News

According to the statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, the proportion of international business in the local banking sector retreated slightly in the fourth quarter of 2014. At end-2014, the share of international assets in total banking assets fell to 86.0% from 86.5% at end-September 2014, while the share of international liabilities in total banking liabilities dropped to 81.6% from 82.1%. Non-local currencies continued to be the dominant denomination in international banking transactions. At end-2014, the shares of the pataca in total international assets and total international liabilities were 0.7% and 1.6% respectively. Hong Kong dollar, US dollar, the renminbi and other foreign currencies accounted for 38.8%, 35.7%, 18.2% and 6.6% of total international assets as well as 44.9%, 32.6%, 15.9% and 5.0% of total international liabilities respectively. International Banking Assets
At end-2014, total international assets advanced marginally by 0.1% from a quarter ago and by 19.6% from a year earlier to MOP1,009.8 billion (USD126.4 billion). Within this total, external assets increased by 14.8% year-on-year to MOP749.8 billion while local assets in foreign currencies jumped by 35.9% to MOP260.0 billion. As a major component of international assets, external non-bank loans grew by 26.4% to MOP350.6 billion. International Banking Liabilities
Total international liabilities decreased slightly by 0.02% from three months ago but increased by 19.8% year-on-year to MOP957.8 billion (USD119.9 billion). Of this total, external liabilities and local liabilities in foreign currencies expanded year-on-year by 25.2% to MOP495.4 billion and 14.4% to MOP462.4 billion respectively. Foreign currency deposits held by residents and the MSAR government in local banks continued to form a major component of international liabilities. This type of deposits grew by 13.3% to MOP425.9 billion at end-2014 from MOP375.8 billion at end-2013. Breakdown of External Banking Assets and Liabilities by Region
The majority of external assets and liabilities were related to the regions of Asia and Europe. At end-2014, claims on Hong Kong, Mainland China and Singapore occupied 33.3%, 33.1% and 1.8% of total external assets correspondingly, while claims on Portugal, the United Kingdom and Luxembourg took up 6.0%, 1.5% and 1.1% respectively. On external liabilities, Hong Kong, Mainland China and Thailand accounted for 43.2%, 25.8% and 7.3% of the total respectively while France, Portugal and Germany took up respective shares of 3.1%, 2.1% and 1.5%. The compilation of International Banking Statistics follows the methodology advocated by the Bank for International Settlements in order to facilitate Macao SAR's participation in the "Locational International Banking Statistics" project of the international organisation.
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Following the spread of rumors today (16) on social media networks, regarding a mobile phone SMS game with awards, organized as part of "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Ram", Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) makes the below clarification. MGTO confirms that it has initiated today the dissemination of mobile phone messages through CTM to its subscribers, with the content: MGTO will hold the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram" on 21/2/2015, please insert the code and reply to 66016383 to choose "My Favorite Local Performing Team", to win the attractive prizes. More details at Website of MGTO: http://en.macautourism.gov.mo/main/page.php?id=36 (Chinese version available at http://zh.macautourism.gov.mo/main/page.php?id=36) For any clarification, please contact the Tourism Hotline 28 333 000.
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The Government Information Bureau today launched a new set of photos themed "celebrating the festival", which can be viewed at the mobile application "MSAR News". The photos, taken by the Bureau's photographer Mr Ho Kuok Wai, captured people buying seasonal flowers, dried seafood and sausages, snacks, and spring couplets, giving a better glimpse on how locals prepare for the Lunar New Year. The app, "MSAR News", offers various real-time news, government information, pictures and local weather reports. It can be searched and downloaded with the keyword "MSAR News" in App Store and Google Play.
