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Consumer Council conducted its ‘Supermarket price survey’ on 13 January 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 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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The Institute for Tourism Studies of Macao (IFT) hosted its first Tourism Education Student Summit (Ted Summit) - Winter 2016 on January 13, 2016. This event was an opportunity for the public to view the best of our senior student researchers present their findings after having completed a research-based investigation of the current state of affairs within the Macao tourism industry. Starting from the 2015/16 academic year, IFT’s Bachelor of Science daytime degree programmes have incorporated this capstone graduation requirement to ensure that our graduating students have capacity, not only in practical operations but in analysing and understanding how to utilise currents trends in the industry. There are 131 undergraduate candidates in total have successfully completed this research component in the first semester of this academic year. IFT is the only higher education institution in Macao that includes this individual research component as a graduation requirement for all its Bachelor of Science undergraduate candidates. Industry professionals and IFT faculty comprised the panel members for each of the four simultaneous sessions. Students presented their research findings and then responded to comments and questions from the panel. Finally 4 students with the best papers were selected and were awarded scholarships (see below table). This event was an opportunity for companies to view some of our best candidates as well as understand what the students have been able to discover through their investigations. Best paper scholarship awardees:(Please find the attached file) The TEd Summit represents the first public event of its kind in Macao to celebrate and promote respect for the practical applications of undergraduate research. As a public Higher Education Institution of Macao, IFT considers this element of its curriculum a flagship endeavour that will help to develop future managers. Guiding them through a scientific process of investigation gives them essential managerial tools. The TEd Summit events will occur twice annually, in winter and spring, to coincide with our different cohorts of research candidates. Established in 1995, 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 85 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 inviting residents to comment and send their suggestions on Macao SAR’s Five-Year Development Plan, the city’s first master development plan covering the period from 2016 to 2020. The Government is currently conducting a three-month public consultation that runs until 16 February. It aims to collect views from the public on the Five-Year Development Plan, which is designed to transform Macao into an international city. The Government pays full attention to suggestions and opinions from the public on the improvement of living and working conditions in Macao, and on the development of the city’s transport, travel and entertainment sectors – the major goals for the city in the coming five years. Since the announcement of the Five-Year Development Plan in November 2015, the Government has received opinions from different sectors on several topics, including: socio-economic development; urban planning; transport and infrastructure; housing; education; healthcare; and development of local talent. Several local academics, experts and representatives from various associations have also shared their views on the objectives of the Five-Year Development Plan and on the indicators to assess the plan’s results. The Policy Research Office is already analysing those opinions and will submit a report to the Committee for Development of the World Centre for Tourism and Leisure, the body assisting the Government in formulating policies to transform Macao into a world centre for tourism and leisure (known as the “Centre” policy). Members of the public are welcome to contribute their opinions before 16 February via the website of the Committee for Development of the World Centre for Tourism and Leisure (http://www.cccmtl.gov.mo/); or by email to message@gep.gov.mo; or by fax to 2882 3426; or by telephone on 2882 3610.
