News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that principal indicators of the Construction Sector registered general increase in 2014 owing to the construction of large-scale hotels and entertainment facilities. In particular, Value of Construction increased by 63.2% year-on-year to MOP78.15 billion, Intermediate Consumption rose by 60.2% to MOP61.03 billion, and Labour Cost grew by 42.3% to MOP11.35 billion. Gross Surplus, which equals Value of Construction and Other Receipts less Intermediate Consumption and Labour Cost, amounted to MOP6.86 billion, up substantially by 184.8%. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy totalled MOP18.21 billion, up by 75.4%. A total of 2,633 establishments were operating in the Construction Sector in 2014, a decrease of 136 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 11,361 to 45,368. There were 1,192 establishments engaging in construction projects with permits and 1,441 undertaking simple renovation projects. Regarding construction projects with permits, Value of Construction (MOP75.00 billion), Intermediate Consumption (MOP59.15 billion) and Gross Value Added (MOP16.90 billion) increased by 65.9%, 62.3% and 81.6% respectively year-on-year on account of the construction of large-scale hotels and entertainment facilities by gaming enterprises in CoTai. Gross Surplus surged by 205.6% to MOP6.57 billion; Gross Fixed Capital Formation totalled MOP265 million, down by 15.6%. Analysed by type of construction projects, value of private construction projects grew by 76.4% year-on-year to MOP66.88 billion, of which value of construction of hotels and entertainment facilities (MOP53.34 billion) increased by 122.3%, while that of private residential buildings (MOP10.66 billion) dropped by 9.6%. On the other hand, value of public construction works increased by 11.6% year-on-year to MOP8.12 billion, of which value of construction of public housing (MOP2.29 billion) and infrastructures (MOP4.07 billion) rose by 5.5% and 9.5% respectively, and that of land formation and reclamation works (MOP1.37 billion) surged by 697.7% due to the land reclamation projects in progress; meanwhile, value of construction of Light Rapid Transit & roads (MOP1.55 billion) and piers (MOP636 million) decreased by 17.2% and 52.9% respectively. Analysed by location, a total of 946 construction projects were carried out in the Macao Peninsula and Value of Construction (MOP11.10 billion) increased by 94.4% year-on-year; moreover, 80 projects were in CoTai with Value of Construction (MOP49.92 billion) rising by 109.9%, and 103 projects were in Coloane with Value of Construction (MOP7.39 billion) dropping by 21.6%. As regards simple renovation projects, Value of Construction (MOP3.15 billion), Intermediate Consumption (MOP1.88 billion) and Gross Value Added (MOP1.31 billion) increased by 17.6%, 14.0% and 21.7% respectively year-on-year in 2014; Gross Surplus rose by 12.3% to MOP293 million.
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The opening ceremony of the 29th Macao International Music Festival, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, started at 7:40pm on 4 October at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, followed by the opening concert Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 3, which marks the opening of this year’s MIMF. The ceremony was attended by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Alexis, Tam Chon Weng; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao S.A.R., Sun Da; President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; Vice President of Corporate Communications & Community Affairs of the Venetian Macau Ltd., Winnie Wong. This year’s Festival - themed ‘Soundmazing’ - features pure vocal music as a nutrient for the soul. The Festival opening concert Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 3 was conducted by Macao Orchestra’s Music Director Lu Jia, featuring world-renowned mezzo soprano Charlotte Hellekant, the Macao Orchestra, the China NCPA Orchestra and Chorus, and the Macao Youth Choir. This enormous and complicated composition demonstrated Mahler’s novel idea of orchestra, whilst it emphasised the symbiosis between Man and Nature. Tickets for this performance are all sold out. After the opening, the Festival will present a variety of concerts, including Jing • Qi • Shen rendered by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Performed under the baton of its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Yan Huichang, the piece Jing • Qi • Shen is based on the cyclical recurrence of life in the universe, expressing the gentle yet rigid beauty of the East Asian arts and culture. Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen partners with cellist Anssi Karttunen and violinist Leticia Moreno to present a glamorous concert with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, whilst mezzo soprano Charlotte Hellekant will join hands with the outstanding pianist Anders Kilström to stage Northern Night, a concert reminiscent of the pristine musical landscapes of Northern Europe in St. Dominic's Church. Moscow’s Novaya Opera Theatre will stage Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s one-act opera Mozart and Salieri in a series of three sessions at Dom Pedro V Theatre, while prestigious violinist Gidon Kremer will collaborate with the Kremerata Baltica to present the concerts Masks and Faces and New Seasons. Tickets for several programmes are nearly sold out, so don’t miss this amazing opportunity and buy your tickets. Tickets are on sale at all retail outlets of the Macau Ticketing Network or call the Ticketing Hotline: (853) 2855 5555.
