News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that about 159,900 households had used the Internet in 2014, accounting for 84.3% of the total, up by 1.7 percentage points year-on-year. With the popularity of smartphones, the households using mobile broadband to access the Internet increased by 7.2 percentage points year-on-year to 87.1%. Meanwhile, households using fibre optical broadband connection almost doubled, at 17,700. For population aged 3 and above, the rate of Internet usage was 69.8%, up by 4.0 percentage points year-on-year. The rate of Internet usage for population aged 15-24 topped at 95.9%. Moreover, 93.4% of the Internet users had accessed the Internet daily, up by 2.4 percentage points year-on-year. Regarding the purpose of using the Internet, 86.9% of the Internet users used the Internet for communication, 75.6% for web entertainment and 13.8% for Internet shopping, up by 6.6, 2.1 and 0.2 percentage points respectively year-on-year. Median Internet shopping spending amounted to MOP 1,000 in the fourth quarter of 2014, up by 33.3% year-on-year. Mobile phone users accounted for 92.3% of the total; the proportion of population who accessed the Internet using a mobile phone increased by 10.0 percentage points year-on-year to 79.5%. In addition, 153,700 households possessed computer equipment, sharing 81.1% of the total, down by 0.8 percentage points year-on-year. The rate of computer usage for population aged 3 and above also dropped by 1.1 percentage points year-on-year to 60.6% owing to the greater variety of functions available on mobile phone and other devices. Survey on Information Technology Usage in the Household Sector 2014 was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2014 through a supplementary questionnaire of the Employment Survey, which collected data on information technology usage among population aged 3 and above.
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Taking advantage of the recent fine weather and optimising the latest in technology, the Government Information Bureau used a drone to take a series of aerial photograph of Macao. Photographer Lou Kam Lit’s collection of “A bird’s-eye view of Macao’s new developments in Inner Harbour” is now available at the government news application “MSAR News”. Lou maneuvered the drone and captured rare aerial views of the old Macao’s crowded residential districts to new projects and developments, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge progress. This collection of ten photographs, along with other 140 collections, are on display at the “MSAR News” app, showing the city’s picturesque scenery and unforgettable moments ranging from new and historic buildings, social characteristics and features, seasonal and festive activities. Launched by the Bureau last year, the app offers various real-time news, government information, pictures and information on the local weather. Besides the “Gallery” section, it also includes “News”, “News Features”, “Hot News”, and “Hot News Photos”. Under the “News” section, 13 categories are available for users to subscribe to. It is available in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese and English. The built-in bookmarking and sharing functions allow users to spread the information from the app to email or social media such as Weibo, WeChat, Facebook and Twitter. In addition, the app’s push notification feature gives instant access to news and information released by the Government. This app is available for both iOS (Version 5.1 or above) and Android (Version 4.0 or above) systems. It can be searched and downloaded with the keyword “MSAR News” in App Store and Google Play.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the first quarter of 2015 increased by 1.51% year-on-year to 146.19, attributable to rising charges for restaurant services, as well as dearer prices of handbags and local food products. Notable increase was observed in the price index of Restaurant Services (+7.86%); Clothing & Footwear (+5.49%); and Entertainment & Cultural Activities (+5.18%). On the contrary, price index of Hotel Accommodation decreased by 4.33% year-on-year due to lower room rates for three- and four-star hotels. In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2014, TPI for the first quarter of 2015 increased by 0.33%. Price index of Accommodation and Entertainment & Cultural Activities rose by 3.77% and 2.88% respectively quarter-to-quarter; meanwhile, seasonal sale of handbags and women’s winter clothing pushed down the price index of Clothing & Footwear by 7.81%. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the first quarter of 2015 increased by 3.63% from the previous period, with marked increase being observed in the price index of Restaurant Services (+7.42%); Clothing & Footwear (+6.41%); Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco (+4.78%); and Entertainment & Cultural Activities (+4.65%). TPI reflects the price change of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are selected according to the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.
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The Government has asked Macao’s electricity provider to submit a report on the power outage earlier today, examining its cause to ensure stability of service. In a joint press conference held after the incident, Coordinator of the Office for the Development of the Energy Sector, Mr Arnaldo Ernesto dos Santos, said the incident happened at 10:55 am, caused by the malfunction of 110kV high-voltage equipment in Canal dos Patos substation, which subsequently led to the breakdown of equipment in four other substations in different locations, causing an extensive power outage across the Macao peninsula. Supply was fully restored by 12:20 pm. The Government is requiring Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM) to submit a preliminary report in one week and an extensive report in one month. In the press conference, representative of the Public Security Police Force said boundary-crossing remained normal during the incident and the Government had despatched more police officers on the streets to ensure public order was maintained. The Fire Services Bureau had activated the emergency mechanism, including mobilising 150 officers and more vehicles to help in rescue work. It handled 75 cases of people trapped in elevator and helped 440 affected by the lift incidents. The Health Bureau said the incident had only a minor effect on services of the emergence ward, and the operation of surgery wards and intensive care unit, as the hospital had an emergency power supply. CEM has apologised for the incident and said the company would learn from it to further optimise the stability of power supply. It also disclosed that the last regular inspection of the Canal dos Patos substation was carried out last month.
