News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate (1.9%) and the underemployment rate (0.4%) for September-November 2013 held stable from August-October. Total labour force was 375,000 and the labour force participation rate stood at 73.2%. Total employment reached 368,000, an increase of 1,700 from August-October. Analysed by industry, employment in the Gaming sector increased by 2.9% to 85,000. Number of the unemployed was 7,000, up by 100 from August-October; fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job accounted for 12.8% of the total unemployed, down by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison with September-November 2012, the labour force participation rate increased by 0.7 percentage points; the unemployment rate remained constant, while the underemployment rate decreased by 0.4 percentage points.
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Consumer Council conducted its 'Supermarket price survey' for December on 26th December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Surveyed locations included 12 supermarkets in Sé 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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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the economy saw steady growth in 2012; Gross Value Added, Intermediate Consumption and Compensation of Employees of all economic activities increased by 17.0%, 10.2% and 17.3% respectively year-on-year. Analysed by industry, the respective indicators for Gaming rose by 18.5%, 7.4% and 16.3% year-on-year; industries relative to the tourism and gaming sector, namely Wholesale & Retail (+23.6%), and Hotels & Restaurants (+16.1%) registered favourable increase in Gross Value Added. The tourism and gaming sector played a predominant role in the economy of Macao, and supported the growth of other economic activities, with Gross Value Added of Real Estate Activities, Construction and Banking, rising by 24.9%, 13.0% and 14.8% respectively. With enterprises having proper control over their costs and operating expenses, ratio of Gross Value Added to Gross Output of all economic activities increased from 43.1% in 2011 to 44.6% in 2012. On the other hand, economic development and manpower shortage pushed Compensation of Employees up by 17.3% year-on-year, with the ratio of Compensation of Employees to Gross Value Added rising by 0.1 percentage point year-on-year to 31.1%. Regarding changes in the industrial structure, Gross Value Added of the secondary sector grew by 13.3% year-on-year, lower than the rate of economic growth, bringing its relative importance to GDP down by 0.2 percentage points to 6.2%. Relative importance of Manufacturing and Electricity, Gas & Water Supply stood at 0.7% and 0.8%, with minimal changes compared with 2011; meanwhile, relative importance of Construction fell by 0.2 percentage points year-on-year to 4.7%. Gross Value Added of the tertiary sector increased by 17.2% year-on-year, with its relative importance to GDP rising by 0.2 percentage points from 93.6% in 2011 to 93.8% in 2012. Gross Value Added of Gaming (45.9%), Hotels & Restaurants (7.8%), and Wholesale & Retail (7.7%) together accounted for 61.5% of GDP. Meanwhile, Gross Value Added of Real Estate Activities surged upon the increase in property prices, with its relative importance to GDP rising by 0.5 percentage points to 7.1%. Gross Value Added of other economic activities such as Transport, Storage & Communications; Renting & Business Activities; and Banking, Insurance & Pension Funding registered increase, yet lower than the rate of economic growth, bringing the respective relative importance down by 0.3, 0.3 and 0.1 percentage point year-on-year. Industrial structure of Macao is the compilation of GDP under the production approach, which equals the sum of Gross Value Added (Gross Output minus Intermediate Consumption) of all economic activities, plus taxes on products. Industrial structure of Macao at current prices, 2010-2012
(* Please find the attached file)
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) launches an iPhone App named "Step Out, Macau" today (27 December) so that citizens and visitors can enjoy easy access to information about the four walking tour routes of the project "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" on phone. With the new mobile app, users can explore various walking tour routes more conveniently for a wonderful travel experience. MGTO unveiled the first four walking tour routes under the theme "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" in September, encouraging visitors to explore different quarters in Macau for fascinating encounters and local traditions. The four routes include "A Tour of Historical Trails", "A Tour of Nature and Creativity", "A Tour of East Meets West" and "A Tour of Arts and Culture". In line with the four walking tours, the "Step Out, Macau" App not only provides maps and videos of the four routes but also introduces various tourist spots along the routes as well as transportation tips in the first stage. Other functions will be successively available including virtual reality, social network and instant information. The app is available in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English and Portuguese. Citizens and visitors are welcome to download the app for use. Users may search and download the app for free from App Store by entering the key word "Step Out, Macau", or go to the link for free download: https://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/lun-qu-xing-shang-step-out/id775613890?mt=8. MGTO will also launch the Android version in the future so that more visitors can use the app. MGTO is actively promoting community tourism, guiding visitors to stroll around various local quarters leisurely and discover hidden gems in town. At the same time, the Office will continue to provide Macau travel information through multimedia and interactive channels.