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The Macau Grand Prix has always made safety its top priority, consistently maintaining the highest international standards in all areas of prevention and rescue. On October 3 and 4, the Committee conducted local rescue team training jointly with the FIA. The programme, which included a wide variety of training both theoretical and practical, was designed to ensure that all rescue team members are trained to the highest internationally-recognised standards. Since 2004, the Macau Grand Prix has been promoting the localisation of its rescue teams and, since 2007, all team personnel have been Macau residents. Since then, each year the Committee and the FIA have together organised courses to provide professional training for each local rescue team member, ensuring each has sufficient knowledge and ability to provide medical rescue and fast intervention services at Grand Prix. This year, the rescue teams will work alongside more than 500 other race officials, all of whom have also undergone training, at the Grand Prix. As a high-speed sport, it is vital that the response to motorsport incidents is rapid in order to immediately go to the aid of those involved. Unlike a regular ambulance, motorsport rescue vehicles are equipped with highly-specialised personnel and hardware. Each team member must be fully conversant with the specialist equipment as well as the precise procedures in the event of an incident in order to respond with fast efficiency. In order to perform a rescue procedure effectively, the Race Director must remain calm when faced with sudden incidents, and respond with clear and accurate instructions. Close communication and cooperation between all involved are vital to ensure rescue operations are performed quickly and seamlessly. Invited to conduct this year’s rescue team training courses were FIA Extrication Consultant Jean Jacques Issermann, as well as the FIA Medical Delegates Jacques Tropenat and Alain Chantegret to provide professional instruction, share their experiences and give demonstrations. This year, 20 doctors and 66 firemen took part in the training courses, and were required to participate in car accident simulation training, practice and assessment. Participants who successfully passed the examination received FIA certificates indicating they have surpassed internationally-recognised requirements and are ready to ensure the smooth running of the Macau Grand Prix.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is staging a large-scale roadshow themed as “Experience Macau” at Grand Central Terminal, a famous landmark in New York City from 1 to 4 October. The Office strives to attract more international visitors to Macau through promotional projects rolled out in visitor source markets. This is the first grand roadshow presented by MGTO in New York City, the United States. To reach out to a broader range of local residents and visitors for a wider promotional effect, the four-day event was chosen to take place at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal, the city’s major railroad station bustling with commuters. The roadshow showcases Macau as a travel destination brimming with blended cultures from the East and West, by featuring a variety of highlights from delicacies, stage performance, demonstration of Chinese silhouette paper-cutting, an art gallery, workshops to a photo booth for cultural experience. The roadshow decorations were designed to bring out the beauty of Macau’s attractions including the Ruins of St. Paul’s, A-Ma Temple, Senado Square and Macau Tower. For gourmet delights, Macanese cuisine is presented as a highlight with free samples of signature dishes offered to roadshow visitors, such as African Chicken Meatball, Shrimp Toast, Portuguese Egg Tart and more. On the other hand, workshop participants can enjoy the fun of making their own Portuguese tile or Chinese lantern, whereas the art gallery uncovers the impression of US artists on Macau. The roadshow is also enlivened by lion dance and Portuguese folk dance performances. Besides, roadshow visitors can dress themselves up in outfits of Portuguese folk dancers for photo opportunity. MGTO distributes promotional leaflets during the event while local travel agents promote their special travel packages to Macau on the spot. Situated in Manhattan, the Grand Central Station is an important transportation hub in New York City and also a world-famous railway station. According to statistics, the Station serves up to half a million commuters daily. By rolling out a diversity of promotional activities targeting a constant stream of visitors in large numbers, MGTO aims to further expand international visitor markets for Macau. Last year, Macau welcomed over 180,000 visitors from the United States, which ranked as the tenth largest source market to Macau. From this January to August, the total number of visitor arrivals amounted to a record of 20 million, of which over 1.76 million visitors came from international markets.
