News

As 1 October is approaching, a large number of tourists are expected to visit Macao. Retailers from all industries, especially the 'Adherents' and 'Certified Shops' of Consumer Council, are called upon to provide consumers with good-quality products and satisfactory services to safeguard consumers' legal rights, and to help promote the positive image of Macao as an international city of tourism and leisure. Further, all related law enforcing departments will keep contact with each other closely during National Day holidays for the provision of a safe and happy shopping environment for local citizens and inbound tourists. Consumer Council reminds consumers that if anyone finds his or her consumer rights being infringed, he or she should file a complaint at the Council or other departments and provide all necessary detailed information. The Council will also assign its staff to provide services to consumers through its hotline during 11AM to 6PM from 1 October to 5 October. Consumer Council hotline: 8988 9315.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) received the lucky tourists and organized the traditional tray race and evening banquet today (27 September) to celebrate the World Tourism Day concurrently with its counterparts around the world. The theme of World Tourism Day is "Tourism and Community Development" this year. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes remarked, "Tourism is people-oriented economically and goes hand in hand with community development. While tourism can foster a society to flourish, community's involvement is the key drive for the sustainable development of tourism industry. Through communication and partnership, the government can make concerted efforts with trade and citizens to build the tourism industry into an economic drive, and what's more, to show to the world the unique dimensions of Macau's community. Together we can boost our destination's profile internationally." MGTO Director Senna Fernandes together with Deputy Directors Cecilia Tse and Cheng Wai Tong arrived at Macau Ferry Terminal this morning to present welcome souvenirs to the lucky tourists today. Souvenirs were also given out to visitors at MGTO's Tourist Information counters throughout the day. Coming from Russia, the lucky tourist of this year's World Tourism Day visited Macau with three friends to experience the East meets West cultural atmosphere of the city. The traditional tray race was held in the afternoon with participants competing in the run from the Ruins of St Paul's to Senado Square. The race was divided into men's and women's categories and attracted over 230 participants representing several hotels and restaurants in Macau. The first-prize winner of the men's category is Li Wei Jian on behalf of Grand Emperor Hotel, whereas Jennifer Leong Mei Foong from Galaxy Macau won the first prize in the women's category. The Best Costume Awards were awarded to Simon Yang and Zhang Lulu, representing Grand Hyatt Macau and The Landmark Macau respectively. During the 3rd session of its General Assembly in Spain in 1979, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) decided to designate 27 September as the annual "World Tourism Day". This is the 35th year since the celebrations commenced in 1980. The main purpose of founding "World Tourism Day" is to foster awareness about the importance of tourism and especially its social, cultural, political and economic values in the international community. World Tourism Organization shares a theme message to commemorate "World Tourism Day" every year. Over the past 34 years, a different theme was chosen for each annual World Tourism Day. This year welcomes the 35th anniversary of World Tourism Day under the theme "Tourism and Community Development". The official celebrations of World Tourism Day 2014 are launched on 27 September in Guadalajara, Mexico, with over 100 countries/regions carrying out celebrations around the world on the same day. For details, please visit: http://wtd.unwto.org/en. This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/
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The Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao SAR has released the name list of the recipients of the Macao Science and Technology Awards 2014. The University of Macau (UM) became the first research institution in Macao to win most prizes at the award twice in a row. Of the 14 prizes presented this year, UM scholars won all the prizes in the Technological Invention Award category, two second prizes and two third prizes in the Natural Science Award category. Some members of the evaluation committee noted that UM has reached international level in research in Chinese medicine and microelectronics, with some good results in environmental protection research as well. The evaluation committee conducted strict evaluation of 41 projects in accordance with the Regulations on Awards for the Development of Science and Technology. And after a voting process, the evaluation committee suggested that 14 prizes should be awarded this year, including three second prizes and three third prizes in the Natural Science Award category, three second prizes and three third prizes in the Technological Invention Award category, as well as one second prize and one third prize in the Science and Technology Progress Award. Below are UM recipients of the Macao Science and Technology Awards and their projects: (* please find the attched file)
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The fireworks show schedule of the 26th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest on 27 September (tomorrow) is as follow for audience's kind attention: 27 September (Saturday)
21:00 – PYROFEL PIROTECNIA, Lda from Portugal 21:30 – Skylighter Fireworks Pty Ltd from Australia
22:00 – SODIP PYROTECHNIE from France
