News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On will pay a duty visit to Beijing on 20-22 December, it was announced today. In Beijing, Mr Chui will meet state leaders and report on the recent developments in Macao and his policy blueprints for next year, according to an announcement by the Government Spokesperson Office. Government officials who accompany Mr Chui's visit include Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng; Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms Wallis O Lam; Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping; Director of the Office of the Macao SAR in Beijing, Ms Hong Wai; Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Daniel Fung Sio Weng; and Adviser of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin Hung.
While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, will be acting Chief Executive.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on seasonings. Survey result indicated that the difference in price of the 13 surveyed products ranged from 15 percent to 68 percent. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data in comparison of the price range of the same brand of seasonings. Consumer Council collected 13 brands of seasonings from 20 retail outlets on 7th December. Survey result showed that price differences of the same brand of seasonings at different retail spots ranged from 15.4% to 68.4% respectively. 'Kimlan Light Soy Sauce/590ml', which was sold at $9.8 to $16.5, recorded the greatest price difference of 68.37 percent. Prices of 'Tai Yang Hua Brand Table Salt/1lb' also differed for up to 60 percent. In comparison with October's data, the current survey revealed minimal changes in retail prices of seasonings. Obvious changes were observed only in 'Lee Kum Kee Soy Sauce/500ml', which recorded price decreases of up to 16.3 percent in 6 retail outlets, and in 'Knorr Chicken Powder/273g', which observed price increases of up to 13.1 percent in 9 retail outlets. Survey result also showed that selling prices of some surveyed products in branches under the same supermarket chain were different. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data to make price comparisons. The specific price survey on seasonings is now available on the Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The 38th National Congress of the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies (APAVT) was held December 6 to 9, at the Portuguese historical city of Coimbra, with a Day dedicated to Macau, under the partnership with APAVT as Favorite Destination for 2012. Among the promotions activities organized by Macau Government Tourist Office to celebrate the Macau Day, held on December 8, there was a Macanese food lunch offered to the more than 400 congress participants and guests, including Coimbra City Hall president João Paulo Barbosa de Melo, Portugal Center Region Tourism president Pedro Machado, APAVT president Pedro Costa Ferreira, TAP vice-president Luiz Mor, the Macau Special Administrative Region Office in Lisbon head Raimundo do Rosário, and the Macau Tourism Promotion and Information Center in Portugal coordinator Rodolfo Faustino. On the Macau Day guests were greeted by Macau university students doing Chinese calligraphy and drawing demonstrations, and Dragon Dance exhibitions performed by the She-Si Dragon Team, from Oporto.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on tissue papers. Survey result showed that a price difference of about 16 to 20 percent was recorded for the same product sold in different retail outlets. Consumer Council conducted a price check on 12 brands of tissue papers from 24 supermarkets and drugstores on 5th December and prices of the same product sold at different retail outlets ranged from 15.14 to 48.09 percent. In comparison with October's data, 7 out of all surveyed brands recorded no change in price, 'Andrex Bathroom Tissue (3ply)/10pcs', which recorded price decrease in several spots, was sold at $36.6 to $42.2 this time, which amounted to a price difference of 15.30 percent. A general price difference of about 16 to 20 percent was recorded for other surveyed brands of tissue papers. Consumers are reminded to check the survey and make practical price comparisons. The specific price survey on tissue papers is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Educational Restaurant of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) is honourably selected as Bib Gourmand in 2013 MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong Macau. This symbolises that the Restaurant has continuously made progress after being recommended by MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong Macau for 4 consecutive years since 2009. The internationally recongised selection indicates that the Michelin inspectors' favourites for good value and the Restaurant offer quality cooking for $300 or less (price of a 3 course meal excluding drinks). IFT Educational Restaurant is a training unit operated by IFT. The Restaurant features an unique selection of traditional Macanese and Portuguese dishes with a modern flair that are not to be found elsewhere. Together with the superb service offered by our students and one of the finesse selections of Portuguese wines, guests will experience what true Macanese hospitality and service is all about. Situated on the historic hilltop of Mount Mong-Há, the Restaurant is embraced by greeneries in the bustling city where guests can enjoy an unforgettable quintessential dining experience with tranquility. IFT encourages Macao's future hoteliers to put theories into practice and supports their endeavours to serve guests at international standards. What makes the Restaurant unique is that guests can feel the enthusiasm and hospitality of the students cultivated by this internationally recognised tourism institute, also with the great contribution from our gifted kitchen team for their coaching and management role in the Restaurant. To extend the meaningful values, guests' patronage to the Restaurant is an incentive for our students to aspire to be the best hospitality professionals for the future tourism development of Macao. IFT Educational Restaurant is open to the public from Mondays to Fridays between 1230 to 2230, offering a variety of menus from lunch and high tea to happy hour and dinner, plus dinner buffets on every Friday. For details, please visit http://www.ift.edu.mo/EN/RESTAURANT/Home/Index/239.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao, the Macau Insurers' Association, The Macau Insurance Agents and Brokers Association and the Federation of Macau Professional Insurance Intermediaries will jointly organize an insurance exhibition on December 9, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Plaza Tap Seac. The exhibition, which adopts the main theme "Protection Means Happy Life", aims at promoting awareness of sense of safety on the part of the general public. Seminars, placard display and games are the focal point of the insurance exhibition. Seminars on health and medical insurance, occupational accident and employees' compensation insurance, motor insurance and life care education will be conducted. Doctor Chao Wai Man from Hospital Kiang Wu and Mr. Tom So from the insurance sector will introduce matters relating to coronary disease and information concerning medical insurance. Ms. Lam Im Keng from the Labour Services Bureau and Mr. Pierre Fong from the insurance sector will introduce knowledge relating to reporting of occupational accidents and the related insurance compensation. Mr. Hong Seng Fok from the insurance sector will introduce topics related to third party liability insurance. The insurance related placard display and games will impart insurance knowledge, work safety and transportation safety messages and the related insurance products via amusement. At the end of the exhibition, Mr. Frank Ip, President of the Policy Donation Programme of Life Care Movement will share with the audience the missions and meaning of life care education activities. Basic health check services will be provided by Macau Red Cross. The Monetary Authority of Macao, the Labour Services Bureau, the Transport Bureau, the Macau Insurers' Association, the Macau Insurance Agents and Brokers Association, the Federation of Macau Professional Insurance Intermediaries, the Macau Institute of Financial Services and Life Care Movement will also put up game booths to answer public enquiries relating to insurance matters. Prizes will be awarded in the process.
