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Lisandra Wagan Fesalbon from the University of Macau’s (UM) Public Speaking Team won the championship at the ‘21st Century Coca-Cola Cup’ National English Speaking Competition held in Henan University, China. Of the 100,000 contestants who entered the competition in May 2014, only 64 made it to the national grand final, advancing successively from internet trials, campus trials, oral exams via phone, and regional finals. Fesalbon from the Department of Government and Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, earned unanimous praise from the judges for her outstanding performance in the grand final and won the championship. This is the first time a student from Macao has won a championship at this competition. ‘I’m really happy to win the championship, and I’m very grateful to my coach Randall Tran for his coaching,’ says Fesalbon. ‘Without his training, I wouldn’t have been able to beat so many strong contestants from around the country.’ Launched in 1996, the 21st Century Cup is an annual English speech contest which also serves as a trial for the international public speaking contest held in London every May. The topics for this year’s semi-final and national grand final are ‘Seeing Is Not Believing’ and ‘On the Balance between Yin and Yang from a Young Person’s Perspective’, respectively.
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In 2005, within the framework of Asian Academy for Heritage Management established with the support of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), UNESCO and the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) have jointly developed the Cultural Heritage Specialist Guide Training and Certification Programme for UNESCO World Heritage Sites and IFT’s faculty designed the outline and content of the programme. The programme has been recognised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) with the 2007 PATA Gold Award under the category of "Education and Training", and by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st Session as “a best-practice example of an initiative aiming at integrating the conservation of World Heritage within the wider sustainable development framework for the benefit of local communities." Since 2005, IFT has been providing consultancy and training to Asian Pacific countries and regions, namely Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mainland China and Macao SAR. The programme is celebrating its 10 years this year. Till now, this programme has trained up 123 professional cultural heritage guides in Macao and they play an important role to promote cultural heritage tourism in Macao. The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) under the Prime Minister’s Office of Thailand, which is also the main project partner of UNESCO Bangkok Office for the Cultural Heritage Specialist Guide Training and Certification Programme, paid a study trip to Macao a few days ago to study about the Cultural Heritage Specialist Guide Training and Certification Programme offered by IFT. The delegation is composed of the Deputy Director of DASTA, directors of historical parks, representatives of UNESCO and Ministry of Tourism and Sport, top trainers as well as lecturers of Naresuan University. IFT is still a very important key player in this programme because it has a lot of experts and experiences to share with the rest of the region,” said Ms. Linina Phuttitarn, from the Culture Unit of UNESCO Bangkok Office. Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT, Ms. Diamantina Coimbra, Director of Tourism and Hotel School, Dr. Sharif Shams Imon, Coordinator of Heritage Management Degree Programme and Dr. Cora Wong welcomed the delegation and introduced IFT’s work and success in particularly the role in offering and supporting the CHSG Programme. Also, both sides shared the challenges and the sustainability of cultural heritage conservation in Thailand and Macao.
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The donation campaign organised by IFT for the student victim in the fatal car accident in Av. Wai Long earlier was ended at 20 March noon. Thanks to the support of our students, faculty and staff as well as the generous Macao residents, we collected more than two million patacas for the family. And the donation was passed to the student’s mother.
