News

The exhibition "The Thai Impression - 4 Printmaking Masters' Works", organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao S.A.R. Government, in collaboration with the Printmaking Research Center of Macau, will open on the 23rd of August, Friday, at 6:30pm, at the Old Court Building, located in Avenida da Praia Grande. The exhibition features 59 works by Thailand's four top printmaking artists, namely Thavorn Ko-udomvit, Puttipong Prasarnphan, Tinnakorn Kasornsuwan and Vimonmarn Khanthachavana. In recent years, Thailand has been sparing no efforts in promoting arts education, thus fostering a flourishing development in art, of which printmaking is an excellent example. Thai printmaking creation shows a genuine character: while drawing many references from European and American innovative printmaking techniques, it is able to retain its own traditions and still seek improvement. The result is a mature printmaking art, featuring diverse styles and an exotic and culturally unique Thai flavor, which has drawn world attention and been rewarded by Thai and international art circles alike. The four masters featured by this exhibition are acclaimed printmakers in the Thai art scene, who have received awards in international printmaking competitions. It is fair to say that their production represents the pinnacle of Thai printmaking art. Moreover, their works explore a variety of themes in diverse printmaking techniques, from traditional woodblock and water prints to lithographs and high resolution mixed technique laser prints. The exhibition offers an opportunity for appreciating these prints harmoniously blending tradition and modern technology, allowing visitors a glimpse of the current development of Thai printmaking art and a feeling of its artists' rich creativity and infinite imagination. The exhibition "The Thai Impression - 4 Printmaking Masters' Works" runs until the 20th of October at the Old Court Building, located in Avenida da Praia Grande, daily from 10am to 7pm. Admission is free admission.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 19.5% year-on-year to 790,996 in June 2013. Visitors arrivals in package tours mainly came from Mainland China (622,977), with 216,690 coming from Guangdong Province, followed by those from Taiwan, China (44,918); Hong Kong (32,202) and the Republic of Korea (25,886). In the first half year of 2013, visitors in package tours totalled 4,610,370, up by 12.9% year-on-year. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies increased by 9.4% year-on-year to 119,508 in June this year; those travelling in package tours totalled 47,533, with Mainland China, Thailand and Taiwan, China being the main destinations. In the first half year of 2013, outbound residents increased by 23.5% year-on-year to 716,601, of which 266,197 travelled in package tours. There were 99 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of June 2013, providing 28,082 rooms, up by 15.7% year-on-year; guest rooms of 5-star hotels accounted for 66.5% of the total. In June this year, guests checking into hotels and guesthouses rose by 16.8% year-on-year to 903,811; guests staying in 5-star hotels soared by 36.3%, at 552,850. The average length of stay of guests held stable from a year earlier, at 1.3 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses was 80.9%, up by 0.7 percentage points, with 3-star hotels leading at 83.9%. In the first half year of 2013, number of guests increased by 16.9% year-on-year to 5,233,519; the average occupancy rate stood at 79.6%, down by 2.0 percentage points. In the first half year of 2013, visitor-guests took up 71.9% of the total number of overnight visitors, higher than the 64.9% in the same period of 2012.
