News

As 1 October is approaching, consumption by citizens are expected to increase, so are the number of inbound tourists. The Consumer Council held a meeting earlier with Economic Services Bureau (DSE), Macao Government Tourist Office (DST), Transport Bureau (DSAT), Judiciary Police (PJ), Public Security Police Force (PSP), Macao Custom Service, Civic and Municipal Affairs Council (IACM), Health Bureau (SS), and Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation (DSRT) to discuss on the protection of consumer rights for local citizens as well as inbound tourists. Consumer Council reminds consumers and tourists 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 1100 to 1800 during public holidays (1 to 4 October). Consumer Council hotline: 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for August 2015 amounted to MOP894 million, up by 19.4% year-on-year; value of re-exports grew by 30.9% to MOP783 million, of which value of Clocks & watches and Diamond & diamond jewellery soared by 148.2% and 218.5% respectively, while that of Motor cars & motorcycles surged by 1,659.9%; however, value of domestic exports dropped by 26.5% to MOP111 million, of which domestic exports of Tobacco decreased by 53.9% to MOP22 million. Total merchandise import fell by 3.8% year-on-year to MOP6.87 billion. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.98 billion. In the first eight months of 2015, total value of merchandise export grew by 11.8% year-on-year to MOP7.29 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP6.09 billion) increased by 17.1%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.20 billion) declined by 8.9%. Total value of merchandise import fell by 0.6% to MOP56.65 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP49.36 billion for the first eight months of 2015. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP4.47 billion) and Mainland China (MOP1.17 billion) in the first eight months of 2015 increased by 15.5% and 21.2% year-on-year, while export to the EU (MOP160 million) and the USA (MOP136 million) decreased by 22.5% and 35.6% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles increased by 12.4% year-on-year to MOP6.75 billion, of which value of Clocks & watches (MOP955 million) and Electronic components (MOP580 million) rose by 47.2% and 32.4% respectively, but that of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP813 million) dropped by 30.2%. Exports of Textiles & garments totalled MOP545 million, up by 5.6%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP20.98 billion) in the first eight months of 2015 increased by 13.2% year-on-year, while import from the EU (MOP12.68 billion) fell by 12.4%. Imports of Consumer goods dropped by 7.4% to MOP33.75 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP4.78 billion) decreasing by 25.4%, but that of Food & beverages (MOP7.76 billion) increasing by 2.7%. Moreover, imports of Mobile phones (MOP5.16 billion) expanded by 37.6%, while imports of Fuels & lubricants (MOP4.72 billion) declined by 10.9%. External merchandise trade reached MOP63.94 billion in the first eight months of 2015, up by 0.6% compared with MOP63.54 billion a year earlier.
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The Government has officially applied the management of Macao’s jurisdiction over its customary waters to the Central Government, and hoped the approval would be made within this year, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. Mr Chui told this to reporters at the airport before leaving for a two-day visit in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. The visit is to study the experience in maritime economy of the city. The Government was grateful to the Central Government for the support on the work of jurisdiction over customary waters. In the past year, the Government has formed a task group to actively engage in discussions with related departments from the mainland. The work of defining Macao’s jurisdictional roles over local waters is directed by the Central Government. It was announced by President Xi Jinping when he was here last December for a series of activities celebrating the 15th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. The Chief Executive was also asked about the financial situation of the Government. Mr Chui said he was optimistic about this year’s fiscal surplus despite Macao was undergoing a period of consolidation. He stressed the Government would devote its best efforts in managing budget proposal for the coming year, and ensuring the financial surplus were used in projects outlined in the Policy Address. The Government hoped to share surplus with the people, such as by offering the Wealth Partaking Scheme and other one-off subsiding measures. On the Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome, Mr Chui said it has commissioned the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming of the University of Macau to study the concession issue in-depth. The Chief Executive said the Government would heed the people’s opinion on the issue, adding there were several factors to consider, such as the component of diversified gaming, continuity of dog racing in Macao, suitability for the development in its neighbouring area, the location, and the possibility of combining the racing of dog and horse. On the strike held by a few of local recyclers, Mr Chui said the Government would spare no effort in maintaining Macao’s environment, while remained close touch with the recycling sector to learn more on the challenges and difficulties it faced. Supportive measures from the neighbouring areas would be considered and the Government would support the sector with all its strength, he said. When asked, Mr Chui said the old campus of the University of Macau was the Government’s efforts to support the development of public and private tertiary institutes, stressing it was not for profit and other commercial purposes. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, would give more details on the issue in the near future. For salary adjustment of civil servants, Mr Chui said the consultative council for pay offer of civil servants would propose a referencing scale after regarding the inflation, financial ability of the Government, adjustment level of the private sector, and the overall purchasing power. The Government would decide the scale based on the situation, he said.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and LEGO® HK collaborate for the very first time to create a unique “Macau x LEGO® Exhibition”. The bricks exhibit will be showcased at Ritz Building in Senado Square and Macau Science Centre from 25 September to 28 December. