News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng, this afternoon at the Government Headquarters to discuss the bill on the Welfare Package for Designated, Incumbent and Former Chief Executives and Principal Officials. Public opinion and recent responses to this bill are of great concern to the Government and the Legislative Assembly. The Chief Executive acknowledged that the bill still has room for improvement and therefore he would instruct the departments concerned to communicate with the Legislative Assembly on amendment of the bill for future resubmission. At the meeting, Mr Chui Sai On handed in person a letter to Mr Ho Iat Seng asking for deletion of the first item from the agenda for the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly on 27 May 2014. Mr Ho said he respected the decision of, and accepted the request from, the Chief Executive. In accordance with the provision of Clause 1 of Article 57 of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly, the request will be submitted for the plenary session's resolution to terminate the second reading and voting on the bill. The Chief Executive said that he was very aware of public concern about the bill from media coverage and the opinions and suggestions from different sectors of the community through various approaches and channels. The Chief Executive reiterated that the Government would persist in its governance philosophy of "putting people first", aiming to join hands with the public to build a better Macao. The Government always listens to the voices of citizens, attaching great importance to public opinion, studying and carefully analysing the feasibility of suggestions from all quarters of society.
…

Please be informed that the office hours of St. Paul Kiosk, will be changed with effect from 5th June, 2014 (Thursday) as below: Monday to Saturday 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
…

In order to conform with the urban planning and development of Macao, we would like to announce that the Seac Pai Van Post Office located at Alameda da Harmonia, Edificio Ip Heng, Block X, 1/A in Coloane will commence service with effect from 5th June, 2014. The office hours and the services provided are as follow: Postal Services (Posta Restante)
Monday to Friday ： 12:00 ~ 19:00
"Easy Payment"
Monday to Friday ： 12:00 ~ 18:00 Meanwhile, the Taipa Post Office located at Avenida de Carlos de Maia in Taipa is renamed as Carmo Post Office after refurbishment. The Carmo Post Office will reopen on the same day (5th of June). The office hours and the services provided are as follow: Postal Services (Posta Restante)
Monday to Friday ： 10:00 ~ 19:00 Saturday ： 10:00 ~ 14:00
"Easy Payment"
Monday to Friday ： 10:00 ~ 18:00
Saturday ： 10:00 ~ 13:00 "PO Box"
Monday to Friday ： 10:00 ~ 19:00
Saturday ： 10:00 ~ 14:00 In order to provide convenience for the residents in Taipa and Coloane, the Carmo Post office and Sec Pai Van Post office will also provide "Easy Payment Service" (i.e. Electricity and water bill payment service and housing bureau rental payment service) and "Posta Restante" service. For further information, please contact Postal Counter Service Section during office hours by telephone at 83968815.
…

This year is the 10th Anniversary of St. Lazarus Church District Creative Industries Promotion Association (CIPA). One of the goals for the year is to launch and promote a new Facebook page to help CIPA disseminate information about their activities for the public to attend and services CIPA provide to artists and designers in Macao. This task was given to IFT Assistant Professor, Dr. Fernando Lourenço and his year 3 students undertaking the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Retail and Marketing Management in 2014. In summary, students started the project by investigating website and Facebook pages of similar nature around the world to learn how best to develop effective campaigns and designs. Subsequently, the development and execution of social media marketing campaigns were initiated with the aim of helping CIPA to promote a brand new Facebook page, gain substantial amount of 'Likes' and engaging stakeholders. CIPA representatives were very impressed with the outcomes and offered IFT students a follow-up project to continue with their work over a period of time to develop further social media marketing campaigns and to build further awareness of their activities and services in the cultural and creative industry and network. This collaboration is a success because IFT has successfully supported a local association, the outcomes was highly recognised by the client and finally IFT provided students with real world experience which will be valuable for their personal development and future career. A like to the page http://www.facebook.com/cipa.macau gives a like to IFT student!
…