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Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" came into force on August 13, 2010, the interdepartmental working team has been dedicated to fighting against illegal accommodation for 3 years and will keep going. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is highly concerned with the problem of illegal accommodation. Early this year, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Deputy Director Manuel Pires visited ZAPE and Macau Northern District to examine the progress of fighting illegal accommodation and promote the related measures against it. Senna Fernandes remarked that combating illegal accommodation is a long-term operation and the office will persist in taking action with further promotion among visitors and apartment owners, joining hands with the community to crack down on illegal accommodation. The law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" has been in force for 3 years. During past operation, MGTO constantly evaluated and summarized the effects, accumulating fair experience in effective law enforcement; in addition, the enforcement work achieved more striking results thanks to interdepartmental collaboration and concerted efforts in law enforcement, with achievement attributed especially to the police authorities' active participation in response to social development and the evolving illegal means. MGTO regularly holds work meetings with related associations and resident representatives of the affected communities, maintaining communication and collaboration through interactive exchange of ideas. The office appreciates the associations and apartment owners for contributing their opinions which facilitate the law enforcement remarkably. MGTO launched a new array of promotion this year including new posters and promotion leaflets. Citizens and visitors can obtain the leaflets from major ports and MGTO information counters. MGTO published specific versions of posters and leaflets for visitors and apartment owners in order to target the message at each party; furthermore, the office produced brand-new promotional videos in Cantonese and Mandarin for broadcast on MGTO's website as well as Hong Kong and Mainland media channels, advising visitors to stay in legal accommodation establishments. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" came into effect on August 13, 2010 up to date (August 12, 2013), MGTO investigated 1,795 premises in total and sealed 377 premises (including 6 premises that were sealed again) allegedly operated for provision of illegal accommodation. On the other hand, the office unsealed 310 premises and began 383 sanction proceedings. MGTO received 1,328 reports against alleged premises up to date. Citizens can report any suspected case via the 24-hour hotline 2833 3000. Complainants can also log on to MGTO's website (Chinese/English) http://www.macautourism.gov.mo and click the banner of "Online Complaint against Illegal Accommodation" to file a report.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on oral care products on 12th August for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is 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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The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the credit card statistics for the second quarter of 2013. The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 693,485 at the end of June 2013, equivalent to an increase of 3.7% over a quarter earlier. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 498,078, 74,153 and 121,254 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective growth of 2.9%, 2.3% and 7.7% quarter-to-quarter. Compared with a year ago, MOP cards and HKD cards rose 13.2% and 8.6% respectively, while RMB cards registered an upsurge of 34.0% mainly driven by a marked 35.2% growth of MOP/RMB dual-currency cards. As at end-June 2013, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao reached MOP12.3 billion, up 7.9% from end-March 2013. Credit card receivables amounted to MOP1.6 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP519.9 million, accounting for 32.2% of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, edged down slightly to 0.64%. For the second quarter of 2013, the credit card turnover grew 2.6% quarter-to-quarter to MOP3.3 billion. The cash advance turnover was MOP160.9 million, accounting for 4.9% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, went down 9.0% from the previous quarter to MOP3.2 billion. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department
Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel：8395 2532Fax：2835 3042)
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on seasonings on 8th August for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is 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 the total population was estimated at 591,900 as at end-June 2013, an increase of 5,600 quarter-to-quarter; female population totalled 306,200, accounting for 51.7% of the total. There were 1,524 live births delivered in the second quarter of 2013, a decrease of 85 quarter-to-quarter (-5.3%). Male babies totalled 842 and the gender ratio of the newborn stood at 123.5, corresponding to 123.5 male babies per 100 female. In the first half year of 2013, a total of 3,133 live births were recorded, down by 100 year-on-year. Meanwhile, there were 442 mortality cases, a decrease of 49 quarter-to-quarter; the top three underlying causes of death were Neoplasms (165 cases), Diseases of the Circulatory System (104 cases) and Diseases of the Respiratory System (63 cases). In the first half year of 2013, mortality cases went down by 57 year-on-year to 933. In the second quarter of 2013, there were 800 Chinese immigrants and the individuals granted right of abode registered a net inflow of 360, up by 120 and 268 quarter-to-quarter. Non-resident workers totalled 121,194 at the end of the second quarter, an increase of 6,478 quarter-to-quarter. A total of 1,050 cases of marriage registration were recorded in the second quarter, down by 118 quarter-to-quarter. In the first half year of 2013, there were 2,218 cases of marriage registration, up by 236 year-on-year.
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The 25th Macao Arts Festival (MAF), organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (CAB), will take place in May next year. In order to promote de development of local arts, the CAB invites all registered local associations to present projects for shows until November 8. Selected works will be included in next year's MAF programme. The MAF will enter its 25th year following three major objectives: "disseminate traditional Chinese culture", "present prominent works from all over the world" and "promote the development of local arts", offering the population a variety of performances and exhibitions, enriching the city's cultural life and, at the same time, giving local performing arts a platform from display and exchange.
All registered local art associations are invited to present their proposals. There are no restrictions to genre or form of the shows, which can be original or have been shown before. However, shows must conform to the MAF's objectives, reflecting the rich regional culture and popular spirit, and possess high artistic quality and visual appeal.
