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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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To celebrate the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau), Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at Avenida do Dr. Francisco Vieira Machado, n° 266, at 10H00 to 16H00 on 18th October 2014 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau)". A commemorative envelope priced at MOP2.50 will be issued, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit us and collect Macao Stamps!
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To celebrate the 19th Macao International Trade & Investment Fair, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Center and our Philately Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters during 23rd to 26th October 2014 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "19th Macao International Trade & Investment Fair". Opening hours as follow: 23/10 Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Center 12:00 to 18:00 Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters 12:00 to 18:00 24-26/10 Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Center 10:00 to 18:00 A commemorative envelope priced at MOP2.50 will be issued, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit us and collect Macao Stamps.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP129.2 billion (USD16.15 billion) at the end of September 2014. The reserves decreased by 0.8% from the revised value of MOP130.2 billion (USD16.31 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-September 2014 represented 13 times the currency in circulation or 106.5% of Pataca M2 at end-August 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 1.18 points month-to-month and 1.41 points year-on-year to 98.88 in September 2014.
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The Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On took the opportunity of the 10th Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation and Development Forum and Trade Fair ("PPRD Forum"), to meet with leading officials from various provinces and regions in Guangzhou this afternoon (13 October), to exchange views on further co-operation between Macao and other PPRD provinces and regions. Mr Chui met with the Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region ("GZAR"), Mr Chen Wu; the Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Su Shulin; the Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr Wei Hong; and the Governor of Hunan Province and Mr Du Jiahao, immediately following the conclusion of the Joint Conference of Chief Executives. Mr Chui firstly met the Chairman of the GZAR, Mr Chen Wu, and together witnessed the signing of the Summary of Minutes of Meeting on the Cooperation between the Governments of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region, by the Vice Chairman of the GZAR, Mr Zhang Xiaoqin, and Macao's Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Alexis Tam. Mr Chui said the GZAR and Macao have made joint efforts to conduct studies and discussions, and finally reached a consensus. The summary of minutes signed today indicated that both parties would enhance co-operation in various areas in the future, and plan to establish a regular co-operation mechanism. He said he hoped GZAR-Macao co-operation will ascend to higher levels, based on the previously laid good foundation. Mr Chen said the GZAR and Macao would continue to strengthen co-operation and exchanges in all areas to achieve common progress, especially in exploring ASEAN markets. With Macao as a bridge, Guangxi would also strive to seize more opportunities for exchanges and co-operation with Portuguese-speaking countries. He added that the Development Plan for the Zhujiang-Xijiang Economic Belt, recently approved by the State Council, was not only beneficial to Guangxi's development, but also strengthens ecological development and environmental protection in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, promoting sustainable development of the two river basins. Mr Chen said Guangxi would thoroughly implement the development plan, including the Dateng Gorge Hydraulic Project, which is expected to commence this November. Mr Chui responded that the project is critical to Macao, as it will be a solution to achieve long-term improvements to a stable water supply to Macao. He expressed his gratitude to Guangxi for their care and support. The content of the summary of minutes mainly covers the two governments' consensus on future deepened co-operation in tourism, trade, convention and exhibition, and cultural and creative industries, and environmental protection, as well as improvements to their co-operation mechanism. Mr Chui then met with the Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Su Shulin, and thanked Fujian's government and people for their continued concern and support. He said the Macao SAR has been enhancing co-operation with Fujian since its establishment 15 years ago. The effective Fujian-Macao co-operation mechanism enables close co-operation between and common development of both parties. Mr Su also pointed out that Fujian and Macao have been expanding the scope of co-operation through the joint efforts of both parties. In addition to more frequent personnel exchanges, there is consistent strengthening in economic and trade, convention and exhibition, financial and tourism co-operation. He hoped that Fujian and Macao would intensify co-operation in the convention and exhibition industry, and leverage Macao's function as a service platform to enhance Fujian's economic and trade activities and cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries. During his meeting with the Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr Wei Hong, Mr Chui said that Sichuan and Macao have established a solid foundation in co-operation, and looked forward to further co-operation in numerous areas. Mr Chui said Sichuan and Macao are like brothers in the PPRD region, who work together as a family, while continuing to deepen mutual co-operation. It is hoped that the detailed co-ordination work can be implemented by the end of this year, and the highlighted co-operation projects and work plans for the coming year could be drawn up soon. Mr Wei said Sichuan and Macao always enjoyed good relations, and Sichuan pays much attention to the development of Macao. He congratulated Mr Chui for his success in his re-election as the fourth-term Chief Executive of the Macao SAR. Last year, Macao donated 100 million patacas to support earthquake disaster relief work in Ya'an, Sichuan. The donation has been properly used under both parties' strict supervision, and effectively utilised for rescue and relief purposes. Mr Wei hoped Sichuan and Macao could deepen co-operation in education, culture and economic and trade, to realise mutual supplementary development. The Chief Executive also met the Governor of Hunan Province, Mr Du Jiahao. He told Mr Du that Hunan-Macao co-operation could be further enhanced, especially in tourism. Both parties could continue to jointly develop multi-destination tourism, which will benefit the tourism industry in both places and achieve a win-win success. Mr Chui also said Macao will play the role of a business and trade services platform to offer assistance to fellow PPRD provinces and regions, to attract more enterprises from Portuguese-speaking countries to visit and invest in the PPRD region. Mr Du said Hunan and Macao have been maintaining effective communication. He said he believed Macao, a peaceful and prosperous city, would offer support to Hunan's development in various areas, especially in attracting foreign investments. Hunan enjoys an abundance of tourism resources, and favourable developments in agriculture, railway transportation and manufacturing industries. He looked forward to closer co-operation with Macao, to attract overseas investors to explore business opportunities in Hunan, and establish connections with Portuguese-speaking countries through Macao, Mr Du said. He also praised Macao for its development in convention and exhibition businesses, which serves as a window towards the global market, and hoped Hunan could learn from Macao's experience.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the Government will more actively engage in and more intensively promote Pan Pearl River Delta ("PPRD") co-operation, and look forward to more extensive co-operation with all PPRD provinces and regions. Mr Chui told the press after attending the Joint Conference of Chief Executives in Guangzhou that Macao is glad to share a common vision with all PPRD provinces and regions, to raise PPRD co-operation to the level of China's 13th Five-year Plan in future. It is hoped that such strategic regional development planning at national level could be beneficial to the promotion of the PPRD's development as a whole. The joint conference also fully considered how to enable Macao to fully leverage its functions as a business and trade services platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. He pointed out that Macao was more than happy to play the role of a bridge to facilitate co-operation between PPRD provinces and regions and Portuguese-speaking countries in the commerce and trade, tourism and culture areas. From now on, the Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation and Development Forum and Trade Fair ("PPRD Forum") will become a biennial event. The leaders from all PPRD provinces and regions agreed this morning that they should continue to enhance communication and co-operation with each other. Therefore, it was decided that the Joint Conference of Chief Executives will still be organised in 2015, although the next PPRD Forum is scheduled for 2016. It was agreed that the joint conference next year will be hosted by one of this year's PPRD Forum organisers, that is either Guangdong, Hong Kong or Macao. Asked if Macao would compete for the organizer role for next year's joint conference, Mr Chui said the Government welcomes the event being held anywhere as arranged by the PPRD Secretariat.
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