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Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) organized a delegation comprising about 200 members to visit Macau in order to enhance mutual cooperation. The delegation visited the latest tourism facilities and met Macau travel trade for exchange, consolidating relations between Hong Kong and Macau tourism sectors for tourism industry development. Chairman of TIC, Michael Wu led the delegation to Macau which comprises heads and supervisors of over 80 travel agencies in Hong Kong. The delegation visited various hotels in Sands Cotai Central today (December 7). Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) hosted a luncheon for the delegation and set up an exchange platform for Hong Kong and Macau trade; while TIC members serve as the industry partners with Macau travel trade, MGTO encourages TIC to continue to support and strengthen the cooperation between Hong Kong and Macau. MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, some members of Tourism Development Committee and Macau trade representatives attended the luncheon. Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong was founded in 1978 to undertake the significant mission of regulating outbound and inbound travel agencies. The council consists of 8 association members and some 1,500 member agents.
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The 2012 "Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System" (MORS) Gold Pin Competition Award Presentation Ceremony was held today at the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT). Eng. João Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of MGTO, Ms. Noémia Lameiras, Deputy Director of Labour Affairs Bureau, Mr. Samuel Yeung, Chairman of Macau Hotel Association, Mr. William Wong, President of Macau Retail Management Association, Mr. Lei Pou Loi, President of Macao Hotelier Association and Mr. Johnson Chan, General Manager of Grand Lisboa Hotel presented awards to the winners. This year, there are 11 sessions of competitions altogether, including Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen), Bartender, Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level), Chinese Cook - Dim Sum (Intermediate Level), Concierge and Bell Attendant, Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer, Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry, Retail Sales Officer, Room Attendant, Waiter/Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service) and Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service). The final round of the competitions was held on 19, 22 and 28 November at IFT and Grand Lisboa Hotel respectively. The competition adapted a process of elimination, with 3 rounds of contests for each competition. The first 2 rounds of contests were held in forms of written examination and skill evaluation according to the fundamental knowledge covered in the MORS training manuals. Participants without MORS certificate needed to go through the first round. In order to be admitted to the second round, the contestants must reach a minimum score of 75%, and compete with those who possess the certificate. Contestants with excellent performances in the second round from each competition will be invited to join the final and given the certificates. Contestants aimed at the 2 winning positions in each competition. Juries formed by over 30 respectful executives from the industry observed closely and assessed the contestants for the final winners. Winners would receive a MORS Gold Pin, MOP6,000 cash award and a scholarship of MOP2,000 for THS training courses. Launched in 2001, Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS) is a joint effort of the Tourism Industry of Macao and IFT with the main objective to upgrade human resources in the industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions. At this moment, skills standards are introduced for the following occupations: - Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen)
- Bartender
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Elementary)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Elementary)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Intermediate)
- Concierge and Bell Attendant
- Customer Relations Officer
- Front Desk Agent
- Retail Sales Officer
- Room Attendant
- Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry
- Travel Consultant
- Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)
- Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) To reward and demonstrate outstanding MORS recognised professionals, IFT has been organising the Gold Pin Competition since 2002. Participants can be Entry-level Professionals sent by each training centre or they can be entering by themselves. There are 30 organisations, 326 participants taking part in the competitions this year. Gold Pin Competition final round contests examine contestants on their practical skills and details are as follows: Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen) Contestants had to bring in their own ingredients to create a menu consisting of a starter, a main course and a dessert; the time frame for preparation was two hours. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Bartender Within a time frame, contestants had to create a cocktail for 2 persons with the theme of 58th Macau Grand Prix. The jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, presentation, flavour, speed and consistency of the drink. Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level)
Contestants brought in their own ingredients to prepare 2 dishes (one assigned by IFT and the other one was created by the contestant under the theme of 58th Macau Grand Prix), the time frame for preparation was 90 minutes. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Chinese Cook – Dim Sum (Intermediate level)
Contestants brought in their own ingredients to prepare two types of dumping and create one dessert under the theme of 58th Macau Grand Prix. The time frame for preparation was 2 hours. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Concierge and Bell Attendant
Quiz Bee and presentation were adopted in the final round. Questions were designed to test the contestants' job knowledge, information about Macao, tourist attractions, current events, language competence, etc. Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer
