News

Spanning a week from 19 to 25 February, the Spring Festival Golden Week is about to begin. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is actively preparing for the peak period in various ways, namely by activating the tourism notification system, increasing inspection duties, sending letters to remind the trade about various concerns, printing a local food guide, carrying out a range of Lunar New Year celebrations in different districts and providing enquiry service at specific spots, among other initiatives. Through preparations in different fronts, MGTO strives not only to cater for citizens and visitors' needs but also to optimize local tourism environment and service quality. MGTO and Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province will officially activate the "Tourism Notification System for Spring Festival Golden Week" on 16 February, with the system active until 26 February, to ensure smooth hospitality work for visitors during Lunar New Year. The Macau side will take advantage of the Internet to release relevant information online, including the updated numbers of every previous day of Mainland China and overall visitor arrivals at various ports of the city. The two destinations' tourism authorities will also keep close communication. MGTO has been regularly releasing room rates of different room categories reported by local hotels and guest houses on its website. The Office will send mobile text message to Mainland visitors upon their arrival, alerting them that they can check room rates on MGTO's website, and encouraging visitors to obtain printed materials at MGTO's Tourist Information counters for free, advising them to have more travel tips in hand. In addition, through MGTO's WeChat account the Office suggested visitors to make room reservation and prepare the itinerary in advance. Moreover, MGTO will strengthen inspections to different tourist spots, border ports and areas in Macau and increase the manpower at Tourist Information counters during Spring Festival. MGTO's tourism hotline (853) 2833 3000 will maintain its 24-hour operator service to answer tourists' enquiries. The Office's inspectors will also stand by round-the-clock. Visitors can visit MGTO's website for further travel and other related information. In order to safeguard visitors' rights and tourism quality, MGTO already sent letters reminding travel trade operators to pay attention to hygiene, fire safety, receiving capacity, opening hours, occupational guidelines of hosting tour groups, requirements regarding report of price list of hotel room and food and beverage establishments, and record of hotel guest information upon check-in, among others. The Office also sent letters especially to associations concerning travel agencies suggesting them to communicate with the different travel agencies, in order to coordinate the schedules of visits at the main tourism spots and divert visitor trends, thus minimizing the traffic pressure at the spots and impact on nearby areas, safeguarding the city's tourism image. At the same time, together with the police authorities, the Office will carry on with the fighting against illegal accommodation. MGTO also regularly communicates and exchanges news with Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macau Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau, Transport Bureau and so forth. Visitors can visit Public Security Police Force's website: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor on phone or computer and check the real-time border-crossing images at the arrival/departure halls and traffic lanes of Barrier Gate, Outer Harbour and Cotai Frontier Post on the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports", thus choosing the right timing to leave or arrive in Macau. MGTO's website offers a direct link to Public Security Police Force's webpage for the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports". Besides the above measures, MGTO also jointly published a "Macau Food Guide during Spring Festival" (Chinese version only) 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. The food guide provides the name and contact list of restaurants and eateries which will open during Spring Festival for convenience of visitors to obtain their operating information. To give residents and visitors a pleasant experience of the festive season in town, MGTO is presenting a series of events during Spring Festival, including "Parade of Gigantic Golden Dragon", "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Ram", "Parade Float Exhibition" and "Fireworks Display for the Celebration of Chinese New Year". The celebrations also include the God of Fortune, along with the three Gods of Happiness, Prosperity and Longevity, the 12 Chinese Zodiac Mascots, Entourage Boy and Girl, Macau Tourism Ambassadors, dragon and lion dances around town, to wish residents and visitors a happy Lunar New Year, distribute "Lai Si" and souvenirs. Moreover, starting next week eight walking tour routes under the theme "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" will be launched, including four new routes added to refined existing four routes, as well as dining options, shopping, public facilities along the routes, among other information. Special Chinese New Year festivities will be held along the walking tour routes as well. Staff will be stationed at different locations to answer visitors' enquiries and introduce them to various tourist spots. They will also distribute the brochure "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" (Chinese version only), encouraging locals and visitors to explore the routes. "Macau Food Guide during Spring Festival" Chinese brochure and Chinese New Year Festivities Program can be downloaded from MGTO's website at http://www.macautourism.gov.mo or acquired at MGTO's Tourist Information counters. This press release is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/
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Consumer Council conducted its fourth 'Supermarket price survey' in February on 12 February 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 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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As Lunar New Year 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) and Health Bureau (SS) 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 11AM to 6PM each day during Chinese New Year holidays (20th to 23rd February). Consumer Council hotline: 8988 9315.
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Communications Museum will be closed from the afternoon of February 19 (Thursday) to February 23 (Monday) during the Lunar New Year. 9th Anniversary of Communications Museum
In celebrating its 9th anniversary, Communications Museum will be open to the public free of charge on March 1. The Museum Shop will provide commemorative cancellation service to the public. The awards ceremony will be held in the Museum Auditorium in the afternoon to present prizes to winners of the Science and Arts Activity for Primary Students, Electronic Device Construction Competition and Draw My Story of Stamps Contest, as well as the announcement of the result of Stamp Poll "My Favourite Stamps of Macao, 2014". This year the Communications Museum will focus on the promotion of "Exhibition-In-School". The Museum has designed and produced two sets of portable exhibits for exhibition in schools. The "Music with Electromagnetism" consists of six mobile exhibits to introduce about electricity and magnetism, including the "Static Electricity Sensor Drum", "Metal Sensor Xylophone", "Magnetic Detector Violin", "Human Resistor Piano", "Graphite Rock-and-Roll" and "Van de Graaff Generator". The "Evolution of Telecommunications Technology" introduces about the principals of communication and transmission. Its six mobile exhibits include the "Morse Telegraph", "Pointer Telegraph", "Manual Switching", "Automatic Switching", "Wired Transmission" and "Wireless Transmission". These two sets of portable exhibits are suitable for exhibiting at primary and secondary schools. We will arrange Facilitators to provide special guiding of the exhibition in schools, and students can experiment by themselves or join a guided tour as part of their class o break time at the school. All schools are welcome to request for more information or book the service.
