News

Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on biscuits. Survey result showed that the highest price difference recorded for the same biscuit brand sold at different retail spots was 33.33 percent. Consumer Council collected 8 brands of biscuits from 20 local retail outlets on 14th March. A general price difference of 10 to 20 percent was recorded for the same brand of biscuit sold at various outlets. 'Garden Cream Wafers/200g', which was sold at $7.2 to $9.6, recorded the highest price difference of 33.33 percent. In comparison with January's data, prices of the surveyed brands remained stable and 3 surveyed brands recorded no change in price. Apart from certain brands which were sold at special prices last time and recorded price adjustments in the current survey, other brands recorded price increases or decreases of about 5 percent, only 'Pacific Soda Cracker/200g' observed an obvious price increase of 17.6 percent at one retail outlet. The specific price survey on biscuits is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau SAR Government presents the 24th Macao Arts Festival (MAF) with the aim of creating a platform for cultural exchange. This year, the Festival will open on 3 May and, for the period of one month, will feature thirty-four acts, half of which are local productions. This year's Festival includes a varied array of performances from Mainland China, Portugal, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, Taiwan, Vietnam and Singapore, ranging from contemporary dance to traditional Beijing opera, from multimedia performances to shadow puppetry, from audiovisual architectural mappings to exhibitions of traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting. Shows for all tastes take to the stage, not only at the city's performing arts venues but also at many of Macao's world heritage sites. The MAF begins and ends with two contemporary dance works. Drought and Rain, by renowned French-Vietnamese director, choreographer and performance artist Ea Sola, lifts the curtain on this year's edition. This ballet continues Sola's study of the memories of war, expressing deep humanistic concerns and developing the notions of "hardship" and "forgiveness". FAR, an anatomy-defying work by multi-award winning British choreographer Wayne McGregor, is sure to bring the Festival to a scintillating close. At the core of the Festival programme are other treats. A team of outstanding choreographers from across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have collaborated to deliver Love Letters, a dance performance revealing the splendid results of a fruitful inter-regional co-operation. Han Yuniang, a new work presented by the China National Beijing Opera Theatre, stars Dong Yuanyuan, artistic successor of famed performer Mei Lanfang. Local artists, who studied under Spain's Telenoika Audiovisual Open Creative Community, have created two audiovisual shows in Mapping: Made in Macao I and II, designed specifically for the façades of the Mandarin's House and Tap Seac Square. French choreographer and dance revolutionary Xavier Le Roy blends science with imagination to explore the infinite possibilities of the human body in Self-Unfinished. Art exhibitions are also featured in the MAF. Vanishing Techniques – Photography of Jean Baudrillard showcases the French thinker's unique photographic theory and practice, which allowed him to demonstrate with a camera his varied ways of looking at and perceiving the world. The Macao Museum hosts Fantasy World – Chinoiserie, a display of European-made artefacts dating to the 17th and 18th centuries, inspired by an admiration for the Chinese art and philosophy being imported from the East during the Age of Enlightenment. For more information please consult the MAF website at www.icm.gov.mo/fam or booklet. Tickets for the 24th Macao Arts Festival will be available after 10am on 24 March 2013 at all Macao Kong Seng Ticketing Network outlets. Telephone and online bookings will be available from 12pm on the same day. This year, the Festival offers early bird discounts of up to 40%, between 24 March and 7 April, when buying tickets for at least 4 different performances or when buying 10 or more tickets for the same performance. After 8 April, purchasers meeting the same conditions will still receive a 30% discount. A 20% discount is also available on tickets to any show upon presentation of a Bank of China (Macau), Banco Weng Hang (Macau), LTD., Tai Fung Bank, ICBC (Macau), BCM Bank, Luso International Banking LTD. or BNU Credit Card or a Bank of China Tri-Currency Debit Card. The Festival has also created, in collaboration with Pacific Coffee Company, the "Arts and Coffee" special offer. With every purchase of one ticket each for the Festival's opening and closing shows, Drought and Rain and FAR, purchasers will receive a voucher for one free "tall" coffee drink at any Macao branch of Pacific Coffee Company. By presenting their 2013 MAF tickets at any Pacific Coffee Company in Macao, festival goers may also upgrade one drink. The 24th MAF press conference takes place on March 19, Tuesday, at 3pm, at the Tourism Activities Centre, with the presence of the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Deputy Director of the Macao Government Tourist Office, one of the Festival's supporters, Tse Heng Sai; the Chief Executive Officer of TDM, Teledifusão de Macau, Leong Kam Chun; the representative of Air Macau, Mavis Chan, the Vice-President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leong Hio Ming; the Chief of the Cultural Events Department, Ieong Chi Kin; and representatives of participating groups in this year's Festival. For more information on the 24th MAF, please call 8399 6699 during office hours.Ticketing hotlines: (853) 2855 5555 in Macao; (852) 2380 5083 in Hong Kong; (86) 139 2691 1111 in Mainland China.Online Reservations: www.macauticket.com
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Delegation of the MSAR Government in Geneva of Switzerland yesterday (18th of local time) attended the United Nations Human Rights Committee Session on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In the meeting, Ambassador Liu Zhenmin, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland, gave his introductory speech that, in accordance with relevant provisions under the Macao Basic Law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with its applicable provisions to the MSAR continue to be in force after 20 December 1999, such implementation being made through the local laws enactment.
