News

1 October 2014, Macao - The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today (1 October) the Government would continue to implement its administrative concept of "Putting people first and scientific decision-making", aimed at improving the people's livelihood and ensuring Macao's long-term stability and prosperity. Speaking at the reception hosted by the Government to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Mr Chui said the Chinese people have contributed their best efforts to the development of the nation and have achieved glorious results since the establishment of new China 65 years ago. China had achieved great progress in development since its implementation of reforms and an open policy, Mr Chui told some 950 guests at the reception. Along with the rise of its comprehensive strength and international influence, the quality of people's material and cultural lives had also continued to improve. Facing a slow recovery in the global economy, China also faced downward economic pressures. However, China's overall economic situation is still unchanged and making stable progress. The overall planning for comprehensively deepening reform will be actively implemented. Mr Chui said Macao people are highly encouraged by the development of the motherland, progressing side by side with the people in the mainland to realise their goal of the two "hundredth anniversaries" and the "Chinese Dream" of invigorating the nation. The reform and development of the country had become the strong support and driving force for the stable growth of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Mr Chui said Macao had successfully completed the election of the fourth-term Chief Executive, according to the law and with the full support of the Central People's Government, demonstrating the scientific validity and vitality of the principle of "One country, two systems". The election aroused great interest among and active participation by the public and all sectors in the community. They made opinions and suggestions on the administration of the next government, along with various economic and social issues, and fully reflected the fact the public is faithfully supporting the election implemented in accordance with the Basic Law, and the Government's administration according to the law. Mr Chui told the reception that more than 120,000 submissions of opinions and suggestions were received during the Chief Executive Election period and that these have been passed on to the Policy Research Office for compilation and analyses. It is hoped that short-term policies to resolve issues concerning housing, transport, social security and healthcare can be launched as soon as possible, while long-term mechanisms can be established to secure the people's well-being. Mr Chui also said that the Government would comprehensively study, in a timely manner, and make decisions on the development of the gaming industry and take the opportunity created by the interim review to strengthen the healthy and orderly growth of the industry. At the same time, the Government would create favourable conditions for the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Government and all civil servants will be dedicated to their duties unswervingly, perform administrative tasks according to the law and ensure smooth organisation and handover arrangements for the fourth-term SAR Government. Mr Chui re-affirmed that the Government would continue to seize opportunities and fully leverage its unique advantages to establish Macao as world tourism and leisure centre, and a commercial and trade services platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. With the full support of the Central People's Government, the Eighth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Tourism Ministerial Meeting was successfully held in Macao last month, which had effectively promoted Macao's international status and influence. The Government would further leverage the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement and other supportive national policies to develop closer co-operation with the mainland and achieve mutual complementation and benefits, with priorities including Guangdong-Macao co-operation. Before the reception, a solemn flag-raising ceremony was held at Golden Lotus Square at 8 am. The raising of the national flag and the regional flag to the accompaniment of the national anthem performed by the police band marked the commencement of a series of activities to celebrate the 65th National Day. The first event, immediately following the flag raising ceremony, was the 2014 World Walking Day - National Day Fun Run, which started at Golden Lotus Square. The Chief Executive officiated the starting ceremony and presented prizes. More than 200 officials and guests attended the flag raising ceremony, including the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Li Gang; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr Hu Zhengyue; the Commander of the People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison, Mr Wang Wen; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; as well as members of the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly, SAR Government officials, deputies to the National People's Congress, CPPCC members and representatives from all sectors of the community.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) introduces the brand-new electronic version of "Macau Travel Talk" today (30 September). Local citizens and trade partners can subscribe and download the publication from MGTO's website for a prompt update on current news and trends in the tourism industry. Originally a Chinese-English bi-monthly publication, "Macau Travel Talk" primarily reported the latest tourism promotion events organized or attended by MGTO and news in the tourism sector. Considering the information technology development and a new style of reading in the modern world, MGTO re-orients "Macau Travel Talk" into a monthly e-publication to offer a greater diversity of information, a new highlight of upcoming events and festivals as well as assorted tourism news that interests industry partners. The new publication conveys travel news to local travel industry partners in a more prompt and timely way. The innovative format of "Macau Travel Talk" consists of the following columns: Macau Travel News, Upcoming Event & Festival, Important Event and Partner News.
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To facilitate simplification of procedural flow and for the public's convenience, the online registration for the exchange of the Horse and Goat Zodiac Banknotes was conducted jointly. The two Issuing Banks have completed online registration for those residents who are interested to exchange for the banknotes. As scheduled, the two Issuing banks and participating banks will conduct the exchange of the Horse and Goat Zodiac banknotes with registrants during business hours starting from 6 October 2014 (Monday) till 31 December 2014 (Wednesday). To ensure orderly completion of the note exchange by the banks concerned, registrants are strongly advised to strictly adhere to their originally selected schedule and bring along their valid ID card and proceed in person to exchange for the notes. Alternatively, they can elect to have the notes exchanged by authorized representatives on the selected date and location in accordance with related stipulated requirements. In respect of the requirements concerning note exchange conducted by authorized representatives, please browse the webpage of AMCM (www.amcm.gov.mo) or call our hotline (28565071 or 28565072) for inquiry.