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Organized by the Communications Museum and co-organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Electronic Device Construction Competition took place between January 10 and 17. The panel of judges, constituted by Ph.D. Cheang Tak Son and Ph.D. Vai Mang I, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers of Macau, Ph.D. Wong Chi Kong, Faculty of Science and Technology of University of Macau, Ph.D. U Kin Tak, Faculty of Information Technology of Macau University of Science and Technology, Ph.D. Wong Seng Fat, Macau Institution of Engineers and a representative of Communications Museum, has evaluated 37 Junior Secondary teams and 66 Senior Secondary teams from 17 schools that participated in the competition. The awards presentation ceremony will be held in the Museum Auditorium on March 1. All participation works will be exhibited in the Museum from March 1 to 15. Winners of Junior Secondary Group
1st Prize: Yuet Wah College, Macau – Chan In Wang, Tam Io Lon
Supervisors: Chan Hoi Man, Tam Man Tou
2nd Prize: St. Joseph Diocesan College (5th Branch) – Sou Long Kit, Hui Yau Hong, Hong Wai Kai, Vong Kuok Kin Supervisors: Lam Chan Cheong, Francisco da Silva, Lai Weng Hou Top 6 Finalists:
1. Yuet Wah College, Macau – Lao Kin Wang, Ip Chi Fong
Supervisors: Chan Hoi Man, Tam Man Tou
2. Yuet Wah College, Macau – Sou Weng U, Lei Hou Tin
Supervisors: Chan Hoi Man, Tam Man Tou
3. Yuet Wah College, Macau – Choi Ka Hou, Chan Cheok Hei, U Chan Wai
Supervisores: Chan Hoi Man, Tam Man Tou
4. Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College – Che Ka Kun, Leong Ka Tong, Chu Yan Wai, Lin Zhenghao. Supervisors: Choi Leong, Lung Ken Ho Leslie, Loi Hoi Kei
5. Tung Sin Tong Middle School – Lam Ka Kei, Lam Kit I, Ng Weng Wa, Yang Chi Lou
Supervisors: Tan Li Wen, Tou Un Hong
6. Tung Sin Tong Middle School – Nie Jiawen, Ku Sin Hang, Lei Kin Hou, Chong Io Tong
Supervisors: Tan Li Wen, Tou Un Hong Winners of Senior Secondary Group
1st Prize: Yuet Wah College, Macau – Lei Kai Chong, Mak Chi Pong
Supervisores: Chan Hoi Man, Tam Man Tou
2nd Prize: Yuet Wah College, Macau – Kan Sio Kuan, Sit Hou Fai, Fong Wai Cho
Supervisores: Chan Hoi Man, Tam Man Tou Top 6 Finalists:
1. Yuet Wah College, Macau – Choi Iat Long, Li Meng Hou, Chong Ion Nam
Supervisors: Chan Hoi Man, Tam Man Tou
2. The Workers' Children High School, Macau – Lao Ka Fung, Leong Weng Kit, Chan Cheok Heng. Supervisors: Chio Cheng Fai, Liang, Yi Xing, Tong Kin Fai
3. Estrela do Mar School – Ao In Cheng, Ho Sut Teng, Kuan Oi Iao, Chao Ho I
Supervisors: Cheong Ka Iong, Ng Ka Lai
4. Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau) – Lam Seng Kin, Wong Chi Kit, Wong Chan Hong. Supervisor: Wong Kai Meng
5. Yuet Wah College, Macau – Chan Hei Wang, Chio Song Kit
Supervisors: Chan Hoi Man, Tam Man Tou
6. Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College – Chan Chon Hou, Mok Hou Cheng, Lao Kam Fung, Kwan Keng Chon. Supervisors: Cheang Pou Kuong, Tou Sio Lon, Choi Leong. Appreciation Awards:
1. Yuet Wah College, Macau / The Workers' Children High School, Macau – Lai Hok In, Kuan Hou Him. Supervisor: Lai Iong Hou
2. Sacred Heart Canossian College – Cheang Kit Ieng, Ao Ieong Ka Lam, Chang I Lam, Ng Meng Chan. Supervisors: Lam Tai Long, Pang Chi Seng, Lao Chi Weng
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On 2nd March 2015, a cachet will be available for our customers at the Carmo Post Office. Besides the new cachet, the existing cachets are available at the Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters, "Rua do Campo" Post Office, Maritime Ferry Terminal Post Office, Airport Post Office and the Communications Museum. The cachets let our residents or tourists to commemorate their visit at the Post Offices. These cachets are for commemoration use only, and do not carry any postal function. The users should not cancel the stamps by these cachets, or the stamps will be invalidated.
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To celebrate the 9th Anniversary of Communications Museum, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philately Shops located at Macao Post Headquarters and Communications Museum on 1st March 2015 to provide the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "9th Anniversary of Communications Museum". 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 Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps!
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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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