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Marketing Manager of LEGO® HK, Yvonne Lam Wing Ki officiate the Opening Ceremony at Ritz Building today (25 September). The “Macau x LEGO® Exhibition” is built by Andy Hung, the LEGO® Certified Professional, with over 120 thousand LEGO® bricks including iconic Macau landmarks such as Macau’s World Heritage, attractions, events and landmarks among others. It is believed that the exhibition will attract residents and tourists to experience Macau from a new and different angle. Andy Hung not only paid high attention to the realism of the architectures, the mini figures and props are extensively utilized for highlighting lively atmosphere to impress visitors. Senado Square, Rua de Felicidade and Ruins of St. Paul’s are displayed in LEGO® bricks at Ritz Building, whereas the Macau Grand Prix Guia Circuit, Macau Tower and map of Macau Peninsula exhibits are displayed at the Macau Science Centre (MSC). Aside from the meticulously-crafted LEGO® exhibition, the latest car racing products (Speed Champion Series) of LEGO® is also available at MSC. Both exhibition venues include photo booth and “Macau Attraction x LEGO® mini-figures” photo exhibition by local photographer António Leong. To let LEGO® fans and mini-figure photographers experience the fun of Macau tourism crossover LEGO®, MGTO specially organized several sessions of LEGO® Photography Seminar and LEGO® Workshop at MSC. Andy Hung and António Leong will share their techniques and experiences with participants who successfully registered in the sessions. LEGO® Photography Seminar will be held on October 18, November 15 and December 13 (two sessions per day) at 12:00 – 13:00 and 14:30 – 15:30. On the other hand, LEGO® Workshop will be held on October 3, November 11 & 29 (two sessions per day) at 12:00 – 13:00 and 14:30 – 15:30. Last year and mid-September this year, MGTO organized large-scale roadshows in Hong Kong which showcased some famous Macau landmarks in LEGO® bricks and were very well received by the public. Soon after the first exhibition was held, MGTO started to plan for this exhibition. The “Macau x LEGO® Exhibition” has been prepared for more than half a year, and the construction work was built by a team, led by Andy Hung, the first LEGO® Certified Professionals (LDP) in the Greater China region. For more information of the exhibition and related activities, please visit: http://en.macautourism.gov.mo/main/page.php?id=54 This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo
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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 household cleansing products, and shampoo & shower gels on 24 September. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council’s ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. For inquiry, please call the Council’s hotline: 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for June-August 2015 was 1.9%, up slightly by 0.1 percentage point from May-July; the underemployment rate remained stable at 0.4%. Total labour force was 402,700 and the labour force participation rate stood at 73.3%. Total employment decreased by 2,800 from May-July, at 395,100. Analysed by industry, employment in Construction and Retail Trade registered decrease, while that in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities saw increase. Number of the unemployed was 7,500, up by 100 from May-July. With fresh graduates joining the labour market, fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job (1,300) increased by 200, with its proportion in the total unemployed rising by 3.3 percentage points to 17.7%. In comparison with June-August 2014, the labour force participation rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points, while the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate increased by 0.2 and 0.1 percentage points respectively.
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Co-organized by the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Hong Kong Film Development Council and the Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of Guangdong Province, the “2015 Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Film Production Investment and Trade Fair” (“Investment Fair”) came to an end yesterday, 24 September, to great success. This edition of the Investment Fair counted with the participation of 30 movie projects of producers and over 50 guest investors, successfully promoting meetings between the two as well as an exchange platform between movie producers and investors. The “Investment Fair” took place on 23 and 24 September, on the 4th floor of Conrad Macao, Sands Cotai Central, giving movie producers an opportunity to introduce their projects to investors and promoting meetings between the two sides, in a pursuit for follow-up cooperation opportunities. In addition, in order to recognize projects with potential, three awards have been specially designed for the occasion, namely the Film Project—Grand Award, the Film Project—Award of Excellence and the Film Project—Award of Merit, which were awarded by individual vote of investors of the three regions, cast following the meetings, to the producers of the three movie projects with the most votes. The film “The Double Life of Myself” by Chan Nga Lei of Macao received the Film Project—Grand Award from the hands of the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao S.A.R. Government, Ung Vai Meng; the film “Extraordinary Campus” of Guangdong received the Film Project—Award of Excellence from the hands of the Chief of Film Management Office of Administration of Press and Publications, Radio, Film and Television of Guangdong Province, Zeng Guangwang; and the film “Passing Rain” by Chan Ka Keong of Macao and “San Chong Mei Ying” by Ling Yi of Guangdong received the Film Project—Award of Merit from the hands of the Assistant Head of Create Hong Kong, Fung Wing. The “2015 Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Film Production Investment and Trade Fair” was held for the first time last year, also in Macao, aiming at offering a quality exchange platform to facilitate contacts between producers and investors from the three regions, create a cooperation and movie investments channel between the regions and focusing on offering support for film production with small and mid-size costs, on training of professionals and on promoting the development of the movie industry in the three regions.
