News

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) participates at the 25th edition of Lisbon Travel Market (BTL), which opened February 27 and is running until Sunday at the Portuguese capital. Macau has been joining the main Portuguese travel show since its first edition, and this year participates with an attractive pavilion of 54m2 to promote the destination Macau and its many attractions, highlighting two major events of the city for this year: the 25th anniversary of the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and the 60th edition of the Macau Grand Prix.
The Portuguese Minister for Economy, Álvaro Santos Pereira, visited the Macau booth on the opening day of BTL, and received a Chinese painting handed by the coordinator of the Macau Tourism Promotion and Information Center in Portugal, Rodolfo Faustino. The painting was executed by one of the three artists that animate the Macau booth with Chinese painting, calligraphy and music. As a novelty this year, visitors have the opportunity to take a photo in traditional folkdance costumes at the bottom of the grand staircase of the Ruins of St. Paul's, reproduced on a large wall next to the Macau booth, which has been very popular with the visitors.
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In response to the tense supply of infant formula in the market, the SAR Government introduced the 'temporary support scheme for mothers and babies' earlier. In order to get hold of information of milk powder price more effectively and to execute its role as stated in Sub-section b), Section 2, Article 10 of Law No. 4/95/M of 12th June to 'collect information or reports to understand the price of products or services provided to the public', Consumer Council met with Macau Pharmacies Association earlier and requested all drugstores listed on the list provided by Health Bureau to provide the most updated selling prices of the involved milk powder brands. The Council consolidated prices and information of the lowest and highest selling prices of 7 milk powder brands (for babies under one year old) and such information has been posted to the Council's website for consumers' easy reference. The involved prices will be updated monthly or whenever prices at drugstores have been changed. Further, the hotlines of milk powder suppliers listed on the Council's website are still working, local residents may inquire about matters on milk powder through the hotlines.
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The stamp poll "My Favourite Stamps of Macao, 20112", which was organized to encourage philately and promote appreciation for the stamps of Macao, has gained enthusiastic response and a total of 1211 votes have been received. "My Favourite Stamps" and "My Favourite Souvenir Sheets" of Macao, issued on the year 2012 that received the highest number of votes are as follows: "My Favourite Souvenir Sheet"
1st Rank: Fishing Harbour in the Past;
2nd Rank: Lunar Year of the Dragon;
3rd Rank: Legends and Myths X – The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid "My Favourite Stamps"
1st Rank: Lunar Year of the Dragon;
2nd Rank: Macao Seen by Lok Cheong;
3rd Rank: Fishing Harbour in the Past. Enquiries Tel: (853) 2871 8063 / 2871 8570 Fax: (853) 2871 8018 Email: info@macao.communications.museum
Website: http://macao.communications.museum
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on instant noodles. Survey result showed that prices of the same brand of noodles sold at different retail outlets were significant as price differences ranged from 3 percent to 84.38 percent were recorded. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data to make practical consumption. The Council collected prices of 10 brands of instant noodles from 23 retail outlets on 22nd February. Survey revealed price differences ranged from the lowest 3.13 percent to the highest 84.38 percent for the same product sold at different retail outlets. The greatest price difference of 84.38 percent was observed in 'Nissin Demae Ramen Sesame Oil Flavour Instant Noodle/100g', which was sold at $3.2 to $5.9. 'Doll Instant Noodle - Sesame Oil Flavour/100g x 5', which was sold at $12.8 to $20.0, differed for 56.25 percent. In comparison with December's survey, 2 out of the 10 surveyed noodle brands recorded no change in price. Obvious changes were observed in 'Doll Instant Noodle - Sesame Oil Flavour/100g x 5' in which price increase of over 24 percent was recorded at one retail spot while 10 other retail spots recorded an average price increase of about 10 percent. The specific price survey on instant noodles is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps.
