News

To celebrate the Macao – Guangdong Joint Stamp Exhibition, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Gallery of Lin Zexu Memorial Museum of Macau at 10:00 to 17:30 on 6th December 2014 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "Macao – Guangdong Joint Stamp Exhibition". 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 total merchandise export for October 2014 amounted to MOP829 million, up by 19% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP658 million) and domestic exports (MOP171 million) rose by 24% and 2% respectively. Total merchandise import was MOP8.14 billion, up by 16% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP7.31 billion. In the first ten months of 2014, total value of merchandise export increased by 9% year-on-year to MOP8.13 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP6.47 billion) increased by 12%, while that of domestic exports (MOP1.66 billion) held stable as in the same period of 2013. Total value of merchandise import grew by 12% to MOP73.14 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP65.01 billion. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP4.76 billion) and the EU (MOP237 million) in the first ten months of 2014 increased by 22% and 3% year-on-year, while export to Mainland China (MOP1.28 billion) and the USA (MOP263 million) decreased by 5% and 13% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles increased by 11% year-on-year to MOP7.47 billion, of which value of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP1.45 billion) and Clocks & watches (MOP708 million) rose by 45% and 69% respectively, but that of Electronic components (MOP550 million) dropped by 35%. Exports of Textiles & garments totalled MOP658 million, down by 8%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP23.80 billion) and the EU (MOP18.29 billion) increased by 11% and 20% year-on-year in the first ten months of 2014. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 11% to MOP46.24 billion, with imports of Food & beverages (MOP9.57 billion) and Watches (MOP6.83 billion) increasing by 23% and 40% respectively. Moreover, imports of Construction materials (MOP2.84 billion) grew by 28%. External merchandise trade reached MOP81.26 billion in the first ten months of 2014, up by 12% compared with MOP72.83 billion a year earlier. NOTE
Further information can be obtained from the Documentation
and Information Centre of the Statistics and Census Service
Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, No. 411 – 417, Dynasty Plaza, 17th floor, Macao
Tel: 8399 5311
Fax: 2830 7825
E-mail: info@dsec.gov.mo
Website: www.dsec.gov.mo
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The Government has announced today the recipients of Decorations, Medal and Certificates of Merit to 50 individuals and organisations in recognition of their achievements, outstanding contributions and distinguished services to the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR). The announcement was made in accordance with the nominations of the Committee of Nomination of Medals and Honorary Titles. 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 MSAR.
The 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 contribution 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
The award ceremony for the recipients will be held in the mid of December.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased by 2.1% year-on-year in real terms, the first negative quarterly growth in five years. Economic downturn in the third quarter was triggered by a substantial fall-back in exports of services, of which continuous decline in exports of gaming services widened further to 12.3% and exports of other tourism services decreased by 0.7%. However, private consumption expenditure and government final consumption expenditure increased by 7.2% and 8.1% respectively, private investment surged by 41.5%, indicating that domestic demand remained vigorous; besides, merchandise exports increased by 11.4%. Economic growth for the first three quarters of 2014 narrowed further to 6.0% in real terms; the implicit deflator of GDP that measures changes in prices increased by 8.9% year-on-year in the third quarter. Steady growth in private consumption expenditure. Full employment of the labour force and soaring manpower needs were conducive to secure growth in total employment and working income, leading private consumption expenditure to increase by 7.2% year-on-year. Household final consumption expenditure in the domestic market and abroad increased by 6.7% and 10.6% respectively. Government final consumption expenditure increased by 8.1% year-on-year. Compensation of employees rose by 2.6%, and net purchases of goods and services increased by 14.2%. Expanding investment lessened magnitude of economic contraction. Gross fixed capital formation, the gauge of investment, continued to expand and rise by 38.1% year-on-year. Construction of the major tourism and gaming facilities was underway, bringing about a 41.5% growth in private investment, with investment in construction and equipment rising by 43.8% and 28.9% respectively. Government investment increased by 5.0%, of which public construction investment expanded by 15.0% but equipment investment shrank by 34.7%. Increase in merchandise trade continued. Merchandise exports grew by 11.4% year-on-year as external demand increased; meanwhile, rising private investment, private consumption expenditure and visitors induced merchandise imports to expand by 12.4% year-on-year. Sluggish service trade as leading cause of downturn. The decline in exports of gaming services deteriorated, slowing further by 12.3% year-on-year; albeit the increase in visitor arrivals, lower visitor spending resulted in a 0.7% decrease in exports of other tourism services. In light of the negative growth posted in exports of gaming services and other tourism services, total exports of services underwent an extensive fall-back and tumbled by 9.9% year-on-year, while imports of services decreased by 17.8%.
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Consumer Council conducted its eighth 'Supermarket price survey' in November on 27 November 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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The Cultural Affairs Bureau will be conducting works for the replacement of the electrical wiring in St. Dominic's Church on 1 and 2 December, 2014. The Church will be temporarily closed during this period while the Treasure of Sacred Art remains open to the public. The church will reopen to the public from 3 December 2014. For enquiries, please contact the Cultural Affairs Bureau through tel. no. 8399 6699 during office hours.
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Eight baby disposable diapers were randomly checked by the Consumer Council, and all samples passed the performance and hygiene tests. Variations in the performance on adsorption speed and surface dryness were found in all tested samples. Details of the report can be found in the latest issue of Consumer Report no.255.
