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Hosted by the Macao SAR Government, coordinated by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA), the 2015 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2015MIECF) will be held at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from 26th to 28th March 2015.
The 8th Edition of MIECF has adopted the theme "Green Economy – Solutions for Clean Air", advocating "Thinking Green, Going Clean, Living Cool". The event will feature green solutions in Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Green Building, Green Mobility, Waste and Water Management Solutions, Environmental Services, Air Quality and other environmental goods and services.
In 2014MIECF, the event received the strong support of 50 government departments from different countries and regions, regional and international associations, institutions and trade associations, with over 6,300 professional visitors from 43 countries and regions. 436 entities and enterprises exhibited on a floor area exceeding 16,900 sqm. Meanwhile, 787 business matching sessions were arranged and 26 projects were signed on-site during the 3-day event. As the annual green economic and trade platform for the environmental industry and to encourage more Macao SMEs to take part in the event, the Organizers will provide a maximum of 60% financial subsidies to eligible Macao SMEs. It is hoped that by getting the active involvement of SMEs in various activities, the technology exchange and co-operation among local environmental industry, the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region and international markets will be enhanced through Macao, acting as a green business platform.
Companies intending to apply for the SME exhibition subsidy should meet the following criteria: At least 50% of the company shareholders are Macao residents or wholly-owned Macao enterprises, the relevant companies should be registered with the Macao Finance Services Bureau (DSF) for at least 2 years and have fulfilled tax obligations. Booths will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and the Organizers reserve the right to select eligible exhibitors. The deadline for the application is 19th December 2014.
Besides, the "Green Bazaar" section will be continually held at the exhibition on the "Green Public Day", the last day of 2015MIECF, when exhibition and retail sale of environmental products will take place. Qualified Macao companies are welcome to apply as exhibitors in the Green Bazaar, to showcase and sell environmentally friendly and water conservation products such as electrical appliances, office supplies, cleaning products, household articles or other consumer products made of recycled or natural materials. The Green Bazaar differs from the ordinary exhibition in that it is a tabletop display. The Green Bazaar also welcomes applications from non-Macao companies. The exhibition fee is only MOP1,000 for local companies and MOP2,000 for non-Macao companies. The Organizers hope that this activity will enhance citizens' awareness in the purchasing of eco-friendly products. All applicants for the Green Bazaar must provide a description on all products to be displayed and sold during the exhibition. They must also provide relevant details to prove that such products meet the environmental criteria set by the Organizers. The application deadline is 30th January 2015. Due to the limited number of booths, the Organizers will also reserve the right to select eligible exhibitors.
Relevant application forms are available as from today at MIECF's official website and at IPIM's Macao Business Support Center (Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, 263, China Civil Plaza Building, 19th Floor, Macao). Registration and enquiry hotline: 8798 9605, website: www.macaomiecf.com.
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Fifty outstanding individuals and entities were presented with honours today for their contribution to Macao and dedication to community service. Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On presented the honours at the annual presentation ceremony, held at the Cultural Centre. The awards are Decorations of Honour, including the Decoration of Honour - Grand Lotus, the Decoration of Honour - Golden Lotus and the Decoration of Honour - Silver Lotus, are awarded to individuals or entities that have made outstanding contributions to the image and reputation of the Macao Special Administration Region. This year's recipients are: Decoration of Honour - Golden Lotus Vitor Ng Decoration of Honour - Silver Lotus Chio Ngan Ieng Seven types of Medals of Merit are awarded for: 1. Professions; 2. Industry and Commerce; 3. Tourism; 4. Education; 5. Culture; 6. Philanthropy; and 7. Sport. Each of these categories is awarded to individuals or entities that have make major or excellent contributions in their respective fields. The recipients are: Medal of Merit – Professions Liu Chung Laung João Augusto da Rosa Mário Alberto de Brito Lima Évora Medal of Merit – Industry and Commerce Ung Choi Kun Ip Kai Ming Un Chong San Kevin Ho King Lun Medal of Merit – Tourism