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A 3-day large scale tourism promotional activity held in Kuala Lumpur aimed to promote Macau as top destination for both business and leisure in Malaysia to further diversify its tourism source market. Organized by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the 'Macau Festival 2013' was taken place at Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall from 5th to 7th April in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. The event was officiated by Ms Cora Vong, Head of Marketing Division of MGTO and Tunku Dato' Seri Iskandar Tunku Abdullah, MGTO Representative in Malaysia. Among the invited guest were media friends, airlines partner and travel trade partners in Malaysia. The highlight of the 'Macau Festival 2013' was the 25th International Fireworks Display Contest and 60th Macau Grand Prix of which a Formula 3 racing car was displayed. Apart from the major festivals, this consumer event also promoted Macau destination's attractions, unique cuisines, culture and entertainment. To provide an opportunity for visitor to 'Experience Macau', a variety of entertainment, activities, food sampling, grand prix racing contest and games for all with various attractive prizes including 3D/2N Macau holiday packages. Another on-going activity was the 'My Best Photo' contest held of which the best photo won a prize. Malaysia has been an important source market for Macau. MGTO set up a representation office in Malaysia to assist in promoting Macau tourism. Malaysia is the top 6th tourist source market for Macau, which last year registered over 300 thousand visitors.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today urged the people of Macao to pay special attention to their personal hygiene, and said the Government would keep them up to date with the relevant epidemic information in a timely manner.
Speaking to journalist in Hainan for the Boao Forum for Asia 2013 Annual Conference, he said the Government is highly concerned with the new H7N9 avian influenza virus in human beings in the eastern region of the Mainland, and that the fight against this infectious disease tops the government's agenda
Mr Chui said he had instructed the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, to step up preventive and control measures against the H7N9 avian influenza. The Government would continue to liaise closely with the World Health Organization and relevant Mainland authorities, he said.
The notification mechanism of public health emergencies between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, which was established last year, has now been activated.
The Health Bureau sent a team of medical professionals to Shanghai today to gather more information on preventive and surveillance measures as well as the treatment programme so as to prepare for a better plan, said the Chief Executive. He also stressed that Macao had in stock sufficient drugs and professional personnel protection products, and pledged that the Government would formulate effective measures to protect the lives and health of the people of Macao.
Over the past decade, Macao's medical professionals had strengthened training on the prevention and control of infectious diseases and upgraded related equipment. Aside from that, accurate information on infectious disease by the reports of journalists was especially important. Mr Chui said the Government would give out timely information timely so that the Government could join hand with the people of Macao to fight against the new virus.
He appealed to the public to cook all the raw food thoroughly and try to avoid contact with birds and their secretions.
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President Xi Jinping today met with the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, and members of the Macao and Hong Kong delegations who were in Hainan to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013, which opened today. President Xi then posed for a group photo with the delegates. Afterwards, Mr Chui attended the opening ceremony of the annual conference. In the evening, he attended a welcoming reception hosted by the Hainan Provincial Government.