During the meeting, Head of delegation of the MSAR, Secretary for Administration and Justice – Florinda Chan, gave an overview of the major initiatives and progress made by the MSAR Government in relation to the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. She said that the MSAR Government is committed to the effective implementation of the relevant provisions of the Covenant. The principle of "One Country, Two Systems" has contributed to the enlargement of the scope of human rights in the MSAR in accordance with the Basic Law with the adoption of relevant conventions on the field of the human rights. Since the return of Macao to the People's Republic of China, social development has been on a gradual and steady progress under the joint effort of the Macao population. The Government policies stress on increasing significant resources to improve the welfare of the population, such as upgrading the Social Security Fund and Access to Education, including implementing a basic 15 years free education system and financial subsidies to local students, whilst improving medical cares and benefits for the seniors, children, students, disable, and vulnerable groups. New legislation was enacted to comply with the obligations set forth in the ICCPR, and other international instruments applicable to the MSAR on human rights and other rights have been reinforced, such as in the field of data protection, against drugs and human trafficking, labour relations, persons with disabilities, refugees, access to law and legal aid, protection of women and children. These measures have been adopted to provide adequate assistance to vulnerable persons, as well as to promote dialogue and cooperation with local non-governmental organizations in tackling relevant social issues. In respect of the monitoring and supervisory mechanisms on human rights, the judiciary bodies observe and consider whether the MSAR legal order is in conformity with international conventional law applicable to the Region. Other institutional body within the context is the Ombudsman with its main function to protect the rights, freedoms, safeguards and the legitimate interests of the individuals and to ensure the legality in the exercise of public authority, justice, and efficiency in the public administration. The MSAR Government also emphasizes on the contributions of the non-governmental organizations to strive for a harmonious livelihood, including setting up hotlines, studying the social problems and their counter-measures, promoting public-awareness of the legal system, as well as playing an intermediary role between the Government and the population. The MSAR Government maintains regular dialogues with the non-governmental organizations, and actively encourages the participation of residents in public affairs and political life, through public consultations before major policies decision-making and law drafting.
In 2012, the MSAR Government completed and amended the Methodology for the Constitution of the Legislative Assembly, the Methodology for the Selection of the Chief Executive, and their relevant local electoral laws. Such processes were consistent with the Basic Law and the reality of the MSAR where a gradual and smooth democratisation process for its political system was being undertaken. It was worth emphasizing that this was a process open to the community which received full participation of the MSAR residents and the local associations through public consultations.
Subsequently, the Deputy Head of the MSAR delegation cum Director of the Law Reform and International Law Bureau - Chu Lam Lam, briefed the MSAR's legal reform and development on human rights in response to the key questions identified by the Committee, including the application of international treaties in the Region, the freedom of speech and press, the labour relations, the fight against terrorism and measures to combat the crimes of trafficking in persons. The Chairman and members of the Committee commended on the MSAR's first report being comprehensive, informative, with detailed clarifications to their questions. It helped the Committee gain a deeper understanding of the situation of the MSAR. The Meeting will be held for two consecutive days. Other members of the MSAR delegation also include the Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice, the Office of the Secretary for Security, the Government Information Office, the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the World Trade Organization, the Labour Affairs Bureau, the Public Security Police Force, and the Social Welfare Bureau.
