News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for March 2013 amounted to MOP755 million, up by 7% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP583 million) increased by 16%, but that of domestic exports (MOP172 million) decreased by 14%. Total merchandise import reached MOP6.21 billion, up by 5% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.45 billion for March 2013. In the first quarter of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 18% year-on-year to MOP2.34 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP1.88 billion) increased by 34%, but that of domestic exports (MOP459 million) decreased by 20%. Total value of merchandise import increased by 11% to MOP19.01 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first quarter of 2013 widened to MOP16.67 billion. In the first quarter of 2013, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.37 billion) and Mainland China (MOP327 million) increased by 34% and 15% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP106 million) and the EU (MOP67 million) decreased by 15% and 22% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles (MOP2.13 billion) in the first quarter of 2013 expanded by 26% year-on-year, of which exports of Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP255 million) and Clocks & watches (MOP202 million) surged by 90% and 122% respectively. Meanwhile, exports of Textiles & garments (MOP212 million) decreased by 26%, of which exports of Non-knitted or non-crocheted garments (MOP110 million) and Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP78 million) declined by 14% and 36% respectively. In the first quarter of 2013, merchandise import originated in Mainland China (MOP6.22 billion) and the EU (MOP4.76 billion) increased by 16% and 17% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 15% to MOP12.03 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP1.95 billion), Watches (MOP1.36 billion), Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP828 million) and Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP493 million) increasing by 22%, 29%, 24% and 33% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP21.35 billion in the first quarter of 2013, up by 12% compared with MOP19.05 billion a year earlier.
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Consumer Council released its 'Supermarket Price Survey' of April. In comparison with data from last month, average prices of around 55 percent of the surveyed products had been decreased or recorded no change in price and prices of 45 percent of products had been increased slightly. Rice prices remained stable. Consumer Council collected prices of about 350 products in its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 22nd April. In comparison with data from March, prices of 104 products had been decreased, they included dairy products such as milk and adult milk powder, tissue papers and frozen foods, etc.. Average prices of 'Dettol Anti-bacterial Wipes/10pcs' had dropped by over 15 percent. For the 152 items which recorded price increases, they included mainly cooking oil, beverages, and toothpastes. Rice and cereal products mostly recorded no change in price. The Council also analyzed the percentage of lowest price products available in the 11 fixed choices of supermarkets. Tai Fung supermarket in Taipa recorded the highest percentage of on-shelf lowest price items in which around 57 percent of over 270 items sold at Taipa Tai Fung recorded the lowest price among all surveyed supermarkets in the current survey. Lee Fong supermarket at Almirante Costa Cabral came next, with 21 percent of its over 270 on-shelf items having the lowest price. 21 percent of the over 210 items sold at Park'n Shop at R. Areia Preta also recorded the lowest price. Among the 4 supermarket chains surveyed, selling prices were found to vary in different branches in different regions and price discrepancies were observed especially in branches of San Miu and Tai Fund supermarkets. San Miu supermarket R. dos Mercadores branch and Taipa Flower City branch were found to have different selling prices for over 250 on-shelf items and price differences from 0.04 percent to 15 percent were observed mainly in cooking oil, canned foods, and seasonings. For Tai Fung supermarkets, price differences from 0.2 percent to 41 percent were observed in about 70 percent of the over 200 on-shelf items sold at its Taipa branch and Yi Nam branch. Prices of around 20 products were also found to differ up to 44 percent in different branches of both Royal Supermarket and Park'n Shop. Consumers are advised to check with the information available on the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform', especially the function of 'Top Ten Price Differences' for the surveyed products. Consumers can also download the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps to make price comparisons. 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. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for January-March 2013 held stable at 1.9% in comparison with the previous period (December 2012-February 2013); the underemployment rate was 0.7%, up by 0.1 percentage point. Total labour force was 359,000 and the labour force participation rate stood at 71.9%. Total employment reached 352,000, an increase of 1,200 from the previous period. Analysed by industry, employment in Wholesale Trade and Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services saw increase. Number of the unemployed increased by 100 from the previous period to 6,800; fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job accounted for 6.2% of the total unemployed, down by 0.8 percentage points. In the first quarter of 2013, the general unemployment rate remained unchanged as the previous quarter at 1.9%; the unemployment rate of local residents was 2.5%, up by 0.1 percentage point. Total labour force increased by 1,900 quarter-to-quarter, with total employment and the unemployed rising by 1,700 and 200 respectively. Median monthly employment earnings of the employed held stable at MOP12,000 in the first quarter of 2013, while that of the employed local residents amounted to MOP14,500, an increase of MOP1,500 quarter-to-quarter.