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2015 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2015MIECF) will be held from 26 to28 March in Macao. The Green Forum this year will include six sessions and one seminar. One of the keynote speaker is Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Former Prime Minister of Norway, Special Envoy on Climate Change of the United Nations and Former Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and generally recognised as the “Mother” of sustainable development. In her keynote speech at the Opening Ceremony, scheduled in the morning of 26 March, Dr Brundtland will give her valuable insights on how to face and resolve issues relating to climate change and energy, to ensure global sustainable development. According to Dr Brundtland, 2015 is a crucial year for global foresight and collaboration, putting to the test our ability in tackling the real dangers of climate change, and to agree on the goal of sustainable development. She emphasized that these are our common responsibilities for the safety and well being of our present and future generations. Dr Brundtland points out that energy is crucial to development, and that sustainable use of energy is vital to the sustainable development of a region. Dr Brundtland believes that in face of the pressing challenges, explicit policies are needed, taking Macao as an example, efforts should be made to achieve the goal of building a green and low-carbon city. Furthermore, she will also explore the development model of the Pan-Pearl River region and its impact. While stressing on economic development, it is necessary to change the production patterns, reducing the use of coal and its replacement by renewable energies. This is not just an issue on how to face climate change, but above all to reduce harm to the public health. Therefore, people all over the world are not only making efforts to protect the environment, but to put forward the sustainable development process. There will also be a Special Interview Session with Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, in the afternoon of 27 March, to enable participants to know more about Dr Brundtland´s views on sustainable development and environmental protection. Dr Brundtland will talk on strategies for environment and air pollution and share her valuable insights and experience on her efforts on environmental movement, green economy, climate change, and sustainable tourism worldwide. The Interview Session will be moderated by Professor Zhao Wei, Rector of the University of Macao. There will be a Q&A session, during which participants may be able to interact with the world´s top environmental expert.
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As Macao faces an economic readjustment period in the coming years, the Government’s economic development strategy will focus on further promoting adequate economic diversification and deepening regional economic integration, while attaching importance to the simultaneous development of gaming and non-gaming elements in order to achieve sustainable development, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said at the Legislative Assembly today. Mr Chui also said the Government will commence an interim review of gaming concessions, based on eight perspectives. Facing the decline of gross gaming income, the Government is cautiously optimistic regarding the gaming industry’s stable readjustment and future development, and well prepared for any adverse situation. The Chief Executive said the new integrated construction project along Cotai Strip is still progressing as planned, to enhance both gaming and non-gaming elements of the local economy. Macao recorded 31.5 million visitor arrivals in 2014, which was more than in the previous year. However, with gaming income from gaming halls rising while that of VIP rooms is declining, the difference between the two is narrowing. Looking into the future, Macao will be competitive in both tourism and gaming; and it has already created favourable conditions and reserved positive energy to overcome challenges. Regarding the interim review of gaming concessions, the Chief Executive said the Government has commissioned a tertiary education institution to conduct basic research. The review will be conducted with consideration of the following eight perspectives: the impact of gaming industry development on the local economy; the impact of gaming industry development on SMEs’ business environments; the impact of gaming industry development on society and people’s livelihoods; synergy between gaming and non-gaming elements; the performance pledges and contract fulfilments of gaming concessionaires and sub-concessionaires; the operations of gaming concessionaires and sub- concessionaires from their establishment until the review; the legal compliance performance of gaming concessionaires and sub-concessionaires; and enhancement of social responsibility of gaming concessionaires and sub-concessionaires. The Chief Executive reaffirmed that the Government is confident of safeguarding local residents’ employment and maintaining a low unemployment rate. An adaptable structural readjustment strategy will be adopted, enabling Macao to enter a new stage of adequate economic diversification and achieve a new level of regional integration. Mr Chui said the gaming industry entered a readjustment and consolidation period during the second half of 2014, after experiencing Macao’s rapid economic growth for more than a decade. The gap between gaming and non-gaming incomes has narrowed somewhat in recent years. In 2014, the gaming industry recorded gross income of 360 billion patacas, while the non-gaming industries – including wholesale and retail, hotel, food and beverage, construction and finance – recorded gross income of more than 190 billion patacas. According to Mr Chui, Macao has achieved a considerable financial surplus since the establishment of its fiscal reserve system. Including the preliminary estimate of last year’s surplus, foreign exchange reserve, basic reserve and excess reserve, Macao’s total fiscal reserve has reached 560 billion patacas. He therefore has full confidence in the implementation of this year’s financial budget. Mr Chui added that the Government will manage public finance in a prudent manner. After thorough consideration, the budget for 2015 is reduced from 27.5 billion patacas to 20 billion patacas, which still fulfils the requirements of the Basic Law. He emphasised that the budget adjustment will not affect all livelihood projects and the provision of services approved under the budget. In the past few years, expenses on public services have represented over 60% of the Government’s expenditure. The Government will ensure the continuity of its services. The Chief Executive also mentioned that adequate economic diversification is one of the Government’s administrative highlights. The Government will provide strong support for this, in order to maintain economic stability, promote growth of non-gaming industries, and realise sustainable development. Meanwhile, the Government will also seize all opportunities for active participation in regional cooperation. Mr Chui said the Guangdong Free Trade Zone has invited Macao’s participation, mainly in system innovation and reform. With the support of the motherland, Macao will firmly and actively participate in regional economic involvement and integration, which is an important approach for future growth. The Chief Executive responded to 28 questions raised by members of the legislature this afternoon. Most concerned livelihood issues, transport, medical and healthcare, gaming and fiscal reserves.
