News

The Chinese news writing competition held by Consumer Council will end on 30 September. The Council reminds interested teenagers to submit their works before the deadline. The mentioned Chinese news writing competition targets at middle school students and the Council hopes to draw the attention of teenagers to participate more in social affairs, as well as to enhance their knowledge in consumer rights. Since its launch in March this year, the Council has paid visits to local schools and organizations to promote the contest, such as a talk given to YMCA's 'in-school journalists' during the summer. The Council has prepared various kinds of materials regarding consumer rights to interested persons and will also continue its promotion work in the last month of the contest. Interested organizations are welcome to contact the Council for arranging promotion talks. Consumer Council states that the promotion of consumer rights and correct consumption values to teenagers are one of its important works. Schools are called on to encourage students to join the said contest. Students intended to participate in the contest should submit their works in person to the Council's office at Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 26 Edf. Clementina A. L. Ho before 5PM on 30 September, or by post to P.O. Box No. 3065. Terms & conditions of the contest can be found on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). Three winners will be awarded with cash prizes of $6,000, $4,000, and $3,000 respectively, 20 extra awards of $200 will also be given to entrants with outstanding works. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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To celebrate the Teachers' Day 2014, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters, from 9:00 to 17:30 on 10th September 2014 to provide the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "Celebration of Teachers' Day". A commemorative envelope with stamp will be distributed to public, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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Macao Post will issue a new Postage Paid Postcard with the image of A-Ma Temple, which is situated halfway up the western slope of Barra Hill, is one of the oldest temples in Macao. This postcard will be available for sale at the Macao Post Headquarters, all post offices and postal kiosks on 5th September, 2014. This postage paid postcard priced at MOP10.00 each can be sent to every corner of the world without stamp.
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Consumer Council conducted its first 'Supermarket price survey' in September on 2 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Areia Preta and Avenida de Venceslau de Morais in N. Sra. de Fátima 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 election for the fourth Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region was held this morning (31 August) with Mr Chui Sai On elected to the position, winning 380 votes, representing 95.96 percent of total votes. The election, held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, commenced at 10 am and was completed in about 1 ½ hours. During the election, 396 out of the 400 members of the Election Committee (99 per cent) cast their votes: one member was absent with advance notice, one unexpectedly absent, and two arrived at the venue after the election process was completed. Of the total ballots cast, 380 were valid, 13 were blank and three were void. After all the ballot papers have been audited and verified by the General Audit Committee, the Chairperson of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Ms Song Man Lei, announced that candidate Chui Sai On had received 380 votes, representing the majority of members of the Election Committee, and was duly elected fourth term Chief Executive of the Macao SAR. In accordance with the provisions of the Chief Executive Electoral Law, the results of the election will be submitted to the Court of Final Appeal for confirmation, and will be officially announced in Section One of the Macao SAR Gazette. After he was elected, Mr Chui stepped on to the stage to thank all Election Committee members for their support, and all citizens for their concern about the election and for their support and advice. He promised to double his efforts to live up to the people's trust as he takes up his duties and responsibilities. Mr Chui said he would bear this substantial responsibility and would, together with his administrative team, spare no effort to steadfastly adhere to the principles of "One country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy, to fully implement the Basic Law of Macao, and to realise reform with the spirit of innovation, according to his election platform. Mr Chui also said he would expedite adequate economic diversification, enhance the people's well-being, maintain balanced development between economic and environmental needs, improve the social environment, and help enhance local people's self-confidence and competitiveness. He concluded that he would make his best efforts and contributions to realise the grand Chinese Dream for the nation and the wishes of the people of Macao for a better quality of life.
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) is closely monitoring the developments of the situation following the tour bus accident that occurred today in Coquihalla Highway, heading to Vancouver, Canada.
From the information gathered through the Macao travel industry, until the present moment, there is no indication that any Macao residents have been affected and the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) has not received any request for information or assistance.
If necessary, Macao residents can call the 24-hour Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has recently completed the review of the applications for the 2013 Support Programme for the Production of Feature Films. From the 16 applications received and after the initial review and the second review, the Programme's Adjudicating Panel selected four applications to receive the subsidies: Sweet Home by Choi Ian Sin, Cliché by Ivo M. Ferreira, The Island of Heart by Ho Fei, and Passing Rain by Chan Ka Keong.–These projects are granted a subsidy up to a maximum of MOP1,500,000 each, for production, promotion and marketing. Members of the Adjudicating Panel will also provide professional advice to support the production, promotion and marketing of the selected feature films. IC launched the "Support Programme for the Production of Feature Films" in September 2013, aimed at encouraging the production of local feature films and enhancing the development of the Macao film industry. The Adjudicating Panel of the Support Programme was formed by movie professionals from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao as well as representatives from the IC, including directors, producers, academics and public authority representatives, such as Peggy Chiao (Professor at the Department of Filmmaking, Taipei National University of the Arts, film academic and producer), Alexander Law Kai-yui (Executive Committee member of the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild, member of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, film producer and screenwriter), Samson Chiu Leung-chun (Hong Kong film producer and screenwriter), Albert Chu Iao Ian (President of the Macao Association of Audio-Visual "CUT") and the Chief of the Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Chan Peng Fai (representative of the IC). The panel believes that the general standard of the selected projects is satisfactory, and will meanwhile provide professional advice and share experiences regarding aspects like script, production, promotion, executive and marketing plan. IC hopes the support of the Panel, will elevate the filmmaking standards of the Macao film industry. For enquiries regarding the results of this Support Programme, please contact Mr. Leong or Mr. Chong through (853) 2892 4040 during office hours.
