News

The 17th Lusofonia Festival, a Portuguese Speaking Communities Cultural Festival in Macau, will be held from October 17th to 19th at the Taipa Houses-Museum. All Macau citizens and tourists are welcome to join and experience the Portuguese Speaking Communities rhythm in this Festival.
The first Lusofonia Festival was held in 1998 on the Portuguese Expatriate Day (June 10th) to honor Portuguese-speaking individuals who reside in Macau and have contributed to Macau's development. In its 17th year, the Lusofonia Festival will further demonstrate the vibrancy of Macau as a tourism city, turning into a traditional event incorporated with rich Portuguese Speaking Communities culture. This year's edition, a wide variety of festival events will be held in Taipa Houses-Museum on October 17th, between 7pm and midnight, and October 18th and 19th between 12pm and midnight.
The program includes different Portuguese speaking communities and Macau performances, lusofonia gastronomy, traditional games, table-football competition, Grand Prix simulator, pony ride, giant games for children amongst others. "Carmo Radio", music of Portuguese speaking communities will be played all the way through, allowing participants of different ages and tourists to have great fun and a touch of Chinese and Western cultures.
Ten different Portuguese speaking community booths will be exposed. They are Macau, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Goa, Daman and Diu, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Principe and East Timor. In these booths we can know their culture through their costumes, photographs arts and crafts, decorations, gifts and one can also taste their traditional snacks and drinks. All Macau residents as well as tourists are welcomed to this three day event which include dancing, singing, games, gastronomy and feel the environment of this festival. For additional information, please search IACM website www.iacm.gov.mo or call the number 8988 4000.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), joined by local industry representatives are promoting Macau as a business tourism and incentive travel destination at the Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events (IMEX America) in Las Vegas. IMEX America, which opened the October 14 and runs until today (16) at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, is the largest trade show specialized in incentive travel, meetings and events industry in the United States of America. With a booth under the theme "Touching Moments – Experience Macau", MGTO and IPIM representatives are promoting Macau together with local industry operators from nine companies, including travel agencies, destination management organizations, among others. The booth serves as a platform to introduce the Incentive Travel Stimulation Program launched by MGTO, along with the latest trends and products of Macau business tourism, as well as for exchange and network between Macau industry members and potential partners. Besides, as part of the ongoing cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau to promote multi-destination tourism in the region, the booth also helps to spread the idea of "One Event, Three Nearby Leisure Experiences." This year IMEX America attracted more than 2,900 exhibitors from around 150 countries and territories, representing destinations, convention and visitor bureaus, among others. Besides providing face-to-face business opportunities, IMEX America also focus on offering professional education programs during the event.
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The 19th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held from 23 to 26 October 2014 at the Cotai Strip Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) will set up the Macao Creative Pavilion at the Fair, showcasing enterprises from the Macao music industry at the event. In compliance with the Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Song Albums, which is now accepting applications, the Pavilion will focus on demonstrating Macao original music and various audio services to the audience. The Macao Creative Pavilion—themed on Macao original music—occupies a total area of 270 m2. With a design inspired by the concept of "sound waves", the Pavilion combines modern metropolitan aspects of Macao with sound waves and presents the irregular aesthetics of music through physical space and visual effects. The physical space of the Pavilion will display the rhythmic movements of music with diagonal planes to different degrees and each area is highlighted with special geometric models. It is hoped that such design can demonstrate the features of Macao music and deliver the message that "music can inspire the soul". Through the Macao Creative Pavilion at the MIF IC hopes to provide a platform for promoting the business development of the Macao music industry, so as to enhance business matching between local and foreign cultural and creative industries. In addition, to strengthen the interaction with the audience, IC will join hands with the participating entities to initiate 19 music-themed seminars and live shows in order to familiarise the audience' understanding of the various aspects of Macao original music. All interested citizens are welcome to join these events. IC has invited fourteen cultural and creative entities inscribed in the Database for Cultural and Creative Industries to participate in the Macau Creative Pavilion at the 19th MIF, namely Chessman Entertainment Production Co. Ltd., Like Entertainment Production Co. Ltd., AV Depot Ltd., Live Music Association, Macau Association of Composers, Authors & Publishers, Macau Electronic Music Association, 4daz-Le Records, 100 Plus Music Ltd., Venus Audio and Lighting Engineering Co. Ltd., Music Power of Macau, Macau Artistes Association, Class Entertainment Production, Lei Sound – Audio & Lighting Technology Co. Ltd. and Cao Box Ltd.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the Macao Administrative Region Government has been firmly adhering to the principles of judicial independence, ruling in accordance with law, actively promoting education on popularising the law, and facilitating building of the legal system since its establishment 15 years ago. And the Government would continue to join hands with the people of Macao to enhance legal awareness, perfect and safeguard the rule of law, and fully implement the Basic Law of Macao. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2014/2015 Judicial Year held at the Macao Cultural Centre this afternoon, Mr Chui re-iterated that the Macao SAR enjoys judicial independence and power of final adjudication as stipulated in the Basic Law. Judicial independence is the cornerstone for Macao to realise a high degree of autonomy. The Government has been safeguarding this principle to rule according to law, earnestly and sincerely listening to the views of the judiciary and legal professionals, and supporting the development of Macao's judicial system. Mr Chui said judicial independence is the foundation for realising fair justice, impartiality and high efficiency. To establish fair justice and righteousness is the way to ensure people's legal rights are protected and social order and peace is maintained. The ongoing perfection of the judicial system enables the Macao SAR to achieve sustainable and co-ordinated development. Macao depends on the concerted efforts of the judiciary and its personnel at all levels to perform their duties and strengthen their power to safeguard judicial independence and fairness. Since Macao's re-unification with the motherland, the judicial authorities of Macao have overcome challenges to achieve progress in building a judicial system that suits its local circumstances. A powerful judicial team has been formed, to facilitate a legal environment favourable for society's development. The Chief Executive said the Government would continue to support the judiciary to optimise hardware and software facilities, strengthen training of judicial personnel, deepen exploration of human resources, encourage learning regarding advanced technology and management, improve judicial efficiency and quality, enhance regional judicial exchanges and co-operation, and expedite the development of Macao's judicial system.
