News

Consumer Council conducted its first 'Supermarket price survey' in February on 4 February for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Areia Preta and Avenida de Venceslau de Morais 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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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, money supply rebounded in December. As total loans increased whereas total deposits dropped, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector rose from a month earlier.
Money supply
Currency in circulation and demand deposits grew 1.3% and 6.3% respectively. M1 thus increased 5.4% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities remained virtually stable. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, increased 0.7% to MOP487.6 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 5.0% and 10.5% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 25.5%, down 0.2 percentage points from a month ago but up 1.4 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 50.7%, up 1.0 percentage point month-to-month but down 2.6 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits increased 0.7% from the preceding month to MOP476.7 billion. Of which, MOP deposits and other foreign currency deposits decreased at respective rates of 0.4% and 2.6% whereas HKD deposits rose 2.8%. Non-resident deposits dropped 3.8% to MOP219.4 billion. Public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 4.5% to MOP95.0 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector dropped 0.2% from a month earlier to MOP791.1 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 19.1% and 43.0% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector increased 2.3% from a month ago to MOP339.1 billion. Among which, MOP94.0 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP218.7 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 27.7% and 64.5% of the total respectively. Analysed by economic sector, "education", "information technology" and "non-monetary financial institutions" increased at respective rates of 108.3%, 56.8% and 40.1% compared with a quarter ago, whereas "manufacturing industries", "electricity, gas and water" and "wholesale and retail trade" dropped 9.2%, 7.4% and 5.7% respectively. External loans rose 0.6% to MOP350.6 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.2% (MOP4.0 billion) and 23.2% (MOP81.3 billion) respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
The loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-December rose 0.6 percentage points from the previous month to 59.3%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors also grew by 1.4 percentage points to 87.2%.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) held a promotion seminar today (2 February) to promote the "Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme" (QTSAS) and invite local trade to join the Scheme in 2015. This year the Office again targets the catering industry and encourages more restaurants to join and strive for an improvement in their service quality. The scheme is open for applications starting on 2 March 2015. MGTO launched the QTSAS last year, aiming not only to establish service quality standards for the tourism industry but also to encourage and support industry partners to improve their service quality. The scheme's objective is also to acclaim tourism businesses for their remarkable service management and outstanding services provided to customers. The scheme includes two accolades namely "Star Merchant Award" and "Service Star Award". The Office held the QTSAS promotion seminar at Tourism Activities Centre today (2 February) to elaborate the assessment criteria and application procedures for local trade. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; President of the Institute for Tourism Studies, Fanny Vong; MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong; Head of Department of Environment, Hygiene and Licensing of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Fong Vai Seng; Head of Consumer Arbitration Centre of Consumer Council, Ao Weng Tong; President of Macau Hotel Association, Samuel Yeung Chun Yip; President of the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, Chan Chak Mo; and President of the Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises of Catering, Ieong Weng Seng were present at the promotion seminar. General Manager, Market Research Business of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, K T Ting was invited to give an introduction about QTSAS's assessment criteria during the seminar. Representatives of the four catering businesses awarded the "Service Star Award" last year were also invited to share their experience. During her speech, Director Senna Fernandes expressed that MGTO has been striving to foster the quality improvement of local tourism services and to enhance industry training and supervision as part of their major objectives this year. Encouraging local trade to join the Scheme in 2015, she believes that Macau tourism and related sectors will keep improving their service quality to provide impressive services for visitors and local citizens. In consequence, they can together enhance Macau's image as a fascinating travel destination in line with Macau's positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong also shared with industry partners the application methods and benefits of joining the Scheme. MGTO again opens up the QTSAS for local catering industry to join this year. According to the classification of license, there are four categories namely "Deluxe Restaurant", "First Class