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Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) set up a display facility called "Macao Ideas – Taipei" in Macau Economic and Cultural office in Taiwan located in the Taipei 101, providing a place for people to learn about Macao's products and business environment. "The Introduction of Macao Business Environment, Convention and Exhibition Industry and 'Macao Ideas – Taipei' Launching Ceremony" has been held in 101, on 3 April 2013. There are 79 guests taking part in the ceremony, including a group of Macao entrepreneurs from various enterprises headed by IPIM and different business associations of Taiwan. "Macao Ideas – Taipei" has been modelled on the Macao product display centre - "Macao Ideas", showing some products from Macao enterprises as well as information on Macao business environment, convention and exhibition industry and Macao MICE calendar. The Introduction of Macao Business Environment, Convention and Exhibition Industry and "Macao Ideas – Taipei" Launching Ceremony Organised by IPIM and Macau Economic and Cultural office in Taiwan, "The Introduction of Macao Business Environment, Convention and Exhibition Industry and 'Macao Ideas – Taipei' Launching Ceremony" has been held in 101, on 3 April 2013. There are 79 guests taking part in the ceremony, including a group of Macao entrepreneurs from various enterprises headed by IPIM and different business associations of Taiwan, such as Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taipei Chamber of Commerce, Youth Career Development Association Headquarter, Taiwan Design Center, and Chinese National Federation of Industries to name a few. The guests officiating over the ribbon cutting ceremony include IPIM's President Mr. Jackson Chang, Macau Economic and Cultural Office Director Ms. Nadia Leong Kit Chi, Taiwan Trade Center President & CEO Mr. Yuen-Chuan Chao, IPIM's Executive Director Ms. Echo Chan, Taiwan General Chamber of Commerce Convener Mr. Wang Ying Chieh, and the supporting partner of "Macao Ideas"- Macao Chamber of Commerce Director Mr. Vong Veng Him and Industrial Association of Macao Director Ms. Maria Lou. Macao's business and investment environment and "Macao Ideas" have been introduced through a promotional video, and the interactive system – a main facility set up in "Macao Ideas – Taipei" has also been demonstrated during the ceremony. A cocktail reception has been arranged after the ceremony. "Macao Ideas – Taipei" "Macao Ideas – Taipei" is a display area with nearly 6.6m long and 2.4m wide, with the same main design theme of "Macao Ideas" in Macao using traditional Portuguese blue and white tiles. Inside there is an open showcase displaying different products from Macao enterprises, including coffee and food, fashion and accessories, arts and crafts and industrial products. QR Code cards for more than 100 individual exhibitors in "Macao Ideas" are available for visitors to pick up. Moreover, information on Macao's environment such as it's business environment, investors service, convention and exhibition industry, service for MICE Bidding and Support as well as "Macao Ideas" have been introduced in various ways, such as a touch screen to browse IPIM, Macao MICE portal and "Macao Ideas" website; LED monitor to read "Macao Ideas" electronic magazine and Macao MICE calendar; and interactive system for visitors to select information they require about Macao. "Macao Ideas" A Macao products display centre set up by IPIM in May 2011, aimed to provide a promotional platform for local enterprise to introduce their product to overseas market. Currently displays more than 900 exhibits from over 100 local enterprises. The product categories include garments, shoes, accessories, handbags, jewellery, food, coffee, tea, wine, health products, medical products, furniture, industrial supplies, technical products, motorcycles, cultural and creative products and handicrafts. Representatives from "Macao Ideas" are onsite for advice and to provide business consultations. Requirements and co-operation intents of enterprises will be recorded and referred to related exhibitors, business negotiation sessions will be arranged as appropriate.
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Integrated in the 2nd EU-Macao Co-operation Program in the Legal Field, the Legal and Judicial Training Centre is going to hold a seminar on "Cybercrime and Digital Forensics". This event will start on April 8th through 12th (Monday to Friday), from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Auditorium of the Civil Service Training Centre located on Alameda Dr. Carlos D' Assumpção n.° 322-362, Cheng Feng Commercial Centre, 7th floor. This seminar will be conducted in English, with simultaneous translation into Cantonese and Portuguese and will feature the following keynote speakers: 1. Ms. Francesca Bosco, Project Officer of Emerging Crimes Unit, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI); 2. Dr. Giuseppe Vaciago, PhD, Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Milan, Italy. The objective of this seminar is to reinforce the technical-practical knowledge of all practitioners in the area of cybercrime and digital forensics. The following topics will be discussed: 1. The Hackers Profiling Project and New Profiles of Attackers-Trainer; 2. Organized Crime Involvement in Cyberspace (general overview and cases); 3. Emerging Investigative Techniques: Big Data and Social Networks (OSINT) and Mobile Surveillance; 4. Digital Forensics, Privacy and Due Process Rights; 5. Conclusion and Discussion of the Main Issues of this Training Program. The 2nd Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field between the European Union and Macao, which incorporates this seminar, has as its main objective the "Consolidation of the Macao Legal System" and is going to take place until December 2013. The execution of the Co-operation Programme is coordinated by the Law Reform and International Law Bureau, together with many entities and public departments of the Macao SAR, namely the Legal and Judicial Training Centre, the Legal Affairs Bureau, the Economic Services, the Financial Services Bureau and the Institute of European Studies of Macao.