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The 27th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest concluded splendidly. Yung-feng Firecrackers & Fireworks Co. Ltd. from Chinese Taiwan won the championship, followed by the fireworks teams from China and France in the second and third place respectively. The prize-giving ceremony was held at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Alexis, Tam Chon Weng; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Pan Yundong; Acting Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Cecilia Tse and Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong attended the ceremony among other guests and presented the awards to the winning teams. During her speech, Acting Director Cecilia Tse remarked that the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has been staged in Macau for 27 years in a row, and over the years, MGTO has been looking for a wide range of outstanding fireworks companies worldwide to bring into the limelight in every edition. She added that the Office hopes to show to visitors from around the world the glamour of Macau as a City of Culture and Events through the Contest. Throughout the years, various famous fireworks companies came from around the world to join the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. The ten teams of this edition come from Malaysia, Finland, Chinese Taiwan, Korea, Italy, Portugal, France, Austria, Australia and China (in the order of performance time and date). This is the first time for the Contest to feature teams from Malaysia and Finland. The pyrotechnic companies from Italy and France also made their debut in Macau. The fireworks presented by the teams from Australia and China culminated the finale evening. Many local citizens flocked to see the fireworks shows on the National Day holiday; including numerous visitors, different vantage points on Macau Peninsula and Taipa were bustled with spectators and alive with a festive ambience. Since the first edition unveiled by MGTO in 1989, the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has developed into a signature event of the destination today. More than that, the contest draws a vast number of spectators from around the world to Macau every year. The Trophy Design Competition, Photo Competition, Student Drawing Competition and SMS Game are held as a series of supporting activities during the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest to encourage citizens’ participation; The Fireworks Carnival is also staged every fireworks evening, making the fireworks extravaganza a splendid event of the year. In the future, MGTO will keep making a great effort to present more fascinating events and festivals with broadened variety, boost the destination profile internationally and attract visitors from around the world, in line with Macau’s goal to build a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is staging the “Experience Macau‧ Macau Grand Prix” Roadshow in Zhuhai from 1 to 9 October. By showcasing splendid events and festivals lined up in the coming months of 2015, the Tourist Office aims to attract more visitors for a longer stay to experience the glamour of Macau, a City of Culture and Events. MGTO Acting Director Cecilia Tse (also the Coordinator of Public Relations and Promotional Activities Subcommittee under Macau Grand Prix Committee); Coordinator of Macau Grand Prix (MGP) Committee, João Manuel Costa Antunes; Head of Destination Marketing Department of MGTO, Betty Fok; Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of MGTO, Doris Leong as well as other MGP Committee members were present in the Roadshow on 1 October to promote Macau’s colorful events. The nine-day Roadshow themed as “Experience Macau‧ Macau Grand Prix” currently goes on at Huafa Mall in Zhuhai. The Roadshow’s major design is themed after the Macau Grand Prix. The World Heritage Site “The Historic Centre of Macao” and the eight walking tour routes under the theme “Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities” as well as other mega events in Macau are showcased in the Roadshow. A Formula 3 racing car and a motorcycle are on display as well. Roadshow visitors can also try the exciting fun of racing around the Guia Circuit on an installed simulator. Following the “Experience Macau Carnival” Roadshow held in Hong Kong in September, MGTO rolls out another roadshow in Zhuhai to showcase splendid events and festivals to attract visitors from both cities to Macau for a longer stay and a fascinating experience of Macau’s “Vibrant Moments”. As another highlight, the Tourist Office is currently holding the “Macau X LEGO® Exhibition” at the lobby of the Ritz Building on Senado Square and Macao Science Center until 28 December.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, sees economic prospects next year as remaining positive and steady. He added the Government would definitely continue using long-term mechanisms that have helped enhance the livelihoods of the people. Mr Chui made his remarks to reporters today prior to the National Day reception celebrating the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. He stressed the Government was financially stable, and its financial management efforts had ensured a modest public surplus would be recorded this year. Gaming revenue contributed a significant portion of the Government’s income, and gaming revenue amounted to at least 20 billion patacas per month in the first half of 2015, said Mr Chui. The Government would pay close attention to the gaming revenues in September and for the fourth quarter, tailoring accordingly its budget proposal for the coming fiscal year, he added. Mr Chui reiterated the Government would strictly abide by the Basic Law in keeping its expenditure within its revenues; reconsider any non-essential spending during what is a time of gaming industry consolidation; and at the same time ensure spending on social welfare would not be affected. With the full support of the Central