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In response to the recent enactment of the Development Plan for the Convention and Exhibition Industry (2011-2020), by the Zhuhai Municipal Government, and aiming to strengthen the cooperation between operators of convention and exhibition industry in Macao and Zhuhai, so as to achieve a coordinated and complementary development for mutual benefit, a 10-member delegation comprising of members of External Cooperation Group of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions of Macao SAR and officials of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), made a fact-finding trip to Zhuhai on April 19, where they visited the Zhuhai Park located at the Zhuhai-Macao Cross Border Industrial Zone and the Shizimen Central Business District. Vice-Mayor of Zhuhai, Ms. Long Guangyan hosted a luncheon for the delegation. Upon arrival at the Zhuhai Park of the Zhuhai-Macau Cross Border Industrial Zone, in the morning, members of the delegation were briefed by the Party Secretary of Zhuhai Park, Mr. Yan Hong and Zhuhai-Macau Cross Border Industrial Zone Zhuhai Park Administrative Committee Director, Ms. Zhao Wei Yuan and members of the competent departments on the recent developments and plans for the said industrial park, followed by discussions on how to strengthen the cooperation between the relevant government departments and facilitate customs clearance and logistics for the convention and exhibition industry. Later on, the delegation proceeded to the Shizimen Central Business District to learn about the development plans. They were briefed by the General Manager of the District, Mr. Tang Zengshu. The host and the Macao delegation held a short meeting to analyse the latest development of the MICE industry, including personnel training. At noon, the Vice Mayor of Zhuhai, Ms. Long Guangyan hosted a luncheon in honour of the Macao delegation. In the afternoon, the delegation met with the Vice Consultant of the Zhuhai Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Mr. Shen Guilin and the General Manager of Zhuhai Airshow Co., Ltd., Mr. Zhou Zuode, to discuss on the planning of MICE activities and how to strengthen the cooperation and coordination between the sides on a mutually complementary basis. Members of the Macao delegation included the Convenor of the External Development Group of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions of Macao SAR and President of IPIM, Mr. Jackson Chang, the Executive Director of IPIM, Ms. Irene V. K. Lau, the President of the Macao Trade & Fair Association, Mr. Lam Chong In, the Vice-Chairman of the Macau Convention and Exhibition Association, Mr. Alan Ho Hoi Ming, the President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Advertising Agents of Macau, Mr. Kevin Bi, the President of the Board of Directors of the Travel Industry Council of Macau, Mr. Andy Wu Keng Kuong and the Senior Manager of IPIM´s Promotional Activities Department, Mr. Sam Lei.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on instant noodles on 23rd April 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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Consumer Council conducted an accuracy test on fuel metres at 18 petrol stations in Macao, only 1 sample was found to exceed the required standard and the test result has been passed to related department for follow-up. The Zhuhai Supervision Testing Institute of Quality and Metrology was commissioned by the Council to conduct the mentioned test on petrol machines at 18 petrol stations in Macao. According to national standard JJG443-2206, each fuel metre was tested thrice consecutively for the calculation of the difference between the actual output volume of fuel and the volume stated on the metre, and the average of the three tested results should not exceed +/-3%. Petrol station staffs were asked to randomly pick one fuel metre at each station to be examined by pumping 20 litres of petrol into a testing container and examined by a representative from Zhuhai Supervision Testing Institute of Quality and Metrology to calculate the difference between the actual output volume and the volume stated on the metre. Test results showed that 1 sample was found to exceed the standard and recorded an inaccuracy rate of +0.313%. Although the actual output volume is greater than the stated volume and consumers' rights are not infringed, the involved oil company has been notified to adjust its facilities at petrol stations to ensure accuracy of fuel pumps and metres. The Council indicates that most samples meet the required standard, the oil and petrol industry is called on to carefully monitor the accuracy of petrol machines for the sake of protecting the rights of consumers. For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) held travel marts in two big cities in Korea and once again launched the "Macau Tourism Product Promotion Scheme" to encourage cooperation between Macau and Korean travel trade. MGTO organized the annual "Macau･Korea Travel Mart" in Seoul and Busan, Korea on April 23 and 25 respectively. The office introduced the "Macau Tourism Product Promotion Scheme" again to foster active participation and cooperation among the trade. The Korean trade delegates who attended the travel marts may get sponsored for promoting brand-new Macau tourism products in the market. The first travel mart attracted about 130 trade representatives from Seoul who negotiated business opportunities directly with around 20 delegates from Macau hotels, airline and travel agencies, providing an effective platform for exchange and collaboration between Macau and Korean travel industry partners. MGTO hosted a dinner for Seoul's trade delegates on April 23 and invited the Executive Vice President for Marketing of Korea Tourism Organization, Shim Jeong Bo and the Chairman of Korea Association of General Travel Agents (KATA), Yang Moo Seong to the dinner as well. During the function, MGTO Deputy Director Manuel Pires thanked the Korean trade partners for their great support to Macau tourism industry and expressed wishes for Macau to enhance cooperation with Korean tourism partners. He stated that the number of Korean visitor arrivals in Macau approximated 440,000 last year, a year-on-year increase of 11.5%. Benefiting from the daily direct flights between Macau and Seoul as well as the new direct flight to Busan inaugurated last year, Korea has risen as the largest international tourism market for Macau. MGTO has held the "Macau･Korea Travel Mart" in Seoul and Busan annually since 2009 for five consecutive years. The office also organized a Korean trade familiarization group to visit Macau last October and held the first similar travel mart in Macau, providing abundant opportunities for networking and cooperation between Macau and Korean trade partners.
