News

To celebrate the Science and Technology Week 2016, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Hall and our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters during 6th to 10th July 2016 providing the commemorative cancellation service for the “Science and Technology Week 2016”. Opening hours as follow: 06/07 Main Hall of Macau Fisherman’s Wharf: 14:30 – 18:00 Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters: 14:30 – 18:00 07-10/07 Main Hall of Macau Fisherman’s Wharf: 10:00 – 20:00 A commemorative envelope will be distributed to public, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that both the unemployment rate (1.9%) and the underemployment rate (0.5%) for March-May 2016 remained stable as in February-April 2016. Total labour force was 396,200 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.0%. Total employment decreased by 1,000 from February-April, at 388,600. Analysed by industry, employment in Restaurants & Similar Activities and Gaming & Junket Activities registered decrease, while that in Wholesale & Retail Trade saw increase. Number of the unemployed was 7,600, down by 100 from February-April; fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job accounted for 5.1% of the total unemployed, up by 0.1 percentage point. In comparison with March-May 2015, the labour force participation rate dropped by 2.0 percentage points, while the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate rose by 0.1 and 0.2 percentage points respectively.
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The Immigration Department of the Public Security Police Force (PSP) launched the second phase of online application service on 3 May 2016 – new applications for non-specialized ‘Non-resident Worker’s Authorization to Stay’ can be made online. The processing time of each application is shortened from 5 working days to 4 working days. The online system is capable of promptly checking the submitted information, identifying errors and suggesting corrections to be made. In this way, an application is less likely to be rejected. The administrative procedures are also reduced to further enhance efficiency. As of 14 June 2016, the online system has received 10,327 new applications for non-specialized ‘Non-resident Worker’s Authorization to Stay’, which took up 92.17% of the total number of applications of this type. A record high of 466 was recorded in a single day. The number of applications approved was 10,031, which was 97.13% of the total. The remaining 2.87% required the applicant to submit the applications in person for further examination. PSP will continue to study and develop more similar online application services, as well as optimize system stability and improve its functions, so as to provide more convenient services to the public.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) presents the exhibition “Plis & Replis 3－Works by Noël Dolla”, showcasing 32 works by French artist Noël Dolla. As part of Le French May Festival 2016, the exhibition is organized by IC and co-organized by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao, the Alliance Française de Macao and the Bernard Ceysson Gallery, and was inaugurated on Friday, 24 June, at 6:30pm, at Tap Seac Gallery. The Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Chan Peng Fai; the Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao S.A.R., Zhao Chuandong; the Deputy Director of the Department of Public Diplomacy and Information of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao S.A.R., Li Xiaoquan; the Director of the Committee of the Alliance Française de Macao, Xavier Garnier; the Representative of the Bernard Ceysson Gallery, François Ceysson; the Artist of the exhibition, Noël Dolla and one of the curator of the exhibition Élodie Antoine attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Noël Dolla is the youngest member of the Supports/Surfaces group. In the early 1960s, he participated in the process that led the new phase of the avant-garde art movement. Breaking with the traditional form of the picture, his works were then made of mundane materials, discarding the usual materials and structures and using abstract painting to represent his reflexions and studies on the essence of painting. This exhibition features Noël Dolla’s works over 40 years of his creative career. His works from 1960s to the present feature a unique and diverse style, which inspire the audience to reflect. The exhibition also comprises photographs of a wide array of works exhibited by Noël Dolla around the world, thereby hoping to introduce to the public the painter’s diversity of works and creative ideals as well as share the vitality and creative thinking of this French artist. In addition, Noël Dolla made special on-site creation at Tap Seac Gallery, and thus creating an inspiring artistic experience for the exhibition. The organizer hopes this exhibition can show the rich and varied fruits of French art. The exhibition “Plis & Replis 3－Works by Noël Dolla” is held from 25 June to 9 October, at Tap Seac Gallery, located at No. 95, Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida. Admission is free. The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 9pm. Admission is free.
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The Government is paying close attention to the latest developments, following the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union. The Government has initiated a response mechanism to address any possible economic impact of this event on Macao. The Government expects only a limited impact on Macao regarding the consequences of the referendum held yesterday (Thursday) on the U.K.’s membership of the E.U. In particular, Macao holds only a small amount of sterling (British pounds) in the city’s portfolio of foreign currency reserves: only 0.35 percent of Macao’s 150.5 billion patacas (18.8 billion U.S. dollars) in foreign currency reserves is held in sterling. Macao has little direct trade with the U.K.; furthermore, the city’s economy is unlikely to be greatly affected in direct terms by changes in stock markets that are responsive to conditions in the U.K. The Government would take all necessary measures in order to ensure the stability of Macao’s economy and finances, said today the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac. Mr Leong also today visited the headquarters of the Macao Monetary Authority. This was in order to gain a better understanding on Macao’s arrangements and strategy for minimising any economic risk to the city stemming from external events. Mr Leong has briefed the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, on Macao’s arrangements regarding this issue. Macao’s sound public finances, well-established fiscal reserve system, stable linked exchange rate system, and healthy financial system enable the Government to cope with volatility in international markets. As of April, Macao had an estimated fiscal reserve of 436.22 billion patacas. This figure does not include the 29.29 billion patacas surplus from the fiscal year of 2015. The Government is closely monitoring updates in the international economy, in order to update – in a timely manner – its investment portfolio. Members of the public are urged to pay extra attention in the near future regarding risk management, in particular when investing in stock markets.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in June on 24 June 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), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. 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 seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 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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Consumer Council gave talk on consumer protection to the Deaf Service Centre. Related consumers laws, rights and interests of consumers were introduced to enhance consumers’ self-protection during consumption. Consumer Council conducts different kinds of promotion, especially specific talks on consumer protection to the elderly and children, to educate consumers. 11 talks have been held in this first-half year, including talks given to the Deaf Service Centre, Elderly Service Centre, and Caritas Library, to let consumers know their rights and obligations, services of Consumer Arbitration Centre, prevention on risky prepayment consumption, and other latest consumer alerts, etc.. The Council hopes to enhance consumers’ awareness in high-risk consumption, and let them know how to exercise their rights properly. 17 talks were held last year by the Council for over 1,000 consumers. For enquiry, please call 8988 7316.