Restaurant", "Second Class Restaurant" and "Food and Beverage Establishments". The awards are valid from 2016 until 2018. Any licensed restaurant or catering establishment which has operated its business in Macau for one year or above is eligible for participation. The Office will accept 100 applications in total. Merchants who are interested in participation can submit applications to MGTO during 2 – 31 March. For details, please browse MGTO's website: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo. Merchants who applied last year but were not drawn by lot or did not pass the assessment are given priority to join the Scheme upon application this year. Merchants who participate in the Scheme are required to go through a range of assessments in terms of service performance and management system. Merchants who fulfill the criteria will be awarded the "Star Merchant Award", while the merchant who wins the highest score among other winners of "Star Merchant Award" under the same category will be presented the "Service Star Award" as well. Through joining the Scheme, merchants can also make a self-assessment of their own service according to the assessment criteria and apply the scheme's operation guideline in their business to keep improving their service. A total of 86 qualified catering businesses were given the "Star Merchant Award" last year. Details about the awarded merchants are listed in the "Star Merchant Award" – Restaurants and Eateries Guide. The public can obtain the printed guide from MGTO's Tourist Information counters or download its electronic version from MGTO's website. This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the total number of licensed motor vehicles reached 240,107 at the end of 2014, up by 5.3% year-on-year; motorcycles and light private cars accounted for 52.0% and 41.3% respectively. For the whole year of 2014, new registration of motor vehicles increased by 6.4% year-on-year to 20,374. In 2014, number of traffic accidents totalled 16,029 cases, up by 6.3% year-on-year, resulting in 5,424 casualties and 14 of them were killed. Cross-border vehicle traffic reached 4,940,238 vehicle trips in 2014, up by 6.1% year-on-year; vehicle traffic through the Border Gate shared 79.7%. Passenger ferry between Macao and Hong Kong and between Macao and Mainland China totalled 140,941 ferry trips, an increase of 1.9% year-on-year, with the Ferry Terminal at the Outer Harbour sharing 66.8% of the total (94,155 ferry trips). The Macao International Airport had 48,193 commercial flights in 2014, an increase of 7.3% year-on-year. Flights to and from Mainland China and Taiwan accounted for 39.2% and 24.5% respectively of the total. Flights to and from Vietnam and the Republic of Korea soared by 245.1% and 52.8% respectively, while those to and from Malaysia and Thailand decreased by 17.9% and 11.7% respectively. Helicopter flights between Macao and Hong Kong and between Macao and Mainland China totalled 15,161, down by 12.3% year-on-year. In 2014, seaborne container throughput totalled 139,539 TEU, equivalent to 96,367 containers handled, up by 11.7% and 7.7% respectively year-on-year. Gross weight of seaborne containerized cargo increased by 26.6% to 246,424 tonnes; meanwhile, gross weight of containerized cargo by land totalled 28,719 tonnes, down slightly by 0.4%. Inward air cargo (6,672 tonnes) and outward air cargo (16,343 tonnes) increased by 3.7% and 8.8% respectively year-on-year in 2014. Taiwan remained the major origin and destination of inward and outward air cargo, accounting for 55.1% and 44.1% of the respective total. Transit air cargo increased by 15.8% year-on-year to 5,754 tonnes. At the end of 2014, number of fixed-line telephone users decreased by 3.0% year-on-year to 153,587. Meanwhile, number of mobile telephone users increased by 7.8% to 1,856,453. As regards internet services, number of subscribers totalled 305,394 and the cumulative duration of usage reached 953 million hours in 2014, up by 16.2% and 17.0% respectively year-on-year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average daily wage of construction workers increased by 6.1% quarter-to-quarter to MOP713 in the fourth quarter of 2014, and the average daily wage of local construction workers was MOP955, up by 8.2%. The average daily wage of skilled & semi-skilled workers was MOP719, up by 6.2% quarter-to-quarter. The average daily wages of electricians & electrical workers (MOP757), concrete formwork carpenters (MOP801) and plant operators (MOP957) increased by 8.3%, 3.9% and 3.2% respectively due to increase in demand. The average daily wage of structural iron erectors (MOP799) decreased by 1.4%. Meanwhile, the average daily wage of unskilled workers was MOP388, down slightly by 0.5%. After discounting the effect of inflation, the wage index of construction workers (98.1) increased by 4.3% quarter-to-quarter in real terms, while the wage index of local construction workers (129.3) increased by 6.2% quarter-to-quarter. For the whole year of 2014, the average wage index of construction workers (94.1) rose by 5.5% year-on-year in real terms, and that of local construction workers (119.0) increased by 12.8%. As regards construction materials, the average price of concrete increased by 2.0% quarter-to-quarter, at MOP700 per cubic metre in the fourth quarter of 2014; the average price of spiral & round reinforcing steel bars was MOP4,771 per tonne, down by 3.8%. Meanwhile, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings (129.7) in the fourth quarter of 2014 decreased slightly by 0.3% quarter-to-quarter; the average price index for 2014 (129.0) rose by 5.7% year-on-year.
