News

Consumer Council released its specific price survey on tissue papers. Survey result 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. Consumer Council conducted a price check on 12 brands of tissue papers from 24 supermarkets and drugstores on 9th August. Survey result showed that price differences of the same product sold in different retail outlets were similar to the figures recorded in June's survey, though 'VIRJOY Premium (12pcs)' had a significant price difference of 44.31 percent, which was almost doubled when compared with the 22.39 percent recorded in June. Consumer Council indicated that selling prices of the same product are found to vary quite a lot in various outlets and consumers are advised to check with the 'Specific Product Price Platform'. In comparison with June's survey, prices of the surveyed products this time were generally stable and minimal price changes were recorded in most products. Significant changes were recorded in "Andrex Bathroom Tissue (3ply) (10pcs)', which recorded price increases of about 20 percent in two branches of Royal Supermarket, though price drops of about 15 percent were recorded for the same product in six other retail outlets. 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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Consumer Council conducted its price check on oral care products earlier. Survey result 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. Consumer Council collected prices of 10 toothpastes and mouthwashes from 30 retail outlets, including supermarkets and drugstores, on 7th August. Survey result showed that prices of oral care products varied significantly in different selling spots, prices of 3 of the surveyed items differed for over 50 percent. 'Oral-B Tooth and Gum Care (100ml)', which was sold at $10.9 to $20.0', recorded the most significant price difference of about 83.5 percent; 'Colgate - Plax Complete Care Mouthwash (500ml)' and 'Crest Cavity Prevention Toothpaste - Icy Mint (200g)' also recorded differences of 78.6 percent and 59.1 percent respectively. Consumers are advised to check with the data available on the 'Specific Product Price Platform'. In comparison with the data collected in June's survey, price increases and decreases were both recorded in the surveyed items. Items which recorded obvious changes include: selling price of 'Colgate Total 12 Professional Whitening Gel (160g)' in Mannings (Avenida Do Hipodromo I) had been raised by 25.1 percent even though it was marked as on sale; price of 'Darlie Double Action Fluoride Toothpaste –Original Strong Mint(250g)' in Farmácia San Hau On (Loja Praceta 1 De Outubro) had been decreased by 28 percent, though it was still the third highest selling price marked for the product among all surveyed spots. The specific product price survey on oral care products has been uploaded to the Council's 'Specific Product Price Platform' website and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Government would continue to hand out a series of subsidies to help people tackle inflation as well as to enhance people's livelihood, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. He was speaking at the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly where he answered questions raised by 27 legislators on his governance and social issues. To help the low-income group, Mr Chui said the Government would give out MOP27 million patacas to help some 5,000 households who are already receiving financal allowance. The Government would also increase monthly electricity subsidies from MOP180 to MOP200 for residential households, spending MOP470 million in this campaign. On housing policies, since the Economical Housing Law allows the authority to adjust income ceiling for those applying for economical housing, the government planned to adjust the income ceiling of one-member families to MOP19,355 and two-member families to MOP38,710. He said the new adjustment would cover 80 per cent of Macao households, indicating more families would qualitify to purchase economical homes. The Government would also increase by eight per cent the total subsidy to families qualified and waiting for public housing units, from 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2013, Mr Chui said. The Chief Executive also revealed that a recent study had shown that Macao's property and real estate market appeared to be overheated, and that he had assigned the special group for promoting