News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average daily wage of construction workers increased by 6.1% quarter-to-quarter to MOP713 in the fourth quarter of 2014, and the average daily wage of local construction workers was MOP955, up by 8.2%. The average daily wage of skilled & semi-skilled workers was MOP719, up by 6.2% quarter-to-quarter. The average daily wages of electricians & electrical workers (MOP757), concrete formwork carpenters (MOP801) and plant operators (MOP957) increased by 8.3%, 3.9% and 3.2% respectively due to increase in demand. The average daily wage of structural iron erectors (MOP799) decreased by 1.4%. Meanwhile, the average daily wage of unskilled workers was MOP388, down slightly by 0.5%. After discounting the effect of inflation, the wage index of construction workers (98.1) increased by 4.3% quarter-to-quarter in real terms, while the wage index of local construction workers (129.3) increased by 6.2% quarter-to-quarter. For the whole year of 2014, the average wage index of construction workers (94.1) rose by 5.5% year-on-year in real terms, and that of local construction workers (119.0) increased by 12.8%. As regards construction materials, the average price of concrete increased by 2.0% quarter-to-quarter, at MOP700 per cubic metre in the fourth quarter of 2014; the average price of spiral & round reinforcing steel bars was MOP4,771 per tonne, down by 3.8%. Meanwhile, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings (129.7) in the fourth quarter of 2014 decreased slightly by 0.3% quarter-to-quarter; the average price index for 2014 (129.0) rose by 5.7% year-on-year.
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To enable SMEs to understand more about marketing, promotion and management practices adopted by overseas enterprises, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has organised SME training and study trips to Mainland China, Japan and Taipei, to inspire SMEs to pursue creative innovation and business transformation. On 7 February (Saturday), IPIM is going to organise a training seminar on the "Best Practices of Branding, Marketing and Human Resources Management of Korean Enterprises" with Korea Franchise Association (KFA). The seminar will be from 9:30 - 12:30 and 14:30 -17:30 in the Multi-function Conference Hall of Macao Business Support Centre (263, Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, Edif. China Civil Plaza, 19 andar, Macau). This seminar is part of the SME training programme, followed by a study trip to Seoul, to benefit Macao SMEs by leveraging their business capacity. Experts share on branding and management strategies, application of technology and successful cases Korean culture, "Korean Wave" and products have become popular in recent years. Many well-known brands have adopted franchising to expand in different parts of the world, with Macao being one of the destinations. To enable Macao SMEs to learn from these successful models, the organisers have invited Mr. Ham Jung Hoon, Managing Director and Policy Team Manager of Korea Franchise Association to be the speaker at the training seminar. Mr. Ham is also the chief co-ordinator of the franchise overseas ventures projects and infrastructure establishment projects of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea. During the seminar, a variety of topics will be covered, including prevailing management techniques, practices, equipment and technology adopted by Korean SMEs to manage their business, as well as sharing sessions from representatives of Korean franchise brands. Study trip to learn from successful brands The training seminar is conducted in Korean (with simultaneous interpretation in Mandarin only). Participants completing the full course of the training seminar will be given priority to take part in the study trip to Seoul organised by IPIM. The trip will include site visits to enterprises in various industries; hence enabling participants to learn more about the successful business practices of overseas enterprises. Enrolment for the visit will be processed on a first come first served basis. For event details, please contact Ms. Leong or Mr. Ho of SME Service Centre on: 8798-9711/8798-9613; Email: smec@ipim.gov.mo or visit the IPIM website for further information.
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The targets of co-operation between Macao and Guangdong governments set for last year have been reached and more innovative co-operation projects would be discussed in the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference to be held later this year, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said. Speaking to reporters in Guangzhou after meeting with the Secretary of the Guangdong CPC Provincial Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua, and the Governor of Guangdong province, Mr Zhu Xiaodan today, Mr Chui said both governments were confident in development on trade liberalisation and structural reforms to facilitate the projects in the free trade zones, development of Hengqin of Zhuhai and Nansha of Guangzhou. He said the establishment of the free trade zone in Guangdong would bring more development opportunities to Macao to further diversify its economic structure. In the past year, the Government strived to boost the economy, enhanced the people's livelihood, endeavoured to turn Macao into a world centre for tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, expedited regional co-operationand talents cultivation system. Based on the effective and close co-operation, the two governments would step up efforts on environment protection issues such as processing non-recyclable construction waste and unwanted vehicles to make best use of space in the landfill and fulfil the needs for development. More measures would be announced within this year, he said. Earlier in the meeting, Mr Chui thanked the Guangdong government for its long-term support especiallyon the supply of water, electricity, food and other necessities, resolving the basic needs of the people of Macao. Mr Hu said Guangdong government would see this year's economy grow at a moderate and steady pace, as the Central Government had planned. He said he believed that based on the close co-operation with Macao they would create morefavourable conditions for the people. Officials also who attended the meeting today were the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Secretary for Transport and Public Work, MrRaimundo Rosario; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms O Lam;the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Ms Cheong Chui Ling; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping;and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng. Other key officials of the Guangdong government attended included the Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Secretary-general of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Lin Musheng; the Vice Governor, Ms Zhao Yufang; and the Secretary-General, Mr Li Feng.
