News

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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Consumer Council conducted its 'Supermarket price survey' for December on 12th December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th 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 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, today presented honours and awards to 40 individuals and entities for their contribution to the city, at a presentation ceremony at the Cultural Centre. The recipients came from all walks of life. They were honoured or awarded in recognition of their outstanding achievements, contributions and distinguished services rendered to the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR). The Medal of Honour is awarded to outstanding individuals and organisations for their contribution to the image, reputation and development of the MSAR. The recipients were: Medal of Honour:
Mr Lau Cheok Va (Grand Lotus)
Ms Ho Lai Cheng (Golden Lotus)
Ms Lei Sio Iok (Silver Lotus)
Mr Jia Rui (Silver Lotus) The Medal of Merit, in seven categories including Profession, Industry and Commerce, Tourism, Education, Culture, Altruism and Sport are given to the outstanding individuals and organisations that have distinguished service in promoting the development of the relevant sectors in Macao. The recipients were: Medal of Merit:
Mr Raimundo Arrais do Rosário (Professions)
Mr Leong Keng Seng (Professions)
Mr Lui Va Long (Professions)
Mr Cheong Lok Tin (Industry and Commerce)
Mr Lei Chi Fong (Industry and Commerce)
Mr Si Tou Tek Lam (Industry and Commerce)
Macau Grand Prix Committee (Tourism)
Mr António José Neves da Conceição Coelho (Tourism)
Mr Chan Chi Kwan (Education)
Ms Yip Wai Ming Evelyn (Education)
Mr Vong Kuoc Ieng (Education)
Ms Choi Sok I (Education)
Mr Dai Dingcheng (Culture)
Yu Un Chinese Calligraphers and Painters Association of Macao (Culture)
Portuguese Institute of the Orient (Culture)
Ms Ung Pui Kun (Philanthropy)
Mr Lau Hong Meng (Sport)
Mr Mak Chi Kun (Sport)
Mr Choi Tat Meng (Sport)
Distinguish Service Medal is given to outstanding individual and organisation for their fulfillment in duty. The recipients were:
Medal of Distinguish Service: Department of Gardens and Green Areas of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (Dedication)
Ms Cheang Mui Leng (Dedication)
Mr Lam Wai Hou (Dedication)
Ms Wong I Lin (Dedication)
Ms Maria Amélia da Conceição António Saldanha (Community Service)
Ms Lou Kan Sam (Community Service)
Mr Liang Baijin (Community Service)
Mr Sam Weng Kan (Community Service)
Certificates of Merit including the Honorific Title - Prestige and the Honorific Title – Merit, commend Macao SAR residents or other people who have made major contribution to the reputation, development or social progress of the Macao SAR. The recipients were:
Honorific Title – Merit:
Mr Che Chon Seng Mr Wong Ka Fai Ms Tam Chih Wei Mr Iao Chon In Mr Chong Ka Seng Mr Kuok Kin Hang Ms Feng Xiao Ms Liu Qing Mr Cai Aolong
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To test and train the personnel with the capacity to handle emergencies, the annual full-scale emergency exercise was carried out in the Macau Heliport on 12 December 2013 to simulate a helicopter accident and the response of all relevant entities to cooperate with each other to handle this emergency in accordance with the respective contingency plans. The exercise was deemed smooth. The exercise started at 23:00 with the participation of 60 people. It simulated the scenario of an accident with a helicopter carrying passengers. An engine failure occurred a short while after the helicopter has taken off; the helicopter lost propulsive power and landed heavily back onto the pad. The accident resulted in the detachment of some parts from the aircraft and caused four injuries. The Flight Operation Control Centre immediately activated the emergency response procedures and notified all relevant entities. The Heliport Emergency Operation Centre was then activated. Representatives of the relevant entities and the rescue team arrived on site in a short time to rescue the injured, evacuate the personnel, maintain order in the terminal, attend to enquiries and so on. The exercise was concluded in an hour. East Asia Airlines Ltd, the present operator of helicopter services between Macao and Hong Kong, was the coordinator of this exercise. The participants were the Customs Bureau, the Public Security Police Force, the Fire Brigade, the Marine and Water Bureau, and the Civil Aviation Authority. Four drills relevant to the aviation industry were carried out this year. The other three were carried out at Macau International Airport namely the fuel farm exercise, the illegal seizure of aircraft exercise and the full-scale emergency exercise on dangerous goods.