News

The online registration process for the exchange of the four previously issued Zodiac Banknotes (including the Dragon, Snake, Horse and Goat Zodiac Banknotes) will start from 9:00 am on 29 June until 6:00 pm on 24 July 2015. As the registration period will last for four weeks and also based on past experience, the Monetary Authority of Macao would like to remind citizens not to rush to conduct the online registration on the first day in order to avoid system congestion. On the other hand, all branches of Bank of China and of Banco Nacional Ultramarino will provide online registration service for those elderly citizens who require assistance. For any enquiry regarding the arrangements for the online registration and exchange of the Zodiac Banknotes, please call our hotline: 2856 5071 / 2856 5072, or browse our website: www.amcm.gov.mo.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said he had asked the Commission Against Corruption to look into the 16 cases of undeveloped land which previously classified as “idle plots”. In addition, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário, would soon form a task group for the follow-up of a string of land issues, such as to handle concessions that are about to expire, and would give full detail of his work to the Legislative Assembly in due course. Speaking to reporters on 25 June, Mr Chui said the Government has always paid more attention to “idle plots”, which had failed to develop according to the terms and time stated in the agreements, for the development of more public housing and other infrastructure. The Government could recover the lands if developers failed to pay the land premium, to submit development plans, and to develop in certain period of time. To make better use of resources, the Government had started in 2009 the processes to recover land that was leased but not developed, and has so far handled 48 plots.
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China’s development strategies would bring further complementary opportunities to Guangdong and Macao, Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On said today at the 2015 Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference held in Jiangmen. Mr Chui said national initiatives, such as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (“One Belt and One Road”), would further enhance Macao’s roles as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and as a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. At the annual conference with the leaders of Guangdong province in Jiangmen, Mr Chui outlined the prospects for the coming years based on the achievements of the past. There would be more financial contributions to joint Guangdong-Macao large-scale projects and some would start to operate in the near future, he said, adding that this is a way to better invest Macao’s reserves and would benefit people in the two places. The Government would press ahead with major projects in regional co-operation in the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, in its sub-areas such as Hengqin and Nansha. Issues such as broader co-operation at immigration checkpoints, healthcare, food safety, culture, education, meteorology and environmental protection were also proposed. In the meeting, the two governments endorsed eight agreements on bilateral co-operation in infrastructure, construction of Cuiheng New District, social welfare, meteorology, identification of endangered species, pleasure craft travel, financial co-operation and cross-boundary electronic commerce. Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Bo, and Deputy Chief of Economic Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao, Mr Chen Xiang, were also present in the meeting. Mr Chui and Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhu Xiaodan, delivered keynote speeches at the meeting. Before the meeting in Jiangmen, Mr Chui met Secretary of the Guangdong CPC Provincial Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua and Mr Zhu Xiaodan in a high-level meeting in Guangzhou. The medium- and long-term goals set in the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao had reached its expected results, and he foresaw a closer partnership between the two parties, Mr Chui said. The Conference was first established in 2003, with six priority projects for co-operation between the two regions, with emphasis on the service sector, the Zhuhai-Macao Cross-border Industrial Zone, and research on the joint development of Hengqin. Officials who also attended the meeting included Secretary for Economy and Finance Mr Leong Vai Tac; Secretary for Transport and Public Works Mr Raimundo do Rosário; Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office Ms O Lam; Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance Ms Lok Kit Sim; Chief of Office of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works Ms Cheong Chui Ling; Director of the Government Information Bureau Mr Chan Chi Ping; Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office Mr Fung Sio Weng; Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Secretary-general of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee Mr Lin Musheng; and Vice Governor of Guangdong Province Ms Chao Yufang.