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Consumer Council conducted its seventh ‘Supermarket price survey’ in March on 23 March for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 12 supermarkets in Sé 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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The 2015 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2015MIECF) will be held at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, from 26 to 28 March. The theme adopted for this year’s MIECF is “Green Economy – Solutions for Clean Air”, and will consist of an international forum, exhibition, business matching and networking activities, to fully develop its role as a green platform designed to promote the development of the environmental industries and technologies. 2015MIECF is hosted by the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region, with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People´s Republic of China as the Special Supporting Organisations. The event is co-organised by the governments of the provinces/regions located in the Pan-Pearl River Delta. Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) are the Host Co-ordinators. This year marks the eighth MIECF and the event has become a high-level and effective international green networking platform over the years. To be in line with the strategy of the Macao SAR Government to build the city into a World Tourism and Leisure Centre and a trade and economic co-operation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, no efforts have been spared to improve the environment and promote the development of the environmental industry. Over the years, MIECF has made significant contributions toward information sharing and technological exchange. Congregation of Elites In view of the growing concern of the international community regarding air quality, for the first time “air quality” has become the focus of several activities to be held under MIECF. In this connection, there will be seven related events, including six sessions and a seminar. More than 50 environmental experts, senior executives of multinational corporations and regional policy makers from different countries and regions, including China, France, Hong Kong, China, Macao, China, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom will focus their speeches on the hot topic of air quality, namely “The Business Case for Better Air Quality: Solutions for the Commercial and Industrial Sectors”, “Reviewing Air Quality and the Transportation Industry”, “Strategizing Climate Change Mitigation – Innovation in Policy and Technology” and “Clean Urban Air – Lessons Learnt and Future Trajectories”. Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, former Chair of the World Commission on Environmental Development (WCED), (known as the “Brundtland Commission”), UN Special Envoy on Climate Change and former Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and generally recognised as the “Mother” of sustainable development, has been invited as keynote speaker for MIECF this year. She will give a speech in the morning of 26 March, on the opening day, and will also share her experience with the participants during a “Special Interview Session with Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland”, scheduled to be held in the afternoon of 27 March. Ample Business Opportunities at the Green Showcase Green Showcase is an important component of the MIECF. International brands and environmental technology suppliers will showcase their products and services, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, green transportation, waste and water management solutions, environmental services and air quality, as well as environmentally-friendly products. Given that “Air Quality” is the focus of the event this year, MIECF has invited enterprises and entrepreneurs specialised in air purification technology, as well as the monitoring and treatment of atmospheric emissions to participate in the event. Over 450 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions will showcase their products and services at MIECF. The venue will cover an area of approximately 16,900 square metres, same as last year. The provinces and regions in the Pan-Pearl Delta River (known as “9+2”) will also participate and set up their own exhibitions zones. Other exhibition areas include The Main Themed Pavilion, the countries/regions pavilions, exhibition zones for the exhibitors, Macao Exhibition Zone, International Exhibition Zone, European Pavilion and USA Pavilion. Exhibitors from the Portuguese-Speaking Countries will also participate in the event again this year A total of 16 local and overseas renowned VIP exhibitors, namely, BMW Automobiles and Siemens (from Germany); Newland Technologies, Tsinghua Tongfang、Xiamen Le´ster(Xiamen), Zhong Shan Sheng Xing CO.,Ltd; Zhonghang Sanitation Holding Group CO.,Ltd; Melco Crown Entertainment (from Hong Kong), Airestec Sdn. Bhd. (from Malaysia); Ao Lung Electric Machine Development, China State Construction, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nam Kwong Natural Gas e Xin Kan Shun Motors Ltd. (Renault Motors), will showcase products and services, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy-saving products, green building services, power management and electric vehicles. Delegations of buyers from the Pan-Pearl Delta Region and Southeast Asia have been invited to participate in the Green Matching sessions. The Hosted Buyer Programme, which has achieved satisfactory results in the past and is well-received by the exhibitors, will be continued this year, by inviting buyers recommended by the exhibitors and a Green Matching sessions with the MIECF exhibitors will be arranged, as a mean to improve the effectiveness and professional standard of the event. Green business matching between trade associations, chambers of commerce and