News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 3,070 building units and parking spaces were purchased and sold at MOP18.39 billion in the third quarter of 2014 as per Stamp Duty record, down by 26% and 37% respectively quarter-to-quarter. Purchase and sale of residential units totalled 1,769 at MOP11.42 billion, down by 28% and 35% respectively quarter-to-quarter; total value of pre-sale residential units (253) and existing residential units (1,516) amounted to MOP2.72 billion and MOP8.70 billion respectively. The average price of residential units decreased by 10% quarter-to-quarter to MOP100,024 per square metre of usable area, attributable to a 22% decline in the average price of pre-sale residential units (MOP144,086). Analysed by district, many of the pre-sale residential units purchased and sold were in Coloane (99), Novos Aterros da Areia Preta (NATAP) (37) and NAPE & Aterros da Baía da Praia Grande (31), and the average price was MOP134,868, MOP131,264 and MOP192,629 respectively per square metre. The average price of existing residential units increased by 5% quarter-to-quarter to MOP91,251 per square metre; the average price of those in Coloane soared by 23% to MOP83,692 per square metre. Analysed by district, many of these units purchased and sold were in Baixa da Taipa (162), NATAP (157) and Areia Preta & Iao Hon (153), and the average price was MOP99,031, MOP102,288 and MOP75,871 respectively per square metre. Analysed by year of completion, there were 884 residential units built more than 20 years ago (117 in Areia Preta & Iao Hon, 100 in Barca) and the average price was MOP72,567 per square metre, up by 8% quarter-to-quarter. For the 413 residential units completed between 11 to 20 years ago (92 in Baixa da Taipa, 67 in NATAP), the average price increased by 12% quarter-to-quarter, at MOP90,772 per square metre. The average price of the 123 residential units completed within 5 years or less (26 in NATAP, 20 in NAPE & Aterros da Baía da Praia Grande) decreased by 4%, at MOP135,298 per square metre. Analysed by usable floor area, there were 794 residential units having a floor area of 50.0 to 99.9 square metres, and the average price fell by 10% quarter-to-quarter to MOP94,551 per square metre. Among the 691 small-sized residential units having a floor area of less than 50 square metres, the proportion of pre-sale residential units transacted decreased from 29% in the previous quarter to 8%, causing the average price to drop by 30% to MOP89,028 per square metre. The average price of office units and industrial units was MOP132,380 and MOP60,407 per square metre, up by 11% and 3% respectively quarter-to-quarter. In the third quarter of 2014, there were 2,984 real estate sale contracts signed, involving 3,005 properties, down by 27% quarter-to-quarter; meanwhile, 3,772 mortgage contracts were signed, involving 14,550 properties, up notably by 71%. As regards construction in the private sector, gross floor area of construction of new buildings in the third quarter totalled 502,034 square metres, providing 91 units upon completion. Meanwhile, gross floor area of buildings completed totalled 7,508 square metres, altogether providing 40 units.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and delegates of local travel trade are joining the China International Travel Mart (CITM) inaugurated in Shanghai today (14 November) to enhance their connections with tourism industry partners from the Mainland and overseas along with the opportunity to promote Macau as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. The three-day CITM 2014 is held in Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 14 to 16 November. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Head of Destination Marketing Department Betty Fok and other team members are taking part in the event together with nearly 30 travel trade delegates on behalf of 14 local enterprises ranging from hotels, travel agencies, airlines to ferry operators. MGTO runs a 140-square-meter booth under the theme "Touching Moments, Experience Macau" to showcase a diversity of tourism products, events and festivals Macau offers. The booth not only exhibits the destination's newest face but also introduces the Historic Centre of Macau as a World Heritage site and the "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" themed walking tour routes. Macau trade delegates are present to discuss business opportunities with their counterparts from different parts of the world and give out promotional leaflets to Mainland citizens. Through the exhibition, MGTO is hoping to give members of travel trade from different destinations and Mainland citizens an update on Macau's latest development besides its endeavor to promote the city as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. The team also strives to encourage more visitors to come and experience Macau's unique cultural gems of East and West along with various fascinating tourism products around town. Being one of the largest travel marts in Asia, China International Travel Mart is an event jointly organized by China National Tourism Administration, Civil Aviation Administration of China and Shanghai Municipal People's Government. As a key platform for the tourism industry, CITM enables Macau travel trade to promote and sell local tourism products to their counterparts from Mainland China and across the globe.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) decreased in September 2014. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New lending approved In September 2014, new RMLs approved by Macao banks dropped 9.8% month-to-month to MOP4.6 billion; of which, 96.4% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents and non-resident decreased 5.9% and 57.4% respectively. When compared with the same period of 2013, new approvals of RMLs witnessed decrease of 0.8%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) decreased by 13.1% month-to-month to MOP1.2 billion. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 93.5% of the total, decreased 12.5%. Nevertheless, attributable to the lower base for comparison after the implementation of the Legal Regime for Title Transfer of Buildings Under Construction in June 2013, new RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units expanded 1,426.7% year-on-year. New CRELs decreased by 56.2% month-to-month to MOP4.8 billion; of which, 90.1% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents deceased 59.7% while non-residents increased 104.8%. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs grew by 43.6%. Outstanding balances As at end-September 2014, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP146.8 billion, an increase of 1.9% from one month earlier or 29.8% from a year ago. The resident component made up 94.0% of the total. Compared to end-August 2014, outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents grew 1.9% and 2.5% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased 3.6% from end-August 2014 and was up 42.4% from end-September 2013 to MOP115.6 billion. Residents accounted for 90.9% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and to non-residents grew 3.8% and 1.0% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of September 2014, the delinquency ratio for RMLs reached 0.07%, up 0.01 percentage point from a month ago and 0.03 percentage points from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs was 0.08%, up 0.01 percentage point from a month ago and 0.04 percentage points from end-September 2013.
