News

In addressing to the issue of lacking of dormitories of some local tertiary educational institutions, leading students have to face the difficulties of renting a place in the market and the issue of continuous rising of rental, the Macao SAR Government has decided to implement a one year temporarily measure of lending and renting dormitories of the old campus of the University of Macau (UM) to those needed territory educational institutions. As to the planning of the future usage of the old campus, the SAR Government has decided earlier that the site will continuously mainly be used in the area of tertiary education. The SAR Government is now reviewing different factors such as the direction of development of those related tertiary educational institutions, their scale and the need of development of the society in planning the usage of the old UM campus. The preliminary plan is to address the needs of development of territory educational institutions so as to achieve the effect of sharing recourses and allocating all recourses to the best use. Considering the idea that after UM moved to its new campus in the Hengqin Island, its buildings of dormitory are vacated and in addressing to the pressing needs of dormitory of some territory educational institutions, after deliberation with those related departments, the SAR Government has decided to implement temporarily measure in the usage of those old UM dormitories. The Macau Polytechnic Institute and the Institute for Tourism Studies, the two public educational institutions, are assigned three buildings of the old UM student dormitories. The Macau University of Science and Technology is also arranged to rent some of the dormitories, but is required to move out after the new building of its new dormitory is completed. As the above mentioned measure of the usage of those buildings of UM old dormitory is temporarily, it will not affect the overall planning of the usage of the old UM campus.
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For seven years, international government leaders, businesses, professionals, financial institutions, investors and non-government organisations have converged in Macao to actively participate in the collective effort to address environmental issues of global concern. The Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF), an innovative event hosted by the Macao SAR Government to promote international environmental co-operation, is also in line with China's efforts to achieve specific objectives for a low carbon society, as well as raise public awareness and improve living conditions for all mankind. Since its inception in 2008 in Macao, MIECF has grown from strength to strength and is regarded a success by delegates, exhibitors and the international community. The 8th MIECF will be held from 26 to 28 March in the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Koelnmesse Pte Ltd is the Event Manager for the 2015MIECF. We are pleased to invite interested service providers to submit a quotation and proposal. The range of services being tendered for is: Please read attachment! Interested parties are invited to submit their quotation and proposal, the submission deadline is 5pm on 5 September 2014. Full information on the quotation and proposal procedures and specifications can be obtained from the website at www.macaomiecf.com.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 4,158 building units and parking spaces were purchased and sold at MOP28.97 billion in the second quarter of 2014 as per Stamp Duty record, up by 8% and 29% respectively quarter-to-quarter. Purchase and sale of residential units totalled 2,462 at MOP17.62 billion, up by 24% and 45% respectively quarter-to-quarter; total value of pre-sale residential units (587) and existing residential units (1,875) amounted to MOP7.20 billion and MOP10.42 billion respectively. With high-end new properties being offered for sale in the second quarter, the average price of all residential units increased by 25% quarter-to-quarter to MOP111,542 per square metre of usable area. The average price of pre-sale residential units increased by 48% quarter-to-quarter, at MOP185,886 per square metre; the average price of those in the Macao Peninsula and Taipa increased by 52% and 38% respectively. Analysed by district, pre-sale residential units in NAPE & Aterros da Baía da Praia Grande (382) accounted for 65% of the total, and the average price was MOP238,144 per square meter, up by 38% quarter-to-quarter. The average price of existing residential units increased by 9% quarter-to-quarter to MOP86,969 per square meter; the average price of those in the Macao Peninsula and Taipa increased by 8% and 12% respectively, but the price of those in Coloane dropped by 13%. Analysed by district, many of these units purchased and sold were in Baixa da Taipa (222), Novos Aterros da Areia Preta (NATAP) (220) and Barca (162), and the average price was MOP94,857, MOP115,182 and MOP64,544 respectively per square metre. Analysed by year of completion, there were 971 residential units built more than 20 years ago (130 in Barca, 110 in Barra / Manduco) and the average price was MOP67,249 per square metre, up by 8% quarter-to-quarter. For the 572 residential units completed between 11 to 20 years ago (124 in Baixa da Taipa, 81 in NATAP), the average price held stable as the previous quarter, at MOP80,770 per square metre. The average price of the 224 residential units completed within 5 years or less (89 in NATAP, 29 in Baixa da Taipa) increased by 26%, at MOP140,751 per square metre. Analysed by usable floor area, there were 1,096 small-sized residential units having a floor area of less than 50 square metres, and the average price rose significantly