the substantial development of real estaste to stipulate new regaulation to stop this unhealthy phenomeno He stressed that the Government would strive to complete 19,000 public housing units by the end of 2012, and to provide more land to balance the demand and supply for private. The Government would continue to implement a series of relief measures: tax reduction, susidy on purchasing raw water, adding that the Working Group on Food Prices was dedicated to expand the supply of goods to Macao to stabilise the commodity prices. Speaking on cash handout policy, Mr Chui said the Government would continue to implement the cash handout policy in 2013. The Chief Executive also dealt with questions on social security fund, public services, environmental protection, education, labour rights and other issues. This was the second time the Chief Executive attended the plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly, the first was on 26 April 2012.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the population estimate of Macao was 568,700 as at 30 June 2012, an increase of 5,800 (+1.0%) compared with end-March. In the second quarter of 2012, there were 1,655 live births, up by 4.9% quarter-to-quarter, with 905 male babies. Gender ratio of the newborn was 120.7, corresponding to 120.7 male babies per 100 female babies. In the first half year of 2012, a total of 3,233 live births were recorded, up by 23.1% year-on-year. Number of mortality cases totalled 468 in the second quarter, down by 9.5% quarter-to-quarter; the top three underlying causes of death were Neoplasms (161 cases), Diseases of the Circulatory System (122 cases) and Diseases of the Respiratory System (87 cases). In the first half year of 2012, mortality went up by 6.7% year-on year to 985 cases and 66.7% of the total aged 65 and above. Number of non-resident workers totalled 102,557 at the end of the second quarter, up by 3,893 quarter-to-quarter. Individuals authorized to reside in Macao recorded a net outflow of 59 in this quarter. In the second quarter of 2012, there were 993 immigrants from Mainland China, up by 178 quarter-to-quarter. Meanwhile, 280 illegal Chinese immigrants were repatriated, a decrease of 7 quarter-to-quarter. A total of 892 cases of marriage registration were recorded, down by 18.2% over the first quarter of 2012. In the first half year of 2012, there were 1,982 cases of marriage registration, up by 20.0% year-on-year.
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Crime statistics for the first half of the year showed a significant drop in robberies, thanks to promotional anti crime campaigns and related initiatives.
In the first six months of this year there were 126 cases of robberies, a 5.7 per cent drop compared with the first six months of 2011.
This was disclosed by the Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, at a press conference today at the security force headquarters on crime statistics for the first half of 2012. Mr Cheong said police would continue with their initiatives, and to educate residents and visitors on crime prevention.
Juvenile crimes recorded 45 cases with a drop of 26.2 per cent from the corresponding period last year. However, total crimes recorded a 5 per cent increase with 6,222 cases (+294 cases). This was mainly in cases of theft where people found property and not return them. Mr Cheong appealed to residents and visitors to look after their own properties carefully: more promotional activities would be launched shortly to educate them about this.
Crimes against property increased 8.9 per cent with a total of 3,612 cases in the reporting period: pick-pocketing cases recorded a drop of 5.7 per cent.
In Crimes Against The Person -- one of the five major categories of crimes classified in the Penal Code of Macao – Wounding accounted for a drop of 5.7 per cent to 816 cases. Criminal intimidation cases increased 53.4 per cent to 47 cases. Crimes against society increased 1.4 per cent with 347 cases, due to a 55.3 per cent increase in the use of forged documents.
Other crimes not included in the above classifications increased 4.1 per cent, with 660 cases.
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Since its establishment in June this year, the working group on food prices has started its price survey work on different kinds of food items. Prices of rice, cooking oil, canned foods, beverages and eggs were collected from over 20 supermarkets and grocery stores in July.
