News

The Government Spokesperson and Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, said today that the new government team was striving to strengthen its dissemination of information and its co-ordination work, to make it more standardised, institutionalised and professional. A meeting with the press would be held on a regular basis to enhance mutual communication and to listen to their opinions in optimising the system, he said. Speaking in a tea session to almost 60 media representatives from local cutlets and correspondents stationed in Macao representing oversea news organisations, Mr Chan revealed details of the plan, reviewed Bureau’s work in the past year, and the use of new media by government departments. He said the Government placed great importance not only on communication with traditional media, but also in the development of new media. To put into action the Chief Executive’s policy vision on increasing government transparency, enhancing speed and quality of responding, and making better use of the new media, every government department has put more efforts in developing a multi-media platform to better disseminate information and promote its policies. Currently, all government departments have their own websites, and there are also specific sites, for example the Wealth Partaking Scheme and life-long learning incentive scheme. Policy-making secretaries would gradually launch their websites, to collect people’s views and promote policies in various areas. Mr Chan said besides providing information on websites, more than 20 departments had also launched mobile applications providing information on portable devises ranging from transportation, weather, to emergency services in hospitals, giving more updates on the situation to help the public in choosing the services needed. More than 10 departments have subscribed to WeChat accounts, the Chinese-mobile communicating app that also offers information sharing. The Bureau had also established different channels in disseminating information, such as the government news app “MARS News”, a Youtube channel, and a recently-launched WeChat account. The Bureau was also preparing to put online the bi-monthly “Macao” magazine, and re-construct its online information broadcast system to the media, Mr Chan said.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, has stressed that the Government would stick strictly to its policy of restricting the increase in the number of gaming tables to no more than three per cent annually up to the year 2023. Speaking to reporters on the side lines of a public event on 14 April, Mr Leong said the Government had received a request for increasing gaming tables from a casino operator for a project that is scheduled to open next month. The application is being analysed by the related departments: the result reached in a transparent manner will be announced in due course. On the basis of restricting the increase to no more than three per cent annually, he said the Government would not only consider applications with a single method, but a string of comprehensive assessments. Major factors for the evaluation include competitiveness, non-gaming elements of the project, support to small- and medium- sized enterprises, fulfilment to the goal of turning Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and enhancing the overall tourism attractiveness.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP136.9 billion (USD17.14 billion) at the end of March 2015. The reserves increased by 1.9% from the revised value of MOP134.3 billion (USD16.81 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-March 2015 represented 11 times the currency in circulation or 103.0% of Pataca M2 at end-February 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, rose 1.52 points month-to-month and 8.42 points year-on-year to 105.19 in March 2015.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead a delegation to Fuzhou in Fujian province on 20-21 April to attend a high-level meeting. During the two-day visit, Mr Chui will meet with the Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr You Quan, and the Governor, Mr Su Shulin. The delegation is scheduled to visit the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to learn more of city development. Members of the delegation will include Secretary for Economy and Finance Mr Leong Vai Tac, Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office Ms O Lam, Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance Ms Lok Kit Sim, Director of the Government Information Bureau Mr Chan Chi Ping, and Director of Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Mr Fung Sio Weng. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, will be the Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) increased whereas those of commercial real estate loans (CRELs) decreased in February 2015. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New lending approved In February 2015, new RMLs approved by Macao banks increased 37.8% month-to-month to MOP5.3 billion; of which, 97.9% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents increased 39.6% whereas those to non-residents decreased 15.7%. When compared with the same period of 2014, new approvals of RMLs witnessed an increase of 106.9%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) increased by 168.2% month-to-month to MOP905 million. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 97.5% of the total, increased 161.6%. When compared with the same period of 2014, new RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units increased by 555.6%. New CRELs dropped by 1.8% month-to-month to MOP4.7 billion; of which, 72.1% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents decreased 21.6% whereas non-residents increased 182.7%. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs dropped by 37.3%. Outstanding balances As at end-February 2015, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP155.9 billion, an increase of 0.9% from one month earlier or 27.5% from a year ago. The resident component made up 94.2% of the total. Compared to end-January 2015, outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents rose 1.0% and 0.6% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased 1.0% from end-January 2015 and was up 41.0% from end-February 2014 to MOP127.8 billion. Residents accounted for 89.8% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents grew 0.5% and 6.1% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of February 2015, the delinquency ratio for RMLs increased to 0.08%, up 0.01 percentage point from a month ago or 0.03 percentage points from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs, at 0.06%, was virtually unchanged from a month ago or up 0.01 percentage point from end-February 2014.
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Consumer Council conducted its third ‘Supermarket price survey’ in April on 13 April for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 8 supermarkets in Toi San, Ilha Verde and Fai Chi Kei areas in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish. 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 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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A Macau Grand Prix promotion, organised by The Macau Grand Prix Committee in conjunction with the Macau Government Tourist Office, was held at the Chinese F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai from April 10 to 12. The promotion was located at the Fountain Plaza at the Shanghai International Circuit. The Macau Grand Prix Committee and the Shanghai International Circuit enjoy close cooperation and, over the years, the Committee has been regularly invited to participate in activities surrounding the Chinese F1 Grand Prix, including the on-site booth through which to promote the Macau Grand Prix. Last year, according to data collected during the Macau Grand Prix, Shanghai netizens were the second most active on the official website after those in Guangdong Province. Through its promotions during the Chinese F1 event, the Macau Grand Prix Committee hopes to attract more fans to the Macau race and to further strengthen ties with the Shanghai track in order to jointly promote motorsport. This year the exhibition had the theme of ‘passion for road racing’ with the signature yellow and black of the Guia Circuit’s famous Armco barriers. One picture exhibit showed the thrilling track battles for glory, while a second documented the history of the event. The promotion also featured the winning car of Daniel Juncadella from the 2011 Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, and John McGuinness’ 2001 Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix-winning motorcycle. In addition, visitors had a chance to experience the thrills of the Guia street circuit for themselves on the simulator. The booth included message boards where visitors were encouraged to leave their comments about the event. According to data provided by the Chinese F1 Grand Prix organisers, 125 thousand spectators were recorded over the three day event. Members of the Macau Grand Prix Committee visited the Shanghai International Circuit, while the exhibition was visited by CEO of the Shanghai Juss Event Management Co Ltd, Mr. Jiang Lan.