Air Macau Co, Ltd. Hoi Man Pak Lao Nga Wong Future Bright Holdings Limited Medal of Merit – Education Tse Chi Wai Vu Hon In Hoi Soi Kuai Tam Wai Chan Medal of Merit – Culture Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. (TDM) Lao Hua Ricardo Jorge Fonseca de Almeida Pinto Lio Kuok Man Medal of Merit – Philanthropy Medical team of General Medicine Division and Day Hospital of the Conde S. Januario Hospital of the Health Bureau Arlene Trant Maria Isabel Gomes dos Santos Marreiros Medal of Merit – Sport Pun Keng Man Sam Kei Medals for Distinguished Services are awarded to public entities, organisations or their staffs for outstanding performance of their duties or community service. The recipients are: Medal for Distinguished Service - Medal for Bravery Drug Criminal Cases Investigation Division of the Judiciary Police Rescuers of Operations and Ambulance Division of the Fire Services Bureau Medal for Distinguished Service - Medal for Dedication José Chu Chan Wai Pan Fong Iek Seng Au Ning Kin Leong Kok Kin Medal for Distinguished Service - Medal for Community Service Lam Sut Peng Chan Sun Tao Pau Soi Ieng Certificates of Merit including the Honorific Title - Prestige and the Honorific Title – Merit, commend Macao SAR residents or others who have made major contributions to the reputation, development or social progress of the Macao SAR. The recipients are: Honorific Title - Prestige Li Pak Ho Honorific Title - Merit Choi Sut Ian Chao Man Hou Macau Diving Team Li Yi Huang Junhua Cheung Pui Si Paula Cristina Pereira Carion Liu Qing Wang Junnan Chan Ian Weng Lo Kin Ian Cheong Wai Hang Chao Koi Wang
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP127.9 billion (USD16.02 billion) at the end of November 2014. The reserves decreased by 0.7% from the revised value of MOP128.8 billion (USD16.12 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-November 2014 represented 12 times the currency in circulation or 102.8% of Pataca M2 at end-October 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 1.17 points month-to-month and 3.71 points year-on-year to 100.64 in November 2014.
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Organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), the "Parade through Macau, Latin City", in celebration of the 15th Anniversary of Macao's Handover to China, took place on December 14, beginning at the Ruins of St. Paul with the opening ceremony "Launch into Space". The Parade gathered the best local and foreign artists, in a total of over two Thousand artists that performed in streets filled with Latin charm, cheerfully singing and dancing through St. Lazarus' Quarter up to Tap Seac Square for the grand joint performance "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration", allowing the whole city to participate and celebrate the occasion of the anniversary of Macao's handover to China. It attracted viewership of over eighty thousand including the audience present at the parade, those who watched the live televised broadcast and the simulcast on several outdoor screens at various locations.
The "Parade through Macau, Latin City" is themed around "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration", sharing the idea of "An Annual Celebration for the Whole City - VIVA". This edition featured more than 50 local and foreign performing groups, in a total of over two thousand people that joined VIVA in a fantastic journey of discovery and exploration of live. Officiating the opening ceremony were Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau S.A.R. Government, Cheong U; Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Sun Da; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Hu Zhengyue; Consul General of the Republic of Cuba in Guangzhou, Félix Raúl Rojas Cruz; Consul General of the Republic of Ecuador in Guangzhou, Mariella Molina; Consul General of Spain in Hong Kong, Juan Manuel López-Nadal, and the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Ung Vai Meng. "Interstellar Journey" celebrates handover; city participates in collective joy The Parade began at 4pm with the opening ceremony "Interstellar Journey", featuring Spanish group Cal y Canto Teatro's kites, a symbol of aliens coming to Earth, and the rhythm of bell sounds by the Macao Handbells Association, sending energy and enthusiasm onto space, while the VIVAs celebrated the handover together with the artists and the crowd. Dressed-up groups arrived one by one, wearing cheerful clothes full of Latin charm and carrying extraordinary balloons that resembled sea creatures, revealing their skills at the Ruins of St. Paul, setting off this party in space. This edition told the tale of a party in space, describing the story of the birth of alien life in a faraway galaxy that spreads the ancient and unique Latin culture, but whose world, due to the impact of the quick technological development, has lost colour and shine. Luckily, on Earth, VIVA, the Parade's mascot, launches the power of "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration" onto space, helping the culture of alien life recovers its colours and prolonging joy, to the world's jubilation.