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The Suncity Group 61st Macau Grand Prix will pay a special tribute to the hard work, passion and expertise of the local residents who have made the event such a resounding international success by staging a special parade on Sunday, November 16th, just prior to the start of the Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix. The parade will be made up of some of the countless Macau residents and the vehicles which each year ensure the Grand Prix is staged to the highest standards, and will be the event's own special celebration to mark 15 years since the establishment of the Macau SAR. The special event has been organised to thank Macau residents for their invaluable support of the Grand Prix. Leading the convoy of 60 vehicles will be one of the two Safety Cars used during the Grand Prix. Behind them will be a flotilla made up of; nine Macau Traffic Police Department motorcycles; a car each from the Public Security Police Force and the Macau Judiciary Police; one Medical Car; five Rescue vehicles; three Officials vehicles; five Extrication cars; five ambulances; six fire fighting vehicles; six Recovery vehicles; two Track Repair vehicles. Next will be around 100 of the Grand Prix's superb marshals, riding their own scooters. These will be followed by 15 special cars which symbolize the decade and a half of the Macau SAR, driven by race officials and support staff, with the parade culminating with the second Safety Car taking up the rear. Subject to programme changes, the special event is scheduled to begin at 13:45, with the parade moving from 'R' Bend, past the Grandstands and down towards Lisboa Bend, to thank both the spectators in Macau and those watching on TV, and vividly demonstrating the spirit of the people of Macau. The parade will give an unprecedented view of the impressive force and team spirit behind Macau's biggest annual international sporting event, which has won both the city and its residents resounding global acclaim.
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The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presents the concert "Flourishing Arts", part of the Music for All Concert Series, on Saturday, 15 November, at 8pm, at St. Dominic's Church. Under the baton of Assistant Conductor Francis Kan, the Orchestra is joined on stage by winners of the 32nd Macao Young Musicians Competition, junior local musicians and the winner of the 4th Hong Kong International Violin Competition, all specially invited for this occasion. Admission is made with free ticket. Tickets will be distributed at the concert venue one hour before the performance on a first come, first served basis, and are limited to two tickets per person. The "Flourishing Arts" Concert is part of OM's art education concert series. The Orchestra annually invites talented winners of local music competitions to join the ensemble and other young musicians in concert. This concert will feature the winner of the 32nd Macao Young Musicians Competition in the categories of String Concerto – Advanced Level and Viola Solo – Advanced Level, Tseng Tik Yan, and the winner of the Vocal Solo category – Advanced Level, of the same competition, Wong Keng Chi, both of whom saw their exceptional performance techniques and musical talent recognised. These musicians will perform Franz Anton Hoffmeister's Viola Concerto in D major, and Mozart's "Dalla sua pace la mia dipende" from Don Giovanni, K. 527, respectively. Also taking to the stage will be OM's Assistant Concertmaster, Melody Wang, and violist Ho Ieong Cheng, currently attending the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, who will perform the 1st movement of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 364 (320d). In the second half of the concert, 14-year-old music prodigy and violinist Lin Ruifeng, winner of the 4th Hong Kong International Violin Competition, will perform Henryk Wieniawski's Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22. The venue for OM's concert "Triple Concerto", to be held on 14 December, has changed and the concert will now be performed at the Macao Tower Auditorium. Ticket holders can exchange or return their tickets from today until 14 December at all Macau Ticketing Network outlets. Tickets for this concert are available in limited numbers and interested patrons should purchase their tickets as soon as possible. For more information, please contact OM through tel. no. 2853 0782, or the Macau Ticketing Network on tel. no. 2855 5555. For detailed information and the programme of these concerts, please visit OM's website: www.icm.gov.mo/om.
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Consumer Council conducted its fourth 'Supermarket price survey' in November on 12 November 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 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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With regard to recent queries relating to gaming sponsorship, all competition vehicle liveries must comply with prevailing Macau legislation, in particular the provisions of law no.7/89/M relating to advertising.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP128.8 billion (USD16.12 billion) at the end of October 2014. The reserves decreased by 0.3% from the revised value of MOP129.2 billion (USD16.15 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-October 2014 represented 13 times the currency in circulation or 104.9% of Pataca M2 at end-September 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 0.58 points month-to-month and 2.96 points year-on-year to 99.47 in October 2014.
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The Suncity Group 61st Macau Grand Prix will be held over four days from tomorrow (Thursday, November 13). It has come to the attention of the Macau Grand Prix Committee that Passes and tickets have been offered for sale online. The Committee is closely monitoring the situation for these and other unlawful offences, and will ensure all conditions of sale are respected. All Passes and tickets issued by the Committee are numbered, and therefore directly traceable to the original owner. The Macau Grand Prix hopes that everyone will abide by the law.
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Racing drivers and motorcycle riders celebrated today (November 12) the 61st Macau Grand Prix with commemorative photographs in front of the Race Control Tower as well as at Golden Lotus Square. Drivers and riders from the three headline races, the Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, the FIA World Touring Car Championship – Guia Race of Macau – Presented by Suncity Group and the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 48th Edition all took part in the annual pre-event gathering. Gathering for pictures in front of the Race Control Tower, which was constructed last year for the Grand Prix's Diamond Jubilee, the competitors then visited Golden Lotus Square to mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR. Following the photo call, the riders and drivers then paid a visit to the Macau Grand Prix Museum, where they re-lived six decades of Grand Prix history. A meet-and-greet session with local school children provided an opportunity to sign autographs for some of the Grand Prix's youngest fans ahead of tomorrow's on-track action.
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