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Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On disclosed today the Central Government has praised the performance of the Macao Government and would continue to support Macao's efforts to diversify the development of its economy. Mr Chui was speaking to reporters after meeting President Mr Xi Jingqing and Premier Mr Li Keqiang, who met him with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, in Zhongnanhai. The two chief executives were in Beijing to attend the closing ceremony of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress. Mr Chui told reporters that the newly-elected state leaders would continue support Macao in terms of diversification of economic development and regional co-operation. Mr Chui said the leaders have advised him that while Macao was going through a good period of growth and development, he should also make contingencies for bad times. He said that the government has made preparations for bad times, such as setting up the fiscal reserve system comprised basic reserves, excess reserves and foreign reserves. Mr Chui said the government expected to have a balanced budget in the year's budget proposal, and would pay attention to its financial security and stability. In developing the economy, the government would also establish long-term mechanisms to improve people's livelihood, which is important to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Macao, he said. Mr Chui said that the two leaders also highlighted the importance of co-operation between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, adding that Macao government would enhance support in two co-operative projects with the Mainland -- Hengqin in Zhuhai and Nansha in Guangzhou. The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chun Weng and the personal assistant to Chief Executive, Ms Goretti Tam were also present at the meetings.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2012 expanded by 8.5% year-on-year in real terms that was spurred by the impetus of exports of services and investment. Among the major components, exports of gaming services increased by 3.9%, gross fixed capital formation expanded by 21.8%, private consumption expenditure and government final consumption expenditure rose by 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, merchandise exports went up by 17.4%. For the whole year of 2012, GDP increased by 9.9% in real terms to MOP348.2 billion; per-capita GDP amounted to MOP611,930 (about USD76,588). The economic growth was fuelled by exports of services and domestic demand; in particular, exports of gaming services increased by 6.9% and total spending of visitors rose by 6.4%. In respect of domestic demand, gross fixed capital formation expanded by 19.1% on account of the upsurge in public construction; private consumption expenditure and government final consumption expenditure rose by 9.1% and 6.9% respectively, and merchandise exports rebounded sharply by 23.2%. Conducive factors to the economic expansion include:
- an increase of 13.4% in gross gaming revenue;
- a marginal rise of 0.3% in visitor arrivals and 15% increase in total spending of visitors;
- an increase of 10.8% in hotel guests;
- an upsurge of 54.8% in public investment;
- an increase of 22% in value of retail sales;
- quarterly data on median employment earnings posted increase, ranging between 13.4% and 17.0%. GDP growth in real terms for the second and third quarters of 2012 revised to 7.9% and 6.2% respectively; economic growth for 2011 revised to 21.8%. Moreover, the implicit deflator of GDP that measures overall changes in prices increased by 7.4% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 7.3% for the whole year of 2012. Principal Indicators of GDP
(* vide em anexo) As regards GDP structure by major components, relative importance of net exports of goods and services (58.6%) and domestic demand (41.4%) to GDP was identical as 2011. In view of the robust increase in public construction, relative importance of investment expanded by 0.9 percentage points to 14.7%, while percentage share of private consumption expenditure (19.9%) and government final consumption expenditure (6.8%) declined by 0.6 and 0.3 percentage points respectively.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released survey results of Manpower Needs and Wages for the fourth quarter of 2012. Survey coverage comprised Wholesale & Retail Trade; Transport, Storage & Communications; Security Activities and Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities, excluding own-account workers. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2012, Wholesale & Retail Trade had 36,357 employees, up by 10.3% year-on-year, with 23,346 working in Retail trade. Average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) of full-time employees rose by 7.0% year-on-year to MOP10,880 in December 2012, with Sales representatives and Salespersons earning MOP12,100 and MOP10,230 respectively in average. Transport, Storage & Communications took on 8,606 employees, up by 6.1% year-on-year. In December, average earnings of full-time employees increased by 5.8% year-on-year to MOP17,170. Drivers of passenger/cargo transport by land earned an average of MOP20,740. Security Activities had 5,149 employees, up by 7.7% year-on-year. The average earnings of full-time employees in December rose by 7.4% year-on-year to MOP8,980, with Security guards earning MOP8,600 in average. Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities had 726 employees, up by 9.5% year-on-year. The average earnings of full-time employees in December increased by 6.7% year-on-year to MOP12,720. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2012, Wholesale & Retail Trade reported 4,238 vacancies, up by 101 year-on-year, of which 3,077 were in Retail trade. Security Activities had 948 vacancies, up by 110, while Transport, Storage & Communications offered 677 vacant posts. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, the majority of vacancies in Wholesale & Retail Trade (52.0%) and Transport, Storage & Communications (68.2%) did not require working experience. Regarding educational attainment, 79.6% of the vacancies in Security Activities and 59.0% in Wholesale & Retail Trade required junior secondary education or lower, 45.4% of those in Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities required senior secondary education or higher, and 33.4% of those in Transport, Storage & Communications required tertiary education. Besides Cantonese, Mandarin (66.8%) and English (43.0%) were more preferable language skill in Wholesale & Retail Trade, while 40.9% of those in Transport, Storage & Communications required English. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the employee turnover rate (7.3%) and the employee recruitment rate (8.5%) of Security Activities decreased by 5.5 and 3.8 percentage points year-on-year, and the job vacancy rate rose by 0.7 percentage points to 15.8%, indicating that the outflow of human resources showed improvement but many of the vacancies were unoccupied still.
