News

According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply continued to increase in May. As total deposits grew at a faster pace than total loans, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector dropped from a month earlier.
Money supply
Currency in circulation and demand deposits grew 0.1% and 12.6% respectively. M1 thus increased 10.7% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities rose 1.6%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, increased 2.8% to MOP407.6 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 52.4% and 27.2% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 24.0%, down 0.7 percentage points from a month ago or 1.8 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 55.1%, up 0.4 percentage points month-to-month or 0.8 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits rose 2.9% from the preceding month to MOP399.4 billion. Of which, MOP deposits dropped 0.3% while HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 3.6% and 4.5%. Non-resident deposits grew 6.7% to MOP150.6 billion whereas public sector deposits with the banking sector grew 4.0% to MOP55.9 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector rose 3.9% from a month earlier to MOP605.9 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 19.7% and 47.0% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector increased 1.8% from a month ago to MOP220.8 billion. Among which, MOP71.5 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP129.5 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 32.4% and 58.7% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans remained virtually unchanged at MOP260.0 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 0.9% (MOP2.3 billion) and 21.2% (MOP55.1 billion) respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
The loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-May dropped 0.6 percentage points from the previous month to 48.5%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors fell 2.4 percentage points to 79.4%.
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With the rapid development of the catering, health care and beauty industry, IFT has approached the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) and ITEC, an international specialist examination board providing quality qualifications in beauty and spa therapy, hairdressing, complimentary therapies, sports and fitness training, and customer service, and has successfully obtained the accreditations to offer the courses and exams of the two organisations. Currently, IFT has developed partnerships with 13 international organisations to offer nearly 70 internationally recognised courses and accreditations. SCAE is a training organisation aiming to create and inspire excellence in the coffee community through innovation, research, education and communication. Its Coffee Diploma System (CDS) provides practical knowledge and techniques on all aspects of the specialty coffee sector, requiring learners to master the skills from roasting to running a coffee bar. Lately, IFT offered one of the modules of its Coffee Diploma and received very good response from the public. Course participants who have attended no less than 80% of the class and passed the written and practical exams will obtain a course certificate by IFT and an official SCAE certificate, which can be counted as 10 credits in SCAE Coffee Diploma System. For the area of the health care and beauty studies, IFT has obtained the accreditation from ITEC to offer courses and exams in aromatherapy, make-up, manicure & pedicure, diet & nutrition and holistic massage. Being a leading international specialist examination board in U.K. for nearly seventy years, ITEC has established over 655 registered institutes globally, providing quality qualifications in beauty and spa therapy. With increasingly fierce competition in the labour market, international qualifications can enable employees to manifest their professionalism and serve as an important part in their career upward mobility. Therefore, IFT has always been trying its utmost to develop partnership with international organisations to offer more internationally recognised courses and qualifications, in order for the public and industry professionals to enhance their professional skills so as to promote the development of the industry. Since the 1990s, IFT has been offering the International Travel Agent Foundation Course of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In 2001, with the support and the joint efforts of the European Union and local industry, the Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS) was developed. Besides, a number of international mega resorts and hotels have opened in Macao in these recent years, and the society has developed rapidly and faced severe manpower drought. Therefore, IFT has been successively expanding its list of international partners with the renowned training and certification organisations, including the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Servsafe®, International Bartenders Association (IBA), London Chamber of Commerce (LCCI), Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School, Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC), American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AH&LEI), Court of Master Sommelier and Burgundy Wine School. The current scope of accreditations includes culinary arts, nutrition, food security, catering and hospitality, accounting, management, public relations, supervision, retail, information technology and advertising. Through offering the extensive international qualifications, IFT hopes that the pressing needs of local professionals can be relieved, and at the same time, the working population can be motivated to raise their qualifications which will help the local industries to grow more professionally.