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The Government Spokesperson and Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, said today that the new government team was striving to strengthen its dissemination of information and its co-ordination work, to make it more standardised, institutionalised and professional. A meeting with the press would be held on a regular basis to enhance mutual communication and to listen to their opinions in optimising the system, he said. Speaking in a tea session to almost 60 media representatives from local cutlets and correspondents stationed in Macao representing oversea news organisations, Mr Chan revealed details of the plan, reviewed Bureau’s work in the past year, and the use of new media by government departments. He said the Government placed great importance not only on communication with traditional media, but also in the development of new media. To put into action the Chief Executive’s policy vision on increasing government transparency, enhancing speed and quality of responding, and making better use of the new media, every government department has put more efforts in developing a multi-media platform to better disseminate information and promote its policies. Currently, all government departments have their own websites, and there are also specific sites, for example the Wealth Partaking Scheme and life-long learning incentive scheme. Policy-making secretaries would gradually launch their websites, to collect people’s views and promote policies in various areas. Mr Chan said besides providing information on websites, more than 20 departments had also launched mobile applications providing information on portable devises ranging from transportation, weather, to emergency services in hospitals, giving more updates on the situation to help the public in choosing the services needed. More than 10 departments have subscribed to WeChat accounts, the Chinese-mobile communicating app that also offers information sharing. The Bureau had also established different channels in disseminating information, such as the government news app “MARS News”, a Youtube channel, and a recently-launched WeChat account. The Bureau was also preparing to put online the bi-monthly “Macao” magazine, and re-construct its online information broadcast system to the media, Mr Chan said.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, has stressed that the Government would stick strictly to its policy of restricting the increase in the number of gaming tables to no more than three per cent annually up to the year 2023. Speaking to reporters on the side lines of a public event on 14 April, Mr Leong said the Government had received a request for increasing gaming tables from a casino operator for a project that is scheduled to open next month. The application is being analysed by the related departments: the result reached in a transparent manner will be announced in due course. On the basis of restricting the increase to no more than three per cent annually, he said the Government would not only consider applications with a single method, but a string of comprehensive assessments. Major factors for the evaluation include competitiveness, non-gaming elements of the project, support to small- and medium- sized enterprises, fulfilment to the goal of turning Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and enhancing the overall tourism attractiveness.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP136.9 billion (USD17.14 billion) at the end of March 2015. The reserves increased by 1.9% from the revised value of MOP134.3 billion (USD16.81 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-March 2015 represented 11 times the currency in circulation or 103.0% of Pataca M2 at end-February 2015. 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, rose 1.52 points month-to-month and 8.42 points year-on-year to 105.19 in March 2015.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead a delegation to Fuzhou in Fujian province on 20-21 April to attend a high-level meeting. During the two-day visit, Mr Chui will meet with the Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr You Quan, and the Governor, Mr Su Shulin. The delegation is scheduled to visit the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to learn more of city development. Members of the delegation will include Secretary for Economy and Finance Mr Leong Vai Tac, 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, Director of the Government Information Bureau Mr Chan Chi Ping, and Director of Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Mr Fung Sio Weng. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, will be the Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) increased whereas those of commercial real estate loans (CRELs) decreased in February 2015. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New lending approved In February 2015, new RMLs approved by Macao banks increased 37.8% month-to-month to MOP5.3 billion; of which, 97.9% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents increased 39.6% whereas those to non-residents decreased 15.7%. When compared with the same period of 2014, new approvals of RMLs witnessed an increase of 106.9%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) increased by 168.2% month-to-month to MOP905 million. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 97.5% of the total, increased 161.6%. When compared with the same period of 2014, new RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units increased by 555.6%. New CRELs dropped by 1.8% month-to-month to MOP4.7 billion; of which, 72.1% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents decreased 21.6% whereas non-residents increased 182.7%. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs dropped by 37.3%. Outstanding balances As at end-February 2015, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP155.9 billion, an increase of 0.9% from one month earlier or 27.5% from a year ago. The resident component made up 94.2% of the total. Compared to end-January 2015, outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents rose 1.0% and 0.6% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased 1.0% from end-January 2015 and was up 41.0% from end-February 2014 to MOP127.8 billion. Residents accounted for 89.8% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents grew 0.5% and 6.1% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of February 2015, the delinquency ratio for RMLs increased to 0.08%, up 0.01 percentage point from a month ago or 0.03 percentage points from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs, at 0.06%, was virtually unchanged from a month ago or up 0.01 percentage point from end-February 2014.
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Consumer Council conducted its third ‘Supermarket price survey’ in April on 13 April for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 8 supermarkets in Toi San, Ilha Verde and Fai Chi Kei areas 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 over 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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