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To celebrate the 15th anniversary of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', a carnival will be held by Consumer Council this Saturday from 3PM to 5PM at the leisure area on Rua Quatro do Bairro Iao Hon. In order to promote the Regulations and services of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' to the public, Consumer Council holds several carnivals in different local communities on Saturdays in March. Two carnivals have already been held at Vasco da Gama Garden and Largo de Camões in Taipa in the past two weeks. Participants learnt about consumer rights and services of the Arbitration Centre through various on-site games. Consumer Council will hold another carnival on 16th March at the leisure area on Rua Quatro do Bairro Iao Hon from 3PM to 5PM. On-site quiz games, booth games and information about the Arbitration Centre will be exhibited during the event. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP132.6 billion (USD16.60 billion) at the end of February 2013. The reserves fell by 3.2% from the revised value of MOP137.0 billion (USD17.15 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP5.9 billion or 4.7%. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-February 2013 represented 17 times the currency in circulation or 135.8% of Pataca M2 at end-January 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, rose by 0.44 points month-to-month and 0.73 points year-on-year to 97.36 in February 2013. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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Invited by ASEAN Retail-Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF), a business delegation led by Ms. Echo Chan, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), including representatives from Macau Chain Stores & Franchise Association and the Association of Advertising Agents of Macau (organiser and co-ordinator of "Macao Franchise Expo 2013") went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to participate in the "ASEAN Franchise Expo & Symposium 2013"(AFES 2013) from 7-9 March 2013. The objectives of the trip was as to foster exchanges and co-operation with franchise and retail chain industries of the ASEAN region, as well as promoting the upcoming "Macao Franchise Expo 2013"(2013MFE). Organised by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism of Malaysia (KPDNKK) and ASEAN Retail-Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF) and supported by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the "ASEAN Franchise Expo & Symposium 2013" was held from 8 to 10 March at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. There were a total of 80 booths set up in the exhibition. Besides local Malaysian brands, enterprises and associations including those from mainland China, Australia, Indonesia Japan, and Singapore took part representing food and beverage, retail, beauty products, education, and information technology sectors to name a few participated in AFES 2013. The opening ceremony of AFES 2013 was presided by Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri Bin Yaakob, Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism, and representatives from various ASEAN countries. During the visit to Macao Pavilion at the exhibition, Ms. Echo Chan, Executive Director of IPIM introduced the current Macau trade and investment environment and activities organised by IPIM to Dato' Ismail Sabri, including 2013 MFE to be held from 12 to 14 July, the Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF) and Macao International Trade And Investment Fair (MIF). ARFF, the AFES 2013 organiser, expressed interest in participating in 2013MFE to promote brand co-operation opportunities for its member companies. Some exhibitors from food and beverage, food manufacturing, information technology, healthcare and beauty industries wished to make use of Macao and the MFE exhibition platform to explore the mainland China market. In addition, the Macao delegation attended the "ASEAN Outstanding Business Award 2013"and exchanged information and made connections with representatives from Malaysian franchise and retail chain industries. The Macau delegation also paid courtesy visits to Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) and Malaysian Retailer-Chains Association (MRCA), during which Ms. Echo Chan gave a presentation on collaboration between Malaysia and Macao, trade, the business and economic development of Macao, as well as tax and CEPA incentive arrangements. Ms. Chan also encouraged Malaysian enterprises to take part in exhibitions in Macau, and utilise the Macao regional business platform as a gateway for Malaysian brands to open up business opportunities in mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr. Tim Sio, Vice Director-General of the Macau Chain Stores & Franchise Association expressed his desire to search for suitable partners in Malaysia, hence strengthening collaboration between Malaysia and Macao. Mr. Osborn Lo, Vice Director-General of the Association of Advertising Agents of Macau hoped to gain information and a deeper understanding on the Malaysian franchise industry, to improve future co-operation opportunities through stronger ties with ASEAN enterprises. Organised by the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) and Malaysian Retailer-Chains Association (MRCA), the delegation also conducted site visits to several renowned brands including Bonia (Leather bag and shoes), Tutti Frutti (Frozen yogurt) and Zell-V (Healthcare products), in order to gain a deeper understanding of Malaysian franchise and retail chain operation and management.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is scheduled to leave for Beijing on 16 March to attend the closing ceremony of the 12th National People's Congress on 17 March. The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chun Weng, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam and the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping will take part in the visit. Mr Chui and his delegation will return Macao on 19 March. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
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