News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 992 new companies were incorporated in the third quarter of 2012, up by 16.7% year-on-year; total value of registered capital decreased by 66.1% to MOP162 million, attributable to a plunge of 95.2% in that of Business Services. The majority of new incorporations were operating in Wholesale and Retail (340), Business Services (204) and Real Estate (154). Analyzed by size of registered capital, there were 678 new incorporations (68.3% of total) registered with capital under MOP50,000 and the total value of capital amounted to MOP18 million only; however, there were 28 new companies registered with capital of MOP1,000,000 or over, and the total value of capital reached MOP105 million (64.8% of total), indicating the predominance of new incorporations with small capital. Analysed by place of residence of the shareholders, capital of the new companies came mainly from Macao (MOP76 million), which was followed by Mainland China (MOP70 million), including MOP62 million from the 9 Provinces of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region; and Hong Kong (MOP12 million). Besides, there were 616 new companies established solely by Macao shareholders, 123 joint ventures between Macao shareholders and other countries or regions. In the third quarter of 2012, companies in dissolution totalled 121 and the value of registered capital amounted to MOP12 million, of which 45 were previously operating in Wholesale and Retail. In the first three quarters of 2012, a total of 2,822 new companies were incorporated, up by 11.6% year-on-year; total value of registered capital decreased by 48.8% to MOP450 million. Companies in dissolution totalled 382 and the value of registered capital amounted to MOP64 million. At the end of the third quarter of 2012, number of registered companies totalled 39,116, an increase of 3,171 from a year earlier.
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The booking of the "Stamp Bookmark" workshop and thematic guided visit "Special Stamps" which introduces the "International Awards", "3-Dimensional Stamps" and "Coin Covers of the United Kingdom" have received enthusiastic feedback. The "Funny Stamp Chess" in the museum lobby is now ready for you and your kids to play! Clients are welcome to shop for our latest souvenir items like the Bookmark Magnifier and Stamp Photo Frame, which are newly launched at the philatelic shops of the Headquarters and the Museum. Creative Storytelling Challenge, which is jointly organized by the Macao Central Library and Communications Museum, will be held on 1 December. The objective is to encourage youth to use the resources available in libraries and museums to gather information and for problem solving. From now till 15 November, Primary 1 to 4 students are welcomed to register for the Cantonese or Putonghua Category to tell their Story on the Stamps. The selected topics for Primary 1 and 2 students are "Lunar Year of the Dragon", "Giant Pandas" and "Love and Blessings"; whereas those for Primary 3 and 4 students are "Watching over a a Stump, Waiting for a Rabbit", "Ruins of St. Paul" and "Mr. Postman". The three winners and their supervisors will be invited to join a Tour at Hong Kong Museums on 27 January 2013. They will visit the Hong Kong Museum of History and Hong Kong Science Museum. Grand Prix
Communications Museum of Macao will be closed from November 15 to 19 (Thursday – Monday) due to the Macao Grand Prix. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
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The Chinese, Portuguese and English editions of Macao Yearbook 2012, an annual publication compiled by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of the Macao SAR, will hit the shelves tomorrow (6 November). The Macao Yearbook is a comprehensive chronicle. It outlines major events, details of progress achieved, and changes made in the course of Macao's political, economic, social and cultural development, with the aim of promoting Macao and providing detailed information and data for all who wish to study and understand Macao. Published annually since 2002, the Macao Yearbook is available in Chinese, Portuguese and English. It is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government; Calendar of Events; Review of the MSAR; Overview of the MSAR; and Appendices. This year's Chinese edition comprises 551 pages with over 250,000 words, Portuguese edition 685 pages, and English edition 621 pages; the yearbook is enriched by 138 photographs. Consisting of 16 chapters, the Overview of the MSAR presents information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. To illustrate various aspects of the latest developments in the MSAR in a visual way, the Government Information Bureau jointly organised with eight local photography organisations and four news media organisations a photographic competition entitled "Precious Moments in Macao" in early 2012. The yearbook has been enhanced by 12 of the winning entries. The Macao Yearbook 2012, together with a complimentary CD-ROM containing the PDF version of the yearbook, can be purchased at the following places at 120 patacas per copy: major local bookstores; the Government Public Information Centre at Rua do Campo; and the Macao Post Office (Macao Post)'s Philatelic Division, Rua do Campo Branch, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Branch, Macau International Airport Branch, and Nova Taipa Branch. During the promotional period lasting until 31 March 2013, a 20 percent discount will be offered to any purchase of Macao Yearbook 2012. The Macao Yearbook 2012 iPhone and iPad App will be launched on 20 November for download. Currently the app offers three editions of the Macao Yearbook from 2006 to 2011 in three languages, namely Chinese, Portuguese and English. It is available for free download at the App Store; alternatively it can be downloaded through a link on the Government Information Bureau's Website www.gcs.gov.mo.
