News

According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply rose marginally in November. As total loans increased faster than total deposits, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector grew from a month earlier. Money supply
Currency in circulation grew 1.5% whereas demand deposits dropped 9.4%. M1 thus decreased 7.8% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities increased 1.3%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, grew marginally by 0.1% to MOP445.7 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 30.5% and 20.4% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 23.8%, up 0.1 percentage point from a month ago but down 0.6 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 52.8%, down 0.4 percentage points month-to-month and 2.3 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits kept virtually unchanged from the preceding month at MOP436.9 billion. Of which, MOP deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 0.3% and 1.5% while HKD deposits dropped 0.7%. Non-resident deposits grew 2.7% to MOP173.3 billion. On the other hand, public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 2.9% to MOP67.9 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector rose 1.0% from a month earlier to MOP678.1 billion. Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector increased 2.1% from a month ago to MOP254.8 billion. Among which, MOP79.4 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP152.1 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 31.2% and 59.7% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans increased 5.3% to MOP278.8 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.6% (MOP4.4 billion) and 22.4% (MOP62.4 billion) respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
The loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-November grew 0.8 percentage points from the previous month to 50.5%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors also increased 2.1 percentage points to 78.7%. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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Consumer Council conducted its first 'Supermarket price survey' for November on 2nd January for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Areia Preta and Avenida de Venceslau de Morais in N. Sra. de Fátima 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, said today that the Government would continue to uphold the principle of "Putting people first" in its governance in the New Year, and to improve people's well-being by establishing four major long-term mechanisms – in education, social security, health services and housing. In his New Year Message, Mr Chui said that in 2013, 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 and maintained a steady economic development and a sustainable society. In the new year, the Government would continue to uphold the principle of "Putting people first" and to advance people's living standard by making a long-term plan on social security, health services, education, housing, transportation, and environmental protection. On top of the four major long-term mechanisms, the Government started another long term mechanism – cultivation of local talents to pursue Macao's sustainable development. Mr Chui said he understood that different problems and appeals co-existed in the society and that the Government would overcome these challenges in the New Year. With the full support of the Central Government, the Macao Government would steadfastly implement the principles of "One country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy. The Government would deepen co-operation and exchange on business and trade and other areas with the Mainland to boost Macao's economic diversification and enhance its competitiveness. On behalf of the SAR Government, Mr Chui extended to all citizens his cordial greetings and best wishes for the New Year.
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Consumer Council conducted its 'Supermarket price survey' for December on 30th December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Surveyed locations included 11 supermarkets in Taipa area. 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 Post has launched the "Secure Electronic Postal Box – SEPBox" on 8 October 2013. After success registration and activation of "Secure Electronic Postal Box – SEPBox", users have the chance to win a brand new Smartphone. The first round lucky draw had been finished in November while the second round lucky draw was held on 11 December under supervision of the Administration Committee of Macao Post. The winner of the second round lucky draw is Ms. IAO SOK CHENG who has received a brand new Smartphone - Samsung Galaxy S4. With success registration and activation of "Secure Electronic Postal Box – SEPBox" on or before 31 March 2014, users are automatically eligible for the monthly lucky draw and there are still four lucky draws chances remain, the earlier you register and activate your SEPBox, the greater the chances of winning. For more information of "Secure Electronic Postal Box - SEPBox" and lucky draw, please visit our website http://seps.macaupost.gov.mo. For enquiry, please contact us at Tel: 28720 029 or email us at: support@seps.macaupost.gov.mo.
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To celebrate the coming Chinese New Year, Macao Post will issue a lucky ornament titled "Macao's Lunar Year of the Horse Stamp" on 3rd January 2014. It is engraved with laser techniques for highlighting the Macao Post Headquarters' building and a thin wooden card with the wood horse stamp image is affixed on the other side. The unique design is certainly a precious and commemorative collectable. It will be available for sale at the Macao Post Headquarters, the "Rua do Campo" Post Office, the Maritime Ferry Terminal Post Office, the Airport Post Office and the Communications Museum and the selling price is MOP 15.00.
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Chinese New Year is coming, Macao Post will launch "Gift Fulfillment Service" from 3 to 19 January 2014. Customers can express their warmest regards to Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao families, friends and business partners in this Chinese Lunar New Year. Macao Post has specially selected 10 sets of New Year gifts sets and hampers to suit different clients' needs. The price is only starting from MOP128 (inclusive of delivery charge). To place your order, please visit Macao Post website at www.macaupost.gov.mo, Central Post Office or any post offices on or before 19 January. For enquiry, please feel free to contact our Gift Fulfillment Service hotline at 8396 8504 or email to ns@macaupost.gov.mo.
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The stamp issue "Legends and Myths X – The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid" issued by Macao Post on 23rd August, 2012, with the unique design of the souvenir sheet, ranked the 9th place of the "Grand Prix de I' Exposition WIPA" for the "Most Beautiful Stamp" award for year 2012, at Vienna International Philatelic Exhibition on 21st October, 2013. After the great honor of awarded the 8th place of the "Most Beautiful Stamp" for the souvenir sheet of "Seng Yu – Idioms III" issued in the year 2009, this is another outstanding work to be awarded in Vienna International Philatelic Exhibition. Macao stamps with outstanding designs and themes have once again been given an affirmation and proven its international status. "Legends and Myths X – The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid" is designed by a Macao famous artist Mr. Lio Man Cheong, and the souvenir sheet depicts the idiom "Meeting on the Magpie Bridge". The Weaving Maid can meet the Cowherd during the Qixi Festival, luckily, a group of magpies with black feathers, bald heads and long tails comes along and form a "bridge" in the Milky Way, allowing the Cowherd and the Weaving Maid to meet each other. The moving story of "Meeting on the Magpie Bridge" is widespread in Chinese folklore. Since Mr. Lio Man Cheong has been awarded the great honor in "Gods of Chinese Mythology" and "Temples of Macao" in Macao Post's stamp design competitions in 1991, he has already designed more than 30 Macao stamp issues, which are always of high appreciation throughout the years.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Gross National Income (GNI) at current prices amounted to MOP 301.72 billion in 2012. In comparison with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at MOP 348.22 billion, value of GNI was lower than GDP by MOP 46.50 billion, equivalent to 13.4% of GDP. Besides, per-capita GNI (MOP 530,221) was lower than per-capita GDP (MOP 611,930) by MOP 81,709. In 2012, values of both GNI and per-capita GNI were lower than the values of GDP and per-capita GDP, implying that the income earned by non-resident investors from investment in Macao was higher than the foreign income earned by resident investors from abroad. Although there had always been a net outflow of external factor income in Macao, portfolio investment income and other investment income earned by resident investors from abroad rose significantly by 55.8% and 43.1% respectively in 2012, contributing to an increase of 34.1% year-on-year in total inflow of external factor income, higher than the increase in income earned by non-resident investors from Macao (+21.2%). Therefore, the difference between GNI and GDP as a percentage of GDP narrowed down slightly, from 13.5% in 2011 to 13.4% in 2012. In 2012, GNI and per-capita GNI increased by 13.0% and 9.1% in real terms year-on-year, higher than the growth of GDP (+9.9%) and per-capita GDP (+6.1%). GNI is the total income earned by residents of an economy from engaging in various economic activities within or outside the economy, corresponding to GDP plus total inflow of external factor income minus total outflow of external factor income. Gross National Income (GNI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 2008-2012
(* please find attached file)
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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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