News

According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) dropped in October 2013 whereas those of commercial real estate loans (CRELs) grew. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New Lending Approved In October 2013, new RMLs approved by Macao banks dropped 30.3% month-to-month to MOP3.2 billion; of which, 99.1% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents and non-residents contracted 25.8% and 90.9% respectively. When compared with the same period of 2012, new approvals of RMLs witnessed decrease of 24.5%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) decreased by 28.6% month-to-month to MOP55.7 million. When compared with the same period of 2012, this type of bank mortgage dropped 31.4%. New CRELs expanded 59.1% month-to-month to MOP5.4 billion; of which, 98.0% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents increased 62.4% whereas the loans to non-residents declined 21.8%. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs grew 5.0%. Outstanding Balances As at end-October 2013, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP114.9 billion, an increase of 1.6% from one month earlier or 22.3% from a year ago. The resident component made up 94.6% of the total. Compared to end-September 2013, outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents grew 1.6% and 1.2% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased 1.8% from end-September 2013 and was up 24.1% from end-October 2012 to MOP82.7 billion. Residents accounted for 92.7% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents grew 2.2% whereas those to non-residents dropped 3.1%. Delinquency Ratios At the end of October 2013, the delinquency ratio for RMLs stood at 0.05%, 0.01 percentage point up from one month earlier and also from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs dropped slightly from end-September 2013 and 0.10 percentage point from end-October 2012 to 0.04%.
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State leaders have affirmed the Macao Government's performance and would continuously support Macao's moderately economic diversification, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today.
Mr Chui was speaking to reporters as he concluded his annual duty visit after he was received by the President, Mr Xi Jinping, during which he reported to state leaders the latest development of Macao, introduced the policy blueprint for the next fiscal year, and listened to the state leaders' comments.
The state leaders showed much interest in Macao's economic diversification and said they expected the Macao Government to make good use of the good economic situation and yet to prepare for any future economic downturn, he said.
Meanwhile, he said, the state leaders showed concern on several important activities to be held in Macao next year, including the election of Chief Executive, the new government, the Tourism Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting, and the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao SAR.
Mr Chui said he had also reported that as the lack of land and talents restricted development, the Macao Government would put more resources into education and carry out a series of personnel development plans.
The Chief Executive told the press that President Xi was highly concerned with Macao's development and stressed that Macao is closely connected with the country; Macao needed to develop its economy and to improve people's livelihood so as to achieve the goal of sustainable development.
When asked about the Chief Executive Election to be held next year, Mr Chui said that the state leaders have fully affirmed Macao Government's performance, but they had not discussed if he would serve another term. Mr Chui stressed that the Macao Government would adhere strictly to the Chief Executive Electoral Law to conduct a fair and just election.
Earlier in the day, Mr Chui visited the National Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to exchange views on the preparation and arrangements for hosting the Tourism Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting in Macao next year.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today met with the Chairman of the National Tourism Administration, Mr Shao Qiwei, and the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Zhang Yesui, respectively to exchange views on the preparations and arrangements for hosting the Tourism Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting in Macao next year.
During the meeting with Mr Shao, Mr Chui, who is on his duty visit in Beijing, expressed his gratitude for the long term support of the country, with visitors from the Mainland having become the largest source of travellers to Macao. Since the implementation of the Tourism Law of the People's Republic of China from October 2013, the Macao Government has maintained a smooth co-operation with the related Mainland authorities, he said.
Mr Chui said the Macao Government would adhere strictly to the relevant regulations in combating any illegal activity and to provide a safe and quality tourism to create a healthy development of the tourism industries in both places.
On the Tourism Ministerial Meeting of the APEC to be host in Macao next year, the Chief Executive said the meeting topped the agenda and that the Government would put full efforts to conduct the meeting successfully. With the guidance from the Central Government, a special working group will be formed to follow on up the related works, he added.
Mr Shao said that the National Tourism Administration and other Central departments has studied collaboration of the APEC meeting, and would work with the Macao Government in preparing for the meeting, as the Administration continued to co-operate with Macao to work well on tourism.
Afterwards, Mr Chui and his delegates met with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Zhang Yesui. The Chief Executive thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Commissioner of the Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR for the support on external affairs and in providing important advice in the SAR's participation in international organisation.
A series of celebratory events will be held to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Office of the Commissioner of the Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR and the Macao Government would fully support this, he added. On preparation for the Tourism Ministerial Meeting of the APEC meeting, Mr Chui said it was valuable to have suggestion from the Foreign Affairs and he invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Wang Yi to visit Macao and to provide guidance on the arrangement.
Mr Zhang Yesui said after Macao had been handed over to China, the economy has been growth rapidly and the external affairs became active. Macao's external affairs were part of works of the Foreign Affairs. During these years, the Office of the Commissioner of the Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR and the Macao Government have a good co-operation.