Along the Parade's route an array of performances took place, including colourful face painting offered to the audience, at Largo de Santo António, Rua de Sanches de Miranda and Calçada da Igreja de São Lázaro, by the hand of participants in the previously held "Face Painting Workshop", given by Hong Kong and Macao stage make-up artists, Sunny Chan Ming Long. Several groups gave excellent performances throughout the Parade's route, exciting and allowing the public to fully participate in this festive occasion and creating a joyful atmosphere in all streets and alleys. Closing Ceremony "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration"; extraordinary feast of joy Participating groups presented at Tap Seac Square, at 6pm, the closing joint performance "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration". One by one, the groups took to the stage, hypnotising the audience with seven successive performances and earning an enthusiastic response from the public. The closing ceremony features a stage fitted with a spaceship-shaped raising platform, highlighting the sense of space and strengthening the interactivity between dancers and multimedia. Song and dance under dazzling lights spread throughout the venue, allowing all present to feel up in the space. Also in this ceremony, multimedia images of the "Silk Maritime Road" took the audience through a time tunnel, taking as theme for several ballets the concepts of "light", "shadow dances" and "electrodes", with one hundred dancers dressed as aliens and, with the help of VIVA, collecting the whole city's power of "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration" and sending it onto space, helping the planet recover its colour and putting back a smile on the aliens' faces. Tap Seac Square also featured sea creatures' balloons as well as a two-headed twenty metres-long dragon, a spectacular sight that earned the audience's applause. In the evening, participating groups took part in a banquet offered by the Tourist Office, celebrating the success of the Parade. Remarkable local groups perform abroad; favourable reviews of promotional events Present at the Parade were groups from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Italy, Panama, Venezuela, France and Spain, among other countries and regions, the groups including Group Folklore Sun Argentina, Latin Group, French Les Monts Rieurs and Plasticiens Volants, Spanish Batucada Villa Pipol, from the Canary Islands, and Teatro Cal y Canto as well as Indonesian Red Batik Solo Community. Mainland China was represented by Maogusi dances of the Tujia ethnic group, from Hong Kong came Happy Clowns and Fantasy Puppet Theatre, with further performances by the Formosa Indigenous Song & Dance Troupe and over 40 groups from Macao. Local groups that stood out in this edition of the Parade will have to chance to perform abroad next year with the support of the organisation and promote Macao's cultural characteristics. The "Parade through Macao, Latin City" is the biggest outdoor event in celebration of Macao's handover to China. This year, the organisation prepared several promotion activities for the event, namely the "Press Conference on the Parade through Macao, Latin City – VIVA Launch into Space", a Parade Promotion Day and leaflets on the theme of alien life specially commissioned to local illustrators. It also invited local musicians to compose the event's music theme, mobilised VIVA Ambassadors to provide services to the event, organised a photography contest open to all, promoted the Parade in the areas included in the Parade route and raised tourists' enthusiastic support, received support of Air Macau in the promotion of the Facebook game "Find VIVA and win airplane tickets" , which attracted nearly 4,000 participants joining the game, and established cooperation with several television channels for the broadcast of special programmes to promote the event, among others, capturing the attention of the whole city. In order to spread and promote the festive atmosphere of the Parade, on the event day, CCTV-13 and CCTV-NEWS live broadcasted the Parade on their special programme, taking the joyous occasion to other parts of the world. Likewise, screens for live broadcast were set up outdoors at Senado Square, Rotunda de Carlos da Maia, Areia Preta Garden and Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, among other places. A TDM – Teledifusão de Macau S.A. broadcast the Parade live on its Chinese and Portuguese channels on December 14, from 4 to 7pm, and on TDM HD from 4 to 7.30pm. Hong Kong's TVB channel transmitted, on December 12, at 7.30pm, on the programme "Scoop", a foretaste of the Parade, and, on December 20 at 3.30pm-4pm, it will broadcast a Parade Special Programme, taking even further the city's celebrations of Macao's handover to China. The "Parade through Macao, Latin City" was organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and co-organised by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Macao Government Tourist Office, the Public Security Police Force, the Transport Bureau, the Fire Services Bureau, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of Macao and the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange between Asia-Pacific and Latin America. It was also supported by various organisations, including the Macao General Union of Neighbourhood Associations, the Macao Sam Pa Mun Residents Mutual Aid Association, the Macao Soi Ho Cheok Residents Mutual Aid Association, as well as VIVA Ambassadors supporters, namely the Recreation Club of the Bank of China – Macao Branch, the Macao Community Youth Volunteers Development Association, the General Volunteers Association of Macao and the Association of Social Service Volunteers Macao. This edition of the Parade also received full support of Companhia de Transportes Aéreos Air Macau, S.A.R.L. TDM – Teledifusão de Macau S.A. did the live broadcast.
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Secretary General of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of Central Military Commission, Mr Xi Jinping, will make a two-day visit (19 and 20 December) to Macao to attend 15th anniversary celebrations of Macao's return to the motherland and inauguration ceremony of the fourth-term Macao Special Administrative Region Government.