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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 August 2014. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New lending approved In August 2014, new RMLs approved by Macao banks dropped 8.3% month-to-month to MOP5.0 billion; of which, 92.4% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents decreased 13.4% while those to non-residents increased 220.2%. When compared with the same period of 2013, new approvals of RMLs witnessed increase of 51.7%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) increased by 27.0% month-to-month to MOP1.4 billion. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 92.9% of the total, increased 22.9%. 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 2,997.8% year-on-year. New CRELs decreased by 36.9% month-to-month to MOP11.0 billion; of which, 97.9% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents decreased 30.1% and 88.6% respectively. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs grew by 169.0%. Outstanding balances As at end-August 2014, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP144.0 billion, an increase of 2.3% from one month earlier or 30.4% from a year ago. The resident component made up 94.0% of the total. Compared to end-July 2014, outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents grew 2.2% and 3.1% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased 0.5% from end-July 2014 and was up 40.0% from end-August 2013 to MOP111.7 billion. Residents accounted for 90.7% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and to non-residents grew 0.5% and 0.7% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of August 2014, the delinquency ratio for RMLs remained virtually unchanged at 0.06% or increased by 0.01 percentage point from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs remained virtually unchanged at 0.07% from a month ago and from end-August 2013.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the third quarter of 2014 increased by 4.89% year-on-year to 135.14, attributable to higher charges for hotel accommodation and restaurant services, as well as dearer prices of clothing and handbags. Notable increase was observed in the price index of Clothing & Footwear (+8.85%); Restaurant Services (+7.97%); and Accommodation (+6.29%). On the contrary, price index of Transport & Communications decreased by 4.60% year-on-year. TPI for the third quarter of 2014 increased by 1.21% quarter-to-quarter, of which price index of Restaurant Services and Accommodation rose by 3.46% and 3.29% respectively due to higher hotel room rate and rising charges for restaurant services during the Summer holidays. However, price index of Transport & Communications; Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco; and Clothing & Footwear dropped by 1.36%, 1.00% and 0.66% quarter-to-quarter respectively on account of lower airfare, reduced prices of local food products, and seasonal sale of Summer clothing. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the third quarter of 2014 increased by 6.19% from the previous period, with marked increase being observed in the price index of Accommodation (+13.61%); Clothing & Footwear (+5.88%); Restaurant Services (+5.86%); and Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco (+5.70%). For the first three quarters of 2014, TPI went up by 6.14% year-on-year, of which price index of Accommodation; Clothing & Footwear; and Restaurant Services increased by 13.72%, 6.21% and 5.65% respectively. The 2009/2010-based TPI reflects the price change of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are selected according to the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.
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The Institute for Tourism Studies' Bachelor Degree Programme emphasises on the balance between theory and practice. Students are required to complete certain hours of practical tasks related to their specialisations every year. One of the tasks given to the Tourism Business Management students is to provide free guided tour to tourists and local residents. The activity, with the theme of "Tour around Macao with IFT Students", is organised by year two students of Tourism Business Management Degree Programme. With the assistance from the instructors, five different itineraries have been designed and each lasts about one hour and thirty minutes. This free guided tour service will be provided to all tourists and local residents on Saturday or Sunday, from 19 October – 22 November. The main objectives of the activity: I. It allows the students to put what they have learnt about tourism into practice. The whole project, from itinerary design to time control to the actual tour guiding, is planned by the students themselves with assistance from instructors. By coordinating the activity, their communication skills can also be enhanced. II. To promote Macao to the tourists by offering the free guiding service at the city centre and tourist attractions. Residents will also be made aware of the importance of tourism to Macao. IFT is the only public higher education institution in Macao that cultivates talents for tourism and service industry. It endeavours to promote Macao through various activities and to leave a good impression to everyone who visits the place.
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Consumer Council conducted its third 'Supermarket price survey' in October on 14 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 8 supermarkets in Toi San, Ilha Verde and Fai Chi Kei areas 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 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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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council conducted its specific price surveys on oral care products, tissue papers sand milk powder on 13 October. Results of the mentioned surveys have been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and are available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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To commemorate the Legislative Assembly Building Open Day, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Square of Legislative Assembly Building at 10H00 to 18H00 on 18th October 2014, providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "Legislative Assembly Building Open Day". A commemorative envelope with stamp priced at MOP4.50 will be issued, 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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