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The Macao Special Administrative Region Government is dedicated to making the city shine with its extraordinary elements including history, culture, leisure and entertainment, fostering the sustainable and diversified development of local tourism as it goes toward the direction of building the city into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. In the field of tourism, the globally-acclaimed travel guide book “Lonely Planet” has named Macao one of “Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2015 – Top 10 Regions”. Following that, the city was conferred a range of accolades in different surveys and assessments, including the “2015 Chinese Cities Competitiveness Ranking List”, which ranked Macao the second most distinguished tourism city in China. In addition, Macao was presented a number of awards in recognition of its outstanding projects for destination promotion last year. Second most distinguished tourism city in China in 2015 Based on the “2015 Chinese Cities Competitiveness Ranking List” released last December, Macao was ranked the “second most distinguished tourism city in China in 2015” and the “third best city for cultural heritage preservation in China in 2015”. The assessment criteria for “China's most distinguished tourism cities” cover the cities’ characteristics of natural and ecological resources, tourism product characteristics, tourism history and cultural color as well as visitor experience, etc. On the other hand, selection of China’s top ten cities for cultural heritage preservation results from consideration of major aspects including classification of cultural heritage, protection and management, monitoring, application and inheritance. The “Chinese Cities Competitiveness Ranking List” is released by the China Institute of City Competitiveness. Founded in Hong Kong in 1998, the Institute is the first international academic institute joined by experts, scholars and over 100 researchers from across the Straits, Hong Kong, Macao and overseas who are devoted to urban development researches and raising cities’ competitiveness in China. The Institute carries out studies on new fields of urban development and publishes new research findings every year, dedicated to enhancing competitiveness of cities in China through achieving coordinated development of economy, environment and culture. On the other hand, the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) just released its Annual Report on Development of World Tourism Cities (2015) in Beijing this January. Macao is among the top 20 of over 100 tourism cities in the world in terms of both Tourism Prosperity Index and Tourism Development Potential Index. Macao radiates destination glamour According to the Social Media Trend Research by the Japanese travel agency H.I.S., Macao was chosen as the most desirable travel destination in Asia in 2016. The research was conducted using Facebook, twitter and Google+, and the result was derived from the choice among fans of the Social Networking Services. The travel agency H.I.S. is regarded as a top class operator in the tourism industry in Japan and currently has 200 branches in 130 cities abroad. Whereas on Cool Hunting, a lifestyle blog in the United States, Macao was voted one of the top 10 favorite travel destinations in 2015. Cool Hunting is a lifestyle blog which also offers information about culture, travel, design and technology. Moreover, the destination received the “Best Leisure Destination” Award in Top Travel Ceremony 2015, held by Top Travel Magazine in China. The above recognitions reflect the fascinating glamour manifested by Macao in terms of tourism resources, products, culture and so forth. Winning a range of tourism marketing awards last year Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is dedicated to promoting the destination through a variety of multimedia and innovative strategies. Its destination promotion projects won a range of awards last year, including “the Best Tourism Marketing Award” in the 18th Busan International Travel Fair, “the Most Popular Emerging Destination” in the India Outbound Travel Market 2015 as well as “the Best National Tourism Organization” in the 26th TTG Travel Awards 2015. MGTO will continue to work hard in all aspects and will adopt new promotional theme this year to promote Macao to the world. The Office will also continue to design promotional projects in accord with trends and performance of different visitor markets, striving to attract international visitors and at the same time, enhance the city’s attractiveness as a tourist destination, forging diversified tourism development in line with the goal of building the city into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.
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The Government and Transmac – Transportes Urbanos de Macau S.A.R.L. have reached an agreement to amend the latter’s public bus service contract. The new contract will be signed shortly. The revised contract with the bus operator will be signed by Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo Arrais do Rosário, on behalf of the Government, according to an executive order published in the Macao SAR Gazette on Monday (11 January). The amendments follow advice from the Commission Against Corruption after an analysis in 2013 of the city’s public bus service contracts. Transmac operates two groups of public bus routes in Macao. Public bus service operator Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau S.A.R.L. (TCM) signed a revised contract with the Government in September 2015. The Government had signed a contract with a new public bus service operator – Macau Nova Era de Autocarros Públicos S.A. (New Era) – in 2014. Both of these contracts already complied with the suggestions from the Commission Against Corruption. The Government and Transmac have worked closely on drafting the amendments to the contract and to ensure normal, uninterrupted public bus services during the negotiation period. Under the amended contract, Transmac will need to take more obligations and will be subject to supervision from the Government under the public services concession system. The company’s income will be linked to the quality of service provided. Details of the amended contract will be announced in due course. The contract provisions will be similar to those included in the contracts signed with New Era and TCM.