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The“Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands” will be held on 3 July 2015, on the opening day of 2015MFE, at Naples Room, the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The forum is held under the themes “Starting Business for International Market” and “Practicalities of Starting Franchising Business”. Experts and senior management of international franchising associations and enterprises, as well as young entrepreneurs from around the world are invited to share their experience and insights on starting a franchising business. The Forum aims to encourage local brands to go global, enable SMEs to enhance their brand images and promote corporate culture, and create more opportunities for young business starters. Starting Business for International Market The Forum will be divided into two sessions. The first session is chaired by Mr. Kevin Ho, Vice Chairman of the Council Board of Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association.. He will hold a discussion with industry association leaders from Japan, Portugal, South Korea, Taiwan, as well as the Marketing Director of Délifrance, the well-known chain restaurant, to share brand development process and their entrepreneurial strategies. Practicalities of Starting Franchising Business The second session is chaired by Mr. Jaman Wong, President of Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association. . He will share the success stories in franchising and brand development with a number of local brand agents and young entrepreneurs. It will provide an interactive discussion platform for local young entrepreneurs and young business starters to explore business opportunities in Macao and how to reduce business risks in entrepreneurship. The Forum is conducted in Cantonese, English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese with simultaneous interpretation service. All are welcome to participate (in particular young entrepreneurs and young business starters). For registration and enquiries, please call: +853 87989 127; fax: 2872 8208; e-mail: ipimpcom@ipim.gov.mo. For more information on guest speakers and forum schedule, please visit the official website: http://www.mfe.mo/.
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To further fulfill public demand for zodiac banknotes, the two Issuing Banks will, starting from 9:00 am on 29 June until 6:00 pm on 24 July 2015, accept the online registration for the exchange by Macao residents (only limited to valid Macao permanent and non-permanent identity card holders) of the four previously issued Zodiac Banknotes (including the Dragon, Snake, Horse and Goat Zodiac Banknotes). For those who are interested to exchange for such banknotes, they can log onto the joint registration system of the Issuing Banks via the webpage of the Monetary Authority of Macao (www.amcm.gov.mo) to conduct a one-time online registration within the stated registration period. Each Macao resident can only conduct a single registration, but it will simultaneously cover the exchange for the four types of Zodiac Banknotes of the two Issuing Banks. Each Macao resident can proceed with the exchange for 8 pieces of each type of Zodiac Banknotes of each Issuing Bank, namely 64 pieces of the four types of Zodiac Banknotes from the two Issuing Banks in total after completing the online registration. The quantity has been predetermined and cannot be altered. While registrants should retain their registration records, they can also log onto the online registration system for inquiry of their confirmed registration details. The exchange period is between 31 August 2015 and 20 November 2015. Apart from the two Issuing Banks, other exchange locations include the selected branches of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited, Tai Fung Bank Limited, OCBC Wing Hang Bank Limited, Luso International Banking Limited, Banco Comercial de Macau, China Construction Bank Macau Branch and China Guangfa Bank Macau Branch. Under the current arrangement, the exchange for the four types of Zodiac Banknotes of the two Issuing Banks can be conducted at the chosen location in one go. Registrants should bring along their valid ID card and can proceed in person to exchange for the notes by cash at the chosen location on the selected day. In respect of the note exchange conducted by authorized representatives, the latter will need to bring along his/her original ID card and submit the following documents to conduct the note exchange on the selected date and location: 1. Authorization form [downloaded from AMCM’s website] signed by the registrant; 2. Photocopy of ID card of registrant bearing his / her signature; 3. Photocopy of ID card of representative bearing his / her signature.
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While the building of “one centre, one platform” is the top policy priority for the MSAR Government, the Monetary Authority of Macao (“AMCM”) is committed to motivating the financial sector to contribute towards the development of Macao as the service platform for trade and economic cooperation between China and PSCs, by capitalizing on the competitive edge of having both Chinese and Portuguese banks operating in Macao. Today, the Bank of China Macao Branch and Banco Nacional Ultramarino S.A. have entered into a cooperative agreement on establishing a more in-depth and comprehensive cooperation relationship for business development in China and PSCs. Through the network of these two banking groups, a platform for exchange of information and a channel of communication can be created to share the market and trade information in China and PSCs so as to realize mutual referrals of businesses between the two parties as well as to strengthen their business cooperation in relation to fund settlement and credits. The AMCM believes that the above cooperative arrangements will not only provide an impetus to the development of Macao as the service platform for trade and economic cooperation between China and PSCs, but also ensure the healthy development of the financial sector given the expanded business scope and the broadened market. The AMCM will, as always, continue to actively motivate the Macao financial sector to make continued contribution towards the building of “one centre, one platform”.