According to data released by the working group, among the 5 categories of food items, beverages recorded the most significant price difference. Many beverage items sold at various retail spots recorded double, or even triple price differences, prices of 'Cool Distilled Water (750ml)' in different outlets varied for over 200 percent. Obvious price differences of over 36 percent were also observed in cooking oil and canned foods while differences of about 20 percent were observed in both eggs and rice prices. Among the 5 categories of 71 food items, the top 3 food items with most price differences in each category are: Beverages
- Cool Distilled Water /750ml (lowest price $2.0/highest price $6.2), price difference: 210.00%
- Bonaqua Mineralized Water/770ml (lowest price $2.5/highest price $5.9), price difference: 136.00%
- Watsons Water Pure Distilled/430ml (lowest price $2.8/highest price $5.9), price difference: 110.71%
Cooking oil
- Lion & Globe Pure Olive Oil/500ml (lowest price $35.0/highest price $47.9), price difference: 36.86%
- Mazola Corn Oil/3.5L (lowest price $89.0/highest price $118.0), price difference: 32.58%
- Tripod Brand Top Quality Pure Peanut Oil/2L (lowest price $71.0/highest price $94.0), price difference: 32.39%
Canned foods
- Ma Ling Premium Ham Luncheon Meat/340g (lowest price $16.8/highest price $22.9), price difference: 36.31%
- Del Monte Sardines in Tomato Sauce/215g (lowest price $13.9/highest price $17.5), price difference: 25.9%
- Greatwall Brand Chopped Pork & Ham/340g (lowest price $21.6/highest price $26.5), price difference: 22.69%
Eggs - Fred Meyer Grade AA Extra Large Eggs/12 pcs (lowest price $18.8/highest price $22.8), price difference: 21.28%
- Surewin Egg/8 pcs (lowest price $12.0/highest price $14.5), price difference: 20.83%
- Select US Grade A Fresh Extra Large White/Brown Eggs (lowest price $19.9/highest price $22.9), price difference: 15.08%
Rice
- Golden Rabbit/10kg (lowest price $123.0/highest price $148.8), price difference: 20.98%
- Golden Elephant Brand Premium Jasmine Rice/8kg (lowest price $119.0/highest price $143.0), price difference: 20.17%
- Kangaroo Brand/5kg (lowest price $75.0/highest price $88.0), price difference: 17.33% The working group on food prices indicates that different levels of price differences, some quite extreme, were recorded in those food items surveyed. Consumers are advised to compare prices at different retail outlets, especially if some on sale items are really cheaper than those offered in other retail spots. The working group will continue to expand its survey work to provide comprehensive price information to consumers. Prices of the abovementioned 5 categories of food items can be found on the Consumer Council's website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo/c/supermarket/en/price.asp).
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Training units of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) received recognition again. Having awarded "Travelers' Choice Award" by TripAdvisor, a well-known global tourists' website in 2011 and 2012 and recommended by the "Michelin Hong Kong Macau Guide Book" for 4 consecutive years, Pousada de Mong Há, one of the training units of IFT, was honorably awarded by TripAdvisor China Official Website Daodao.com this year with "2012 Certificate of Excellence Award". Another training unit of IFT - Educational Restaurant, which has received positive comments for years and recommended by the Michelin Hong Kong Macau Guide Book for 4 consecutive years, was awarded "2012 Certificate of Excellence award" by TripAdvisor China Official Website Daodao.com this year. With its excellent service and culinary quality provided to guests, it was ranked at the top of 166 restaurants in Macao. All these awards recognised the high quality of service and professionalism of students and the training units. Being the training units, Pousada de Mong Há and Educational Restaurant aim to provide a practical learning environment for students, and with the professionalism of teachers, students can acquire the precious hands-on experiences and the skills for actual operation. Educational Restaurant and Pousada de Mong Há are located at Colina de Mong Há (The Mong Há Hill). It is like a gateway place from the busy city life and guests can fully relax in this natural and picturesque environment. They offer unforgettable experiences of flavours, aromas and accommodation created by the restaurant and hotel team together with the superb service provided by students. There, guests can experience the true Macanese hospitality and service. IFT is the only institute of higher education in Macao which focuses on fostering professionals in tourism and hospitality related industry. It offers degree and professional programmes in a wide range of tourism-related disciplines. Through international recruitment, the institute builds up a teaching team which consists of professionals from over 10 countries or regions. It also invites professionals from the industry to serve as part time instructors so that students can be updated with the industry trends and requirements. IFT also has protocol signed with many internationally recognised institutes for exchange programme which provides students with chances to study overseas for one semester or one year to broaden their international experience. Students can also perform their internship programme overseas for one semester, getting ready for their career path in the future.