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The “Precious Moments in Macao” 2015 Photography Competition’s online portal is now open. Participants may submit their works online from 22 May 2015. This year’s competition has a special feature prize entitled “Creative Industries for Economic Diversification”. The aim of the competition is to chronicle the developments and events of Macao over the past year, and to select a suitable photo to be the cover of the Macao Yearbook, which is published by the Government Information Bureau. The competition is co-organised by the Government Information Bureau, eight photography organisations and five media associations. Submitted photos should depict changes in the cityscape and the bright side of people’s lives over the past year to underscore Macao’s best qualities. Since the introduction of the competition’s online portal, the response from participants has been overwhelming, drawing outstanding works on a variety of themes. This year the theme of the special feature prize under the competition is “Creative Industries for Economic Diversification”. The cultural and creative sector has been the main focus of the Macao SAR Government’s economic growth strategy in recent years. The fledgling sector has been thriving under a series of supporting policies. Submitted works may cover the creation or production process of Macao’s cultural and creative industries or the display, exhibition and viewing of their products, in order to showcase the diversity, innovation and vitality of this sector. Anyone wishing to enter can visit the website http://photo.gcs.gov.mo to register and upload their works from 22 May (00:00) to 11 June (24:00). Winners of the First, Second and Third Prizes in the “Precious Moments in Macao” 2015 Photography Competition will receive cash prizes of 8,000 patacas, 5,000 patacas and 3,000 patacas respectively, in addition to a trophy. A total of up to 50 Merit Prizes will also be awarded and their winners will each get a certificate as well as a cash prize of 500 patacas (Note: the final number of merit prizes will depend on the standard of competition entries). In addition, the Editorial Committee of the 2015 Macao Yearbook will select from the entries the winner of the Yearbook Cover Award, who will receive a cash prize of 5,000 patacas, and winners of the Special Feature Prize will each receive a cash prize of 1,000 patacas (the actual number of winners will depend on the number of suitable entries). This year’s competition has a new co-organiser – the Macao Association of Sports Reporters, bringing the total number of co-organisers to 13 and making the judging panel stronger. The 13 co-organisers are: the Photographic Society of Macao, Photography Salon Society of Macao, Macao Association for the Promotion of Photographic Art, Macao Association of Photographers, Macao Multimedia Photographic Art Association, Macao Association of Photographic Art, Macao Camera Lens Art Association, Macao Digital Photography Association, Macao Media Workers Association, Macao Journalists’ Club, Macao Journalists’ Association, Macao Media Club, and Macao Association of Sports Reporters (listed in no particular order). Winning works and outstanding entries will be featured in a public exhibition, including entries to be used as the cover of the 2015 Macao Yearbook and its full-page illustrations. All photography aficionados are welcome to take part. Information pamphlets about the competition are available from the 13 co-organisers; Princess Photography Equipment; Nice Photography Equipment; Foto Digital Fantastic; Digital Hang Seng; Foto Digital “Ieng Fo”; Digital Chi Pak; the Government Information Centre; IACM libraries and activity centres; Cultural Affairs Bureau libraries; DSEJ education centres; the University of Macau; Macau University of Science and Technology; Macao Polytechnic Institute; Institute of Tourism Studies; Academy of Public Security Forces; University of Saint Joseph; City University of Macau; Kiang Wu Nursing College; Macau Institute of Management; Macao Centre of Continuing Studies; and the Macao Association of Civil Servants. Judging will take place on 28 June 2015.
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A collection of photographs taken at the 2015 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF) is now available in the government news application “MSAR News”. The collection of 10 photographs, titled “The Green Public Day of the 2015 MIECF” taken by Government Information Bureau photographer Vitor Ng Alves, show activities of the forum held under the theme “Waste Reduction at Source Starts with Me”. There was also a string of themed workshops, games booths, stage performances and magic shows aimed at promoting awareness on environmental protection and the importance of caring for the environment. MIECF is the green forum initiated by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, with a strategic aim to nurture environmental business, technology and information exchange between the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region the international markets. Since its beginning in 2008, MIECF has gained increasing popularity among industry professionals and was recognised by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) as a “UFI Approved Event” since 2011. For more photo collections, users of portable devices can search and download this app by the keyword “MSAR News” in App Store or Google Play.
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Effective today, environmental-friendly motor vehicles will have to meet higher emission standards in order to be eligible for tax deduction, according to the SAR Gazette. Under the new arrangement, only 88 of the previously allowed 134 models are now eligible for a 50 per cent tax deduction, with a ceiling of 60,000 patacas. Purchases or orders made before 7 April will still get the earlier arrangement but transaction would have to be completed within 180 days from today: relevant documents have to be submitted to the Transport Bureau and the Financial Services Bureau. According to the Chief Executive despatch in the Gazette, the mileage of a “green” vehicle weighing 1,516 kg to 1,766 kg has increased to 15.5 kilometres per litre from 13.6 kilometres per litre, by both European and Chinese testing procedures. For more details of vehicle models, please visit the website of the Financial Services Bureau (http://www.dsf.gov.mo/?lang=en).
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