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A test report on paper towels and a questionnaire regarding the deposit charged by LPG retailers and their relevant procedures are included in the latest issue no. 253 Consumer Report. The latest issue has been uploaded online at Consumer Council's website and available free of charge at local libraries. In order to let consumers get access to more information for making comparisons, Consumer Council conducts tests and comparison works on various kinds of products and services from the market. The Council conducted a test on 10 different paper towels for their absorbency and strength and rated them according to the test result. Details of the report can be found in the latest Consumer Report. The Council indicates that even though a lot of families use this kind of paper towels, consumers are suggested to use them moderately. LPG cylinder is a primary daily commodity of consumers. Under normal circumstance, consumers are requested by LPG retailers to pay a small amount of deposit for the cylinder when they first order LPG, and the deposit will be returned to consumers upon showing the receipt when they return the cylinder in the future. The Council sent out questionnaires to LPG retailers to find out the current deposit amounts, the relevant procedures, whether computer records are set up for each consumer (subscriber) by LPG retailers, and what measures will be taken by LPG retailers when consumers are unable to present their receipts. Details can be found in the latest Consumer Report. 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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Consumer Council conducted its eighth 'Supermarket price survey' in September on 29 September 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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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for August 2014 amounted to MOP751 million, up by 5% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP603 million) increased by 11%, but that of domestic exports (MOP148 million) decreased by 15%. Total merchandise import was MOP7.20 billion, up by 5% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.45 billion. In the first eight months of 2014, total value of merchandise export increased by 8% year-on-year to MOP6.53 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP5.22 billion) increased by 11%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.31 billion) decreased by 4%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 11% to MOP57.54 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP51.01 billion. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP3.87 billion) and the EU (MOP206 million) in the first eight months of 2014 increased by 19% and 8% year-on-year, while export to Mainland China (MOP977 million) and the USA (MOP210 million) decreased by 10% and 14% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles (MOP6.02 billion) increased by 10% year-on-year, of which exports of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP1.17 billion) and Clocks & watches (MOP649 million) rose by 36% and 75% respectively, but that of Electronic components (MOP438 million) dropped by 35%. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP514 million) decreased by 12%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP18.63 billion) and the EU (MOP14.60 billion) increased by 9% and 22% year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 11% to MOP36.85 billion, with imports of Food & beverages (MOP7.55 billion) and Watches (MOP5.47 billion) increasing by 22% and 46% respectively. Moreover, imports of Construction materials (MOP2.25 billion) grew by 34%. External merchandise trade reached MOP64.08 billion in the first eight months of 2014, up by 10% compared with MOP58.01 billion a year earlier.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that there were 211 travel agencies operating in 2013, an increase of 14 compared with 2012. At the end of 2013, number of persons engaged totalled 3,885, up by 6% year-on-year. Paid employees totalled 3,801 and 42% of them were working in 14 large travel agencies having 50 or more persons. Since travel agencies provided significantly more coach hire with driver to hotels and casinos, number of drivers employed increased by 4% year-on-year, at 1,176. Attributable to the sustained growth in inbound visitors on package tour and outbound travel of Macao residents, Receipts of travel agencies increased by 6% year-on-year to MOP 6.33 billion in 2013, generated primarily from Ticket Reservation (MOP 2.09 billion) and Package Tours (MOP 1.56 billion), up by 11% and 2% respectively; meanwhile, receipts from Room Reservation (MOP 1.31 billion) decreased by 7%. It is noteworthy that receipts from online business rose substantially by 35% year-on-year, at MOP 26.39 million. Expenditure of travel agencies amounted to MOP 6.08 billion, up by 7% year-on-year. Expenditure was mainly incurred on Purchase of Goods & Services and Commission Paid (MOP 4.88 billion), of which Ticket Reservation (MOP 2.00 billion), Room Reservation (MOP 1.38 billion) and Package Tours (MOP 1.32 billion) together accounted for 96%. Besides, Operating Expenses (MOP 625 million) and Compensation of Employees (MOP 571 million) increased by 12% and 10% respectively year-on-year. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy amounted to MOP 823 million, up by 5% year-on-year. Gross Fixed Capital Formation (MOP 240 million) went up by 45% year-on-year, on account of an increase in acquisition of property.