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IFT hosted The 7th International Conference on Services Management (ICSM-7) from 10 to 12 December 2014 with co-organisers Oxford School of Hospitality Management, Oxford Brookes University, UK, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA, and the Institute for International Management and Technology (IIMT), India. Previously, the ICSM has been held in Oxford, UK, New Delhi, India, Pennsylvania, USA, and Cyprus. During the opening session of the Conference, Prof. Levent Altinay from the Oxford Brookes University and Prof. Leonardo (Don) A. N. Dioko from IFT Tourism Research Centre (ITRC) welcomed all the participants as the Co-Chair and Convenor, respectively, of the Conference. Knowing the critical significance of service and its effective planning, delivery, management and marketing in the world's economy and also the city of Macao as one of the world's fastest growing tourism destination, the ICSM-7, themed Managing and Delivering Services in the Asian Century, gathered managers from the world's service management industry, service marketing and management scholars, researchers, educators and trainers to discuss and share research and ideas on the dramatic change of Asian consumers' service demand and fundamentals of services capes given by their vibrant economies. Keynote speakers included Mr. Po Chung, Hong Kong Institute of Service Leadership and Management (HKI-SLAM), Hong Kong, Prof. Charles Martin of Wichita State University, US, Prof. Noel Scott from Griffith University, Australia, Dr. Richard Teare of the Global University of Lifelong Learning as well as Prof. Dianne Welsh of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Besides, a cultural session was held on the last day of the conference series for the conference participants to join. Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage of IFT David Wong demonstrated the special ingredients and techniques of Macanese cuisine, to enable participants to experience the culture of Macao. Founded in March 2005, the ICSM conferences series has become one of the prominent platforms for both academics and practitioners from worldwide to transfer knowledge in the area of services management. It has attracted a growing and very loyal following among its regular participants, which includes scholars, postgraduate students as well as industry practitioners in services management. Through organising and participating in international conferences, ITRC of IFT plays a more active role in fostering research locally and internationally. Its collaboration with other universities helps bring attention to the most relevant issues about tourism related developments as well as benefit the tourism development of Macao in the long run.
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The winners of the "Macau Grand Prix Promotion Game Design competition" were announced after evaluation by a panel of judges, which was followed by a prize giving ceremony held on December 12. The competition was hosted by the Macau Grand Prix Committee in cooperation with the Tertiary Education Services Office, with two prizes of MOP10,000 each and a trophy awarded. The prize giving ceremony was held at 17:00 at Grand Prix Building, with the prizes presented by the Coordinator of the Committee, Engineer João Manuel Costa Antunes, and representative from GAES, Ms. Hong Wai Man, in the presence of the panel of judges. The Committee saw 10 works presented, which were evaluated based on the themes of concept, creativity and operability of the games. The two winners were Ms. Chan Mei Kei from the University of Macau and Ms. Chan Ka Weng from the Institute of Tourism Studies. The winning entry from Chan Mei Kei is called "Smart & Endurance – Marathon on the Guia Circuit". With questions and answers at different positions on the Guia Circuit, the game combines the International Marathon with the Macau Grand Prix race track with the aim of strengthening awareness of the event as players try to win from the clues provided. The winning game from Chan Ka Weng requires the players dressing up as vehicles designed by themselves, with the fastest runner winning. Chan Ka Kei sees the Macau Grand Prix as a major event, attracting many competitors. However, not everybody has the chance to race there, so the idea of players dressed up as vehicles is another way to take part in the battle of competition, and to experience first-hand the excitement and atmosphere of the Grand Prix. The competition was developed to encourage greater local participation in the Grand Prix. The participation of the tertiary students has illustrated their creativity in promoting awareness of the Macau Grand Prix.
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Consumer Council conducted its third 'Supermarket price survey' in December on 11 December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 13 supermarkets in Taipa and Coloane area. 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 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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Organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, in cooperation with other governmental departments and civil entities, pursuant to the "Parade through Macao, Latin City" in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Macao's Handover to China, a worship ceremony took place on 11 December at St. Paul's Ruins, at the Largo da Companhia de Jesus, including a lion dance performance and attracting citizens as well as tourists with its lively atmosphere. Present in the worship ceremony were President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Leong Lai, Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Services Bureau, Leong Iok Sam, President of the Board of the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange between Asia-Pacific and Latin America, Gary Ngai, Chair of the Board of Directors of Air Macau Co, Ltd., Zheng Yan, Representative of President of the Executive Committee of TDM and Acting Director of the Chinese Programming Division of TDM, Ltd., Lok Kong
This year, the Parade will be held on 14 December. In order to express wishes for a successful event, staff from the organization in charge of the event, representatives of cooperating entities and participating groups were present at a worship ceremony. This edition of the Parade will start at 4pm on 14 December with "Launch into Space", closing at Tap Seac Square with the ceremony "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration" at 6pm. It tells the tale of a party in space, describing the story of the birth of alien life in a faraway galaxy that spreads the ancient and unique Latin culture, but whose world, due to the impact of the quick technological development, has lost colour and glow. VIVA launches the power of "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration" onto space, helping the alien culture recover its colours and prolonging joy, to the world's jubilation.