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP126.6 billion (USD15.85 billion) at the end of November 2013. The reserves fell by 1.9% from the revised value of MOP129.1 billion (USD16.16 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves dropped by MOP5.3 billion or 4.0%. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-November 2013 represented 15 times the currency in circulation or 119.8% of Pataca M2 at end-October 2013. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency's exchange rates against the currencies of Macao's major trading partners, increased 0.42 points month-to-month but dropped 0.36 points year-on-year to 96.93 in November 2013. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 10,930 Wholesale & Retail establishments, as well as 1,703 market stalls and fixed stalls on the street were operating in 2012, down by 32 and 72 respectively year-on-year. At the end of 2012, total number of persons engaged increased by 7,266 year-on-year to 51,817. Total Receipts reached MOP86.41 billion and Total Expenditure was MOP78.36 billion, both up by 28% year-on-year. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy rose by 21% to MOP17.39 billion; Gross Fixed Capital Formation amounted to MOP1.70 billion, up by 104%. Analysed by industry, there were 900 establishments operating in Sales of Motor Vehicles & Automotive Fuel, up by 38 year-on-year; number of persons engaged rose by 744 to 3,641. Receipts increased by 23% year-on-year to MOP6.18 billion, of which Sales of motor vehicles (MOP3.97 billion) grew by 30% on account of rising demand for luxury cars; meanwhile, Retail sale of automotive fuel (MOP1.35 billion) went up by 11%. Expenditure amounted to MOP5.84 billion, up by 20% year-on-year. Gross Value Added soared by 66% to MOP937 million, while Gross Fixed Capital Formation decreased by 30% to MOP35 million. There were 4,033 Wholesale establishments, down by 300 year-on-year; number of persons engaged grew by 739 to 15,265. Receipts increased by 17% year-on-year to MOP25.27 billion, of which Wholesale of food, beverages & tobacco (MOP7.95 billion) and Wholesale of other consumer goods such as electrical appliances, medicine, hygienic and cleaning products, etc. (MOP6.46 billion) accounted for 31% and 26% respectively. Expenditure increased by 15% year-on-year to MOP24.13 billion. Gross Value Added (MOP3.27 billion) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (MOP184 million) went up by 14% and 9% respectively. There were 5,997 Retail establishments, up by 230 year-on-year; number of persons engaged rose by 5,833 to 29,979. Attributable to rising visitor spending and expanding domestic demand, Receipts increased by 34% year-on-year to MOP53.31 billion, of which Retail sale of watches, clocks & jewellery goods (MOP16.29 billion) and Retail sale in department stores (MOP8.82 billion) shared 31% and 17% respectively. Expenditure rose by 37% year-on-year to MOP47.01 billion, on account of rising costs of purchased goods. Gross Value Added amounted to MOP12.87 billion, up by 21%. Gross Fixed Capital Formation surged by 141% to MOP1.48 billion, due to an increase in acquisition of shops and large-scale repair and maintenance projects. A total of 1,703 market stalls (757) and fixed stalls on the street (946) were operating in 2012, down by 72 year-on-year. Number of persons engaged totalled 2,932, with only 448 being paid employees. Receipts (MOP1.64 billion) and Expenditure (MOP1.38 billion) of market stalls and fixed stalls on the street increased by 24% and 26% respectively year-on-year. Gross Value Added amounted to MOP 315 million, up by 18%.