by 60% quarter-to-quarter to MOP128,046 per square metre; pre-sale residential units accounted for 29%, with an average price of MOP223,565 per square metre. For the 1,002 residential units having a floor area of 50.0 to 99.9 square metres, the average price rose by 29% to MOP104,913 per square metre. The average price of office units and industrial units was MOP119,576 and MOP58,555 per square metre, up by 5% and 26% respectively quarter-to-quarter. In the second quarter of 2014, there were 3,214 real estate sale contracts signed, involving 4,106 properties, up by 36% quarter-to-quarter; meanwhile, 4,216 mortgage contracts were signed, involving 8,531 properties, up notably by 83%. As regards construction in the private sector, gross floor area of construction of new buildings in the second quarter totalled 40,256 square metres, providing 106 units upon completion. Meanwhile, gross floor area of buildings completed totalled 268,520 square metres, altogether providing 1,611 units.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new SME lending approved by Macao banks continued to grow in the first half of 2014. Concurrently, the utilisation of SME credit in proportion to the credit limit approved by banks remained stable when compared with the previous survey period. New lending approved In the first half of 2014, new SME credit limit approved by Macao banks totalled MOP23.2 billion, up by 42.5% from the second half year of 2013 or 84.0% from the same period last year. The collateralised ratio, which indicates the proportion of credit limit with tangible assets pledged, was 75.3%, down 2.4 percentage points when compared with the last survey period but up marginally by 0.1 percentage point when compared with the same period of 2013. Credit utilisation As at end-June 2014, the outstanding value of total SME loans increased 28.9% from end-2013 or 57.9% from a year earlier to MOP52.1 billion. When compared with end-2013, SME loans to "wholesale and retail trade", "construction and public works" and "transport, warehouse and communications" increased at respective rates of 64.5%, 31.7% and 17.1%, whereas those to "electricity, gas and water", "education" and "agriculture and fisheries" dropped 49.4%, 8.7% and 6.1% respectively. The utilisation rate, defined as the proportion of outstanding credit balance to the credit limit granted, dropped 0.6 percentage points from six months ago to 64.4%. Delinquent loans At the end of June 2014, the outstanding balance of delinquent SME loans decreased by 1.5% from six months ago to MOP142.4 million. Compared to a year ago, the balance dropped 13.8%. The delinquency ratio, a ratio of delinquent loans outstanding balance to total SME loans outstanding, dropped 0.08 percentage points from end-2013 or 0.23 percentage points from a year earlier to 0.27%.
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Aiming to implement the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Framework Agreement, further expand the trade and economic cooperation horizons between Guangdong Province and Macao SAR and to jointly promote the development of Guangdong and Macao´s MICE industry, following the success of the 2013 Macao-Foshan Famous Products Fair, held in Foshan last year, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Jiangmen Municipality will jointly organize the 2014 Macao-Jiangmen Famous Products Fair, which will take place on December 5-7 at the Wuyi Overseas Chinese Plaza Exhibition Center, located in Jiangmen Municipality, Guangdong Province. The coverage of the 2014 Macao-Jiangmen Famous Products Fair will include: MinM (Made in Macao), souvenirs, cultural and creative products, consumer goods, food, wine, products from the Portuguese-Speaking Countries, and other commodities. Famous and high-quality Macao and Jiangmen products will be on display and for sale to the residents of Jiangmen and neighbouring areas. During the Fair, apart from business matching and procurement negotiation sessions, there are also cultural performances. The said Fair is designed as a meeting and cooperation platform between Macao and Jiangmen enterprises as well as a channel to help Macao enterprises to expand to the domestic markets of Mainland China, by promoting, in a pragmatic way, the economic and trade cooperation between Guangdong and Macau, by offering a rich and diversified content on site. In order to encourage local businesses to participate in the above-mentioned event as exhibitors, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute has especially set up an incentive plan with the following concessions: standard booth, accommodation, transportation, round-trip freight and temporary work arrangements. Eligible Macao enterprises are only required to pay MOP2,000.00 for a standard booth or MOP1,800.00 for a raw exhibition space. The scope of the exhibition will include: products made in Macao, Macao´s branded products and overseas branded products with distribution channels in Macao (priority will be given to products made in the Portuguese-Speaking Countries). Active participation from Macao enterprises is welcome, with a view to tapping business opportunities. Interested local enterprises are invited to contact Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (World Trade Centre, 4th Floor), to obtain the relevant application form and to deal with the application process from 18th to 29th August, during office hours. Due to the limited number of booths available, distribution of the booths will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Final decision on the selection of exhibitors rests with the Organizers. For application and enquiries, please call 8798 9262 (Mr. Leong), 8798 9267 (Mr. Chang) or 8798 9295 (Ms. Leong).