Government, the Macao Government will actively participate in the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” initiative, (also known as “Belt and Road”), and engage in projects of regional cooperation. The work of clarifying Macao’s administrative and jurisdictional role in relation to its customary waters would also strengthen Macao’s efforts in achieving adequate economic diversification and the expansion in Macao of more non-gaming tourism features, added the Chief Executive. Mr Chui said the Government’s work in boosting non-gaming elements in the tourism sector had made a positive impact during the past two years, as shown by the increasing importance of these features within the sector. Mr Chui said the Government had not yet started using its fiscal reserve to invest in infrastructure projects in the mainland. If any such projects were initiated, the Government would act in line with the law and submit proposals to the Legislative Assembly. The main conditions for the Government to invest in the mainland were that the principal capital be guaranteed, that the project should achieve returns within certain measured boundaries, and that there was a mechanism enabling withdrawal from the investment if the Government wished to do so. Asked by reporters about a new measure imposing a new annual cash withdrawal limit on China UnionPay Ltd cards used outside the mainland, the Chief Executive said the Government would collaborate on the new guidelines. The Government would also closely observe any changes in tourists’ consumption behaviour in Macao.
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The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) will continue to engage in the nation’s process of advantageous development, in an effort to encourage the vitality of Macao’s economy during a period of consolidation in its gaming industry. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, made the comments when addressing more than 1,150 guests at a reception hosted by the Government at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. The event was part of the celebrations for National Day, marking the 66th anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China. The Government is confident and capable, and with the support of the people, will overcome any challenges encountered during this development process. Macao will advance with the times, seize emerging opportunities in the country’s evolution, and become an even better home for its residents, despite a period of some economic volatility and of consolidation in Macao’s gaming industry, the Chief Executive said. He added the Government would continue to support a healthy development of the gaming industry, and would make good use of the mid-term review of gaming concessions, to strengthen supervision of the industry and to encourage more non-gaming features so as to accommodate the goal of transforming Macao to a world centre of tourism and leisure. The Government would expedite Macao’s own sustainable development; foster the transformation of Macao’s role as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries; and accelerate the establishment of the “three centres” in order to boost ties between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. “Three centres” refers to: a business and trade service centre for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Portuguese-speaking countries; a goods distribution centre; and a convention and exhibition centre for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr Chui said the Government would continue to make best use of the country’s development opportunities and to engage actively in regional integration. An example is Macao playing a greater role in the regional economy via the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and its supplements; in matters such as the establishment of pilot free trade zones in Guangdong and Fujian Provinces; via involvement in building a logistics hub in coastal areas covering Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; and via the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” initiatives. The Chief Executive stressed betterment of the people’s livelihood was the centrepiece of the administration’s policy. He said expenditure in social welfare and in the Investment and Development Expenditure Scheme would not be affected by the previously announced measures limiting public spending that became effective in September. The Government would use all its strength to boost economic advancement, support local SMEs, secure employment of local people, support disadvantaged groups, and construct, for all citizens, long-term systems to address the issues of housing, transport, social security and healthcare. Guests attending the reception included the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Gang; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Hu Zhengyue; the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Mr Wang Wen; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. In the morning, approximately 250 guests had attended the National Day flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Lotus Square. During Thursday Mr Chui also officiated at the launch ceremony and then the award presentation ceremony of a 2015 National Day event called “Macao People Celebrate the National Day - World Walking Day Fun Run”. A number of government departments will also hold celebratory events on Thursday, including a variety show at the Macao East Asian Games Dome at 2pm; and a Chinese acrobatic show “Nutcracker” staged at the Macao Forum at 8pm. Pyrotechnic displays by teams from Australia and China will be held at the 27th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, on the waterfront near Macau Tower at, respectively, 9pm and 9.40 pm tonight. The Macao Post service will offer commemorative postal stamp cover sets for sale, and a stamping service is available at its headquarters building near Senado Square until 5.30pm today.