One of the Parade's highlights, "Latin Face Painting" will be available at Largo de Santo António, Rua de Sanches de Miranda and Calçada da Igreja de São Lázaro from 3.30 pm, offering colourful face painting and giving the audience the possibility to become a part of the procession. The public can enter the event area in advance and participate in Macao's biggest and most colourful outdoor event in celebration of the handover. A Facebook game on the event named "Where is VIVA" – Win Plane Tickets" was also especially created, giving participants a chance to win roundtrip plane tickets for a destiny of their choice sponsored by Air Macau (there will be two winners). For more information please access the Parade's Facebook page. This edition of the "Parade through Macao, Latin City" receives the support of several governmental departments and entities. The Parade route includes first-aid stations, service centres (souvenirs/information), etc., and streets on the parade route will be temporarily closed to traffic on the day of the Parade. For more information, please access the event's website at www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade or its Facebook page.
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The "Parade through Macao, Latin City", organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), will be held on 14 December in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Macao's handover to China. To facilitate public involvement and enjoyment, the organiser is announcing several arrangements including traffic/street special measures and a set of instructions for the public's easy circulation. The Parade Opening Ceremony will take place at the Ruins of St. Paul's on 14 December, at 4:00pm,. From here, the parade will proceed to Rua de S. Paulo, Largo de Santo António, and winding its way past Largo da Companhia, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, Rua dos Artilheiros, Rua de Sanches de Miranda, Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro, the Old Ladies' House (Albergue), Rua de S. Roque, Rua Nova de S. Lázaro, Adro de S. Lázaro, Rua do Volong, Rua do Tap Siac and Rua de Afonso de Albuquerque, culminating in a grand closing ceremony at Tap Seac Square,which will end at 7:30pm. The Parade general rehearsal will be held from 9:00pm to 11:30pm on the night of 13 December. On the days of the Parade and general rehearsal, traffic/street special measures will be implemented as follows: 1) Prior to 9:00am on 13 December, all tour buses must be driven away from the parking areas of Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro; 2) From 9:00pm to 11:00pm on the night of 13 December, traffic will be limited along the parade route; 3) From 9:00am December 13 to 8:00pm on 14 December, parking meters along the parade route will be off service; 4) Lastly, from 1:00pm to 5:30pm on 14 December, temporary closures will be implemented on Rua de S. Paulo, Rua de Santo António, Largo de Santo António, Largo da Companhia, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro and Rua dos Artilheiros, and vehicles parked in the above-mentioned locations are not allowed to move. Instructions for the public on the day of the Parade, 14 December: The members of the public who wish to watch the Parade Opening Ceremony at the Ruins of St. Paul's can enter the audience area from Calçada de S. Paulo and Rua de S. Paulo. From 1:30pm, the entry of Rua de S. Paulo will be under crowd control, while the entries and exits of Calçada de S. Paulo and Rua de S. Paulo will be closed at 2:30pm onward; when the audience area is full, entry will not be allowed. Also, starting from 4:00pm, Tap Seac Square will have restricted access, so the members of the public who want to watch the Parade Closing Ceremony at the Square can access the site from the entries at Avenida de Sidónio Pais (near Hotel Estoril e Piscina Municipal), Rua de Afonso de Albuquerque and Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida (in the direction of Tap Seac Square). Furthermore, to enhance the festive atmosphere and public participation, IC will distribute Parade-themed souvenirs to spread the joy across the city.The audience can get souvenirs, after 1:30pm on the parade day, from the Cultural Affairs Bureau Service Stations, respectively at Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, St. Lazarus' Church and forecourt, near the Art Exhibition Pavilion for The Youth at Tap Seac Square and outside the Macau Central Library at Tap Seac Square. For details, please visit the Parade website http://www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade/4/en/ and facebook page.
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