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The February issue of C2, published by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and produced by the Companhia do Desenvolvimento Cultural e Criativo 100 Plus Limitada, will be launched on 2nd February. This issue is going to bring all the readers to the fashion runway, taking a look at the fashion industry and the stories behind. Stepping into February, winter is near the end. The warm weather is coming back. Fashion brands from all over the world launch the attractive attires of spring and get a lot of attentions. Feature story of February issue is about how several local fashion designers play a revolution of fashion. They try to educate the local consumers to create a tasteful and stylish lifestyle. They also share the difficulties in the development of the industry they are facing, and how to develop an exclusive market. "Chit Chat" invites Tomy Ho, the lead vocalist of the local independent band "Catalyser" to share his music path. "Around the Globe" mentions about the movement of "I'MPERFECT" launched by the Hong Kong designers. To rethink the trashes produced by the consumers and the ways to reuse them. "Extravaganza" discusses how the Tap Seac Art Fair provides the best possible environment for the fresh handcrafters to do business. Local and overseas columnists will write in the C2 Blog each month to share their insights. February issue includes Joe Tang, Joe Lei, Wong Cheng Pou, Hung Kuo-hsiung, Yap Seow Choong and James Chu. C2 is a trilingual magazine (in Chinese, Portuguese and English) and is updated on the first Monday of each month online. Visit us at www.c2magazine.mo, and download the full version of the magazine. To learn more about our latest news, please find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/c2magazine.macau. Also, you can find us on WeChat, go to "add friend" and enter "c2magazine"in the ID column. Any queries, please email us at c2magazine.macau@gmail.com
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is presenting the grand outdoor Lunar New Year festivities — the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram" on the third day (21 February) and tenth day (28 February) of Lunar New Year. Celebrating the festive joy with locals and visitors, the event will feature parade floats and local display, performances by over 1,000 performers, fireworks show, etc. A Mainland theme park's float will debut in the Parade this year and there will be performances presented by Hong Kong celebrities for the first time. The Office will also host an interactive game on Wechat to add more fun and diversity to the celebrations. The "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram" is organized by MGTO and co-organized by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and Macao Sport Development Board (MSDB). MGTO held a press conference today (30 January) to unveil the Parade's highlights. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong; Head of Department of Cultural Activities and Recreation of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Eric Choi Chi Hong; Chief of Cultural Events Department of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin; President of Macao Sport Development Board, José Maria da Fonseca Tavares, Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of MGTO, Isabel Augusto, and famous Hong Kong singer Stephy Tang were present in the press conference along with the representatives of other sponsoring entities. MGTO Director Senna Fernandes gave an introduction about the parade, "The 'Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram' will feature 14 floats, 25 local groups and 9 performing groups from the Mainland; Korea; Hong Kong; Italy; Japan; Malaysia; Portugal; Thailand and Taiwan, China respectively. There are 1,288 performers in total, along with 383 staff and 625 volunteers that add up to 1,008 persons involved." Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort will make a debut in the Parade with its float and performers this year; well-known Hong Kong singers Miriam Yeung, Andy Hui and Stephy Tang will perform on the two aforementioned days of the Parade respectively while Hong Kong artist Johnson Lee will host the Parade night on the third day of Lunar New Year to add more joy and festive vibe to the event. Going along the same route as last year, the Parade will begin after a launch ceremony at the front square of Macau Science Center at 8 p.m. on the third day of Lunar New Year. The Parade will wend through Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in Macau and reach its destination at Sai Van Lake Square before Macau Tower. MGTO has assigned four locations along the parade route for performing teams to halt for a show time. The fixed points include the three front areas of Macau Science Center, Kun Iam Statue and Rua da Torre de Macau (near the tunnel entrance opposite the Macau Legislative Assembly Building) as well as Sai Van Lake Square. There will be performances on stage at Sai Van Lake Square at 8:15 p.m. Part of the performing teams from the parade will join the stage performance as well upon arrival at Sai Van Lake Square, followed by a fireworks show at 11 p.m. On the third night of Lunar New Year, MGTO will live broadcast the parade through the LED screens installed at nine locations as follow: Macau Science Center, Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, Friendship Square, Park of Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, Iao Hon Market Garden, Tap Seac Square, Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva, Macau Tower and Largo dos Bombeiros in Taipa so that audience can enjoy the whole spectacular throughout the parade. At the same time, TDM and Macau Cable TV will live broadcast the parade and record the show for subsequent broadcast; a special program about the parade will also be broadcasted on both TVB Jade channel and High-definition Jade channel in Hong Kong at 10:30 p.m. on 28 February. 