Also presented in the meeting included the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Mr Cheong U, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng; the Secretary-General of the Executive Council Ms Wallis O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Office of the Macao SAR in Beijing Ms Hong Wai; the Director of Macao Government Tourism Office Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the Vice Chairman of the National Tourism Administration, Mr Du Jiang, the Director General of the Department of International Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Zhang Jun.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price surveys on instant noodles and instant drinks on 17th December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Results of the mentioned surveys have been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and are available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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Aiming to actively foster Macao's filmmaking talents and to boost local professional capacity in the area of film production, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (CAB) of the Macao S.A.R. Government has launched the "2013 Support Programme for the Production of Feature Films". The Initial Review based on the total 16 applications received has been completed. The CAB gathered an Adjudicating Panel through invited film professionals from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao as well as CAB representatives, responsible for the selection work in the Initial Review. During the two-day adjudication meeting, the adjudicators reviewed and discussed the applicants' basic information, previous works, screenplay synopsis, scene-by-scene plot summary, biographies and track record of the production team, as well as proposals and budgets for the production of feature films in application. They also gave their professional opinions on all of the applying projects. After the Initial Review, ten applicants were selected to the Second Review, namely (in random order): Chung Chi Wing, Ho Fei, Choi Ian Sin, Lei Ka Hon, Hoi Kuok Meng, Ivo M.Ferreira, Zeka Laplaine, Wong Teng Teng, Choi On On, Chan Ka Keong. The CAB staff will notify the selected entrants through phone. Starting from today, application documents from selected entrants to the Second Review are accepted by the CAB, including the Second Review application form, the complete script, documents certifying (the amount of) self-funding, a CD-rom containing the electronic version of the application, as well as relevant appendixes. Applicants should also prepare a PowerPoint presentation introducing their project to the Second Review adjudicators. The submission deadline is 18 February 2014. In the Second Review, a maximum of four candidates will be selected as the finalists for this programme; each of them can be subsidized up to the maximum amount of one million five hundred thousand Patacas (MOP1,500,000.00). For more details on the programme, please visit the websites www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc/sps or www.macaucci.com. For enquiries, please contact Mr. Leong or Mr. Chong at (853) 2892 4040 during office hours.
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Consumer Council pays close attention to the supply and price changes of infant formula in local market. The supply of infant formula in Hong Kong was expected to become tense by Hong Kong media earlier, the Council immediately contacted the seven suppliers of infant formula brands in Macao to ensure normal operation of all their hotlines.
The Council and the seven local suppliers of infant formula brands keep in touch constantly. Local suppliers are asked to ensure stable supply of infant formula, and provide assistance to consumers when they fail to purchase from the market. Suppliers are also requested to monitor their hotlines to ensure normal operation. A list of all the hotlines of the local seven suppliers is available on the Council's website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo/e/milk_powder_suppliers_e.asp.)
Price data of infant formula brands is also available on the Council's website. For more information about infant formula brands hotline, please visit the website of Consumer Council (http://www.consumer.gov.mo)
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Consumer Council conducted its 'Supermarket price survey' for November on 16th December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets at Lam Mau, Patane and San Kio 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 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 Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, has arrived in Beijing to report to state leaders the latest developments of the Macao SAR and details of his policy blueprint for the next fiscal year. And since the Central Government had approved Macao's hosting of the Tourism Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting, he would also be meeting officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Tourism Administration to discuss preparations and arrangements for the meeting. Speaking to reporters at the airport before his departure, Mr Chui also said the Macao Government would adhere strictly to the Chief Executive Electoral Law to conduct a fair and just election in next year. Mr Chui and his delegation will be in the capital for four days and return on 19 December.
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On behalf of the Macao Government, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, messaged the Central Government today to congratulate it for the successful touchdown of Chang'e-3 probe on the surface of the moon on 14 December, which scored an important breakthrough in the Motherland's aerospace industry.
Mr Chui said in the congratulatory message that this maiden moon landing with the 'Yutu' Rover on the surface of the moon, making our country the third nation in the world to soft-land on the moon.
Most of the products and technologies used in Chang'e-3 were innovated independently, and related achievement of scientific research would further benefit people's lives, said the Chief Executive.
He said that this great news fully demonstrated the sustainable progress in the country's aerospace industry and the increasing comprehensive national capability. Meanwhile, this stunning historic feat has enhanced all the Chinese people, including the people of Macao's sense of in national pride and cohesion.
The Macao Government, together with the people of Macao, will fully support the country's science and technology industries as well as other developments. Macao will dedicate contributions to the country's prosperity.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in package tour totalled 716,867 in October 2013, down by 11.5% year-on-year. Under the influence of the new Tourism Law in Mainland China, effective in October, visitors coming from the Mainland (526,564) decreased by 10.6% year-on-year, with 280,110 from Guangdong Province, which was followed by Taiwan, China (60,414); the Republic of Korea (34,646); and Hong Kong (34,060). In the first ten months of 2013, visitors in package tour totalled 8,130,563, up by 10.2% year-on-year. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies reached 123,393 in October, up by 11.1% year-on-year; those travelling in package tour totalled 46,485 and the main destinations were Mainland China; Taiwan, China; Hong Kong; and the Republic of Korea. In the first ten months of 2013, outbound residents increased by 14.3% year-on-year to 1,192,751 and 451,812 travelled in package tour. There were 98 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of October 2013, providing 27,803 guest rooms, up by 6.7% year-on-year; 5-star hotels had 18,368 rooms, accounting for 66.1% of the total. In October 2013, a total of 830,701 guests checked into hotels and guesthouses, up by 5.4% year-on-year, with 489,862 staying in 5-star hotels (+10.1%). The average length of stay of guests held stable as October 2012, at 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate was 82.9%, up by 1.5 percentage points year-on-year, with 5-star hotels reaching 84.4%. Total number of guests was 8,823,348 in the first ten months of 2013, an increase of 13.1% year-on-year; the average occupancy rate stood at 82.0%, down by 0.9 percentage points. From January to October 2013, visitor-guests took up 70.1% of the total number of overnight visitors, higher than the 64.9% in the same period of 2012.
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