To enable SMEs to understand more about overseas enterprise's best marketing, promotion and management practices, together with the aim of inspiring SMEs to pursue creative innovation and business transformation, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is going to organise a training seminar on the "Best practices of marketing and human resources management of Japan enterprises" with Japan Franchise Association (JFA). The seminar will be held on 28 May from 10:00 to 12:30; 14:30 to 17:00 in the Multi-function Conference Hall of Macao Business Support Centre (263, Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, Edif. China Civil Plaza, 19 andar, Macau). According to the organisers, the programme will consist of a training session and a study trip to Japan that aims to benefit Macao SMEs by giving them an insight into how overseas enterprises manage their business. It is believed that this activity will assist Macao SMEs to have a better grasp of the ongoing business trends and development, create broader horizons as well as expand their market through brand building. Invited specialist explains store management, application of technology and techniques and brand expansion
Often, due to limited resources and restraints of operating conditions, SMEs encounter various challenges that may hamper their marketing strategies, innovation, human resources management and business development. As the franchising business model in Japan has reached maturity and is widely accepted by Macao enterprises, Macao SMEs can possibly learn and benefit from the experience of these various successful models. The speaker at the training seminar is Mr. Akihiko Uchikawa, President & CEO Franchise Research & Strategy Institute, Inc. Mr. Uchikawa is a lecturer at the Supervising School at Japan Franchise Association and has extensive management experience in the food & beverage industry and convenience chain stores. A variety of topics will be covered in the seminar, including prevailing management techniques, practices, equipment and technology adopted by Japan SMEs to manage their business, human resources and shop management, franchise business development, as well as building a brand and practical issues in brand expansion SMEs to visit successful enterprises and gain insight into best practices
The training seminar covers various topics suitable for Macao SMEs and is conducted in Japanese (with simultaneous translation in Cantonese). Participants of the training seminar are will be given priority to go on a visit to Japan. The visit will include site visits to enterprises in various industries (food & beverage, convenience stores, service) and logistics and distribution centers; which will enable participants to learn more about successful business practices of overseas enterprises. Enrolment for the visit will be processed on a first come first served basis. For details, please contact Ms. Leong or Mr. Ho of SME Service Centre on: +853 87989711/613; Email: smec@ipim.gov.mo
…

For decades now Belgium has been known world-wide for its diamonds, fashion and top-quality food and beverage products. However, in the last 10 years Belgium has also stepped to the forefront of the industrial and product design world, and this small country of 11 million people is now recognised as one of the world's top 10 countries in design and creativity. Especially in the fields of fashion, diamonds & jewellery, premium gifts and industrial design, Belgium continues to surprise the world with the unique quality and craftsmanship of its products. After years of solid growth and increased visibility in Hong Kong, Belgium is now ready to explore the market in Macau. With its vibrant economy and unparalleled tourism sector, Macau is the ideal platform to introduce Belgian products to local customers and to guests from China and the rest of Asia. "A Taste of Belgium" is jointly organised by the Consulate-general of Belgium in Hong Kong, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and a dozen local suppliers of Belgian products. The event gives representatives of the Hospitality and Retail sectors in Macau the exclusive opportunity to experience Belgium's unique expertise in F&B and lifestyle products. Discovering Belgium is a journey of many and diverse experiences. This surprising country demonstrates a unique sense of craftsmanship, combining tradition and contemporary designs, dynamism and creativity, trendiness and functional appeal. "A Taste of Belgium" is the platform which shows, among others, beautiful jewellery and glass art, and highly original premium gifts.
The event starts with an introduction of the participating Belgian brands and products. Next is a praline-making demonstration by Belgian master chocolatier Geert Renmans. During the ensuing B2B meeting session guests can enjoy the tasting of some of Belgium's fine beers, chocolates, cookies and other products. Finely-crafted diamond jewellery and retail gift shop souvenirs are on display and complement this seduction of the senses. The informal buffet at "A Taste of Belgium" introduces the guests to more of Belgium's renowned culinary products. The main menu consists of excellent traditional Belgian fries, fresh and clean fish from the Belgian North Sea, fresh vegetables and other such delicacies. The dessert combining manually-made chocolates by Goossens Chocolatier, premium ice-cream by Glacio and signature coffee by world champion coffee master Peter Hernou is the finishing touch to an unforgettable evening. "A Taste of Belgium" is an exclusive promotion event which introduces top Belgian products for the hospitality and retail business, including food & beverages and lifestyle products suitable for Macao SMEs. Hong Kong and Macau-based suppliers will be present at the event to showcase their Belgian products. Registration will be processed on a first come first served basis. An online B to B pre-matching platform can be accessed via http://bm.ipim.gov.mo and for more details about the event, please contact Ms. Leong of Macao Business Support Center on: +853 87989633; Email: smec@ipim.gov.mo.
…

Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on over-the-counter drugs on 22 May 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.
…