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The Government was closely monitoring the gaming industry, including inspection on the legitimacy of operation and development of gaming promoters, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said today. The Government was optimistic in transforming Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and would step up efforts to fortify a healthy development of the gaming industry, Mr Leong told reporters after a public event. The Secretary said gaming revenue in September this year showed a narrowing decline from the same period last year, and detailed figures would be released soon. There were usually two or three billion patacas difference between August and September based on the patterns of the past, he added. When asked, Mr Leong said the work of analysing the number of gaming tables allocated in those newly-established projects was still in progress; the Government would take into consideration the project’s non-gaming elements, if it helped to improve the industry’s competitiveness, and if it could drive development of other industry. It also had to abide by the Government’s principle of an annual increase of number of gaming tables remained at less than three per cent until 2023, he said. In addition, Mr Leong said the Government would keep in close touch with gaming operators to know better if there was any casino worker taking an unpaid leave during the consolidation period and if this would affect their welfare.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 221 establishments were engaging in Real Estate Management Services in 2014, an increase of 22 year-on-year; number of persons engaged rose by 6.5% to 5,604. Receipts amounted to MOP 1.20 billion, up by 13.6% year-on-year. Expenditure increased 11.4% to MOP 1.00 billion, of which Compensation of Employees (MOP 514 million) and Operating Expenses (MOP 401 million) went up by 14.2% and 7.5% respectively. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy amounted to MOP 711 million, up by 17.4% year-on-year. Gross Surplus (receipts plus changes in inventories minus expenditure) amounted to MOP 198 million, up by 26.5% year-on-year. Meanwhile, Gross Fixed Capital Formation totalled MOP 28.42 million, a surge of nearly 12 times, due to an increase in acquisition of motor vehicles and computer equipment. There were 33 establishments operating in Security Services, up by 10 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 20.2% to 6,539. Receipts amounted to MOP 1.19 billion, up by 44.7% year-on-year. Expenditure went up by 43.9% to MOP 1.08 billion, with Compensation of Employees (MOP 956 million) accounting for 88.2% of the total, an increase of 45.8% year-on-year. Gross Value Added (MOP 1.06 billion) and Gross Surplus (MOP 105 million) grew by 46.5% and 52.7% respectively year-on-year. Gross Fixed Capital Formation surged by 133.8% to MOP 9.95 million on account of an increase in acquisition of machinery & equipment and motor vehicles. A total of 138 establishments were operating in Cleaning Services, up by 25 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 18.9% to 5,505. Receipts increased by 24.5%, at MOP 647 million. Expenditure rose by 26.0% to MOP 569 million, with 81.0% being spent on Compensation of Employees (MOP 461 million). Gross Value Added totalled MOP 539 million, up by 23.8% year-on-year, while Gross Surplus increased by 14.7% to MOP 78.12 million. Gross Fixed Capital Formation soared by 261.1% to MOP 9.16 million in view of an increase in acquisition of computer and machinery & equipment. Number of establishments in Advertising Services expanded by 100 year-on-year to 521; number of persons engaged rose by 61.9% to 1,889. Receipts (MOP 854 million) and Expenditure (MOP 790 million) registered growth of 52.9% and 49.3% respectively year-on-year. Receipts came primarily from Advertising Services (including design services and media dissemination), at MOP 586 million (68.7% of total), while receipts on providing Conference & Exhibition Organising Services amounted to MOP 131 million (15.3%). Expenditure was mainly incurred on Purchase of Goods & Services, up by 43.0% year-on-year to MOP 431 million (54.5% of total). Gross Value Added totalled MOP 279 million, up by 88.7%; Gross Surplus also rose by 87.0% to MOP 61.29 million. In line with a growth in the number of establishments, an increase in the acquisition of premises and computer equipment was observed, leading to a jump of 107.0% in Gross Fixed Capital Formation, at MOP 75.36 million. A total of 61 establishments were operating in Conference & Exhibition Organising Services, up by 23 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 52.2% to 271. Receipts rose by 19.2% year-on-year to MOP 276 million, which were generated mainly from conference & exhibition organising services (MOP 224 million), accounting for 81.2% of total; meanwhile, Expenditure went up by 47.6% to MOP 265 million. With the growth in expenditure being higher than that in receipts, Gross Value Added dropped by 30.5% year-on-year to MOP 53.94 million; Gross Surplus amounted to MOP 11.67 million. In addition, owing to a surge in acquisition of equipment, Gross Fixed Capital Formation (MOP 7.31 million) registered a notable increase of 5.8 times over 2013.
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