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To be in line with the policy objectives of the Macao SAR Government focusing on the promotion of the development of the convention and exhibition industry, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), the government department designated to co-ordinate the development of the MICE industry in Macao, aims in enhancing the professional standard of the industry operators through the organisation of a series of thematic seminars and workshops. Subsequent to the workshop “Bidding for Success” held in late March this year, IPIM has again organised another workshop – “Applying Industry Best Practices to Win Over MICE Business” - which was held at IPIM’s Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC) on 16 June. The workshop was participated by more than 40 representatives including those from local hotel industry, convention and exhibition centres, professional event organisers, destination managers, as well as representatives of MICE-related business associations. The workshop focused on discussing and analysing the demands and expectations of MICE clients, as well as sharing the experience of those convention and exhibition destinations that have successfully bid for the holding of international events in their respective cities. The workshop aimed to enable the participants to have a deeper understanding of the convention and exhibition market, identify and meet the needs of the clients, so as to enhance the competitiveness of local MICE operators, as well as attracting and introducing more MICE-related events to Macao. Many participants felt that the workshop organised by IPIM is useful in strengthening the practical marketing and promotion skills of MICE operators. Furthermore, the workshop served as an opportunity for the operators of the convention and exhibition industry to exchange opinions among themselves. The workshop was conducted by Mr. Mike Williams, IPIM´s consultant in the convention and exhibition area. Mr. Williams has over twenty years of experience in the marketing, promotion and bidding of international events and has provided professional opinions to convention and exhibition agencies in Australia, Japan, South Africa, Malaysia, United States and Eastern Europe on how to develop MICE-related business.
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The Taipa section of the Light Rapid Transit rail system would start operation in 2019, said today the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário. Major construction work for the 9.3-kilometre Taipa section – which will have 11 stations – would be completed by the end of this year, he stated. Mr Rosário said expenses relating to the Taipa section of the Light Rapid Transit system should be no more than 11 billion patacas; with the estimate including fees relating to construction of a depot in Taipa. Mr Rosário made his comments to reporters today after a committee meeting at the Legislative Assembly. The Government would also start analysing how to connect the Taipa section with a station planned for a site near A-Ma Temple on Macao Peninsula. The latter station would also be part of the planned Macao Peninsula section of the Light Rapid Transit system. The Secretary additionally gave more details regarding the section of the Light Rapid Transit system that is due to connect Taipa and Coloane. The two-kilometre route would have stations serving the proposed Islands District Medical Complex and the Seac Pai Van public housing estate, he said. The Secretary further stated the Government was in discussion with the mainland authorities regarding a proposed section of the Light Rapid Transit system that would connect Macao to Hengqin Island, in Zhuhai Prefecture on the mainland.
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The Macao Museum of Art (MAM) under the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao and the Alliance Française de Macao, hold, the exhibition “Auguste Borget: A Painter-Traveller on the South China Coast”, as part of Le French May 2016, which will be inaugurated on Wednesday, 29 June, at 6:30pm, at the Gallery of Special Exhibitions located on the 2nd floor of the Museum. On the inauguration day, the exhibition will be open to the public until 8pm. The exhibition “Auguste Borget: A Painter-Traveller on the South China Coast” allows visitors to have a glimpse of the folk customs of Macao and its surrounding areas in those days through the objective and delicate perspective and concise drawing style of Borget’s documentary works. The exhibition showcases over 120 exhibits collected by cultural entities from Macao, Hong Kong, France and the United Kingdom as well as private collectors, including sketches, watercolours, oil paintings, prints and antique books. French painter and traveller Auguste Borget (1808 - 1877) embarked in October 1836 on a four-year long voyage around the world. In July 1838, Borget arrived in China, visiting Macao, Hong Kong, Guangdong and Fujian provinces. During his stay in China, Borget observed the local customs and documented all he saw and heard with illustrations and text. In an age before photography, his works serve as a precious historical record of the South China coast. The exhibition “Auguste Borget: A Painter-Traveller on the South China Coast” will be held from 30 June to 9 October. All residents and visitors are welcome to witness this example of Sino-French cultural and artistic exchange. The Macao Museum of Art, located at Av. Xian Xing Hai, is open daily from 10am to 7pm (no admittance after 6:30pm; closed on Mondays). Admission fee is MOP5 and is free on Sundays and public holidays. For enquiry, please call MAM through tel. no. 8791 9814 during office hours, or visit www.MAM.gov.mo.
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