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In order to provide diversified training opportunities for Macao’s local hotel industry professionals and enhance their management skills, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Switzerland co-orgainsed a two-day Executive Development Programme on Key to Personal Effectiveness on 24 and 25 June. The programme helped participants to understand that their perceptions of the world, work and the other people in their lives are affected by past experiences, their expectations and where they place their priorities. Their level of performance and overall team working results can be significantly impacted by increased self-understanding and understanding of others, by enhancing their ability to adapt and by improving their ability to connect with others in both personal and work theatres. The programme attracted 15 professionals of local hotels and mega resorts to participate. IFT has the honour of inviting Mr. Wei-Cheng Chen, a Senior Consultant at Lausanne Hospitality Consulting SA. His role involves designing and delivering executive education for international companies and developing hospitality learning centres around the globe. After graduating from the University of Cambridge, he had worked in the hospitality industry in Argentina and Switzerland and also collected experience in the education sector. Wei was responsible for international student recruitment at Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, enhancing the brand image and talent sourcing for the hospitality industry. The purpose of the programme is to enable participants to recognise and understand the person they are dealing with and adapt the best approach for communication. Programme topics include: Knowledge  Explain the nature of perception and its importance in our relationship with others.  Identify the four basic colour energies and the characteristics associated with each.  Examine the relative strengths and weaknesses of each colour. Competencies  Develop a quick way to recognise the different types of person you are dealing with in the hotel industry.  Develop efficient strategies to communicate, influence and negotiate.  Elaborate the perception from “Difficult Person” to a “Valued Person” in your relationship with somebody. Mindset  Be ready to see others in a different and a more valuable way.  Open for new challenges and objectives. As the tourism and hospitality industry is growing swiftly in Macao, the demand for knowledgeable professionals is increasing and thus hotel management needs to upgrade themselves to cope with the changing market trends. This module addresses the key requirements in “Best communication” to help participants to enlarge their leadership skills. It is hoped that participants can always strive a fruitful collaboration with people they are dealing or negotiating with. IFT is always striving to enhance its research and teaching so as to contribute to the society. By organising diversified seminars and workshops, IFT constantly shares with the industry the most updated information and research findings about the future development of Macao’s sustainable tourism industry and ways to enhance it.
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Consumer Council conducted its seventh ‘Supermarket price survey’ in June on 25 June for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 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), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. 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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A Notice was issued by the Chief Executive to the CCAC today, requesting the latter to carry out a full investigation into an incident recently in the limelight involving 16 plots of land leased by the government. The Commissioner Against Corruption has therefore issued, according to Law no. 10/2000 (Organic Law of the Commission Against Corruption of the Macao Special Administrative Region), an order to carry out an investigation into the incident concerning the said 16 plots of leased land. Once any illegal acts or disciplinary offences are identified during the investigation, the CCAC will deal with them according to law. CCAC will also review the legality and rationality of the concerned administrative procedures, and provide necessary recommendations for improvements. The CCAC will, upon the completion of investigation, notify the Chief Executive of its findings in accordance with the legal provisions and make a timely announcement to the public.
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To celebrate the Science and Technology Week 2015, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Hall and our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters during 3rd to 7th July 2015 providing the commemorative cancellation service for the “Science and Technology Week 2015”. Opening hours as follow: 03/07 Main Hall of Macau Fisherman’s Wharf: 14:30 – 18:00 Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters: 14:30 – 18:00 04-07/07 Main Hall of Macau Fisherman’s Wharf: 10:00 – 20:00 A commemorative envelope will be distributed to public, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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