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The "Parade through Macao, Latin City" organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (CAB) of the Macao S.A.R. Government and supported by a vast array of government institutions and non-government associations, will be held on December 20th, to celebrate Macao's handover to China. To facilitate residents and tourists' involvement and enjoyment, the organiser announces several arrangements including traffic/street special measures and a set of instructions to facilitate the public's circulation. The Parade's Opening Ceremony will take place at the Ruins of St. Paul's, at 3:30pm, on December 20th. The Parade begins at Rua de S. Paulo and be winding 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 finished by 7pm. The general rehearsal will be held from 9pm to 11:30pm on the previous night (Dec 19th). During the Parade day and the general rehearsal, traffic/street special measures will be applied as follows: 1) from 9pm to 11:30pm on the night of Dec 19th, traffic will be limited along the parade route; 2) from 9am on Dec 19th to 6:30pm on Dec 20th parking meters along the Parade route will be off service; 3) from 2:30pm to 5:30pm on Dec 20th, temporary closures will be implemented at Rua de S. Paulo, Rua de Santo António, St. Anthony's Square, Companhia Square, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro and Rua dos Artilheiros, and vehicles parked in the above-mentioned locations are not allowed to move;
4) Lastly, prior to 2pm Dec 20th, all tour buses must be driven away from the parking areas of Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro and the front area of the Macao Museum. For detailed traffic/street special measures, the public should check relevant announcements released by the organiser during the Parade week. Instructions for the public on the Parade day, December 20th: starting from 2:30pm, the access to Calçada de S. Paulo and Calçada de S. Francisco Xavier will be closed. Members of the public who want to watch the Parade Opening Ceremony and performance can enter the site from the entrance at Rua de S. Paulo. Also, starting from 4:15pm, Tap Seac Square will have restricted access, so the members of the public who want to watch the Parade Closing Ceremony can access the site from the entrances at the Art Exhibition Pavilion for The Youth-Tap Seac Square and Rua de Afonso de Albuquerque.
Furthermore, to enhance the festive atmosphere and the public's participation, four Cultural Affairs Bureau Service Centres will be set up for distribution of parade-themed souvenirs. Audiences can get souvenirs from Service Centres after 1:30pm on the Parade day respectively set at Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, São Lázaro Square, beside the Art Exhibition Pavilion for The Youth-Tap Seac Square and outside the Macao Central Library at Tap Seac Square. Share the joy across the city!
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June, Consumer Council conducted its specific price surveys on oral care products, milk powder and tissue papers on 11th December. 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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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 2,180 establishments were operating in the Transport, Storage & Communications Sector in 2012, up by 37 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 1,196 to 16,700. Total Receipts reached MOP 23.34 billion and Total Expenditure was MOP 20.44 billion, up by 12% and 14% respectively year-on-year. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy amounted to MOP 6.73 billion, up by 6% year-on-year; Gross Fixed Capital Formation decreased by 9% to MOP 988 million. A total of 2,149 establishments were operating in the Transport & Storage Sector, up by 38 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 1,134 to 14,668. There were 1,686 establishments operating in Land Transport, and 435 in Supporting & Auxiliary Transport Activities, including 197 travel agencies and 12 warehouses. Total Receipts of the Transport & Storage Sector increased by 9% year-on-year to MOP 16.25 billion. With an increase in passenger traffic volume of sea and air transport, Receipts from Passenger Transport increased by 15% year-on-year to MOP 7.27 billion; meanwhile, Receipts from Services Rendered totalled MOP 5.65 billion, up by 7%. Total Expenditure increased by 8% year-on-year to MOP 14.92 billion, of which Operating Expenses (MOP 7.10 billion), Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid (MOP 4.93 billion) and Compensation of Employees (MOP 2.42 billion) rose by 9%, 3% and 15% respectively. Non-operating Expenditure (e.g. depreciation of fixed assets, interest paid, etc.) amounted to MOP 465 million, down by 7% year-on-year. Gross Value Added of the Transport & Storage Sector totalled MOP 4.14 billion, up by 16% year-on-year; Gross Fixed Capital Formation dropped significantly by 39% to MOP 336 million. There were 31 establishments operating in the Communications Sector, down by 1 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 62 to 2,032. Total Receipts went up by 21% year-on-year to MOP 7.09 billion, of which Sales of smartphones and information products reached MOP 3.29 billion, up by 64%; moreover, Receipts from Communications Services rose by 4% to MOP 3.29 billion. Total Expenditure amounted to MOP 5.52 billion, up by 35% year-on-year, with Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid (MOP 3.74 billion) and Compensation of Employees (MOP 626 million) rising by 53% and 27%, while Operating Expenses (MOP 714 million) falling by 2%. Non-operating Expenditure amounted to MOP 436 million, up by 4% year-on-year. Gross Value Added of the Communications Sector decreased by 6% year-on-year to MOP 2.59 billion; Gross Fixed Capital Formation amounted to MOP 652 million, up by 23%.
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