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To celebrate the 131st Anniversary of Macao Post, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philately Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters and the Communications Museum on 1st March 2015 to provide the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "131st Anniversary of Macao Post". Opening hours are as follows: Philately Shop of Macao Post Headquarters: 9:00 to 17:30
Shop of Communications Museum: 9:30 to 17:30 A commemorative envelope will be distributed to public. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps!
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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 second half of 2014. Concurrently, the utilisation of SME credit in proportion to the credit limit approved by banks rose when compared with the previous survey period. New lending approved In the second half of 2014, new SME credit limit approved by Macao banks totalled MOP25.4 billion, up by 9.4% from the first half year of 2014 or 55.8% from the same period last year. The collateralised ratio, which indicates the proportion of credit limit with tangible assets pledged, was 82.1%, up 6.8 percentage points when compared with the last survey period or 4.4 percentage points when compared with the same period of 2013. Credit utilisation As at end-December 2014, the outstanding value of total SME loans increased 15.1% from end-June 2014 or 48.4% from a year earlier to MOP60.0 billion. When compared with end-June 2014, SME loans to "non-monetary financial institutions", "restaurants, hotels and similar activities" and "wholesale and retail trade" increased at respective rates of 143.1%, 10.4% and 8.9%, whereas those to "electricity, gas and water", "education" and "manufacturing" dropped 43.0%, 18.0% and 12.6% respectively. The utilisation rate, defined as the proportion of outstanding credit balance to the credit limit granted, rose 2.3 percentage points from six months ago to 66.7%. Delinquent loans At the end of 2014, the outstanding balance of delinquent SME loans decreased by 7.9% from six months ago to MOP131.1 million. Compared to a year ago, the balance dropped 9.2%. The delinquency ratio, a ratio of delinquent loans outstanding balance to total SME loans outstanding, dropped 0.05 percentage points from end-June 2014 or 0.14 percentage points from a year earlier to 0.22%.
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The Government would invite tenders for the operation of radio-despatched taxis in next few months, said the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo Rosario. But the number of taxi licenses would stand between 1,200 and 1,300, slightly more than the present total. There were 100 radio-despatched taxis in Macao until the operator ceased operation in November last year. The Secretary was speaking to reporters on 11 February after attending a Legislative Assembly committee to monitor concessions of land and public construction, which discussed the concessions of taxi and bus services. On bus services, he said the Government was negotiating with two operators to update present contracts, which the Commission Against Corruption had said were illegal.
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The University of Macau (UM) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), in order to advance and enrich the academic programmes and promote exchange of students. This is the first top institution in India to sign such a document with UM. According to the MOU, UM and IITG will encourage contact and cooperation between their faculty members, departments, and research institutions, and will pursue various forms of cooperation, including visits of academic staff to deliver lectures, hold seminars and discussions, teach courses, conduct research and supervise student studies; visits of students to attend courses and carry out studies; and joint development of teaching programmes and collaboration of faculty and students in research projects. The MOU was signed by UM Rector Wei Zhao and IITG Rector Gautam Biswas. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prashant Agarwal, consul general of India to Hong Kong and Macau; Ravi Sinha, consul of India to Hong Kong and Macau; Prof Chuxia Deng, dean of UM's Faculty of Health Sciences; Prof Tam Kam Weng, associate dean of UM's Faculty of Science and Technology; Prof Da-Hsuan Feng, director of UM's Global Affairs Office and special advisor to Rector. 'Ever since the world-renowned TV programme, 60 Minutes, produced by CBS of the United States, showed the intellectual prowess of the early seven Indian Institutes of Technology, one of which being Guwahati, the world became aware of the importance of these institutions,' says UM Rector Wei Zhao. "As UM launches a new global strategy, it is natural that we want to establish close links with IIT Guwahati. Both Rector Biswas and I anticipate significant collaboration between our two institutions which will benefit our two regions!" Established in 1994, IITG is equipped with world-class infrastructure for carrying out advanced research. The signing of the MOU will help to promote mutual friendship between the two universities and facilitate the cooperation in teaching and research in areas of mutual interest.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and those of commercial real estate loans (CRELs) increased simultaneously in December 2014. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New lending approved In December 2014, new RMLs approved by Macao banks increased 9.7% month-to-month to MOP3.7 billion; of which, 95.3% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents and those to non-residents increased 7.1% and 116.6% respectively. When compared with the same period of 2013, new approvals of RMLs witnessed an increase of 23.8%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) increased by 93.0% month-to-month to MOP789 million. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 91.8% of the total, increased 85.6% while the amount to non-residents surged by 250.1%. New CRELs increased by 74.4% month-to-month to MOP6.3 billion; of which, 87.7% was granted to residents. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs increased by 172.7%. The surge of CRELs was mainly driven by large amounts of loans approved to some property developers, using commercial properties already acquired as collaterals and for purposes other than purchase of properties. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents increased 60.6% and 347.5% respectively. Outstanding balances As at end-December 2014, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP152.9 billion, an increase of 1.3% from one month earlier or 29.3% from a year ago. The resident component made up 94.1% of the total. Compared to end-November 2014, outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents rose 1.3% and 1.7% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased 3.4% from end-November 2014 and was up 43.1% from end-December 2013 to MOP122.0 billion. Residents accounted for 90.2% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents grew 2.8% and 9.4% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of December 2014, the delinquency ratio for RMLs remained virtually unchanged from a month ago at 0.07% or increased 0.01 percentage point from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs was 0.05%, down 0.01 percentage point from a month ago or up 0.02 percentage points from end-December 2013.