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To celebrate the 15th anniversary of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', Consumer Council will hold a series of activities in March to promote the Regulations and services of the Arbitration Centre. The first event will be a carnival to be held on 2nd March (Saturday) from 3PM to 5PM at Vasco da Gama Garden. In response to the annual 'World Consumer Rights Day' on 15th March and in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', Consumer Council continues to promote the Regulations and service of the Arbitration Centre and mark the month as promotional month to hold series of promotional events. The Council will organize 4 community carnivals in March and the first one will be held on 2nd March (tomorrow) from 3PM to 5PM at Vasco da Gama Garden, on-site quiz games and consultation service will be available for the public. Aside from carnivals, an online quiz will also be held by the Council to further promote the Regulations of the Arbitration Centre. The quiz will be available in both Chinese and Portuguese and participants will be asked questions about the arbitration system and legal rights of consumers. Participants who have correct answers to 20 random questions will be entitled to a draw, 40 winners will be drawn and awarded with MOP500 each. Local residents can log on to the Council's website (www.conusmer.gov.mo) from 4th to 18th March (9AM to 5PM daily) to participate in the online quiz of the Regulations of Consumer Arbitration Centre. Rules and regulations of the quiz will be listed on the Council's website. In order to achieve its goals to be fair and provide convenient and efficient service, the Council continues to improve the services of the Arbitration Centre since its establishment 15 years ago. For the convenience of the public using the services of the Arbitration Centre, the amount of claims involved in arbitration cases raised from MOP25,000 to MOP50,000, and the Council promises in its performance pledge to transfer the involved case to the Centre for arbitration within 14 days after the case has been filed. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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This year marks the 15th anniversary of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', which operates under the auspices of the Consumer Council. A series of activities will be held by the Council to further promote the services and regulations of the Centre. The Regulations of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' was set up by Consumer Council in accordance with Decree-Law n.º 29/96/M and 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' was established on 12th March 1998 based on the Regulations. The Arbitration Centre aims to solve consumer disputes occurring in the territory of Macao through the provision of intermediary services, mediation and arbitration in cases in which the claims involved do not exceed MOP50,000 (patacas). Services provided at the Arbitration Centre are free, fast, and confidential and the arbitration judgment has the same legal status, weight and effects as a judicial court order. The Arbitration Centre provides services to both local residents and foreign consumers. The Arbitration Centre has handled almost 500 dispute cases since its establishment and the claims involved amounted to about 2 million patacas. To ensure smooth operation of the Arbitration Centre, Consumer Council added a general admission mechanism to the Regulations. Traders can join the Arbitration Mechanism as 'Adherent(s)' in advance and by joining this mechanism, traders who become 'Adherents' agree to submit any consumer disputes that arise between them and consumers to the Arbitration Centre for decision and the traders can only withdraw their status as 'Adherents' from the mechanism only after the disputes have been settled. In order to ensure consumer rights are safeguarded under the 'Adherents' mechanism, Consumer Council established the 'Certified Shop' mechanism in 2001. The emblem of 'Certified Shop' is issued to Adherents who have never had complaints filed against them. This emblem encourages Certified Shops to exercise due concern and care for consumer rights when promoting their businesses. Certified Shops are required to abide by the Code of Practice of their respective industries and are assessed annually for their entitlement to the emblem. Over the past 12 years, the 'Certified Shop' mechanism not only safeguards the rights of consumers but has also become a trusted brand for tourists visiting Macao. There are currently over 1,100 businesses awarded with the 'Certified Shop' emblem.