government trade promotion agencies, as well as the networking cocktails, are platforms designed to promote business matching and exchange. Free wi-fi service will be provided throughout the exhibition and forum venues. The Macao SAR Government has successively launched the Environmental Protection and Energy Conservancy Fund and “Environmentally Friendly Product Specifications Proposal”. Participants may take the opportunity to make themselves familiar with the contents therein. Diverse activities to promote Co-operation Green Business Co-operation Day This year´s Green Business Day will take place in the afternoon of the first day of the MIECF and will consist of a Green Forum, as well as the Green Networking Cocktail and Signing Ceremony. Over the years, this event has invited guests from China (from the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region in particular), Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Portuguese-speaking countries to share information on market development and to jointly explore business co-operation opportunities. The Green Business Networking Cocktail Reception and the Signing Ceremony will enable exhibitors and professional visitors from around the world to conduct business exchanges. Senior representatives of several government agencies and of members of the business community will attend the event and witness the signing of co-operation agreements in respect of a great number of co-operation projects in the environmental industry. Green Matching Green Matching is a special service provided by MIECF, aimed at assisting enterprises to promote their products and services and to seek co-operation opportunities. As a follow-up to the set up of the hotel procurement areas last year, several well-known hotels has accepted invitation to procure green products and services at the venue. Government agencies and public utilities companies will also participate in the Green Matching events. An Eco-Friendly Hotel Area has also been set-up at the venue. Up to 16 March, nine local well-known hotels have confirmed their participation in the MIECF. The target of their procurement activities will include LED energy-saving products, solar system equipment, air purification, sewage treatment, electric cars, environmentally friendly cleaning products and waste recycling. Besides, 17 government agencies/public utilities companies and public schools will also participate in the Green Matching, to conduct business negotiations on environmental technologies and seek partners for investment and co-operation projects. Networking Cocktail A Networking Cocktail for the Environmental Industry has again been arranged this year, to provide a networking platform for the associations of the environmental industry, chambers of commerce and trade promotion agencies to conduct exchanges. Green Building Industry Seminar In response to the development of the neighbouring regions in recent years, and in order to strengthen and enhance the role of MIECF as a regional exchange platform for the green building industry, a Green Building Industry Networking Session has been specially arranged, to allow the construction and related industries to exchange information in advanced technologies and to seek co-operation opportunities. Green Gala Dinner and other networking activities There will be several networking luncheons during MIECF. The Green Gala Dinner and other networking activities will provide opportunities for executives of the environmental industry from the provinces/regions in the Pan-Pearl River Delta to network with their counterparts from the international markets. Public Participation to share “LOHAS” Activities on the last day of MIECF (May 28, 2015) will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. The theme for this year´s Green Public Day is “The Source of Waste Reduction Starts with Me”. Through a series of environmentally-friendly activities suitable for public participation, it is expected to enhance public awareness of MIECF, as an international environmental event designed to promote the idea of green and low-carbon life. Green Public Day features a series of activities suitable for the whole family under the theme of environmental protection and waste reduction, such as green public workshop, game booths, stage events and magic shows, as well as an exhibition of paintings by winners of the innovative painting competition “I´ve Got Solutions for Reduction of Plastics”. The Green Life Station will continue to showcase all kinds of environmentally friendly products, to promote green consumption. Additionally, lucky draws will also be held. In order to strengthen the role of Green Public Day as an environmental platform, guided tour services will be arranged for schools that have applied to visit MIECF, to enrich students with the knowledge and understanding of the MIECF concept and enhance their awareness of the environmental issues. Green Transportation In order to promote green transportation, free shuttle bus services will be provided with four routes running between Macao Central District, Macao North District, Taipa and the MIECF venue. For further information, please visit the official website www.macaomiecf.com”. Furthermore, car parking spaces will be available at Hall D of Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel on a first-come-first served basis, due to limited offer. All are welcome to visit MIECF, together with members of their family and friends. Other concurrent activities Concurrent events held under MIECF include the Carbon Forum Asia Seminar, organised by the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) for the first time in Macao, as well as the 1st International Conference on Promotion and Education of Green Enterprise and Green Management organised by -Green Environment Protection Association of Macau, are the networking platform for international professionals .