Through different cultural and arts events, the 25th Macao Arts Festival hosts over 40 outreach programmes in various formats in order to promote arts to different sectors of the local society. This year the Festival launched its Arts Accessibility Services offering audio description and visual interpretation workshops for selected programmes for people with visual and hearing impairment in order to enable them to enjoy the arts without barriers. In addition, the Festival promoted the activity 'Puppets in the Hospitals' to bring puppet shows to children's wards in hospitals with the objective of enriching their lives through the arts, while the 'Stage Photography Workshop by Hsu Ping' seeks to enable participants to capture all of the behind-the-scenes action prior to performances, including the hard work of the performers and production crews and every exclusively unique moment. In order to promote social inclusion and an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to enjoy various types of arts programmes, the Festival created 'Activities for the Visually and Hearing Impaired' which include professional audio description and theatrical interpretations in partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Arts Accessibility Service Centre and the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong. One of these activities - Venetians Want to Get a House by the Macao Experimental Theatre - was successfully held at Dom Pedro V Theatre on 3 May at 3:00pm counting with the participation of nearly a hundred visually and hearing impaired people. Via simultaneous theatrical interpretation, the audience was able to experience the plot development, the emotions of the characters and the theatrical ambience, whilst immersing themselves in the performance, thereby realising the spirit of 'arts without boundaries'. The Hong Kong Puppet and Shadow Art Centre visited the children's wards of Conde de S. Januário Hospital and Kiang Wu Hospital Via on 9 and 10 May with 'Puppets in the Hospitals', performing Special Creatures, The Little Monkey from Mount Yao, and The Little Monk Going down the Hills. These shows were a fascinating experience and produced endless amusement to the hospitalised children. Puppeteers ingeniously and skilfully manipulated the puppets to present a number of interesting shows. Children who were in the intensive care units who and been there for a long period of time due to their relatively weak immune systems, and who are rarely able to enjoy such shows, also attended the performances. With the aid of the hospitals, a small stage was set up in a specially designed environment, where children could interact with the lovely puppets at close range in order to boost their vitality and cheer them up through the arts. Professional documentary photographer Hsu Ping has engaged in the 'Stage Photography Workshop' since April, guiding students in the shooting of rehearsals of various programmes of the Festival, including Revival, The Legend of the White Snake, Cloning Ecstasy, Rain of Stone, Song of the Sea, etc.. Participants works are displayed at the performances' venues. Currently, the works about the performance Revival are displayed in the Old Court Building on Av. da Praia Grande, and the works on Rain of Stone, Song of the Sea will be presented later in the same venue. Works about The Legend of the White Snake are shown in the foyer of the Alegria Cinema and works about Cloning Ecstasy will be displayed in the Tap Seac Galley. For further information about the 25th Macao Arts Festival programmes, please visit www.icm.gov.mo/fam.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that attributable to the Easter holidays, visitor arrivals increased by 10% year-on-year to 2,636,614 in April 2014; same-day visitors accounted for 54% of the total, at 1,426,093. Analysed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased by 14% year-on-year to 1,743,776, coming primarily from Guangdong Province (685,796), Fujian Province (72,282) and Hunan Province (63,972); Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme totalled 707,085, sharing 41% of the total from Mainland China. Visitors from Hong Kong (585,824) and the Republic of Korea (33,975) increased by 9% and 11% respectively year-on-year, while those from Taiwan (75,645) decreased by 7%. Long-haul visitors from the United States (15,968), Australia (11,544) and the United Kingdom (5,579) registered year-on-year increase; on the contrary, visitors from Canada (5,906) and France (3,494) marked decrease. The average length of stay of visitors remained unchanged from a year earlier, at 1.0 day in April 2014; overnight and same-day visitors stayed an average of 1.9 days and 0.2 day respectively. In the first four months of 2014, visitor arrivals reached 10,326,780, up by 9% year-on-year, and same-day visitors took up 54% of the total. Visitors from Mainland China (+16%), the Republic of Korea (+17%) and Japan (+5%) increased year-on-year, while those from Hong Kong (-5%) and Taiwan (-5%) decreased. Besides, long-haul visitors from the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom posted year-on-year increase; however, those from Canada and France registered decline.
…

Given the recent security situation in Thailand, the Chinese Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Thailand cautions Chinese nationals to carefully consider travel plans to Thailand. Following is the translated version of the full text:
"In the afternoon of May 22, the Thai army announced its takeover of the government and proclaimed a nationwide curfew daily from 10 pm to 5 am. In order to ensure safety and be prepared for any eventuality, the Embassy of the P.R.C. urges Chinese nationals who intend to visit Thailand to critically assess security risks, and cautiously consider travel plans to Thailand. Chinese nationals and Corporations in Thailand should raise their risk awareness, strengthen security measures and stay indoors at night.
In case of emergency, please call the following consular protection hotlines: Embassy 085-483-3327, Consulate General in Khon Kaen: 080-936-6070, Consulate General in Songkha: 081-766-5560, Consulate General in Chiang Mai: 081-882-3283."
The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will keep monitoring the latest developments and reminds Macao residents who intend to travel to Thailand to follow closely the safety situation, critically assess security risks, and cautiously consider travel plans to Thailand. Macao residents already in Thailand should strengthen security precautions to protect their personal safety.
As per information collected from the Macao tourism industry, there are 5 Macao tour groups totaling around 70 pax currently traveling in Thailand.
To date, GGCT has received 6 inquiries but no requests for assistance. If necessary, Macao residents can call the 24-hour tourism hotline (853) 2833 3000 or contact the Chinese Embassy and consulates for assistance.
…