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Organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), special supporting organisation World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), and co-organised by 15 economic and trade promotion institutions and chambers of commerce from Macao, Mainland China and Hong Kong, co-ordinated by Macao Convention & Exhibition Association, Macau Fair & Trade Association and the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao, the 18th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held from 17th to 20th October 2013 in the Convention and Exhibition Centre at the Venetian-Macao-Resort-Hotel . MIF is one of the largest annual international economic and trade events in Macao as well as the first exhibition to be accredited by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). After 17 years of continuous innovation and development, MIF has now become a branded Macao fair. MIF's role in boosting Macao's economic growth is becoming increasingly significant, in particular, with the introduction of new technology, capital and expertise. It fosters technological progress and the upgrading of the local tourism and leisure industry, as well as other business areas, such as finance, manufacturing, convention and exhibition, cultural and creative industries. MIF provides Macao's SMEs as well as enterprises from abroad with more business opportunities. It serves as a regional trade and investment platform and an important co-operation and service platform, linking China, the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region in particular, Portuguese-Speaking Countries, the European Union and the rest of the world. Enriched Exhibition Content to Open Tremendous Business Opportunities for Trade Visitors The 17th MIF held in October last year, had over 1,600 booths and more than 20 themed exhibition zones, 330 trade and economic delegations from more than 50 countries and regions participated in the event, engaging in 1,847 business matching sessions. This fully reflects, once again, the vital role played by MIF as a regional co-operation platform and hub for trade exchanges. The theme of this year's MIF is "Co-operation – Key to Business Opportunities", covers an exhibition area of over 32,000 square metres. There will be various themed pavilions, as well as pavilions for a number of Chinese cities/provinces, various overseas countries. An Asian Creativity Business Zone and a Healthcare Pavilion will be established in MIF this year. Major features include: domestic and foreign investment environments and investment projects, cultural and creative industries, food and wine, fashion design, healthcare, professional product and magicians' supplies and equipment, a financial investment exhibition, digital photography equipment and the opportunity to buy international SMEs' products. This year's seminars, forums and promotional activities highlight the investment environments and projects services, technology and products of Mainland China and overseas countries, so as to create more business opportunities for trade visitors. The Organiser will continue to support the participation of local small and medium-sized enterprises by providing a number of concessions Macao SME Exhibition Zone organised by Macao Chamber of Commerce, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), and co-organised by the Macau Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Macau Businesswomen Association and co-ordinated by Macao Convention & Exhibition Association, Macau Fair & Trade Association and the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao. A total 120 booths will be set up in the Macao SME Exhibition Zone. For eligible Macao SMEs, the organiser will provide the following concessions: a discount of 40% off the rental fee of a nine square metre standard booth, with an original rental fee of MOP9,000.00, the discounted price is MOP3,600.00. Enterprises making their registration on or before 19 July, as well as those that have previously participated in exhibitions organised by IPIM are both entitled to a 10% discount. The Recruitment and Briefing Session for the Macao SME Exhibition Area will be held at 3:00 p.m. on 5 July (Friday) in the Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC), located on 20th Floor, China Civil Plaza, 263 Alameda Dr. Carlos d´Assumpção, Macao. Interested parties are cordially invited to participate. Applications for exhibition in the Macao SME Exhibition Zone will be held from 8 to 26 July (Monday to Friday), from 09:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Applicants should register in person and bring along their application form and all required documents to IPIM's SME Service Centre (Address: 19th Floor, China Civil Plaza, 263 Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, Macao). Each SME can only apply for one booth, on a first-come-first-served basis. The exhibition venue will be zoned in accordance with the nature of the business and the allocation of each booth will be decided in a draw. Enterprises applying for preferential schemes related to exhibition in the Macao SME Exhibition Zone should meet the following requirements: small or medium-sized enterprises (employing less than 100 people in Macao) incorporated in Macao; have fulfilled obligations as a tax payer and have been registered with the Macao Finance Bureau for at least two years (as of 17 October 2013), a Macao resident should own at least 50% of the company or by a company incorporated in Macao. After satisfying the above criteria, the applicant should also meet one of the following two requirements: it has participated in at least one MIF in the past or other exhibitions organised by IPIM or is a company manufacturing Made in Macao Products, holder of Macao Brand or is an agent for Macao Products. For further details, please contact the MIF Co-ordinators Administrative and Service Centre on (853) 2882 2711, fax: (853) 2882 8722 or visit the official MIF website: www.mif.com.mo.
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Due to the recent challenging safety situation in some areas of Egypt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel safety reminder to Chinese citizens who intend to visit there. Following is the translated version of the full text: "Continuous and massive protests taking place in Egypt's Cairo and Alexandria since 30 June have caused casualties. In view of the above situation, the Department of the Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Egypt specially remind Chinese citizens to exercise caution when travelling to Egypt, especially Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile Delta. In any case of emergency, Chinese citizens should timely report to local police and contact the Chinese Embassy and consulate in Egypt through the following means: Police reporting hotline in Egypt: 00202-122; Tourist Police in Egypt: 00202-3906028; Consular Assistance and Protection hotline of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt: 00202-27380466、00202-27363556; Consular Assistance and Protection hotline of Chinese Consulate General in Alexandria: 00202-271125995." The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will keep monitoring the latest development of safety situation in the above cities and also advises Macao residents to avoid making unnecessary trips. Those who are currently travelling in Egypt should remain cautious for personal safety. According to the Macao tourism industry, there are no Macao tour groups currently in Egypt. However, there are some five individual travellers visiting there. GGCT so far has not received any requests for assistance. If necessary, Macao residents can call the tourism hotline (853) 2833 3000 or the Chinese Embassy and consulate for assistance.