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According to latest data announced by the inter-departmental working group on food prices, during the end of last year to July this year, 23 out of 34 surveyed cafés recorded price increase in their prices of takeaway hot milk tea. According to data released by the working group, 34 cafés were surveyed for their prices of takeaway hot milk tea thrice in December of last year, this February and July. Survey results showed that among the surveyed cafés, 23 of them had increased their prices of takeaway hot milk tea once during the 7-month period: 11 cafés recorded price increases of less than 10 percent to 10 percent and 12 cafés recorded price increases over 10 percent; 'Café World Cup', located in Taipa, recorded a price increase of almost 18 percent for its takeaway hot milk tea. Survey results also showed that prices were mostly raised early this year, as prices of takeaway hot milk tea in early 2012 at 17 cafés were found to have increased when compared with figures recorded in late 2011. Further, the working group on food prices collected prices of 5 different food and beverage items from 39 cafés and fast food restaurants this July. Survey result showed that the highest and lowest price of takeaway hot milk tea differed for over 80 percent: the highest price recorded was $14.0 while the lowest price recorded was $7.5. The general price of takeaway hot milk tea in cafés and fast food restaurants in different areas of Macao ranged from $9.0 to $9.5. For takeaway coffee, the highest price was $16.0 while the lowest was $7.5 and the general price of hot coffee ranged from $9.0 to $9.5. Takeaway prices of egg sandwich ranged from $8.0 to $16.0, with a price difference of 100 percent, though a general takeaway price of about $11.0 to $12.0 was recorded in over 30 surveyed spots. For toast with butter, takeaway prices ranged from the lowest $6.0 to the highest $13.0, which differed for more than double but most of the surveyed cafés were selling at about $7.5 to $8.0. For takeaway instant noodle, prices ranged from $10.0 to $20.0 and the general price recorded was about $12.0 to $13.0 Excerpt from the price survey on food and beverage items from cafés and fast food restaurants: Please read attachment The working group indicates that regional distribution has no influence on the price discrepancies of these 5 kinds of food and beverage items, prices are probably determined by the business model of the cafés and restaurants as well as choices of ingredients. Consumers may adjust their choices of cafés and fast food restaurants according to personal needs. The working group will continue to collect prices of food and beverage items from cafés and fast food restaurants and expand the variety of surveyed items. Survey results on takeaway prices of food items from cafés and fast food restaurants are now available on the Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo).
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 949 new companies were incorporated in the second quarter of 2012, up by 4.2% year-on-year; total value of registered capital decreased significantly by 72.2% to MOP89 million. The majority of new incorporations were operating in Wholesale and Retail (346), Business Services (190) and Construction (125). In terms of value of registered capital, a total of 671 new incorporations (70.7% of total) registered with capital under MOP50,000 and the value of capital was merely MOP18 million; however, there were 20 new companies with registered capital of MOP1,000,000 or over, and the value of capital (MOP36 million) accounted for 40.2% of the 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 (MOP56 million); Mainland China (MOP22 million), including the MOP20 million from the 9 Provinces of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region; and Hong Kong (MOP7 million). Besides, there were 601 new companies established solely by Macao shareholders, and 140 were joint ventures between shareholders from Macao and other countries or regions. In the second quarter of 2012, number of companies in dissolution totalled 131 and the value of registered capital amounted to MOP21 million; among them, 56 were operating in Wholesale and Retail. In the first half year of 2012, a total of 1,830 new companies were incorporated, up by 9.0% year-on-year; total value of registered capital dropped by 28.1% to MOP288 million. Number of companies in dissolution totalled 261, of which 104 were operating in Wholesale and Retail.
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A number of government departments are closely monitoring the situation regarding plastic pellets which fell off a ship during a recent story, for fear it may drift to Macao. So far there is no sign of them.
According to Hong Kong authorities, six containers filled with pellets were lost from a ship in waters south of Hong Kong during Typhoon Vicente last month. A quantity of the pellets washed onto a number of beaches.
The Port Authority said no plastic pellet was found in Macao's waters nor along the coasts. If plastic pellets are found, the authority will immediately send a team to clean them up.
The Environmental Protection Bureau said the plastic pellets are non-toxic and had not polluted the sea, according to the information from the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. The Bureau will continue to monitor the changes of water quality in Macao and the neighbouring waters.
The Health Bureau said the plastic pellets are non-toxic that will not harm human body. Considering there is a certain distance between Hong Kong and Macao, and the pellets are not dissolvable in water, the incident will have limited effect on Macao. The Bureau appealed to residents not to worry.
The Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau has enhanced examination on live fisheries and local catches, and suggested people remove organs and clean thoroughly any fish before cooking.
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