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The University of Macau (UM) welcomes the public to attend its Open Day on the new campus to be held on Sunday 29 march from 10:00am to 5:00pm. This will be UM’s first Open Day held on the new campus. The various faculties and laboratories will open to the public. There will also be student performances, international food festival, booth games, and lucky draw. The opening ceremony will be held in the plaza in front of the library at 11:00am. UM faculty and students are busy preparing for the various activities on the Open Day, including mooting on civil and criminal cases, the creative English writing workshop, and the talk on whether cancer can be cured, to name but a few. The various faculties and residential colleges, some of which normally do not open to the public, will open on the Open Day to help the public know more about UM’s facilities, academic programmes, students’ lives, and academic and research achievements in recent years. The Department of Communication will hold an opening ceremony for the Creative Media Lab, which is not to be missed by those interested in advanced video production equipment. More fun filled activities are waiting for you on the Open Day. All are welcome, whether you are a high school student about to graduate, or an alumnus of UM, or a member of the public interested to visit the new campus. Those who are interested to attend the Open Day can take buses 71, MT3U or 37U to the new campus (71 and MT3U both stop at Praça de Ferreira do Amaral). UM will provide more than 1,000 free parking spaces for those who drive to the campus. For event details or the e-version of the campus map, please visit www.umac.mo/co/UMOpenDay. For enquiries, please call 88228400.
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Macao’s economic foundation remains sound, thanks to the interim success achieved so far in efforts to diversify the economy despite the challenges this year, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. Delivering his 2015 Policy Address at the Legislative Assembly in the afternoon, his first such address in his second term of office, the Chief Executive announced that the Government would set up a committee for the development of a world tourist and leisure centre, which would be charged with drawing up a five-year development plan. Entitled ‘Coordinate planning to ensure stable development and converge collective wisdom to open new chapters’, today’s address also stressed that the Government would press ahead with the principles of ‘one country, two systems’, ‘Macao people governing Macao’ and a high degree of autonomy, with a heightened sense of responsibility, to fully implement the Basic Law of Macao and steadfastly defend the sovereignty and security of the nation as well as the long term stability and prosperity of Macao. Mr Chui said the Government would maintain a pragmatic attitude to consolidate and build on its initial success in various areas; be open-minded and actively make continuous improvements in its work; and adopt the concept of reform to resolve problems and join hands with the people of Macao, in order to open a new chapter for Macao’s development. He pointed out that 2015 marked the advent of an adjustment period for Macao’s economy against the backdrop of a complex and volatile external environment: he urged for increased vigilance against crises to achieve stable progress. He also urged for stronger regional co-operation to help Macao open up new spaces for development. Meanwhile, the Government would focus on resolving deep-rooted problems to strive for economic stability and sound employment. The highlights of the 2015 Policy Address included: 1. Coping with internal and external changes with concerted efforts; 2. Building a livable city for a quality living 3. Promoting optimum economic diversification; 4. Bettering livelihood measures, and 5. Enhancing good governance. After more than a decade of rapid growth, the gaming sector had begun to enter an adjustment period which started in the latter half of last year. Nevertheless the Chief Executive said Macao’s economic foundation remained sound, citing strong performances from the retailing, hospitality and construction industries. Mr Chui said, the Government’s fiscal standing remained strong, boasting a basic reserve of 134.327 billion patacas and a surplus reserve of 207.804 billion patacas at the end of January 2015. He estimated that the Government’s total fiscal reserve would reach 432.427 billion patacas after the settlement of the previous year’s accounts, with foreign reserves standing at 133.343 billion patacas. Commenting on the economic prospect, Mr Chui said the Government was cautiously optimistic and would prepare for rainy days. He said he would head the committee on the development of a world tourist and leisure centre, which will be established soon to draw up a five-year development plan for Macao on the basis of the region’s population policy. Mr Chui noted that the five-year plan would