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals increased by 2% year-on-year to 2,432,975 in November 2013; same-day visitors accounted for 52% of the total, at 1,271,023. In November 2013, visitors from Mainland China increased by 3% year-on-year to 1,546,641, coming primarily from Guangdong Province (703,192) and Fujian Province (63,357); Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme totalled 697,024. Moreover, visitors from Taiwan, China (85,707), Malaysia (38,779) and the Republic of Korea (38,505) increased by 7%, 13% and 11% respectively year-on-year, while those from Hong Kong (522,653) decreased slightly by 1%. Long-haul visitor arrivals from the US (18,519) were similar to the figure in November 2012, those from Australia (9,798) and the UK (7,192) increased by 9% and 10% respectively year-on-year; however, visitors from Canada (7,541) decreased by 14%. The average length of stay of visitors stayed unchanged from a year earlier, at 1.0 day in November 2013; overnight and same-day visitors stayed an average of 2.0 days and 0.2 day respectively. In the first eleven months of 2013, visitor arrivals totalled 26,737,993, up by 5% year-on-year; visitors from the Mainland and the Republic of Korea increased by 10% and 7% respectively, while those from Hong Kong and Taiwan, China decreased by 4% and 7%. Besides, visitors from the US (163,345), Australia (98,150) and Canada (67,529) posted year-on-year decline, but those from the UK (56,806), France (39,774) and Russian Federation (27,816) registered increase year-on-year.
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In cooperation with Fujian Janan Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd., Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) Year 4 Tourism Retail and Marketing Management students taking the Strategic Management Course led by Dr. Fernando Lourenço explored opportunities and developed a five-year strategic business plan for a renowned company in Mainland China to start their business in Macao. In collaboration with the business developer of Fujian Janan Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd., a series of research activities was carried out by IFT students, including market research and strategic development, analysis and planning for the coming five years. This was a fantastic opportunity for IFT students to understand the process of strategic planning for a large enterprise in Mainland China. It also helped IFT students to build stronger links with the industry by offering support to Chinese enterprises which intent to enter into Macao market. The business developer from Fujian Janan Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd. was very satisfactory with the outcome achieved by IFT students, and the company expressed their intention to contact IFT students to support their work in Macao in the near future. Prizes and certificates were given to students to congratulate and appreciate their efforts and hard work, in recognition of proving the quality of our students.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for November 2013 amounted to MOP746 million, up by 8% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP592 million) rose by 15%, but that of domestic exports (MOP154 million) declined by 13%. Total merchandise import grew by 17% year-on-year to MOP7.50 billion, a monthly record high since the statistics were first compiled, of which imports of Gold jewellery and Watches increased by 31% and 48%. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.75 billion for November 2013. In the first eleven months of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 9% year-on-year to MOP8.18 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP6.36 billion) increased by 18%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.82 billion) decreased by 13%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 14% to MOP73.04 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP64.86 billion for the first eleven months of 2013. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP4.31 billion) and Mainland China (MOP1.48 billion) in the first eleven months of 2013 increased by 14% and 20% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP330 million) and the EU (MOP253 million) decreased by 30% and 11% respectively. In addition, exports of Non-textiles (MOP7.40 billion) expanded by 14% year-on-year, of which exports of Electronic components (MOP903 million) and Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP505 million) surged by 64% and 166% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP779 million) decreased by 20%, of which exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP266 million) declined by 30%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP23.80 billion) and the EU (MOP16.95 billion) increased by 13% and 12% respectively year-on-year in the first eleven months of 2013. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 18% to MOP46.53 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP8.67 billion), Watches (MOP5.64 billion) and Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP2.46 billion) increasing by 27%, 22% and 70% respectively. Imports of Construction materials (MOP2.49 billion) grew by 48%. External merchandise trade reached MOP81.21 billion in the first eleven months of 2013, up by 13% compared with MOP71.78 billion a year earlier.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, disclosed today that a commission for talent development would be set up to provide more training opportunities for talents to enhance the qualities of the people of Macao. Mr Chui said he would personally chair the commission, to be established next month. Responding to media questions on the policy of talent cultivation, Mr Chui said a long-term mechanism to effectively administer the cultivation of talents was one of the important policy blueprints for the next fiscal year, which begins in January. The commission for talent development would be set up to launch programmes that focus on cultivation of outstanding individuals, professionals and skilled personnel.