In order to encourage creativity and further develop artistic education, the following shows will be first and foremost taken into account: 1. Productions inspired by local literary works;
2. Children's plays.
Interested registered local associations should submit detailed proposals including the concept, the script, set design plan, production team and cast's brief introduction, budget estimate as well as any additional information regarding the Project. Proposals should be submitted until November 8 to the Cultural Events Department, Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, in an envelope marked 'Call for Local Performance Proposals for the 25th Macao Arts Festival'. For further details, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau website at www.icm.gov.mo or telephone Ms. Chou or Ms. Lei on 8399 6653/ 8399 6605, during office hours.
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Outreach Programme of the 27th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF) organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao is open for enrolment. Mr. Chow Fan Fu, acclaimed Hong Kong performing art critic, is going to speak on the delicate art of opera. His talk series entitled 'Enter the World of German and Italian Opera' presents an excellent guide to the opera events of the Festival. World-renowned violinist Kyung-wha Chung will share her stage experience with the audience, limited vacancies available. Besides, Jazz-it-up! Workshops are welcomed with enthusiasm. The beginner and advanced classes are full; however the "Mini Jazz" initiation classes still have a few opennings. Mr. Chow Fan Fu, speaker of the talk series 'Enter the World of German and Italian Opera', is a music critic active in the Greater China, and was awarded Medal of Honour by the Government of Hong Kong S.A.R. The series consists of four talks. The debut introduces Mozart's Bastien und Bastiene and Mr. Chow's '6S's' method to the appreciation of opera for beginners. In the following talks, Mr. Chow with his '6S's' key, is going to bring the audience through the gate of the splendid realm of opera through Wagner's Das Rheingold, Verdi's Aida, as well as the latter's Requiem, the 'opera in ecclesiastical robes'. The dates of the four talks are respectively August 16th, 23rd, 30th and September 6th. Attendees of no less than three talks of the 'Enter the World of German and Italian Opera' series will each be awarded one free ticket for the opera performance Bastien und Bastiene. Besides, world-renowned violinist Kyung-wha Chung will share with the audience her stage experience and performance techniques. Two participants will be selected for a small coaching session on playing two designated pieces of music. This is an extremely rare learning opportunity for local music students. The Violin Master Class with Kyung-wha Chung is open for enrolment from today to August 15th (office hour). The medium of instruction is English, with Cantonese interpretation. As the vacancies are limited, prospective attendees should make enquiry and enroll by calling 83996699 or 83996617. Application form can be fetched and submitted to the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building on the Tap Seac Square, or through email to fimm@icm.gov.mo. Programme in details can be downloaded from the refined MIMF website: http://www.icm.gov.mo/fimm.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 1,146 new companies were incorporated in the second quarter of 2013, up by 197 year-on-year; total value of registered capital increased by 93.9% to MOP174 million. Analysed by industry, the majority of new incorporations were operating in Wholesale & Retail (390) and Business Services (253), and the total value of capital amounted to MOP72 million and MOP40 million respectively. In the second quarter of 2013, companies in dissolution totalled 144, and the value of registered capital of companies in dissolution amounted to MOP18 million. Analysed by size of registered capital, there were 787 new incorporations (68.7% of total) registered with capital under MOP50,000 and the total value of capital amounted to MOP21 million. On the other hand, there were 37 new companies registered with capital of MOP1,000,000 or over, and the total value of capital reached MOP113 million (65.1% of total), indicating the predominance of new incorporations with small capital. In the second quarter of 2013, capital of the new companies came mainly from Macao (MOP88 million) and Mainland China (MOP40 million), including MOP18 million from the 9 Provinces of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region. Analysed by combination of the shareholders, there were 713 new companies established solely by Macao shareholders, and 129 joint ventures between shareholders from Macao and other countries or regions. In the first half year of 2013, a total of 2,134 new companies were incorporated, and total value of registered capital amounted to MOP328 million, up by 16.6% and 13.7% respectively year-on-year. Number of companies in dissolution totalled 273 in the first half year, and the value of registered capital of companies in dissolution amounted to MOP206 million. At the end of the second quarter of 2013, number of registered companies totalled 41,648, an increase of 3,403 from a year earlier.
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