also guide his annual policy-making during his entire term. And in addition to the relief measures announced earlier in the 2015 Government Budget, Mr Chui announced today that the minimum subsistence index, which currently stands at 3,920 patacas per month, would be raised again in July. General disability subsidy will be increased to 7,500 patacas; special disability subsidy to 15,000 patacas; Old Age Allowance to 7,500 patacas; and monthly pension to 3,350 patacas. Secondary school students will see their stationery allowance increased to 3,000 patacas each and primary school students 2,600 patacas each in the coming year. For small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the profit tax allowance will be raised from 300,000 patacas to 600,000 patacas; and the maximum loan guarantee under the Credit Assurance Scheme for SMEs will be raised from five million patacas to seven million patacas. On housing policy, Mr Chui said the Government would conduct a comprehensive review this year and speed up the perfection of relevant legislation. He added that the Government would ensure a stable supply of public housing using a multi-pronged approach, including reviewing all existing land resources, reserving more land for public housing, and managing the issue of idle land. The Chief Executive stressed that the Government was going ahead with its plan in building 28,000 units of public housing in Area A of the reclaimed zone, noting that a thorough review and consultation will be conducted on the planning of areas B,C,D,E of the zone. On transport, Mr Chui said the Government would reduce repeat road excavations and control the growth of the number of vehicles. The Government would also build more parking spaces and pro-actively tackle delays in the construction of the Light Rapid Transit system. On environmental protection, the Government will strictly abide by the Kyoto Protocol and reduce carbon emissions by raising public awareness in energy conservation. A public consultation on an environmental impact assessment system will be launched in the near future while more buses running on natural gas will be introduced. On public security, the Government will strive to apply technology in building a strong and efficient police force. Co-operation between the police and the community will be strengthened to combat crime more effectively while the cross-departmental crises response mechanism will be enhanced. The Government will strengthen co-operation with the World Health Organization, the health administrations in the mainland and neighbouring areas on the prevention and control of new infectious diseases. The Government will roll out more measures to ensure food safety, such as strengthening quarantine and management. Mr Chui said adequate economic diversification was the trend of development. The Government will strive to make steady development in the gaming consolidation period after experiencing a decade of rapid growth in the industry. At the time of reviewing and re-evaluating the development of the gaming industry, the Government urges gaming operators to provide accommodation and transportation for their non-resident employees. The Government pays close attention to the city’s capacity in receiving visitors, especially during the mainland’s peak travel periods. A report will be submitted to the Central Government, he said, for the optimisation of the facilitated individual travel scheme and exploration of development model to ensure the people’s quality of life and the visitors’ travel experience. In “Ensuing stable development”, the Chief Executive highlights the Government’s supports for the development of convention and exhibition, cultural and creative, and Chinese traditional medicine industries, and the cultivation of environmental protection. A statistical benchmark system for the emerging industries will be established, including more international standards on regulating Chinese medicine. To encourage cultural creation, the Government will set up the Cultural Industry Incentive Scheme to fortify enterprises, individuals and associations with prominent contributions in the industry. Taking into account the healthy fiscal surplus and the welfare spending in an aging society, the Government will establish a SAR Investment Development Fund to allocate resources to better protect the livelihood of the people. The Government will also construct a long-term mechanism for allocation of fiscal surpluses, and a fund allocation mechanism that links fiscal surplus with the Social Security Fund, to rationalise wealth sharing in the society. “Maintaining a stable economic development and progressively adjust economic structures” is to securely protect the job opportunities for the people and continuously bettering the livelihood of the disadvantaged group. He said he hoped the bill on minimum wage for workers in property management and cleaning would be passed in the Legislative Assembly, while he also pledged to progressive introduce a system that would apply to all