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply grew marginally in February. As total loans increased at a faster pace than total deposits, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector rose from a month earlier. Money supply Currency in circulation grew 4.2% while demand deposits dropped 3.6%. M1 thus decreased 2.4% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities grew 0.6%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, rose 0.2% to MOP390.7 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 33.8% and 25.8% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 24.6%, down 0.4 percentage points from a month ago or 1.6 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 54.6%, down 0.4 percentage points month-to-month but up 0.7 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits Resident deposits rose 0.2% from the preceding month to MOP382.5 billion. Of which, MOP deposits and HKD deposits decreased at respective rates of 2.1% and 0.5% while other foreign currency deposits grew 4.6%. Non-resident deposits dropped 0.8% to MOP133.7 billion whereas public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 7.0% to MOP52.5 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector rose 0.5% from a month earlier to MOP568.7 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 20.6% and 47.2% respectively. Loans Domestic loans to the private sector increased 0.9% from a month ago to MOP207.2 billion. Among which, MOP65.8 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP123.0 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 31.7% and 59.4% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans increased 3.2% to MOP234.9 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.0% (MOP2.2 billion) and 22.3% (MOP52.5 billion) respectively. Loan-to-deposit ratios The loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-February remained virtually unchanged from the previous month at 47.6%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors was 77.7%, up 1.2 percentage points from end-January. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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As scheduled, the two notes issuing banks and participating banks started the exchange on 1 March 2013, which will last until 30 August 2013. Thanks to the support and cooperation on the part of the banks involved and registrants, the process has so far been smooth and orderly. To ensure proper implementation, the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) has issued guidelines to banks involved for the detailed arrangement, which includes the setting up of special counters for the purpose, submitting relevant statistical information at regular intervals, procedures for appointment of authorized representatives, and reminding the banks that they are not entitled to disposing the left-over notes at their discretion. To ensure orderly completion of the application, registrants are advised to adhere to their originally selected banks and schedule, as proven by past experience. AMCM will continue to maintain close communication and contact with banks involved to ensure that the entire process will be conducted smoothly.
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The Institute for Tourism Studies' Bachelor Degree Programme emphasises on the balance between theory and practice. Students are required to complete certain hours of practical tasks related to their specialisations every year. One of the tasks given to the Tourism Business Management students is to provide free guided tour to tourists and local residents. The activity, with the theme of "Tour around Macao with IFT Students", is organised by year two students of Tourism Business Management Degree Programme. With the assistance from the instructors, five different itineraries have been designed and each lasts about one hour and thirty minutes. This free guided tour service will be provided to all tourists and local residents on Saturday and Sunday, from 6 – 21 April. The main objectives of the activity: I. It allows the students to put what they have learnt about tourism into practice. The whole project, from itinerary design to time control to the actual tour guiding, is planned by the students themselves with assistance from instructors. By coordinating the activity, their communication skills can also be enhanced. II. To promote Macao to the tourists by offering the free guiding service at the city centre and tourist attractions. Residents will also be made aware of the importance of tourism to Macao. IFT is the only public higher education institution in Macao that cultivates talents for tourism and service industry. It endeavours to promote Macao through various activities and to leave a good impression to everyone who visits the place.
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Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On is scheduled to leave for Boao in Hainan Province, to attend the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013 on 7 April. Mr Chui will lead a government delegation to Boao on 6 to 8 Apri, to this year's conference which is themed "Asia Seeking Development for All: Reconstructing, Responsibility and Cooperation". The President, Mr Xi Jinping, is scheduled to attend and deliver a keynote speech. The Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Hu Zhengyue, was invited to join the delegation The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam, and the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, will also be members of the delegation. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
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Due to the maintenance works of CEM for the distribution network on 9th April 2013 （Tuesday）, please be informed that the office hours of Ocean Garden Post Office, located at Rua do Jardim, Jardins do Oceano, "Azalea Court", Taipa, will be changed as below on that day. From 4:00pm to 7:00pm We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
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