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To enable SMEs to understand more about marketing, promotion and management practices adopted by overseas enterprises, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has organised SME training and study trips to Mainland China, Japan and Taipei, to inspire SMEs to pursue creative innovation and business transformation. On 7 February (Saturday), IPIM is going to organise a training seminar on the "Best Practices of Branding, Marketing and Human Resources Management of Korean Enterprises" with Korea Franchise Association (KFA). The seminar will be from 9:30 - 12:30 and 14:30 -17:30 in the Multi-function Conference Hall of Macao Business Support Centre (263, Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, Edif. China Civil Plaza, 19 andar, Macau). This seminar is part of the SME training programme, followed by a study trip to Seoul, to benefit Macao SMEs by leveraging their business capacity. Experts share on branding and management strategies, application of technology and successful cases Korean culture, "Korean Wave" and products have become popular in recent years. Many well-known brands have adopted franchising to expand in different parts of the world, with Macao being one of the destinations. To enable Macao SMEs to learn from these successful models, the organisers have invited Mr. Ham Jung Hoon, Managing Director and Policy Team Manager of Korea Franchise Association to be the speaker at the training seminar. Mr. Ham is also the chief co-ordinator of the franchise overseas ventures projects and infrastructure establishment projects of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea. During the seminar, a variety of topics will be covered, including prevailing management techniques, practices, equipment and technology adopted by Korean SMEs to manage their business, as well as sharing sessions from representatives of Korean franchise brands. Study trip to learn from successful brands The training seminar is conducted in Korean (with simultaneous interpretation in Mandarin only). Participants completing the full course of the training seminar will be given priority to take part in the study trip to Seoul organised by IPIM. The trip will include site visits to enterprises in various industries; hence enabling participants to learn more about the successful business practices of overseas enterprises. Enrolment for the visit will be processed on a first come first served basis. For event details, please contact Ms. Leong or Mr. Ho of SME Service Centre on: 8798-9711/8798-9613; Email: smec@ipim.gov.mo or visit the IPIM website for further information.
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The targets of co-operation between Macao and Guangdong governments set for last year have been reached and more innovative co-operation projects would be discussed in the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference to be held later this year, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said. Speaking to reporters in Guangzhou after meeting with the Secretary of the Guangdong CPC Provincial Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua, and the Governor of Guangdong province, Mr Zhu Xiaodan today, Mr Chui said both governments were confident in development on trade liberalisation and structural reforms to facilitate the projects in the free trade zones, development of Hengqin of Zhuhai and Nansha of Guangzhou. He said the establishment of the free trade zone in Guangdong would bring more development opportunities to Macao to further diversify its economic structure. In the past year, the Government strived to boost the economy, enhanced the people's livelihood, endeavoured to turn Macao into a world centre for tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, expedited regional co-operationand talents cultivation system. Based on the effective and close co-operation, the two governments would step up efforts on environment protection issues such as processing non-recyclable construction waste and unwanted vehicles to make best use of space in the landfill and fulfil the needs for development. More measures would be announced within this year, he said. Earlier in the meeting, Mr Chui thanked the Guangdong government for its long-term support especiallyon the supply of water, electricity, food and other necessities, resolving the basic needs of the people of Macao. Mr Hu said Guangdong government would see this year's economy grow at a moderate and steady pace, as the Central Government had planned. He said he believed that based on the close co-operation with Macao they would create morefavourable conditions for the people. Officials also who attended the meeting today were the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Secretary for Transport and Public Work, MrRaimundo Rosario; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms O Lam;the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Ms Cheong Chui Ling; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping;and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng. Other key officials of the Guangdong government attended included the Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Secretary-general of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Lin Musheng; the Vice Governor, Ms Zhao Yufang; and the Secretary-General, Mr Li Feng.
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The February issue of C2, published by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and produced by the Companhia do Desenvolvimento Cultural e Criativo 100 Plus Limitada, will be launched on 2nd February. This issue is going to bring all the readers to the fashion runway, taking a look at the fashion industry and the stories behind. Stepping into February, winter is near the end. The warm weather is coming back. Fashion brands from all over the world launch the attractive attires of spring and get a lot of attentions. Feature story of February issue is about how several local fashion designers play a revolution of fashion. They try to educate the local consumers to create a tasteful and stylish lifestyle. They also share the difficulties in the development of the industry they are facing, and how to develop an exclusive market. "Chit Chat" invites Tomy Ho, the lead vocalist of the local independent band "Catalyser" to share his music path. "Around the Globe" mentions about the movement of "I'MPERFECT" launched by the Hong Kong designers. To rethink the trashes produced by the consumers and the ways to reuse them. "Extravaganza" discusses how the Tap Seac Art Fair provides the best possible environment for the fresh handcrafters to do business. Local and overseas columnists will write in the C2 Blog each month to share their insights. February issue includes Joe Tang, Joe Lei, Wong Cheng Pou, Hung Kuo-hsiung, Yap Seow Choong and James Chu. C2 is a trilingual magazine (in Chinese, Portuguese and English) and is updated on the first Monday of each month online. Visit us at www.c2magazine.mo, and download the full version of the magazine. To learn more about our latest news, please find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/c2magazine.macau. Also, you can find us on WeChat, go to "add friend" and enter "c2magazine"in the ID column. Any queries, please email us at c2magazine.macau@gmail.com