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The Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Specialization in Professional Accountancy, which is offered by the University of Macau's (UM) Faculty of Business Administration, becomes the first bachelor's degree programme in Macao accredited under the Qualification Programme (QP) of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The said programme, together with the Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Specialization in Accounting and Information Systems, were accredited by the Certified Practising Accountants of Australia in 2013. Students admitted in the Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Specialization in Professional Accountancy from academic year 2013/2014 to 2015/2016 are eligible for direct entry to the QP. After completion of the QP and having gained sufficient recognized work experience, the students can register as the Institute's Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). They can also register as CPAs (practising) practising public accountancy in Hong Kong provided that they have sat and passed the Aptitude Test/ Practising Certificate (PC) Examination on Hong Kong Law. The Institute was incorporated by the Professional Accountants Ordinance (Chapter 50, Laws of Hong Kong) since 1973. It is the only statutory licensing body of accountants in Hong Kong responsible for the professional training, development and regulation of the accountancy profession. Currently there are more than 35,000 members and 17,000 registered students around the world. Members of the Institute can use the initials "CPA" or "FCPA" for their appropriate status in the Institute. The Institute's QP is accorded recognition on five continents. The Institute has signed agreements with the chartered accountant institutes of Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Wales and Zimbabwe, and with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Certified Practising Accountants of Australia, the Association of International Accountants, and the NASBA/AICPA International Qualifications Appraisal Board of the United States, for access to membership in their institutes and practicing rights in their countries. The QP is a combination of theory and practice and is designed in collaboration with the international experts to achieve the highest standards as a world-class accountancy programme. The QP requires self-study and completion of the workshops and open-book examinations of four modules, and an integrated final examination. QP graduates can also receive four paper exemptions of the PRC CPA Uniform Examination.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the growth momentum, affected by the reverse in exports of gaming services, decelerated in the second quarter of 2014; Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanding by 8.1% year-on-year in real terms, lower than the 12.4% in the first quarter. Economic growth in the second quarter was fuelled by the impetus of investment and exports of other tourism services, of which private investment soared by 56.4%, both merchandise exports and exports of other tourism services rose by 10.4%; however, exports of gaming services shrank notably, down by 0.5% year-on-year. In the first half year of 2014, the economy expanded by 10.2% year-on-year; the implicit deflator of GDP that measures the overall change in prices surged by 9.8% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2014. Private consumption expenditure posted solid growth. In view of the buoyant labour market and mounting manpower needs, both total employment and working income rose to record high, pushing private consumption expenditure to rise by 7.0% year-on-year. Household final consumption expenditure in the domestic market and abroad increased by 7.3% and 6.6% respectively. Government final consumption expenditure increased by 4.8% year-on-year, of which compensation of employees rose by 3.4%, and net purchases of goods and services increased by 7.5%. Investment was the main driver of growth. Gross fixed capital formation, the gauge of investment, expanded by 52.7% year-on-year, higher than the first quarter growth of 30.9%. Private investment soared substantially by 56.4% as construction of the major tourism and gaming facilities was in full swing, of which construction and equipment investment surged by 58.3% and 46.9% respectively. Government investment increased by 9.6%, public construction investment and equipment investment rose by 10.4% and 4.0% respectively. Merchandise growth sustained. Merchandise exports grew by 10.4% upon moderate increase in external demand; meanwhile, merchandise imports rose by 18.3% at the back of an expanding private investment, rising private consumption expenditure and visitor arrivals. Trade in services decelerated. With visitor arrivals and spending rising concurrently, exports of other tourism services increased by 10.4%; however, exports of gaming services decreased by 0.5% year-on-year, marking an end to upturn during the past six quarters. Under the lacklustre performance of the gaming sector, growth in total exports of services narrowed significantly to 1.3%, while imports of services declined by 11.1% year-on-year.
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Consumer Council received over 3,200 cases in the first half of this year (2014). A detailed analysis of all complaint cases received is included in the latest issue no. 252 Consumer Report, the latest issue also includes a questionnaire on the services and charges of local 3G prepaid cards. The Council handled 3,230 cases in the first half of this year, which includes 790 complaint cases, 2,402 enquiries, and 38 suggestions. The top five categories of complaints, namely telecommunication equipments, telecommunication services, food & beverage, electrical appliances, and public transportation, amounted to over 45 percent of the total number of complaints received. A detailed analysis is available in the issue no.252 Consumer Report, covering the main complaint issues and other cases which have increased in number in recent years. The Council provides suggestions to the relevant industries and hopes that consumers will pay attention and be aware of situations that will infringe their own consumer rights. The Council conducted a questionnaire on the services and charges of 3G prepaid cards provided by the local four telecommunication service providers, results of the questionnaire can be found in the latest issue Consumer Report. Surveyed questions include the types of 3G prepaid cards, calculation methods, and any measures adopted by telecommunication service providers when consumers lose their cards. Consumers are advised to check with the questionnaire results for reference. Issue no. 252 Consumer Report also features the answers to the crossword puzzle held by Consumer Council; winners will be notified separately. Other featured articles include a wrap-up of the public consultation of ''Review on Consumer Protection Law', and other recent works of the Council. 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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