Quiz Bee and presentation were adopted in the final round. Questions were designed to test the overall knowledge of a Front Desk Agent or a Customer Relations Officer. Finalists were also been tested on their problem solving skills. Jurors assessed them through their presentation skills, product knowledge, interpersonal skills & communication techniques. Retail Sales Officer
Finalists were asked to do a product presentation/demonstration. Their skills to handle complain were also been assessed. Room Attendant
The participants were tested about their job knowledge before they could make up beds. The jury team assessed the contestants on their knowledge, speed and quality of work. Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry
Quiz Bee was adopted in the final round. Questions were designed to test the contestants' job knowledge, skill, guest relations, language and listening competence, etc. Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)
Contestants were asked to share/spilt a special dish of food equally on trolley and to serve afterwards in 20 minutes. Assessment was based on technical skills, knowledge, speed and service quality. Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service)
Contestants were requested to perform a Gueridon Fruit Service within a certain time frame. Juries based on the skill, standard of hygiene, posture, method, courtesy and speed to assess the contestants. IFT is a public institution of higher education that offers tourism, hospitality, heritage and events management degree programmes, as well as professional training courses. The main objective of MORS is to upgrade human resources in the Macao tourism industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions, to the general public, so as to benefit Macao in a more competitive future.
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Consumer Council conducted a price check on 12 brands of beverages from 23 retail outlets earlier. Survey result showed that price differences from 23 percent to about 200 percent were recorded for the same product sold at different retail outlets. Survey data has been uploaded to the Council's 'Specific Product Price Platform' website and is also available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. The Council collected prices of 12 brands of beverages from 23 supermarkets and convenience stores on 3rd December. Surveyed items include soft drinks, bottled water, beer and other kinds of beverages. The current survey revealed that 3 of the surveyed beverage brands, namely 'Cool Distilled Water/750ml', 'Bonaqua Mineralized Water/770ml' and 'Watsons Water Pure Distilled/430ml', recorded significant price differences of over 100 to 200 percent. Price differences of about 40 percent to less than 100 percent were also recorded in other beverage brands. The current survey also revealed that selling prices of beverages at convenience stores were generally higher than those at supermarkets. Consumers are advised to check with the data provided by the Council on its website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and its 'Supermarket price platform' apps to make price comparisons. The specific price survey on beverages is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The 17th European Union-Macao Joint Committee meeting was held in Brussels on 4 December 2012, in accordance with Article 16 of the Agreement for Trade and Co-operation between the European Economic Community and Macao of 15 December 1992. This was the 11th annual meeting since China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). The previous meeting was held in Macao in June 2011. The Delegation of the European Union (EU) was headed by Mr. Gerhard Sabathil, Director for North East Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service; and the Delegation of the Macao SAR was headed by Ms. Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, Secretary for Administration and Justice. Both sides reiterated their appreciation for the annual bilateral meeting as an effective forum to discuss issues of common interest and ways to further closer co-operation. During the meeting, the parties reviewed the latest developments in the bilateral relationship and took stock of ongoing bilateral co-operation activities, including in areas identified during the previous meeting. Macao informed the EU of recent developments in the Special Administrative Region, including the steady growth of its economy in 2012, the Hengqin project, new infrastructure development, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with Mainland China, and efforts towards diversification of the economy. The EU informed Macao of its latest efforts in addressing the sovereign debt and reforming the banking sector, including through measures aimed at boosting competitiveness and ensuring growth and jobs. On EU-Macao co-operation, both sides welcomed the satisfactory implementation of the EU-Macao Legal Co-operation Project, aimed at strengthening Macao's legal system and to enhance public administration, legal and judicial expertise, as well as the activities under the EU Business Information Programme, including its business councils. The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the successful launch of the EU Academic Programme in Macao on 15 June 2012, and the EU provided more details on the next steps of the programme. The EU Academic Programme aims at raising awareness and knowledge of the EU in Macao by supporting EU-focused studies and research, academic links and outreach activities. The two sides also welcomed the signature in Macao on 21 November 2012 of the third agreement to promote exchanges and training of interpreters. Both sides welcomed the adoption of the new copyright code by Macao and Macao's commitment to block retransmission of pirated signals in all fields, including through application of the criminal sanctions foreseen in the new code. Finally, the EU and Macao authorities expressed their shared intention to explore new areas of cooperation and to continue to cooperate in areas like environmental protection, cultural and creative exchanges, which have been the subject of initiatives and events involving both sides following the last meeting.
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