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Spanning a whole week during October 1 – 7, the October 1st Golden Week will begin on October 1 officially. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has adopted a range of measures to actively prepare for the peak period as follow: sending out reminders and mobile text messages to industry partners and visitors respectively about things to be aware of, inter-departmental information sharing, more scrupulous inspections, food guide publication, staging activities in different districts as well as setting up stations to answer enquiries. Through a series of measures, MGTO is dedicated not only to catering for the needs of local residents and visitors but also to optimizing tourism service quality and tourism environment in Macau. Regular communication and information sharing By sending out letters, MGTO specifically suggests local travel agency associations should communicate with and advise tour operators to adjust their schedules of tour group visits to major attractions. On the other hand, through mobile text messages, the Tourist Office advises visitors to visit popular sightseeing districts during off-peak hours. Such tactics are adopted to divert visitors from crowding areas and to keep traffic and neighborhoods near tourist sites from being least affected, so as to maintain a positive destination image of Macau. MGTO also regularly communicates and exchanges information with other governmental entities including Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macau Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau as well as Transport Bureau. From the “Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports” operated by Public Security Police Force, visitors can check the real-time border-crossing images at the arrival & departure halls and traffic lanes of Border Gate, Outer Harbour and Cotai Frontier Post by visiting the platform webpage: www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor on phone or computer. Visitors can hence choose a suitable timing to leave or arrive in Macau more flexibly. MGTO’s website has offered a direct link to Public Security Police Force’s webpage “Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports”. Reminder to trade and more scrupulous inspections In order to safeguard visitor rights and tourism quality, MGTO already sent out letters to travel trade operators to raise their awareness about hygiene, fire safety, guest capacity, opening hours, occupational guidelines of hosting tour groups, requirement for hotels and catering establishments to declare their price lists as well as for hotels to keep a record of hotel guest information upon check-in, hotel swimming-pool management guideline and so forth. At the same time, the Office continues to join hands with police authorities to keep combating illegal accommodation. MGTO will carry out more scrupulous inspections at various tourist attractions, ports and districts in Macau whilst increasing the manpower at Tourist Information counters. MGTO’s Tourism Hotline 2833 3000 will maintain its 24-hour operator service as usual whereas MGTO inspectors will stand by round the clock. Posting visitor arrival numbers online Because of the upcoming October 1st Golden Week, MGTO will post every previous day’s visitor arrival numbers online for the public’s information during the period between 27 September and 8 October. MGTO regularly publishes the room rates of different room categories reported by hotels and guest houses in Macau on its website. The Office will also send mobile text messages to Mainland visitors upon their arrival to Macau, informing them that they can check room rates on MGTO's website and obtain printed travel materials at MGTO's Tourist Information counters for free, so that they can have more travel tips and practical information in hand. In addition, via MGTO’s WeChat account, the Office will suggest visitors to make room reservation and prepare their itinerary in advance. Event and festival Highlights on App During the National Day holidays, there will be a range of festivals, events, performances, exhibitions and activities in Macau, including MACAU X LEGO® Exhibition and Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. On the National Day, fireworks teams from Australia and Mainland China will dazzle the night sky with a myriad of fireworks. Residents and visitors can easily obtain travel tips from MGTO’s "What's On, Macau" Mobile App, which provides information about the latest tourist attractions, events and festivals, performances, exhibitions and activities. Smartphone users can download the App in advance and check out Macau's splendid events offline. Its content is available in three versions - English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese. The App is available for downloading from App Store or Google Play. Visitors can also download "Step out, Macau" Mobile App or "Experience Macau" Mobile App to get more travel information about Macau. Macau Food Guide and Star Merchants For local dining, MGTO has published the “Macau Food Guide for October 1st Vacation” (Chinese version only) together with The United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, General Union of the Macau Neighborhood Association as well as The Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau. Offering a contact list of restaurants and eateries which will be open during the October 1st Golden Week, the handy food guide can familiarize locals and visitors with the restaurants’ operation information. On the other hand, MGTO launched the Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (QTSAS) last year. Visitors can search for award-winning restaurants and eateries listed in the “Star Merchant Award" – Restaurants and Eateries Guide. “Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities” To