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) hosts a 7-day training event entitled “ICAO Aviation Security Instructors Course” commencing today, which is intended for those who wish to become aviation security instructors. A total of 19 participants who come from both the local industry and the foreign markets are attending the course. (ICAO = International Civil Aviation Organziation) The course is a small-scaled intensive class aimed at training instructors. The participant must have a minimum of 5 years experience in aviation with no less than 2 years operational experience in aviation security and are now pending assignment as an instructor. The 7-day course is lectured by three instructors: Programme Coordinator/Senior Aviation Security Advisor, Mr. Kyal Barter, and Training/Capacity Building Officer, Mr. Piengtep Yapan, both coming from ICAO’s Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Asia Pacific, and Assistant Safety Officer of AACM’s Airport Infrastructure and Air Navigation, Mr. Livio Fong. The training comprises both theory lectures and a series of presentations. The theory lectures are given by the course instructors, which cover topics on the role of an aviation security instructor, the organization and preparation of course materials, the familiarization with aviation security training programme and so on. Upon completion of theory sessions, the participants will have to give a number of presentations on what they have learned. Participants who have completed the course successfully will be awarded with the course certificate. Mr. Livio Fong, instructor from AACM, started working in the Authority since 2012 and is responsible for aviation security oversight which includes performing audits and inspections on the quality of the security work of the operators and carrying out investigation into any non-compliance acts. Although Livio has only taken up his post in AACM for a few years, he has shown great efforts in attending training courses organized by different international organizations. Last year, Livio was certified by ICAO as an aviation security instructor. He can now be delegated by ICAO to teach security training courses everywhere in the world. The course which is currently taking place in Macao is the first on-job-training for Livio. The training course taking place now is conducted from 12 – 20 January 2016 in AACM’s office. Among the 19 participants, 11 come from the aeronautical authorities, the airlines and the airports of Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Our local participants are representatives from the Administration of Airports, Ltd., Air Macau Company Ltd., East Asia Airlines Ltd., Macau Catering Services Company Ltd. and SEMAC Security Company.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of both residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) continued to decline in November 2015. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New lending approved In November 2015, new RMLs approved by Macao banks decreased 1.2% month-to-month to MOP2.4 billion; of which, 97.2% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents decreased by 2.4% whereas those to non-residents increased by 78.9%. When compared with the same period of 2014, new approvals of RMLs fell by 28.1%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) increased by 27.0% month-to-month to MOP0.4 billion. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 89.9% of the total, rose by 19.6%. When compared with the same period of 2014, new RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units decreased 2.2%. New CRELs dropped by 54.7% month-to-month to MOP4.2 billion; of which, 99.5% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents decreased by 52.4% and 95.5% respectively. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs rose by 14.9%. Outstanding balances As at end-November 2015, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP170.6 billion, an increase of 0.2% from one month earlier or 13.0% from a year ago. The resident component made up 94.1% of the total. Compared to end-October 2015, outstanding RMLs to residents rose 0.2% while those to non-residents dropped by 0.3%. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased by 1.8% from end-October 2015 and was up 37.9% from end-November 2014 to MOP162.7 billion. Residents accounted for 88.3% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents grew by 1.5% and 3.8% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of November 2015, the delinquency ratio for RMLs reached 0.09%, up 0.01 percentage point from a month ago or 0.02 percentage points from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs was 0.07%, up 0.06 percentage points from a month ago or 0.01 percentage point from end-November 2014.
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A majority of respondents in a survey commissioned by the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture said they support a Government proposal to demolish and redevelop the former Estoril Hotel into recreational and sports facilities for young people. Specialist firm e-Research & Solutions (Macau) Co., Ltd. conducted the telephone survey from 14 October to 10 November 2015. The firm used random-sample telephone interviews and received valid responses from 2,003 Macao residents. About 68.6 percent of those showed their support for the redevelopment plan of the former Estoril Hotel building and the adjacent swimming pool. The details of the survey results were released in a press conference on Monday (11 January) attended by the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Ip Peng Kin; Consultant to the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Olivia Lam; and e-Research & Solutions (Macau) Research Director, Mr Angus W. H. Cheong. Mr Cheong said that about 75 percent of respondents were aware of the issue relating to the former Estoril Hotel and were also aware of the Government’s plan to revamp the area. The majority of respondents showed their support for transforming the site into a recreational and sports area for young people, said Mr Cheong. In addition to the phone survey, the firm also analysed opinions from the public on this topic. The opinions collected dated back to April 2015, when the Government first presented its proposal to redevelop the former Estoril Hotel building, including moving the Macao Conservatory there. Those opinions were collected through several channels, namely: 16 consultation sessions attended by representatives from several interest groups, including from cultural heritage, youth and culture groups; two public sessions; written suggestions submitted by different groups; radio and television shows; and an online survey conducted from 22 July to 20 September 2015. About 82.7 percent of the 818 submissions were favourable to the redevelopment of the Estoril Hotel building. Opinions collected that were against the project amounted to less than 10 percent of the total, while about 7.5 percent of the respondents did not have a clear opinion on the matter. The third-party conducted survey and opinion analysis would serve as a major reference point for the Government in drafting the final redevelopment plan for the former Estoril Hotel, said Mr Ip Peng Kin. The former Estoril Hotel building is located in the city’s planned cultural district. It is surrounded by cultural heritage attractions, schools, a library, museums and a sports complex.