Mr Chui also said that a study on population policy, conducted by the Office for Public Political Research, would be completed in the new year. He met with the Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, in Beijing during his annual duty visit earlier in the week. In the meeting, Mr Wang had said conditions should be reported in detail to the state leaders, regardless whether they are good or bad. Mr Chui said he would accurately report the reality of Macao developments and problems that had arisen, as he had always done in the past. Regarding public opinion polls on the performance of the Chief Executive and the Macao Government conducted by academic institutions, Mr Chui said he has been monitoring different public polls conducted by various institutions since 2009, when he was elected the Chief Executive. He said he accepted critics and would study criticisms with caution to see if they could help make improvements. On the demonstrations today, on Macao Special Administrative Establishment Day, Mr Chui said he respect that the people have freedom of expressing their opinions in legal and peaceful ways. He added that the Government had listened to and collected people's opinion and analysed them.
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The Government would intensify the implementation of the four major long-term mechanisms, support local residents to strengthen their competitiveness, and raise health and living standards of the people if Macao.
This was disclosed today by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, in his speech delivered at a reception at the Macau Tower to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. 'The third Macao SAR Government continues to uphold the principle of "Putting people first" in its implementation of scientific governance and makes every effort to be a sunshine government, and pursues economic development and livelihood improvement as the principal objectives of administration,' he said.
'Over the past year, with the full support of the Central People's Government and the combined efforts of the Macao people, the Government proactively tackled the challenges of a complex and volatile external economic environment. "We grasped the opportunities that arose from the development of the country, to maintain steady overall economic growth, provide sufficient employment opportunities, enhance citizens' overall income levels, and move forward to realise optimum diversification of the economy.
'The Government placed equal importance on short-term supportive measures and long-term mechanisms, and by combining the two, pursued fruitful sharing of efforts and achievements across the whole community. To consolidate implementation of our policy to improve people's well-being in the past years, we started from last year to gradually establish four major long-term mechanisms – in education, social security, health services and housing,' he said. 'The global economic situation has improved somewhat but the recovery is still sluggish. We must be mindful of potential crises and be well prepared to overcome volatility and changes. We must be more broad-minded, farsighted, and persistent in strengthening our capability and quality, in order to grasp the opportunities that arise from the development of the country, and facilitate continuous improvement in people's quality of life.
'The Central People's Government has clearly stated its intention to further open up trade with Macao. The recent deepening of Guangdong-Macao co-operation and the launch of a pilot free trade zone evidence the overall intensification of the country's reform and opening up policy. This provides the MSAR with new opportunities and the driving force for its future development,' he said. 'Thanks to the full support of the Central People's Government, the MSAR will next year organise the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. We have the determination and confidence, under the leadership of the Central People's Government, and the joint effort with the industry and the public, to make this important event a great success.
'As for Macao's establishment as a business service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the Central People's Government further supports us to establish Macao as a business service centre for small and medium-size enterprises, a product distribution centre and an economic and trade co-operation, convention and exhibition centre for Portuguese-speaking countries. The Macao SAR Government is now conducting studies and planning the establishment of these three centres, to deepen business and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, to facilitate joint development between entrepreneurs and professionals from the mainland, Portuguese-speaking countries and Macao, and to enhance the business environment in Macao
'With a pragmatic attitude, we are intensifying implementation of the four major long-term mechanisms, supporting local residents to strengthen their competitiveness, and raising health and living standards among Macao people. We are committed to protecting employees' interests, supporting improvement of workers' benefits and remunerations, encouraging vocational training, continued education and lifelong learning, with the aim to create opportunities for upward mobility for Macao people and share the prosperity of Macao,' said Mr Chui.
Some 850 guests attended the reception, guests at today's reception included the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Bai Zhijian, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao SAR, Mr Hu Zhengyue the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army, Senior Colonel Zhu Qingsheng, the President of Legislative Assembly, Mr Lau Cheok Va, and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. Earlier more than 250 guests attended the flag raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square.
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Consumer Council conducted its 'Supermarket price survey' for December on 18th December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Surveyed locations included 8 supermarkets in São Lázaro and São Lourenço Parishes. 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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