enrich the festive experience, MGTO will again arrange a variety of artistic performances with the hue of Chinese and Portuguese traditions at different tourist attractions and along the “Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities” walking tour routes in Macau. Visitors can enjoy these performances for free. There will also be staff stationed at different tourist locations to answer visitors' enquiries and introduce them to various tourist spots. They will also distribute the brochure "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities Walking Tour Routes", encouraging locals and visitors to explore the routes. Locals and visitors can also join the “Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities” Bus Highlight Tour and “Take Selfies to Win Prizes”, a fun activity to share their joyful moments in their Macau trip. The “Star Merchant Award" – Restaurants and Eateries Guide and the“Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities Walking Tour Routes” Brochure can be downloaded from MGTO's website: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo or acquired at MGTO’s Tourist Information counters. The “Macau Food Guide for October 1st Vacation” is available in both hard and soft copies, by distribution and online respectively during the October 1st Golden Week, or can be viewed on MGTO’s WeChat account.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead a delegation to Zhoushan from 28 to 29 September, to learn more about the development of the maritime economy in the city, located in Zhejiang Province. The delegation has been invited by the Zhoushan Government. It will visit an urban planning exhibition hall, a petroleum storage facility, and a deep-sea, offshore fish farm during the two-day visit. The visit is part of the Macao Special Administrative Region’s efforts to make use of its unique advantages as part of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st-Century Maritime Silk Road” (known also as the “Belt and Road”). They are initiatives of the Central Government. As the last stop on the “Maritime Road”, Macao is assisting in national policy and playing its part in boosting the maritime economy. In line with the Central Government’s initiative, the Macao Government expects to learn this year the position regarding Macao’s jurisdictional role over local waters. This will provide a solid foundation for the development of the coastal economy and contribute to the adequate diversification of the Macao economy. Members of the delegation to Zhoushan will include the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Ms Lai Man Wa; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Marine and Water Bureau, Ms Wong Soi Man; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the President of Administrative Committee of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Cheong Chou Weng; and the Director of Policy Research Office, Mr Lau Pun Lap. While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, will be the Acting Chief Executive.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) launched the 2015 Subsidy Programme for Fashion Design on Sample Making in June in order to promote the development of Macao’s fashion design. Following the initial review, IC herein announces the entrants for the second review. The Subsidy Programme for Fashion Design on Sample Making is now in its third year. This year, a total of 22 applications were received and accepted, of which 45% were from new applicants. Nearly 70% of the applicants have registered their fashion brands as a trademark. IC had invited an adjudicating panel to grade the entries based on their creativity and originality, market potential, quality, overall visual effect, feasibility and degree of perfection of the exhibition and business plan, as well as the rationale of planning and budgeting. The adjudicating panel is comprised of Terry Sio Un I, member of the Committee of Cultural Industries of Macao and Chairman of the Rainbow Group; Victoria Kuan Chi Ping, Senior Manager of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre; Jose Tang Kuan Meng, Vice President of the Industrial Association of Macau; and Johanna Ho, a renowned Hong Kong fashion designer. The entrants selected for the second review are (names listed in no particular order): (individual applications) Tam Chi Kit, Cheang Chi Tat, Leong Iok Pui, Wai Chin Seong, Cheang Man Cheng, Ho Weng I, Leong Man Teng, Siu David, Chio Ut Fu, Peng Yun, Lei Wai Cheng and Leng Carmen; (group applications) Cheong Kuan Peng and Wong Ha, Lo Ka Heng and Choi Wai Leng, Dias Cardoso Ana Claudia and Dias Cardoso Nair Alexandra. IC will inform the entrants listed above of the result by telephone and email. At the current stage, entrants should make a sample based on one of the drawings submitted for the initial review, which will be presented to the adjudicating panel during the second review by a model with full make-up and hair dressing, to bring out the full look. Entrants will be asked to introduce their works and answer questions in an interview with the panel. Following the second review, entrants may apply for a maximum subsidy of MOP11,000 to reimburse the expenses incurred on sample making and presentation. The date and venue for the second review will be announced at a later stage. A maximum of eight finalists will be selected as beneficiaries of the Programme, each receiving a maximum subsidy of MOP160,000. For details, please check the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc/sps) or the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com). For further enquiries, please call Ms. Grace Lam or Ms. Lily Lam, staff members of IC through tel. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours.
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