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The distribution work of 2014 Wealth Partaking Scheme had basically finished on 30 September this year. In the course of implementation, 112,748 beneficiaries had received the cash premium by means of bank transfer, accounting for MOP$ 1,011,409,200, while 537,343 crossed cheques had been mailed, which summed up to MOP$ 4,620,709,800. Until the present time, 455,446 cheques were withdrawn, representing 85.1% of the total number of cheques written out. In line with the scheme, a Support Centre for Wealth Partaking Disbursement entered into service on 1 July to cater for enquiries and deal with procedures related to the cash disbursement. As of 30 September, some 15,866 enquiries had been handled, with the majority of which being telephone enquiry, summing up to 8,188 enquiries, around 51.6% of the total. The second most popular channel was personal visits, which stands for 46.8% or 7,427 enquiries. Personal visits to the Centre were mainly for re-issuance of cheques, which totalled 2,489 cases, whereas 1,034 came for the purpose of alteration of address. The Support Centre operated until 30 September. From 6 October onwards, residents can go to the Service Centre of Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau located in Avenida da Praia Grande, China Plaza, 2/F for assistance regarding procedures associated with the Wealth Partaking Scheme of present and previous years. The opening hours of this Service Centre are from 9am to 6pm straight, Monday to Friday, except public holidays. Telephone enquiries are available at 8795 2675 and 8795 2676. The service hotline 2822 5000, fax 2822 3000 as well as the official website of Wealth Partaking Scheme http://www.planocp.gov.mo will be retained to provide relevant information.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has invited a delegation of local trade to participate together in the 22nd edition of Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT & CMA 2014) in Thailand and promote Macau as a business travel destination. IT & CMA 2014 is held in Bangkok from 30 September to 2 October. Being a leading business tourism tradeshow in the Asia-Pacific Region, IT & CMA provides an effective platform for industry partners to promote incentive travel. The event has incorporated luxury travel in its realm since 2012 and offered a wider variety of choices on its exhibition floor. The key program of IT & CMA 2014 features themed talks, seminars, forums, opening ceremony and welcome dinner as well. MGTO runs a booth after the theme "Touching Moments, Experience Macau" this year and partners with 40 delegates representing 30 local enterprises to spotlight Macau's convention & exhibition industry and present the destination's latest business tourism products and facilities to their Asian counterparts. The participating businesses include hotels, resorts, convention and exhibition companies, travel agencies, entertainment enterprises, airlines and ferry operators from Macau. The MGTO team also takes the opportunity to advertise its "Incentive Travel Stimulation Program" among incentive travel organizers. "Incentive Travel Stimulation Program" has been welcomed by local trade since MGTO launched it. During the period from this January to August, MGTO has received a total of nine subsidy applications from the Mainland which involved over 32,000 participants. According to the Statistics and Census Service, a total of 503 MICE events were held in Macau in the first half of 2014. The number of attendees sums to 827,000. This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo
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To promote the development of Macao's fashion design industry and following the success of the 2013 Subsidy Programme for Fashion Design on Sample Making, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) of the Macao SAR Government launched the same programme in June 2014. Among the 23 applications received, 21 were accepted, and two were disqualified due to insufficient documents. This year, 40% of the qualified candidates are new applicants, and half of them already have their fashion brands registered.
IC gathered a professional adjudicating panel comprising Ms. Terry Sio, member of the Committee of Cultural Industries of Macao; Ms. Vitoria Kuan, Senior Manager at the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre (CPTTM); Mr. José Tang Kuan Meng, Vice President of the Industrial Association of Macau; and Mr. Raymond Au and Mr. Robert Lai, consultants of Macao Fashion Gallery, to select the entries based on criteria as creativity and originality, market potential, quality, overall visual effect, feasibility and optimisation of the business plan, as well as budget rationale.
After the initial review, the entrants below were selected to the second review (names are listed in random order): on an individual basis, Leong Man Teng, Cheong Oi Leng, Leong Iok Pui, Wai Chin Seong, Cheang Chi Tat, Lei Wai Cheng, Cheang Man Cheng, Carmen Leng, Barbara Barreto Ian, Patricia Alexandra Ferreira Soares, Ng Sao Chan and Andrea Prado Marques. On a team basis, Wan Sio Tong and Wong Ha, Lo Ka Heng and Choi Wai Leng, Ana Claudia Dias Cardoso and Nair Alexandra Dias Cardoso. IC will notify these entrants by telephone and email. Each candidate selected for the second review will be reimbursed up to a maximum of MOP10,000 as compensation for the sample making and presentation costs, upon submission of the relevant expenses' invoices.
The second review will take place on 8 November, in a location to be announced. Entrants must produce a fashion sample based on one of the drawings submitted for the initial review, which must be presented to the adjudicating panel by a model with full make-up and hair dressing, to show the overall stylistic effect. Entrants will also be interviewed by the panel. A maximum of eight finalists will be selected as beneficiaries of the Programme, and each will receive a subsidy up to a maximum of MOP150,000. For details please visit www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc/sps/ or www.macaucci.com/en. For further enquiries, please call Ms. Lam or Ms. Lau through tel. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours.
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