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The Macao SAR Government is highly concerned over reports of US Government's secret internet surveillance on many countries and regions, and wondered if it included Macao networks. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said he has expressed the concern when he met with Consul General of the United States in Hong Kong and Macao, at the reception to commemorate the 237th anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. The SAR Government has been dedicating full efforts to safeguard Macao's freedom of information, personal privacy and network safety by applying effective measures to protect the government's internal network and data, Mr Chui said. Meanwhile, the Office for Personal Data Protection has sent a letter to the Consulate General of the United States in Hong Kong and Macao to ask for a clarification, and an explanation for the allegation.
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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 Leadership Module: Key to Personal Effectiveness on 2 and 3 July. 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 23 professionals of local hotels and mega resorts to participate. IFT has the honour of inviting Mr. Yateendra Sinh, the CEO of Lausanne Hospitality Consulting SA, the Consulting and Executive Education subsidiary of Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, to be the facilitator of this programme. Graduated from the University of Bombay majoring in Economics and Hotels & Management, Mr. Sinh held various operational responsibilities such as pre-opening and managing hotels, business clubs, townships and large IT infrastructure networks. Since moving to Switzerland in 2000, he has delivered training and consultancy on strategic, managerial and operational issues, in over 36 countries. Mr. Sinh believes in continuous improvement of service quality and in providing the hospitality industry with radical and innovative solutions. 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 specific price survey on rice on 2nd July 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 Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) participated in the "24th Meeting of the Asia Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APANPIRG)" and the "3rd Meeting of the Regional Aviation Safety Group - Asia Pacific (RASG-APAC)" held in Bangkok from 24 to 28 June 2013 to discuss with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the aeronautical authorities of other Asian Pacific countries about the work items for the coming year. The APANPIRG is an annual meeting in the Asia Pacific Region with the objective of allowing attendees to discuss about the enhancement of operation safety through further improving the facilities and procedures in four main issues, namely the air traffic management, airspace safety monitoring, communication/navigation/surveillance systems, and meteorology. The 24th Meeting was held from 24 to 26 June 2013, during which AACM took part in the Air Traffic Management Sub-group and the Communication/Navigation/Surveillance Systems Sub-group. In the Air Traffic Management Sub-group, the Aerodrome Operations and Planning Working Group which is a subsidiary of the said Sub-group, was chaired by the Director of Airport Infrastructure and Air Navigation of AACM, Mr. Kevin Lam, who was elected to be the chairperson of this Working Group in this May. The Aerodrome Operations and Planning Working Group was attended by more than 40 delegates from over 20 states/administrations or international organizations. The Working Group adopted the following decisions: in the area of airport pavement operation, ICAO will provide the definition of "unrestricted operations" in the relevant guidance material; in the area of runway safety, the aeronautical authorities will work together with their airports to establish runway safety teams and runway safety programmes; in the area of aerodrome certification, the Working Group urged states/administrations who have not yet implemented the requirements of aerodrome certification and safety management systems to do so as high priority; in the area of creating clearance for aircraft at an airport, ICAO will carry out study on the provision of guidance material for vertical clearance between an aircraft and an object on aircraft stands; in the area of obstacle limitation surfaces, ICAO will take into reference the advancement of air navigation systems and the need for land use optimization to review the obstacle limitation surfaces requirements and amend when necessary to cope with the development of the air transport businesses in Asia Pacific. Being the chairman of the Meeting, AACM will put its best endeavours in the four-year chairmanship to coordinate with the other members to aim for the betterment of air navigation services in Asia Pacific. The 3rd RASG-APAC was held from 27 to 28 June 2013 and attended by more than 100 participants from over 30 states/administrations or international organizations. The Meeting came up with 24 decisions, including the conclusion of the guidance materials for controlled flight into terrain, loss of control in flight, runway excursions and incursions, and so on. In addition, the new Global Aviation Safety Plan which was approved by the ICAO Council in this May was also introduced in the Meeting. The new Global Aviation Safety Plan aims at providing a performance framework and assistance to ICAO's member states and administrations, the airlines worldwide and the Aviation Safety Groups in Asia Pacific, Pan American Region, Europe, Middle East and Africa, in their formulation of the aviation safety plans. The Meeting discussed how the RASG-APAC should define their safety priorities and targets in compliance with this new Plan and agreed that the follow-up work of such compliance would be a task item for the coming year. In 2012, AACM cooperated with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to write the working paper on "Sharing of Information on Potential Precursors to Air Accidents" which was already presented and approved in the 2nd RASG-APAC. The 3rd Meeting concluded the follow-up task of this working paper by