workers. After collecting opinions across various sectors, the Government has submitted the Macao Special Administrative Region’s development blueprint to the Central Government on the nation’s 13th Five Year Plan, stressing the establishment of a world centre for tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. On regional co-operation, the Government will strictly comply with the general requirements regarding the State Council’s approval of commencing work on specifying the SAR’s jurisdiction over its customary waters. The Government will make best use of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and its supplementary agreements, projects of the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, such as trade liberalisation and innovative structural reforms with the Guangdong government. Speeding up co-operative projects in Hengqin, Nansha and Cuiheng, the Government expects arrangements on cross-boundary pleasure crafts between Macao and Zhongshan will be completed this year. The Government will continue to explore new models on boundary crossing and intensify co-operations with Zhuhai, Fujian and Beijing through a well-established Hong Kong-Macao communication system and functions of the Macau Economic and Cultural Delegation in Taiwan. On social services, he said the Government will expedite the construction of homes for the elderly, and allocate more resources for projects in co-operation with non-government organisations. To build an integrated society, the Government will press ahead on formulating the ten-year development plan for rehabilitation services, and in completing the ten-year action plan for elderly service On education, the Government will continuously optimise the 15-year compulsory, free education system and foster a ten-year plan on non-tertiary education. To accommodate economic diversification, the Government will carry out short-, medium- and long-term measures on the cultivation of elites, professional and multi-dimensional personnel, and provide continuous training to increase upward mobility. Optimisation on the medical system is prioritised in his policy blueprint, Mr Chui said, adding that facilities of Islands District Medical Complex had entered the final design stage and construction will commence in phases, with the infectious disease rehabilitation centre to commence operation this year. The Government will incessantly strengthen governance transparency, safeguarding the freedom of the press, publication and speech. To put his policy vision of streamlining government resources into action, Mr Chui said there would be regulations for consultative bodies, specifying that tenures should be for two to three years. Community representatives may be re-elected or re-appointed once or twice; but no one should stay in the same position for more than six years nor hold positions in three or more bodies at the same time. On public administration, the Government will conduct a comprehensive research on the functional restructuring of organisational structure, set an inter-departmental co-operation mechanism to enhance administrative efficiency. In accordance with the Basic Law the Government considered establishing a municipal organisation that has no political power, he said. A comprehensive review on the entry and position allocation mechanism under the centralised recruitment system will be conducted. The Government will take measures to establish the accountability of civil servants in every level and to optimise evaluation system of leading officials. He said the Government would strictly abide by the Basic Law and the related decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and fully listen to the opinion from all walks of life, to push forward democratic and political developments.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today has sent a message of condolence to Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong over the passing of the country’s former Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Mr Chui expressed his profound condolences at the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and extended condolences to Mr Lee’s family on behalf of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government and in his own personal capacity. Widely respected as the “founding father”, Mr Lee had led Singapore to become one of the richest countries in the world, Mr Chui said. The late Mr Lee was also an old friend of China and one of the most influential politicians and strategists in Asia and the world. Mr Chu had met Mr Lee in official visits to Singapore. He said the Government had always placed great importance on pressing ahead on co-operation with the country and has learned a lot from Mr Lee. He said he noted the contributions Mr Lee made to broaden Singapore-Macao co-operation in every aspect, and such co-operation continue. Mr Lee’s excellent leadership, political vision and pioneering spirit will be always respected and remembered, he said.
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