Macao's birth rate has risen in recent years, and the demand for various infant products has increased correspondingly. Out of the infant products, baby diapers are chosen more often. The Council therefore randomly chose 8 baby diapers (size S) and conducted a comparative test on their performance and hygiene condition. With reference to the Chinese national standard on disposable diapers, all tested samples passed the performance test and the microorganism indicator met the standard. Test results on the quality and leakage of the baby diapers did not show a great difference, whereas for the tests on absorption speed and rewet of the diapers, a great difference were found. Details of the comparative test can be found in the issue of Consumer Report no. 255.
The Council suggests that it is not necessary to buy disposable diapers in bulk as there may be a chance for bacteria to grow. Consumers can also consider using eco-friendly, reusable diapers to replace the disposable ones. The consumers associations in the Mainland are reviewing the effectiveness of the "Consumer Protection Law" which was revised in March, 2014. A report featuring the revised "Consumer Protection Law" was reproduced by courtesy of the Consumer Council of the Jiangsu Province and was published in the latest Consumer Report. Using case study method, the report analyzed how consumer rights were protected and it has reference value for the Macao Government as the "Consumer Protection Law" in Macao is now under revision. Issue no. 255 Consumer Report also features details including: information about purchasing properties in the Mainland and problems on international roaming services, etc.. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Consumer Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council's official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in package tour totalled 1,120,000 in October 2014, a surge of 56% year-on-year; visitors from Mainland China soared by 75% to 919,000, with those from Guangdong Province (340,000) increasing by 22%. Visitors from Taiwan (66,000) and the Republic of Korea (39,000) increased by 9% and 12% respectively, while those from Hong Kong (31,000) decreased by 10%. In the first ten months of 2014, visitor arrivals in package tour reached 9,986,000, up by 23% year-on-year. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies were 140,000 in October, up by 13% year-on-year; those travelling in package tour totalled 54,000 and the main destinations were Mainland China (69% of total) and Taiwan (13%). In the first ten months of 2014, outbound residents totalled 1,284,000, up by 8% year-on-year. There were 98 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of October 2014, providing 28,000 guest rooms, up slightly from a year earlier; 5-star hotels accounted for 66% of the total supply, with 18,000 rooms. A total of 863,000 guests checked into hotels and guesthouses in October, up by 4% year-on-year. Guests from Mainland China (557,000) increased by 13%, while those from Hong Kong (98,000) continued to decrease. The average length of stay of guests held stable as October 2013, at 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses increased by 3 percentage points year-on-year to 86%, with both 4-star and 5-star hotels leading at 87%. In the first ten months of 2014, hotel guests totalled 8,929,000, up by 1% year-on-year; the average occupancy rate stood at 86%, an increase of 4 percentage points. In the first ten months of 2014, visitor-guests accounted for 69% of the total overnight visitors, down by 1 percentage point year-on-year.
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A carnival featuring the services of the Consumer Arbitration Centre will be held by the Consumer Council on 29th November at 3.00pm at Jardim Vasco da Gama. Booth games, legal counselling services on consumer arbitration and information about the Consumer Arbitration Centre will be exhibited during the event. Since the establishment of the Consumer Arbitration Centre in 1998, the Centre has resolved the disputes by way of "Mediation First, Arbitration Next", and disputes have been settled efficiently through this mechanism. The Centre helps ease the tensions between the disputants and thus saving time and social costs. The Consumer Council conducted a consumer satisfaction survey on the services of the Consumer Arbitration Centre earlier and interviewed consumers and businesses that have used the Centre's service. The interviewees indicated that they were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the service and efficiency of the Centre. In recent years, more and more consumers seek to resolve the disputes through the Centre, and a total of 520 cases are being handled by the Centre by the third quarter of 2014. The Consumer Council has held community carnivals in recent years to promote the Regulations and services of the Centre, and introduced to the general public the advantages of using the Centre's service: legal, fair, professional, efficient and free of charge. The Consumer Council states that the promotion over the years has enhanced the public's awareness of the Centre.
The carnival will be held on 29th November at 3.00pm at Jardim Vasco da Gama, and citizens are welcome to participate. Besides booth games, exhibition, quiz games and legal counselling services on consumer arbitration, the Council will be introducing the "Supermarket Price Information Platform" service and citizens can download the "Supermarket Price Information Platform" mobile phone apps for price comparison of products when making purchases at supermarkets. Three other community carnivals will be held on 6th, 13th and 27th December at Parque Dr. Carlos D' Assumpção, Jardim de Luis de Camões and Zona de Lazer Rua Quatro do Bairro Iao Hon respectively. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that both the unemployment rate (1.7%) and the underemployment rate (0.3%) for August-October 2014 held stable as July-September. Total labour force reached 401,300 and the labour force participation rate increased to 74.2%. Total employment was 394,400, an increase of 2,300 from July-September. Analysed by industry, employment in Gaming rose by 3,100 to 84,600. Number of the unemployed was 6,900, up slightly by 300 from July-September; fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job accounted for 26.0% of the total unemployed, down by 0.6 percentage points. In comparison with August-October 2013, the labour force participation rate increased by 1.0 percentage point, while the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 0.2 and 0.1 percentage points respectively.
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