News

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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Macao will organise a wide range of activities and events to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region tomorrow. Highlights will include a flag-hoisting ceremony at Lotus Square at 8 am and a reception hosted by the Macao Government at Macau Tower at 9:30 am. To bring fun and entertainment to the people, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will once again organise the "Parade through Macao, Latin City", which will start from the ruins of St. Paul, at 3:30 pm. The parade begins at Rua de S. Paulo and wind its way past St. Anthony's Square, Companhia Square, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, Rua dos Artilheiros, Rua de Sanches de Miranda, Calçada da Igreja de São Lázaro, the Old Ladies' House (Albergue), Rua de São Roque, Rua Nova de São Lázaro, St. Lazarus' Church, Rua do Volong, Rua do Tap Seac and Rua de Afonso de Albuquerque, culminating in a grand joint performance at Tap Seac Square, expected to be about 7pm.
The parade will once again be held under the slogans "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration" and "An annual celebration for the entire city – VIVA!", and this year is themed "The Rhythm of Life", hoping to attract even more residents and tourists and inviting them to dig deep into the diverse cultural atmosphere of Macao.
This year's parade embraces performing groups from more than 10 countries and regions including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Burkina Faso, among others, as well as Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Mainland. It is estimated that some 2,000 creative participants will perform in this amazing show. Meanwhile, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau is holding the Globular Flower Show - Winter Kaleidoscope – from 15 December 2013 to 5 January 2014 at the Taipa Houses-Museum, featuring a stunning variety of flowers from around the world. Macao Post will again issue commemorative covers and offer hand-back services to the public, from 9 am to 5:30 pm at the General Post Office. In the evening, the Macau Government Tourist Office will present a firework display off the Macau Tower to mark the closing of the much-celebrated day celebrations.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (125.88) for November 2013 increased by 5.78% year-on-year, attributable to higher rentals for dwellings, rising charges for eating out and package tours. In comparison with November 2012, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.12%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.48%) on account of rising rentals, higher charges for eating out, dearer prices of fresh meat and vegetable; on the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 1.77%. The CPI-A (126.21) and CPI-B (126.28) increased by 6.38% and 5.63% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for November 2013 increased by 0.52% month-to-month, of which dearer prices of women's clothings & footwear and Liquefied Petroleum Gas pushed up the price index of Clothing & Footwear; and Housing & Fuels by 3.23% and 1.18% respectively, while lowered prices of vegetable helped to offset part of the increase. On the contrary, price index of Miscellaneous Goods & Services decreased by 0.21%. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.47% and 0.55% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended November 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.51% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+9.79%); and Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+6.82%) registered remarkable increase, while price index of Communication and Education decreased by 2.26% and 1.83% respectively. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.10% and 5.40% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first eleven months of 2013 increased by 5.48% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.08% and 5.36% respectively. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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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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