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on tissue papers on 12 August for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. 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. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) increased in June 2014. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New lending approved In June 2014, new RMLs approved by Macao banks rose 51.8% month-to-month to MOP9.2 billion; of which, 75.5% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RML to residents and non-resident increased 16.4% and 2,251.2% respectively. The surge of RMLs to non-residents was mainly driven by loans approved to enterprises, using uncompleted units of residential properties already acquired as collaterals and for purposes other than purchase of residential properties. When compared with the same period of 2013, new approvals of RMLs witnessed increase of 207.4%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) soared by 214.8% month-to-month to MOP2.7 billion. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 23.9% of the total, decreased 22.0%. When compared with the same period of 2013, new RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units expanded 29,167.0%. New CRELs increased by 95.1% month-to-month to MOP10.9 billion; of which, 99.0% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents increased 97.0% while those to non-residents decreased 0.7%. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs grew by 181.2%. Outstanding balances As at end-June 2014, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP137.8 billion, an increase of 5.4% from one month earlier or 29.5% from a year ago. The resident component made up 94.0% of the total. Compared to end-May 2014, outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents grew 4.0% and 34.6% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased 2.7% from end-May 2014 and was up 34.0% from end-June 2013 to MOP105.1 billion. Residents accounted for 92.1% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and to non-residents grew 2.8% and 2.0% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of June 2014, the delinquency ratio for RMLs was 0.06%, down 0.01 percentage point from a month ago or levelling off from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs stayed virtually unchanged at 0.08% from a month ago and from end-June 2013.
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In order to encourage consumers to keep their shopping receipts and invoices, Consumer Council will hold an activity called 'Keep your shopping receipts' from 15 August to 14 November. Consumers can exchange draw tickets with their shopping bills, receipts or other forms of invoices, participants are entitled to a draw of MOP1,500 cash prize. Consumer Council indicates that consumers may lodge complaints at the Council when they have doubts with their purchased products or services, however, there may be difficulties if consumers do not have their invoices or receipts on hand. The Council therefore organizes a 'Keep your shopping receipts' activity to encourage and remind consumers to ask for their shopping receipts when making purchases. When making purchase of MOP50 or above, consumers can use their receipt, together with a 'Keep your shopping receipts' sticker provided by the participating shops, to exchange a draw ticket at the Council's office (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 26) from 15 August to 14 November. The first three prize winners are entitled to cash prizes of MOP1,500, MOP1,000, and MOP500 respectively. Another 20 winners will also be drawn for cash prizes of MOP100 each. Interested parties may visit the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) to check for details of the activity and a list of all participating shops. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Consumer Council conducted its fourth 'Supermarket price survey' in August on 13 August for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Horte e Costa, Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga and Rua da Emenda areas in Santo António 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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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP127.6 billion (USD15.99 billion) at the end of July 2014. The reserves increased by 1.4% from the revised value of MOP125.9 billion (USD15.76 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-July 2014 represented 13 times the currency in circulation or 109.9% of Pataca M2 at end-June 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, dropped 0.13 points month-to-month and 0.97 points year-on-year to 97.32 in July 2014.
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