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The University of Macau (UM) considers nurturing local talent to be its first priority. In addition to recruiting students through an admission exam, in recently years UM has launched various admission schemes, including the Preferential Admission Scheme and the UM Outstanding Student-Athletes Admission Award Scheme, in order to attract outstanding local students and to produce graduates with a diverse range of skills to serve the local community. Online application for the admission exam for the 2016/2017 academic year will open on 11 January 2016, and the deadline for applications is 19 February. This year, UM continues to admit students through the Preferential Admission Scheme, which is targeted at students with special talents in academic, athletic, musical, community service, and other areas. Qualified applicants will receive 10 to 30 bonus points for admission. In this academic year, UM has also increased the scope of awards and qualifications that would make an applicant eligible for bonus points, such as awards from science- or art-related competitions, certificates received upon passing practical exams included in the syllabus of China’s Central Conservatory of Music, and awards received under the Macao Youth Volunteer programme. The addition of these awards and qualifications, which were previously not on the eligibility list, aims to recruit more students with different talents. The scheme only accepts applications from students studying in Macao, who are currently in grade 12 or its equivalent. Applicants must also take UM’s admission exam. Those who are interested should complete online application between 11 January and 26 February. UM also continues to recruit students through the UM Outstanding Student-Athletes Admission Award Scheme. The purpose of this scholarship is two-fold—to encourage outstanding student athletes to pursue further studies, and to motivate them to surpass themselves and excel both athletically and academically. This scholarship is granted to applicants according to their athletic achievements. The scholarship includes full waiver of tuition fees, partial/full waiver of residential college fees, and/or training allowances, during the first year of studies. Those who are interested should apply between 11 January and 29 February, after completing online application for UM’s admission exam. For enquiries please email to osa.development@umac.mo or call 8822 4415. Those who are interested in applying to UM should visit http://reg.umac.mo and follow the instructions to complete and submit the online application form and pay the application fee, at their earliest convenience. The syllabus for the admission exam 2016/2017 and the exam papers and model answers for the past two years are now available on UM Registry’s homepage and in the various bookshops in Macao. The admission exam 2016/2017 will be held from 8 April to 10 April. For enquiries about admission, please call 88224007 during office hours or email to admission@umac.mo.
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The Government plans to submit amended versions of both the Animal Protection Bill and the Domestic Violence Bill to the Legislative Assembly by next month. The Government has been working on improving the bills following discussions with members of the Legislative Assembly. The Animal Protection Bill passed its first reading in the Legislative Assembly on 24 October 2014, and the Domestic Violence Bill passed its first reading on 13 January 2015. With regard to the amendment of the Animal Protection Bill, Government representatives had a total of 17 meetings with members of the Legislative Assembly’s first standing committee, responsible for detailed examination of the bill. Government representatives also met with legal advisors from the Legislative Assembly for technical exchanges on provisions of the Animal Protection Bill. The revised version of the Domestic Violence Bill is based on suggestions from academics and legal experts from non-governmental organisations, and opinions from the Legislative Assembly’s legal advisors. The Government also consulted judiciary authorities on issues relating to criminal offences. A draft of the new version of the bill was delivered to the legal team of the Legislative Assembly last December. The legal team has already completed its analysis of the document.
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