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A delegation of 8 members led by the Vice-Chairman of Hong Kong Consumer Council, Mr. Ambrose Ho, SC, JP, visited Macao Consumer Council earlier. The President of the General Committee of Macao Consumer Council, Mr. Vong Kok Seng, welcomed the delegation. Mr. Vong indicated that the close co-operation between the two Councils would continue and more frequent collaboration would be strengthened. The Vice-Chairman of HK Consumer Council, Mr. Ho, not only thanked Macao Consumer Council for participating in the 19th Consumers International Congress held in HK last year but also summed up the results of the tests commonly conducted by both HK and Macao Consumer Council in recent years. The Chief Executive of HK Consumer Council, Ms. Connie Lau, also provided suggestions and proposals to the price survey works in both areas. The HK delegation expressed its praise to the mechanisms of 'Certified Shops' and 'Adherents' of Macao Consumer Council and both shared experiences on the supervision of over 1,000 businesses under the mechanisms. The delegation further inquired about the operations of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre'. The President of the Executive Committee of Macao Consumer Council, Mr. Wong Hon Neng, indicated that the experience of HK Consumer Council in dealing with comprehensive consumer disputes in the past 38 years was very valuable and worth learning. Mr. Wong also expressed his thanks to HK Consumer Council for the prompt responses and support that had been given to Macao Consumer Council. Both Councils agreed on the importance of paying attention to industries like beauty and telecommunications, as they have a great impact on consumers nowadays. The two Councils will enhance communication and better the exchange of information on any kind of phenomenon that will affect consumers' health or rights. The HK delegation also paid visits to 'Certified Shops' under the souvenir (specialty foods) industry, Chinese medicine retail industry, goldsmith and jewellers, etc.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that there were 1,320 establishments operating in the Construction Sector in 2011, up by 142 over 2010; number of persons engaged increased by 4,764 to 20,048. Despite a decrease in construction projects, the increase in large-scale public works and private residential buildings drove up total value of construction by 10.4% year-on-year to MOP24.59 billion in 2011. Intermediate Consumption (MOP19.99 billion) and Labour Cost (MOP3.56 billion) went up by 7.2% and 29.1% respectively. Gross Value Added (MOP4.84 billion), measuring the sectoral contribution to the economy, increased by 26.4% year-on-year. Value of private construction projects totalled MOP19.18 billion (78.0% of total), up by 7.5% year-on-year, attributable to a 47.4% surge in the construction of residential buildings (MOP4.21 billion); however, construction of hotels, tourism and gaming facilities (MOP13.05 billion) decreased by 1.9% year-on-year. As regards public works, value of construction of public housing amounted to MOP1.95 billion, up by 32.4% year-on-year as the Government accelerated the progress of construction. Construction of infrastructure such as ferry terminal and land preparation totalled MOP2.21 billion, up by 29.8%. Consequently, total value of public construction reached MOP5.41 billion in 2011, up by 22.0% year-on-year. In 2011, a total of 1,502 construction projects were carried out, down by 255 year-on-year. Number of private construction projects (1,009) decreased by 286 on account of a substantial reduction (349) in the government-funded Scheme for Common Parts Maintenance of Building, as against an increase of 16 in construction of residential buildings. Furthermore, number of public works (493) increased by 31 year-on-year. Coverage of the Construction Survey includes establishments engaging in licensed construction work in 2011.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply continued to grow in September. Driven by an increase in non-resident deposits, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector dropped from a month earlier.
Money supply
Currency in circulation rose 3.7% while demand deposits dropped 2.4%. M1 thus decreased 1.4% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities grew 1.2%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, increased by 0.9% to MOP351.3 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 12.2% and 26.2% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 24.4%, down 0.2 percentage points from a month ago or 1.1 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 56.4%, up 0.9 percentage points month-to-month or 3.4 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits rose 0.8% from the preceding month to MOP343.9 billion. Of which, MOP deposits and other foreign currency deposits decreased at respective rates of 0.3% and 2.6% while HKD deposits grew 2.5%. In the meantime, non-resident deposits increased 4.5% to MOP121.1 billion while public sector deposits with the banking sector rose 1.6% to MOP41.6 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector rose 1.8% from a month earlier to MOP506.6 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 20.8% and 47.9% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector increased 2.0% from a month ago to MOP191.4 billion. Among which, MOP54.3 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP120.9 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 28.4% and 63.2% of the total respectively. Compared with a quarter ago, loans to "education", loans to "restaurants, hotels and similar" and "car loans" increased at respective rates of 150.7%, 9.1% and 10.3% whereas those to "information technology" and "manufacturing industries" dropped 20.8% and 13.7% respectively. External loans decreased 1.1% to MOP213.3 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 0.7% (MOP1.6 billion) and 24.4% (MOP52.0 billion) respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
As domestic loans to the private sector grew faster than resident deposits, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-September rose 0.5 percentage points month-to-month to 49.6%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors was 79.9%, down 1.1 percentage points from end-August.