assigning the Safety Reporting and Programme Ad hoc Working Group to be the focal group for matters relating to this task and to provide data analysis capabilities. AACM wishes to state that aviation is a highly international industry. The stable development of the air transport services between two places requires the safe operation of both places to achieve at the same standard. Therefore, the aviation safety policy of Macao does not only focus on internal monitoring within its own Special Administration Region. AACM ensures that all aviation activities under Macao's jurisdiction comply with Macao's aviation laws and regulations and the international standards. At the same time, AACM also wishes to collaborate with ICAO and other aeronautical authorities, or through technical assistance rendered to each other, to work together to enhance the entire aviation safety level in Asia Pacific. Being a counterpart in Asia Pacific, Macao actively participates in the various working groups or task forces motivated by ICAO. Macao takes the notion that through sharing of resources, Macao can exchange information with foreign experts or render consultancy service to other states that require it, hence making bigger contribution to aviation safety enhancement in Asia Pacific
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In order to combat different forms of trafficking in persons, the Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures Concern Committee organises the"Workshop on Combat Trafficking in Persons: Forced Labor" at the Labour Affairs Bureau on 2, 4, 8, 10, 12 July. Legal Advisors from the Office of the Secretary for Security are invited as speakers and participants include officers from the Labour Affairs Bureau, Macao Customs, Unitary Police, Public Security Police, Judiciary Police and Legal Affairs Bureau. Content of the workshop is divided into theory and practice. Participants will be introduced the relevant laws and forms crime, as well as victim identification techniques. At present, a screening questionnaire is adopted to high risk groups in order to effectively identify human trafficking victims. The questionnaire has recently been amended and is broadened to the area of screening forced labour victims. Speaker of the workshop will introduce to the participants effective ways to use the questionnaire. According to the law, all victims of trafficking in persons (including sexual exploitation and forced labour) are emtitled to protection by the Government. Protection offered to the victims include visa, shelter, medical, financial, legal and social reintegration assistance.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) hosted the Annual Marketing Meeting in Macau from June 24 – 28. MGTO's overseas market representatives came to Macau to report their work progress and discuss upcoming promotional strategies at the meeting. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U met with the overseas representatives at a luncheon after the meeting adjourned on June 28. MGTO and the representatives visited Hong Kong afterwards for a meeting with Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) on June 29 to exchange ideas and discuss cooperation opportunities. Over 50 overseas representatives of MGTO came from 16 countries and regions to attend the 5-day Annual Marketing Meeting. As the meeting commenced, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes presented Macau tourism's latest development to the representatives and advised them with regard to marketing strategies. Senna Fernandes remarked that MGTO is actively developing cultural and community tourism which includes cultivating new sightseeing routes and rich tourism elements, thus guiding visitors to explore different communities and fostering the diversification of tourism products and markets. MGTO also keeps promoting Tourism Awareness Campaign, a scheme which encourages citizens and visitors to actively support and participate in Macau travel industry. MGTO required the overseas representatives to carry out promotion work in line with Macau's tourism trend and the goal of developing Macau into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. The representatives will also highlight the mega events this year in their destination promotion, including the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, the 60th Macau Grand Prix and the upcoming 2nd edition of Global Tourism Economy Forum in September. They also attended the press conferences and explanatory sessions for the related events during the marketing meeting. During the meeting, MGTO's related department heads held individual meetings with the representatives to evaluate their work achievements over the past year and discuss their future projects in order to carry out more effective promotional activities. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U led MGTO's superiors, department heads and overseas representatives to Hengqin on June 27 for an inspection visit to the Chimelong International Ocean Resort, a project which will be completed in near future and Hengqin New Area Planning Exhibition Hall. Secretary Cheong was also present at the luncheon after the marketing meeting's summary session on June 28, an occasion to meet and have group photos with MGTO officials and market representatives. During his address to the representatives, Secretary Cheong indicated that Macau tourism industry is thriving upon a sound foundation; as various transportation, infrastructure and mega tourism projects are under construction now and will soon be completed successively, he hoped that the representatives will keep working hard to enhance their promotion in overseas markets and increase the international visitor arrivals to Macau. MGTO's officials and overseas representatives also attended the annual marketing exchange meeting with HKTB in Hong Kong on June 29 to discuss tourism cooperation between the two destinations. The two parties exchanged ideas regarding marketing and promotion strategies while discussing opportunities for their mutual cooperation in overseas markets and sharing their successful promotion ideas with each other.
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