This year, the Council will hold a series of events to celebrate the 15th anniversary of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' and to promote 'World Consumer Rights Day' in March. Activities such as an online quiz on the Regulations of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', carnivals and exhibitions in local communities, etc.. The Council hopes to strengthen residents' knowledge about the services and operation of the Arbitration Centre through these local promotional activities. The first carnival will be held on 2nd March from 3PM to 5PM at Vasco da Gama Garden. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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In 2012, a total of 540 applications for temporary residency for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders were received by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) (an increase of 50 compared with last year), 84 applications for major investment and major investment plans (an increase of 19 compared with last year), representing 86.54% and 13.46% of the total of 624 new applications in 2012. Approved cases for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders amounted to 240 (a decrease of 172 compared with last year), approved applications for major investment and major investment plans totalled 8 (a decrease of 2 compared with last year). In accordance with the Administrative Regulation No. 7/2007, temporary residency applications for fixed asset purchases have been suspended since 4 April 2007. There were over 4,000 applications lodged before the closing date of the policy and are still being processed. Therefore, there were no new residency applications for fixed assets purchases in 2012 while all of the 22 already approved cases were lodged before 4 April 2007. Currently, there are still 8 remaining cases being processed as the identity and education qualifications need to be verified. Statistics of Temporary Residency Applications and the Cases and Number of People Approved in 2012
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) participated in Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo 2013 (AIME 2013) held in Melbourne, Australia to attract more industry partners to Macau for conventions and incentive travel. MGTO joined with Macau Economic Services and trade representatives of 4 local enterprises to promote Macau's business travel and Incentive Travel Stimulation Program among the participants and incentive-travel organizers at AIME 2013 in Melbourne, Australia during February 26 and 27. Being one of the most premier events in the meetings and events industry in the Asia-Pacific region, AIME was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre this year; the expo encompassed a tradeshow, education program and networking sessions, providing an important communication platform for the industry delegates from around the world. Themed under its promotional slogan "Touching Moments･Experience Macau", MGTO set up a 84-square-meter booth in the expo to promote the Incentive Travel Stimulation Program and showcase Macau's latest business tourism development and products including event venues, hotels, sightseeing attractions, restaurants, activities and various development plans.
Representatives from Galaxy Macau, Macau Fisherman's Wharf, Sands Cotai Central and Wynn Macau jointly engaged in the exhibition.
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Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey'. In comparison with data from last month, average prices of 26 percent of the surveyed products had been decreased, prices of 43 percent of products had been increased and 30 percent of products recorded no change in price. Survey result also showed that prices of rice remained stable in recent months.
Consumer Council collected prices of about 350 products in its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 20th February. Prices of about 90 products had been decreased slightly and mostly included rice, cheese, and boxed tissue paper. About 150 products, namely beverages, canned food, infant products, personal hygienic and cleansing products such as shampoo and shower gel, recorded minimal to about 5 percent of price increases. Prices of 105 products recorded no change in price in both last and current surveys.
Survey result showed that prices of rice remained stable. 12 out of the 20 surveyed rice brands in the current survey recorded no change in price, other brands recorded price changes of about 1 percent. 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 almost 60 percent of over 240 items sold at Taipa Tai Fung recorded the lowest price among all surveyed supermarkets in the current survey. Park'n Shop at R. Areia Preta came next, with 24 percent of its over 200 on-shelf items having the lowest price. 22 percent of the over 250 items sold at Lee Fong supermarket at Almirante Costa Cabral also recorded the lowest price.
Consumer Council reminds consumers that among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed, selling prices were found to vary in different branches in different regions. In this month's survey, price discrepancies were observed mainly in branches of San Miu supermarket in which about half of the surveyed products sold at its R. dos Mercadores branch and Iao Hon Nam Fai branch were found to have different selling prices, price differences ranged from 5 to 10 percent were observed and found mainly in cooking oil, canned food and dairy products. Prices of the same cooking oil brand sold at the two branches differed for 3 to 13 percent; prices of 'Hong Mei Brand Ox Tail Soup/298g' differed for 12.2 percent and other canned food brands recorded price difference of 2 percent. Prices of around 20 products were also found to differ up to 34 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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Macao Post announces that the issue date of the stamp issue "130th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Fire Brigade" will be changed from 26th April 2013 to 25th April 2013.
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