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At Tap Seac Gallery, on the 1st of November, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, in cooperation with the British Council, held the opening ceremony of Exposure! Clive Barda – A Retrospective Photographic Exhibition. Attending the ceremony were the Representative of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macau S.A.R., Ms. Zhang Yunfei; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Mr. Ung Vai Meng; Member of the Cultural Consultative Committee, Mr. Lai Wing Chiu; and the Director of the British Council, Mr. Robert Ness.
This exhibition will showcase 102 well-chosen quintessential photographs taken between 1968 and 2011 by renowned British stage art photographer Clive Barda. His works cover a wide range of content across different eras. Apart from opera and concert, the works also encompass dance and performance rehearsals. This exhibition will also specially display two photographs taken in Macao in the 1980s and 1990s.
Clive Barda excels at capturing the 'decisive moment'. He is able to freeze the personality, characteristics and concentration of musicians whilst they are performing. Moreover, he is an expert in allowing viewers to perceive what happens before or after a particular moment via his photography, reproducing unforgettable moments. Clive Barda has photographed numerous distinguished classical musicians, including cellist Jacqueline du Pré, Italian conductor Riccardo Muti and Luciano Pavarotti, one of the most famous tenors in the world, in addition to famous operas and the world premiere of the musical Phantom of the Opera.
Exposure! Clive Barda – A Retrospective Photographic Exhibition is part of UK Now, the largest ever British culture and arts festival held in China. From April to November 2012, UK Now hosts over 100 wonderful activities embracing all kinds of art forms in 26 Chinese cities. UK Now showcases the richness, colour and creativity of British culture and arts.
Exposure! Clive Barda – A Retrospective Photographic Exhibition will run until the 9th of December 2012. The Tap Seac Gallery is open from 10am to 7pm and admission is free.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on milk powder. Survey result showed that prices of the 8 surveyed products recorded various price differences. The highest price difference recorded was nearly 50 percent and a Japanese brand recorded price increase of over 10 percent in many retail outlets. Consumer Council collected prices of 8 brands of milk powder, mainly infant formulas for new born babies, from 28 retail outlets on 31st October. Price differences from the lowest 1.8 percent to the highest 49 percent were recorded in the current survey. In comparison with August's figures, prices of 'Snow Brand Smart Baby 1/900g' in many retail spots had been raised while prices of other surveyed brands remained stable. The specific price survey on milk powder 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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A carnival will be held this Sunday (4th November), from 2PM to 4PM, at Luís de Camões Garden, for the promotion of the regulations and services of Consumer Arbitration Centre by Consumer Council. Different promotional activities, including a carnival held last week at Taipa Flower City, have been organized this year to promote the services of Consumer Arbitration Centre. Another carnival will be held this Sunday (4th November) from 2PM to 4PM at Luís de Camões Garden. Booth games, on-site quiz games and legal counselling services on consumer arbitration will be available, information on the services, development, and regulations of Consumer Arbitration Centre will also be exhibited from 2PM to 10PM on 4th November as well as 6AM to 4PM on 5th November. Residents are welcome to participate. Schools and organisations interested in exhibiting information on Consumer Arbitration Centre are welcome to contact the Council for further arrangements. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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The 40th Border Liaison Meeting and the 15th Identification Services Bureau Liaison Meeting between Guangdong Province and Macao was held in Macao on 30th October 2012. A delegation was led by Ms. Chen Min, Director of the Exit and Entry Administration Bureau of the Public Security Department of the Guangdong Province, and Mr. Li Han-xiong, Deputy Director of the Exit and Entry Administration Bureau of the Public Security Department of the Guangdong Province, together with Mr. He Dong, Deputy Supervisor of Zhuhai Visa Office of Guangdong Provincial Public Security Bureau of PRC, Mr. Liang Jian-wei, Operation Division Director of Zhuhai General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection of the PRC, Mr. Zeng Xiao-ping, Political Commissar of Gongbei Station of Exit and Entry Fronter Inspection of the PRC, and other superiors and chiefs came to Macao to attend the meeting. On the other hand, the Macao delegation was led by Mr. Lai Ieng Kit, Director of the Identification Services Bureau of the Macao SAR, Mr. Lai Kam Kun, Deputy Commissioner of the Public Security Police Force of the Macao SAR, and Mr. Cheang Kam Va, Chief of the Border Control Division of the Immigration Department of the Public Security Police Force of the Macao SAR. Besides, the representative of the Police Liaison Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region has also attended the meeting.
In the meeting, both parties of Guangdong and Macao announced the report on document application verification and immigration cooperation. In addition, both parties discussed mutual concerned topics particularly marriage fraud and information notification. Consensus has been reached and it will further strengthen the cooperation between both parties on combating marriage fraud and also motivate their information exchange and communication. Moreover, both parties will conduct further investigation into all suspicious cases.
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