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The lunar Chinese New Year is approaching. This year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) received the application for a number of extra and charter flights and have eventually approved a total of 73 flights, allowing the local air transport market to provide enough capacity during Chinese New Year for both the Macao residents and the passengers from other places, especially the Chinese across the straits, to travel between Macao and mainland China, Taiwan China, Japan and Korea. The 73 extra and charter flights which were approved by AACM have started operation since 14 February and will run till 28 February 2015. These flights include: Vide em anexo! The extra and charter flights of this lunar new year outgrows the last year's figure of 28 flights by more than 160%. Last year, only Air Macau Company Ltd. filed in the application; this year, there were 5 airlines who submitted their applications, namely Air Macau Company Ltd., East Asia Airlines Limited, Juneyao Airlines, TransAsia Airways and Jin Air. AACM said, "Traditionally, the Chinese across the straits often go home during Chinese New Year to enjoy their holidays. For the mainland Chinese, the mood for outbound travel or travelling within the country is often enthusiastic during this time. This often leads to a high demand for the air transport market in Macao. Furthermore, the Macao residents can enjoy four to five leisure days this year, the duration of which makes it possible to go on a short trip. As a result, the markets for the short-haul flights such as mainland China, Taiwan China, Japan and Korea are in great demand." The SAR Government has always supported the development of aviation and has adopted liberal air transport policies since the beginning. In approving extra and charter flights, the Authority will put into consideration passenger interests, based on safety first as the top priority. Flexible measures are adopted to make approvals in an appropriate manner so that it is convenient for airlines to prepare for their best in offering quality flight services to passengers even at peak seasons. In October 2012, AACM started to implement the restrictions on the carriage of lithium batteries by passengers on board the aircraft. As there are cases from time to time of passengers who do not follow the requirements, AACM takes the opportunity hereby to inform passengers that lithium batteries of 100Wh or less must be carried in cabin or hand carry baggage but not in checked-in baggage. The details of the above requirements can be read in the AACM website – "Laws, Regulations and Multilateral Conventions – Aeronautical Circular" at http://www.aacm.gov.mo/english/publications_aga.php
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP133.3 billion (USD16.70 billion) at the end of January 2015. The reserves increased by 1.5% from the revised value of MOP131.4 billion (USD16.44 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-January 2015 represented 12 times the currency in circulation or 107.1% of Pataca M2 at end-December 2014. 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 1.34 points month-to-month and 6.16 points year-on-year to 102.96 in January 2015.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) announces the launch of four new walking tour routes under the theme "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities", available starting from tomorrow (16 February). Together with the four existing routes which have been redesigned, a total of eight walking tour routes are presented for visitors' choice. Encouraging visitors to explore different neighborhoods, the routes are expected to balance visitor trends around Macau and foster community tourism. Suggest parish-oriented routes Taking the poll result and community development into consideration, MGTO redesigned and proposed eight parish-oriented walking tour routes which cover different parishes on Macau Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane. The parishes include Cathedral Parish, St. Lazarus Parish, St. Lawrence Parish, Our Lady of Fatima Parish and St. Anthony Parish on Macau Peninsula as well as Our Lady of Carmel Parish on Taipa and St. Francis Xavier Parish on Coloane. The eight suggested routes are as follow: Footsteps into the Historic Centre; An Experiment of Creativity; Crossroads of China and Portugal; A Legacy of Arts and Culture; Enchanting Stories of Our Lady of Fatima Parish; The Marriage of East and West in St. Anthony's Parish; Bygone Days of Taipa Village and Nostalgia in Coloane. Promotion for the routes
A themed guidebook (in Traditional and Simplified Chinese language) about "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" walking tour routes will be made available starting from tomorrow (16 February). The guidebook presents the eight routes and relevant information including sightseeing attractions, dining options, transportation, shopping, performance activities and public facilities. Visitors can obtain the printed guidebook for free from local hotels or MGTO's Tourist Information counters while the electronic version is available for download on MGTO's website: www.macautourism.gov.mo. They can also check out the routes and relevant information on the website. In addition, there is a mobile App (Android & iOS versions to be launched soon) for "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" walking tour routes. In terms of promotion, the Office is advertising the routes on WeChat, light-box advertisements and through short TV promotional videos, among others. MGTO has arranged different performances at certain sightseeing points along the tour routes during weekend, further enhancing livelihood to their specific neighborhoods. Moreover, the Office joins hands with local organizations to present community tourism activities and boost the charm of the communities. With the variety of activities offered, visitors can enjoy a more fantastic stroll along these routes and explore different local quarters for hidden gems and a glimpse of the city's aroma. Listen to opinions and keep improving Back on 27 September 2013, MGTO launched the first four walking tour routes under the theme "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" with the purpose to highlight the attractions in different local districts for visitors to explore. Since the project was launched, different social sectors have offered many valuable opinions concerning community tourism development. MGTO therefore also carried out a poll to collect public opinions regarding the new walking tour routes last year. Based on an analysis and summary of these suggestions collected from different sectors, the Office has optimized the existing routes together with new routes designed. As a result, a total of eight walking tour routes are now launched based on the idea of parish. As an important subproject in the "Community Tourism Development Plan", the "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" walking tour route project aims to promote community tourism, industry development in different neighborhoods as well as moderate diversification of economic development. In the future, MGTO will make continuous efforts to optimize the tourism signage system and local tourism environment through inter-departmental work force for the welfare of both locals and visitors.