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is presenting the grand outdoor Lunar New Year festivities — the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram" on the third day (21 February) and tenth day (28 February) of Lunar New Year. Celebrating the festive joy with locals and visitors, the event will feature parade floats and local display, performances by over 1,000 performers, fireworks show, etc. A Mainland theme park's float will debut in the Parade this year and there will be performances presented by Hong Kong celebrities for the first time. The Office will also host an interactive game on Wechat to add more fun and diversity to the celebrations. The "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram" is organized by MGTO and co-organized by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and Macao Sport Development Board (MSDB). MGTO held a press conference today (30 January) to unveil the Parade's highlights. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong; Head of Department of Cultural Activities and Recreation of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Eric Choi Chi Hong; Chief of Cultural Events Department of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin; President of Macao Sport Development Board, José Maria da Fonseca Tavares, Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of MGTO, Isabel Augusto, and famous Hong Kong singer Stephy Tang were present in the press conference along with the representatives of other sponsoring entities. MGTO Director Senna Fernandes gave an introduction about the parade, "The 'Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram' will feature 14 floats, 25 local groups and 9 performing groups from the Mainland; Korea; Hong Kong; Italy; Japan; Malaysia; Portugal; Thailand and Taiwan, China respectively. There are 1,288 performers in total, along with 383 staff and 625 volunteers that add up to 1,008 persons involved." Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort will make a debut in the Parade with its float and performers this year; well-known Hong Kong singers Miriam Yeung, Andy Hui and Stephy Tang will perform on the two aforementioned days of the Parade respectively while Hong Kong artist Johnson Lee will host the Parade night on the third day of Lunar New Year to add more joy and festive vibe to the event. Going along the same route as last year, the Parade will begin after a launch ceremony at the front square of Macau Science Center at 8 p.m. on the third day of Lunar New Year. The Parade will wend through Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in Macau and reach its destination at Sai Van Lake Square before Macau Tower. MGTO has assigned four locations along the parade route for performing teams to halt for a show time. The fixed points include the three front areas of Macau Science Center, Kun Iam Statue and Rua da Torre de Macau (near the tunnel entrance opposite the Macau Legislative Assembly Building) as well as Sai Van Lake Square. There will be performances on stage at Sai Van Lake Square at 8:15 p.m. Part of the performing teams from the parade will join the stage performance as well upon arrival at Sai Van Lake Square, followed by a fireworks show at 11 p.m. On the third night of Lunar New Year, MGTO will live broadcast the parade through the LED screens installed at nine locations as follow: Macau Science Center, Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, Friendship Square, Park of Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, Iao Hon Market Garden, Tap Seac Square, Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva, Macau Tower and Largo dos Bombeiros in Taipa so that audience can enjoy the whole spectacular throughout the parade. At the same time, TDM and Macau Cable TV will live broadcast the parade and record the show for subsequent broadcast; a special program about the parade will also be broadcasted on both TVB Jade channel and High-definition Jade channel in Hong Kong at 10:30 p.m. on 28 February. 14 splendid floats are presented by China National Tourism Administration, MGTO, IACM, IC, MSDB, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Suncity Group, Sands China Ltd., Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM China Holdings Limited, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A., Wynn Macau Ltd. and Exmoo News. Cotai Water Jet, Tung Cheng Yuen Buddhist Association and TurboJet are sponsoring the artistic performances. Other sponsoring entities include Coca-Cola. To encourage local citizens to participate in the event, MGTO hosts a mobile text message game once again for locals to choose their favorite performing team among the local teams appearing on the third night of Lunar New Year. Those who have voted for the winning team are eligible for a lucky draw with a chance to win prizes. Moreover, the new "Interactive Wechat Game – Lucky Puzzle Draw" and "Wechat Message Wall" are launched this year to widen the coverage of the activity. On the tenth day of Lunar New Year, the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram" will again feature 14 floats. A kick-off ceremony will be held at Rua Norte do Patane at 8 p.m. The Parade will then adjourn at Iao Hon Market Garden, where stage performances will be presented. To liven up the spectators' spirit, MGTO will give out a total of 23,500 small presents along the parade routes on the third day and tenth day of Lunar New Year including fluffy sheep toys and hats, little flags and illuminated balloons. The 14 floats in the Parade will be showcased at Sai Van Lake Square and Tap Seac Square during 21 – 28 February and 28 February – 8 March respectively. The floats will be brightened up with illuminations to allow photo opportunities for locals and visitors from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. during the above periods. MGTO has rolled out a range of promotions via television/radio commercials, internet, printed materials, press, posters, flyers, advertising boards and light boxes, bus and street-lamp post advertisements, etc. to publicize the event among local citizens and visitors.
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