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In response to the upcoming May 1st long holidays, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has produced pamphlets as a food guide for visitors to obtain local restaurants' operation information during the May 1st long holidays. The office will also send phone messages to Mainland visitors to expedite its announcement of tourism information. Besides the above measures, MGTO regularly releases the room rates of Macau hotels and guest houses. Furthermore, the office has forwarded the suggestions and guidelines about avian-flu prevention to the travel trade while carrying out further inspections. Through adopting a series of measures, the office strives to meet visitors' needs and perfect the service quality of local tourism industry. MGTO publishes the Chinese "Macau Food Guide for the May 1st Vacation" jointly with General Union of the Macau Neighborhood Association, The United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District and The Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau. The guide provides a contact and information list of restaurants which operate during the May 1st long holidays for visitors to acquire local restaurants' operation information conveniently. Visitors can now download the food guide from MGTO's website www.macautourism.gov.mo or obtain the guide pamphlets for free from MGTO's information counters starting next week. MGTO will also send mobile text messages to Mainland visitors who plan to visit Macau, advising them to make a room reservation in earliest advance and check local room rates on MGTO's website when in need; via SMS, the office also encourages visitors to download the "Macau Food Guide for the May 1st Vacation" online prior to their Macau trip or obtain the guide pamphlets at MGTO's information counters upon arrival so that visitors can gain more useful information. MGTO regularly releases online the room rates of Macau hotels and guest houses in different room categories submitted by the industry partners. Citizens and guests can browse the MGTO's website for further information and room rates of hotels and guest houses. In addition, MGTO has forwarded to all licensed entities, e.g. hotels, guest houses, restaurants and travel agencies, a series of guidelines produced by Health Bureau including "Prevent Human Infection with H7N9 Avian Influenza – Advice for Travel Agencies and Tourists", "Prevent Human Infection with H7N9 Avian Influenza – Advice for Tourism, Hotel and Gaming Industries" and "Prevent Human Infection with H7N9 Avian Influenza – Guideline for Handlers of Poultry and Food" to protect industry partners, visitors and citizens' health. MGTO has also sent letters reminding the trade to concern about hygiene, fire safety, operating hours, guest capacity and so on. During the May 1st long holidays, MGTO will strengthen their inspections at various tourist attractions and border ports while increasing the manpower at MGTO's information counters. MGTO's tourism hotline 2833 3000 will maintain its 24-hour operator service as usual to answer visitors' enquiries. Visitors can also browse MGTO's website for more travel and related information. MGTO also maintains regular communication and news exchange with Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macau Customs Service, Maritime Administration, Transport Bureau and so forth. Public Security Police Force has launched the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports", which enables visitors to check the real-time border-crossing images at the arrival/departure halls and traffic lanes of Barrier Gate, Outer Harbour and Cotai Frontier Post by entering the platform website: www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor on phone or computer. Thus visitors can enter or leave Macau flexibly with suitable timing. MGTO's website provides a direct link to the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports" run by Public Security Police Force's website.
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In order to promote the Regulations and services of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', Consumer Council organized an online quiz on the information about 'Consumer Arbitration Centre'. Over 3,000 correct entries had been received and are entitled to the lucky draw. 40 winners have been drawn earlier by the Council and each winner is entitled to a prize of MOP500. Winners will be called individually and the list of winners is available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). The Council thinks that the aim of this online quiz to raise the attention of the public about the Regulations and services of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' has been reached, as many entries have been received. The Council will continue to organize different varieties of events to further promote its services and information on consumer rights to consumers. Further, the latest issue no.235 of Consumer Report has been released. The current issue features a report on the ingredients and hygienic condition of toothpaste co-tested by the Council and Guangdong Consumer Council, an annual analysis on the prices of the supermarket price surveys conducted in 2012, and articles on the annual theme of Consumers International, etc.. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Consumer Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and its service counter at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the resources online on the Council's official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Government of Grenada have concluded the mutual visa exemption agreement. Holders of the Macao SAR Passport and Travel Permit are entitled to enter Grenada without a visa for a maximum stay of 90 days starting from 27 April 2013. At present, a total of 105 countries and territories have agreed to grant visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the Macao SAR passport holders, while 10 countries have agreed to grant the visa-free access to the Macao SAR Travel Permit holders.
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