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Spanning a week from 19 to 25 February, the Spring Festival Golden Week is about to begin. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is actively preparing for the peak period in various ways, namely by activating the tourism notification system, increasing inspection duties, sending letters to remind the trade about various concerns, printing a local food guide, carrying out a range of Lunar New Year celebrations in different districts and providing enquiry service at specific spots, among other initiatives. Through preparations in different fronts, MGTO strives not only to cater for citizens and visitors' needs but also to optimize local tourism environment and service quality. MGTO and Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province will officially activate the "Tourism Notification System for Spring Festival Golden Week" on 16 February, with the system active until 26 February, to ensure smooth hospitality work for visitors during Lunar New Year. The Macau side will take advantage of the Internet to release relevant information online, including the updated numbers of every previous day of Mainland China and overall visitor arrivals at various ports of the city. The two destinations' tourism authorities will also keep close communication. MGTO has been regularly releasing room rates of different room categories reported by local hotels and guest houses on its website. The Office will send mobile text message to Mainland visitors upon their arrival, alerting them that they can check room rates on MGTO's website, and encouraging visitors to obtain printed materials at MGTO's Tourist Information counters for free, advising them to have more travel tips in hand. In addition, through MGTO's WeChat account the Office suggested visitors to make room reservation and prepare the itinerary in advance. Moreover, MGTO will strengthen inspections to different tourist spots, border ports and areas in Macau and increase the manpower at Tourist Information counters during Spring Festival. MGTO's tourism hotline (853) 2833 3000 will maintain its 24-hour operator service to answer tourists' enquiries. The Office's inspectors will also stand by round-the-clock. Visitors can visit MGTO's website for further travel and other related information. In order to safeguard visitors' rights and tourism quality, MGTO already sent letters reminding travel trade operators to pay attention to hygiene, fire safety, receiving capacity, opening hours, occupational guidelines of hosting tour groups, requirements regarding report of price list of hotel room and food and beverage establishments, and record of hotel guest information upon check-in, among others. The Office also sent letters especially to associations concerning travel agencies suggesting them to communicate with the different travel agencies, in order to coordinate the schedules of visits at the main tourism spots and divert visitor trends, thus minimizing the traffic pressure at the spots and impact on nearby areas, safeguarding the city's tourism image. At the same time, together with the police authorities, the Office will carry on with the fighting against illegal accommodation. MGTO also regularly communicates and exchanges news with Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macau Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau, Transport Bureau and so forth. Visitors can visit Public Security Police Force's website: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor on phone or computer and check the real-time border-crossing images at the arrival/departure halls and traffic lanes of Barrier Gate, Outer Harbour and Cotai Frontier Post on the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports", thus choosing the right timing to leave or arrive in Macau. MGTO's website offers a direct link to Public Security Police Force's webpage for the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports". Besides the above measures, MGTO also jointly published a "Macau Food Guide during Spring Festival" (Chinese version only) with The United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, General Union of the Macau Neighborhood Association as well as The Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau. The food guide provides the name and contact list of restaurants and eateries which will open during Spring Festival for convenience of visitors to obtain their operating information. To give residents and visitors a pleasant experience of the festive season in town, MGTO is presenting a series of events during Spring Festival, including "Parade of Gigantic Golden Dragon", "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Ram", "Parade