554 thousand visitors from Korea, a 16.9 per cent year-on-year increase. This year, the Korean market is having a good start, in the first two months of the year, visitor arrivals increased 12 per cent, to more than 125 thousand visitors, compared to the same period in 2014. Air links between Korea and Macau have also kept on increasing to the current 22 flights a week.
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Macao Post will participate the “London 2015 EUROPHILEX”, located at London, during 13th to 16th May, 2015. To commemorate this Exhibition, Macao Post issues the commemorative envelopes and provides the commemorative postmark cancellation service on site of the exhibition. For the convenience of the philatelist, the commemorative envelope with stamp priced at MOP4.50 will also be available for sale at the Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters starting from 13th May. You may send your mail of this cancelled commemorative envelope at the following locations *: Philatelic Shop at Macao Post Headquarters: 13th May 9:00 – 17:45 Post Offices: 13th to 16th May Office Hours to Public * No commemorative postmark cancellation service will be provided in Macao.
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The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, said today Nansha, Hengqin and Qianhai -- the three areas of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) -- had their own characteristics and the Government would seek co-operation opportunities to leverage Macao’s own advantages. Ms Chan, who is on behalf of the Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On, attended today’s plague-unveiling ceremony for the Guangdong FTZ at Nansha in Guangzhou, said that on the basis of strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong, Macao and the mainland, the Government would explore co-operation opportunities that would favour to turn Macao into “one centre and one platform”. The “centre” and “platform” refer to a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between the mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries. She said the Government had completed the research on alternative dispute resolution and with the establishment of FTZ, the related work with Hengqin would be expedited. During today’s ceremony, Ms Chan also officiated the presentation ceremony for the Hengqin Macao Youth Business Valley and presented a certificate to one of the first batch of enterprises setting up their business in the FTZ. After the ceremony, she toured the display boards to learn more of the latest developments of the FTZ. The Guangdong FTZ covers three designated areas in Nansha, Qianhai and Hengqin, with the aim to take a leading position in the coming nationwide economic reform, a central hub of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and a pilot area for closer co-operation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
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