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Consumer Council conducted its seventh 'Supermarket price survey' in September on 25 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 11 supermarkets in Sé 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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Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) has the honour to invite Master Chef, Antoine Stévy from Ferrandi Paris to showcase French classic pastries and cakes for the "Ferrandi Paris Master Chef Week at IFT". The "Ferrandi Paris Master Chef Week at IFT" took place from 23 to 27 September, a series of workshops were organised for the students who study Culinary Arts Management Degree, and Diploma in Pastry and Bakery at IFT, as well as the public and industry professionals to attend. The workshops included tutorials on conceptual knowledge and cooking demonstrations for French classic pastries and cakes, followed by hands-on practical sessions. The workshops in the last two days were open to the public and industry professionals. During the workshop, Chef Antoine Stévy demonstrated the pastry and bakery techniques of French classic pastries and cakes including Mille-Feuille, Eclaris Crumble, Dulcey Peanuts Cake, Pithiviers, Lemon Hazelnut Cake, Pain de Gênes Palmiers, among others. The participants were offered a unique learning opportunity and were introduced to a sense-awaking experience of some traditional but yet innovative patisserie throughout the workshops. Chef Antoine Stévy has been working in the pastry and bakery sector since early 90s. Besides working in France, he also worked in countries like England, Canada, the State of Kuwait, and Luxembourg, acquiring pastry and bakery experience from different countries. He joined Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts in Paris since 2007 and he is being recognised by his rich culinary arts teaching experience. Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts in Paris is a leading training provider in cooking, pastry, bread-baking, catering and restaurant service. Programs range from secondary vocational education to continuing education for professionals. It is renowned throughout the world for its passion for providing the highest quality of culinary programmes to students. This extraordinary cross-over and collaboration between IFT and Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts is a good example of IFT's endeavour to bring in new culinary elements to Macao. Through this kind of collaboration, it is believed that the culinary skills and horizon of local citizens and professionals will be enhanced and inspiration and creativity can be brought to IFT students of Culinary Arts Management Degree and Diploma of Pastry and Bakery.
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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 June-August 2014 remained at record low. Total labour force was 395,500 and the labour force participation rate stood at 73.9%. Total employment was 388,700, an increase of 1,700 from May-July. Analysed by industry, employment in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities increased by 1,300 and that in Gaming rose by 700. Number of the unemployed was 6,800, up slightly by 100 from May-July. With fresh graduates joining the labour market, the proportion of fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job increased by 5.1 percentage points to account for 23.1% of the total unemployed. In comparison with June-August 2013, the labour force participation rate rose by 1.1 percentage points, while the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate dropped by 0.2 and 0.3 percentage points respectively.
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The CCAC unveiled a case of document forgery and fraud over government subsidies involving the President of Board of Directors of an association of Macao, who has allegedly submitted false information to various government departments in attempt to defraud over subsidies. The involved amount totaled MOP1,040,000. The case was referred to the Public Prosecutions Office today (25th September). The CCAC received a report earlier that a certain association cheated the government of subsidies by understating the actual revenue of the association. After investigation, it came to light that the said association made an application to the Health Bureau, the Macao Foundation and the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture in July and October 2011 respectively concerning subsidy of its 2012's operation cost. Meanwhile, when the suspect applied for a subsidy item entitled "subsidy for professionals" from the Health Bureau and the Macao Foundation, he declared in the application documents that the association had not sought any sponsorship from any other institutions under the same category. Finally, the association received subsidies from the two government institutions, with the duplicated portion totaling to an approximate amount of MOP355,000. Moreover, the suspect, when reporting to the subsidising institutions over the use of the subsidies, intentionally concealed the fact that the said association had recorded a surplus of some MOP 1 million. By means of making false statement, overstating expenditure, understating and omitting revenue, he/she made relevant government institutions believe that the subsidy applications met the requirement and the subsidies had been consumed with even a deficit recorded in the operation of the association. Such acts were carried out in attempt to avoid returning the subsidies to the government institutions. The acts of the suspect allegedly constituted offences of document forgery and fraud involving considerably high value. During investigation, the suspect confessed that he/she had intentionally submitted false documents to government institutions to obtain improper benefits for the association. According to the Penal Code, offenders of document forgery and fraud involving considerably high value shall be liable to imprisonment for a maximum term of three years and ten years respectively.
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Macao Post will install one stamp vending machine and one collection box on the 1st floor (beside the Museum shop) of the Macao Museum of Art, Av. Xian Xing Hai, Macao with effect from 7th October 2014. Meanwhile, the service hours of the Cultural Post Office located at Av. Xian Xing Hai, Centro Cultural will be changed as follows: Monday to Friday: 12:00 ~ 19:00 Thank you for your kind attention.
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To commemorate the World Heart Day, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Amizade Plaza, at 16H00 to 19H00 on 28th September 2014 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "World Heart Day". On that day, Macao Heart Foundation will sell the commemorative envelope and a cover, priced at 20.00 patacas and 30.00 patacas at the mentioned location. The revenue will be for the charity purpose. Various philatelic products will be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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