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Consumer Council conducted its third 'Supermarket price survey' in February on 10 February for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 8 supermarkets in Toi San, Ilha Verde and Fai Chi Kei areas 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 over 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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Fulfilling the "One country, two systems" is the major principle in the arrangements for the surrender of fugitive offenders between Macao and the Mainland, said the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan. She would discuss the subject again with Mainland authorities in April, when it is expected that a more specific timeline on legal mutual assistance could be set. Speaking to reporters on 10 February after attending the spring festival reception hosted by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the MSAR, Ms Chan said the basic principles and process of the transfer arrangements were outlined. Last week, Ms Chan was in Beijing to meet with Mainland officials to exchange views on the issue for the first time: they were yet to go into details. With regards to such arrangements with Hong Kong, Ms Chan said officials of the two special administrative regions would meet in March. Details of the arrangements were finalised but she could not give a date of when it would take effect as the Macao Government had to prepare for the legislation process and the Hong Kong Government would have to take it through the appropriate channels.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said that it was normal to see this month's gaming revenue decline year-on-year, especially when compared with last February's record breaking 38 billion Patacas. He said travelling habits might also have an impact, as people tended to travel after the Lunar New Year. Mr Leong was speaking to reporters on 10 February after attending the spring festival reception hosted by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macao Special Administrative Region. When asked, he re-iterated that the Government paid much attention on the price of fuel, which had raised the public's concert recently. The licensing system for imported petroleum products will come into effect on 16 February, after it was approved by the Chief Executive following meetings between government officials and fuel retailers The system would require fuel retailers to provide more information on imported products such as invoices, supply prices and the quantities imported. This information would help give the Government a better understanding on how retail prices are decided and to evaluate the impact of price fluctuations on the people, Mr Leong said. In the long term, the Government would introduce legislation on the protection of consumer's rights and interests, authorising related departments to act against any irregular behaviour, he said.
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The Government has launched a string of measures, including the new application for portable devices, to help shorten the waiting time for medical services and make best use of resources in public and private clinics. The mobile app, "The Health Bureau information platform", has real-time updates on the waiting list in both public and private clinics, information of clinics and practitioners, and by scanning the QR Code in the service slip, the users can check their services status and prescription history. The app, available in Chinese and Portuguese, can be downloaded in App Store and Google Play. The Government also enlarged the information pool to include subsidised medical networks, including private hospital Kiang Wu and specific non-profit clinics. Qualified residents are eligible for subsidy in seeking treatment in emergency ward every 48 hours and a fixed amount in non-profit clinics. The Government had also launched a website and hotline to give people better grasps on the situation of medical services.
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On 7 February, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) joined hands with the Korean Franchise Association (KFA) to organise a training seminar on the "Best Practices of Branding, Marketing and Human Resources Management of Korean Enterprises"for Macao SMEs at IPIM's Macao Business Support Centre, with the aim of encouraging them to learn about the marketing, promotion and management strategies of overseas enterprises. The seminar attracted the participation of over 160 representatives from business associations and SMEs in different sectors. Echo Chan, Executive Director of IPIM attended the opening ceremony of the event. Other participants included Antonio Chui Yuk Lam, Director General of Association of Industrial Association of Macao, Suki Iao and Tim Sio, Director General and Deputy Director General of Macao Chain Stores and Franchise Association, Sidney Mok, Vice Chairman of Association Small & Medium Enterprises United Macao, etc. The organisers hoped that by arranging such events, will help better meet SMEs need for sustainable development and influence their business capacity, thus building a stronger foundation to establish their brands. IPIM will also organise a series of events suitable for SMEs in the next few months, including seminar on the "Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone", E-commerce workshop as well as presentations on business opportunities in Portuguese-speaking countries. The speaker of the seminar was Hahm Junghoon, Managing Director and Policy Team Manager of KFA. During the seminar, Mr. Hahm covered various topics such as the Korean franchise industry development and trends, shop and human resource management, technology applications and case sharing. Two major Korean brands, Kim Ildo, CEO and founder of 1℃ Family Restaurant and Bae Myoungsook, International Business Director of Korean restaurant brand "Namzatang" shared on the pains and gains encountered during their brand development. During the question and answer session, participants sought advice from the speakers on issues such as franchise operations, training, shop location strategy and financial management. A study trip to Seoul will be organised by IPIM in the second quarter of the year. The course contents and itinerary of the study trip will be planned by KFA, including site visits to Korean franchise brand stores. The delegation will consist of Macao SME representatives from different industries and it is hoped that this will further enable Macao SMEs to learn from the successful management and operations of Korean enterprises.
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