14 splendid floats are presented by China National Tourism Administration, MGTO, IACM, IC, MSDB, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Suncity Group, Sands China Ltd., Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM China Holdings Limited, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A., Wynn Macau Ltd. and Exmoo News. Cotai Water Jet, Tung Cheng Yuen Buddhist Association and TurboJet are sponsoring the artistic performances. Other sponsoring entities include Coca-Cola. To encourage local citizens to participate in the event, MGTO hosts a mobile text message game once again for locals to choose their favorite performing team among the local teams appearing on the third night of Lunar New Year. Those who have voted for the winning team are eligible for a lucky draw with a chance to win prizes. Moreover, the new "Interactive Wechat Game – Lucky Puzzle Draw" and "Wechat Message Wall" are launched this year to widen the coverage of the activity. On the tenth day of Lunar New Year, the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram" will again feature 14 floats. A kick-off ceremony will be held at Rua Norte do Patane at 8 p.m. The Parade will then adjourn at Iao Hon Market Garden, where stage performances will be presented. To liven up the spectators' spirit, MGTO will give out a total of 23,500 small presents along the parade routes on the third day and tenth day of Lunar New Year including fluffy sheep toys and hats, little flags and illuminated balloons. The 14 floats in the Parade will be showcased at Sai Van Lake Square and Tap Seac Square during 21 – 28 February and 28 February – 8 March respectively. The floats will be brightened up with illuminations to allow photo opportunities for locals and visitors from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. during the above periods. MGTO has rolled out a range of promotions via television/radio commercials, internet, printed materials, press, posters, flyers, advertising boards and light boxes, bus and street-lamp post advertisements, etc. to publicize the event among local citizens and visitors.
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Consumer Council conducted its eighth 'Supermarket price survey' in January on 29 January for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 13 supermarkets in Taipa and Coloane 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 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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This year, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) continues to collaborate with the General Association of Chinese Students of Macau to organise the participation of a group of 40 students in a large-scale youth exchange event, namely the "MaD Forum" (Make a Difference) to be held in the Kwai Tsing Theatre, in Hong Kong from 31st January 2015 to 1st February 2015. The organiser aims to encourage local youngsters to explore their potential to respond to contemporary challenges with innovative ideas, and build a creative civil society. Under the theme "Village Reimagined", the MaD Forum 2015 attracts 1,300 youngsters from Asia to be "MaD 2015 Villagers", joining together to build a village. The participants are required to plan various activities and optimise the living environment with their creativity. They will visit art studios, social enterprises and farms, in addition to publishing their reviews in the Village Newspaper. The event also features the "MaD 2015 Free Market", in which participants will, together with a number of cultural workers of Hong Kong communities, establish a market without money transactions allowing the free sharing of ideas and goods. The three-day MaD Forum has invited experts and scholars from Denmark, U.S., U.K., Holland, France and Taiwan to share their experiences in the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as other thematic activities. Programme highlights of the MaD Forum includes the film The Human Scale screening , forums and chat rooms like "Market of Asia + Community Market – creative exchange, intercultural dialogue, art experience" and excursions like "Artwalker – Sowing Art in the Community", etc. Since 2011, IC has been collaborating with the General Association of Chinese Students of Macau in recruiting local students and youths to join the MaD Forum, providing Macao youths with more opportunities to study and exchange ideas and broaden their horizons, thus cultivating talents for Macao's cultural and creative industries.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitors on package tours totalled 1,190,000 in December 2014, up significantly by 35.8% year-on-year. Package tour visitors from Mainland China surged by 51.5% year-on-year to 991,000, with 328,000 coming from Guangdong Province, up by 17.4%. Those from Taiwan (57,000), Hong Kong (34,000) and the Republic of Korea (33,000) decreased by 6.3%, 23.2% and 8.6% respectively. For the whole year of 2014, visitors on package tours reached 12,347,000, up by 26.3% year-on-year. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies were 138,000 in December 2014, up by 5.7% year-on-year; those travelling on package tours totalled 53,000 and the main destination was Mainland China (80.4% of total), followed by Taiwan (6.5%) and the Republic of Korea (5.0%). For the whole year of 2014, outbound residents using services of travel agencies totalled 1,537,000, up by 6.2% year-on-year. There were 98 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of December 2014, providing 28,000 guest rooms, up by 0.5% year-on-year; 5-star hotels accounted for 65.9% of the total supply, with 18,000 rooms. A total of 885,000 guests checked into hotels and guesthouses in December 2014, down by 8.4% year-on-year. Guests from Mainland China (559,000) decreased by 3.2%, while those from Hong Kong (107,000) tumbled by 26.2%. The average length of stay of guests held stable as December 2013, at 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses decreased by 4.7 percentage points year-on-year to 85.1%, with 5-star hotels leading at 86.1%, down by 4.2 percentage points; meanwhile, the rate of 4-star hotels dropped by 6.8 percentage points to 85.9%. For the whole year of 2014, hotel guests increased slightly by 0.4% year-on-year to 10,713,000; the average occupancy rate stood at 86.5%, up by 3.4 percentage points. For the whole year of 2014, visitor-guests accounted for 68.8% of the total overnight visitors, down by 1.4 percentage points year-on-year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for December 2014 amounted to MOP984 million, up by 7.0% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP780 million) and domestic exports (MOP204 million) rose by 6.7% and 8.0% respectively. Total merchandise import expanded by 10.3% year-on-year to MOP8.99 billion, the highest single-month record since the statistics were first compiled, of which imports of Mobile phones increased by 55.5%. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP8.01 billion. In the fourth quarter of 2014, total value of merchandise export (MOP2.63 billion) and merchandise import (MOP25.10 billion) grew by 11.3% and 10.8% respectively year-on-year, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP22.47 billion. For the whole year of 2014, total value of merchandise export increased by 9.0% year-on-year to MOP9.91 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP7.89 billion) increased by 11.4%, and that of domestic exports (MOP2.02 billion) rose slightly by 0.7%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 11.0% year-on-year to a new record high of MOP89.95 billion. Merchandise trade deficit was MOP80.04 billion in 2014. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP5.81 billion) and the EU (MOP310 million) in 2014 increased by 19.7% and 10.3% year-on-year, while export to Mainland China (MOP1.55 billion) and the USA (MOP293 million) decreased by 3.2% and 19.6% respectively. In 2014, exports of Non-textiles increased by 10.7% year-on-year to MOP9.13 billion, of which value of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP1.84 billion) and Clocks & watches (MOP872 million) rose by 21.5% and 85.2% respectively, but that of Electronic components (MOP658 million) dropped by 31.6%. Exports of Textiles & garments totalled MOP781 million, down by 7.7%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP29.84 billion) and the EU (MOP21.85 billion) in 2014 increased by 13.0% and 16.3% year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 8.4% to MOP55.99 billion, with imports of Food & beverages (MOP11.67 billion) and Watches (MOP7.94 billion) increasing by 21.8% and 22.2% respectively. Moreover, imports of Mobile phones (MOP7.46 billion) and Construction materials (MOP3.47 billion) grew by 21.5% and 25.5% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP99.87 billion in 2014, up by 10.8% compared with MOP90.11 billion in 2013.
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The Government is determined to ban smoking in all public indoor areas to further protect the people from hazardous second-hand smoke, said the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng. He said the Government did not want an increase in gaming revenue at the expense of the health of the people, casino employees and tourists. Speaking to reporters on 29 January, Mr Tam said the Government would submit the revisions on the New Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control to the Legislative Assemble within the first half of this year, suggesting imposing a full smoking ban in all public indoor areas, including casinos. Currently, smoking is banned in major public areas in casinos, including the mass gaming floor. Having met with the representatives of the city's six gaming operators and associations, Mr Tam said they preferred to setup airport-style smoking lounges, but poll and study showed that the majority were in favour of a full ban and that the smoking lounges could not ensure satisfied air quality in casinos. Mr Tam said the Government would consider increasing the tobacco tax to 70 per cent of the retail price as suggested by the World Health Organization recommendation. The New Regime first became effective on 1 January 2012, banning smoking in public indoor areas such as schools, health institutes, workplaces and factories. Beginning this year, smoking is also banned in all bars, dancehalls, saunas and massage parlours. On the same day, the Government also launched a mobile application on the waiting time for medical services in the hospitals and the subsided clinics, giving the people better real-time information on the services in different institutions.
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