Float Exhibition" and "Fireworks Display for the Celebration of Chinese New Year". The celebrations also include the God of Fortune, along with the three Gods of Happiness, Prosperity and Longevity, the 12 Chinese Zodiac Mascots, Entourage Boy and Girl, Macau Tourism Ambassadors, dragon and lion dances around town, to wish residents and visitors a happy Lunar New Year, distribute "Lai Si" and souvenirs. Moreover, starting next week eight walking tour routes under the theme "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" will be launched, including four new routes added to refined existing four routes, as well as dining options, shopping, public facilities along the routes, among other information. Special Chinese New Year festivities will be held along the walking tour routes as well. Staff will be stationed at different locations to answer visitors' enquiries and introduce them to various tourist spots. They will also distribute the brochure "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" (Chinese version only), encouraging locals and visitors to explore the routes. "Macau Food Guide during Spring Festival" Chinese brochure and Chinese New Year Festivities Program can be downloaded from MGTO's website at http://www.macautourism.gov.mo or acquired at MGTO's Tourist Information counters. This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/
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Consumer Council conducted its fourth 'Supermarket price survey' in February on 12 February for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Horte e Costa, Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga and Rua da Emenda areas in Santo António Parish. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), 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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As Lunar New Year is approaching, consumption by citizens are expected to increase, so are the number of inbound tourists. The Consumer Council held a meeting earlier with Economic Services Bureau (DSE), Macao Government Tourist Office (DST), Transport Bureau (DSAT), Judiciary Police (PJ), Public Security Police Force (PSP), Macao Custom Service, Civic and Municipal Affairs Council (IACM) and Health Bureau (SS) to discuss on the protection of consumer rights for local citizens as well as inbound tourists. Consumer Council reminds consumers and tourists that if anyone finds his or her consumer rights being infringed, he or she should file a complaint at the Council or other departments and provide all necessary detailed information. The Council will also assign its staff to provide services to consumers through its hotline during 11AM to 6PM each day during Chinese New Year holidays (20th to 23rd February). Consumer Council hotline: 8988 9315.
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Communications Museum will be closed from the afternoon of February 19 (Thursday) to February 23 (Monday) during the Lunar New Year. 9th Anniversary of Communications Museum
In celebrating its 9th anniversary, Communications Museum will be open to the public free of charge on March 1. The Museum Shop will provide commemorative cancellation service to the public. The awards ceremony will be held in the Museum Auditorium in the afternoon to present prizes to winners of the Science and Arts Activity for Primary Students, Electronic Device Construction Competition and Draw My Story of Stamps Contest, as well as the announcement of the result of Stamp Poll "My Favourite Stamps of Macao, 2014". This year the Communications Museum will focus on the promotion of "Exhibition-In-School". The Museum has designed and produced two sets of portable exhibits for exhibition in schools. The "Music with Electromagnetism" consists of six mobile exhibits to introduce about electricity and magnetism, including the "Static Electricity Sensor Drum", "Metal Sensor Xylophone", "Magnetic Detector Violin", "Human Resistor Piano", "Graphite Rock-and-Roll" and "Van de Graaff Generator". The "Evolution of Telecommunications Technology" introduces about the principals of communication and transmission. Its six mobile exhibits include the "Morse Telegraph", "Pointer Telegraph", "Manual Switching", "Automatic Switching", "Wired Transmission" and "Wireless Transmission". These two sets of portable exhibits are suitable for exhibiting at primary and secondary schools. We will arrange Facilitators to provide special guiding of the exhibition in schools, and students can experiment by themselves or join a guided tour as part of their class o break time at the school. All schools are welcome to request for more information or book the service.
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