News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that there were more people looking for work during the Summer Holiday; consequently, the unemployment rate for April-June 2012 increased slightly to 2.1% and the underemployment rate to 1.0%, up by 0.1 and 0.2 percentage point respectively from the previous period (March-May 2012). Total labour force was 346,000 in April-June 2012 and the labour force participation rate stood at 71.9%. Total employment was 339,000, an increase of 1,300 over the previous period. Analysed by industry, employment of the Gaming Sector saw increase, while that of the Transport, Storage & Communications Sector registered decrease. Number of the unemployed increased by 300 from the previous period to 7,200, with 10.2% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, up by 2.3 percentage points. In comparison with the first quarter of 2012, the unemployment rate (2.1%) in the second quarter increased marginally by 0.1 percentage point; the unemployment rate of local residents stood at 2.7%, up by 0.2 percentage point. In the second quarter of 2012, total labour force decreased by 1,000 quarter-to-quarter, with total employment dropping by 1,400 but number of the unemployed rising by 400. Analysed by industry, 26.3% of the employed were working in Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services, and 15.4% in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities. Median monthly employment earnings of the employed held stable at MOP11,000 in the second quarter of 2012, while that of local residents amounted to MOP12,500, a decrease of MOP500 quarter-to-quarter.
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Macau Government Tourist Office launches the free Audio Guiding Service starting from 27th July to cater for visitors with different needs and to increase visitors' knowledge about Macau tourist attractions and World Heritage sites. Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Antunes accompanied the media to use the new Audio Guiding Service. Nowadays, many visitors aspire to individual travel experience and the hand-carry audio guiding service launched by Macau Government Tourist Office matches the free style of individual travelers; visitors can walk around Macau spontaneously, visiting different tourist attractions and world heritage sites while knowing more about their historic background simultaneously through the Audio Guiding Service. The Audio Guiding Service can help to cater for visitors' different needs. It is believed that the use of the Audio Guiding Service can inspire more interactive experience and fun for visitors, at the same time increasing their knowledge about Macau tourist attractions. In the afternoon, Macau Government Tourist Office arranged media familiarization groups from Singapore, Malaysia and Guangzhou to be the first to experience this new service. The familiarization group members took a stroll around the Historic Centre of Macau and the tourist attractions nearby while carrying the audio guide device to listen to the explanation on their way. The Audio Guiding Service is provided for visitors in six languages at present, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Portuguese, English, Japanese and Korean. It is anticipated that the service will strengthen the foreign language guiding service in Macau. The Audio Guiding Service is available from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily and is free of charge. A deposit of MOP200 is required per audio guide device and will be refunded upon return of the device within three days. The information counter of Macau Government Tourist Office at Senado Square serves as the lending and return location for the audio guide device. In addition, Wine Museum and Grand Prix Museum now offers Audio Guiding Service for introduction about wine and Macau Grand Prix. Visitors are required to use the audio guide device within both museums only and return by the end of the day with a refund of deposit.
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Once the summer vacation starts, quite a lot of parents will take their kids to travel, leading to an increase in the number of individual travelers. For the convenience of citizens and visitors, the Macao Museum is going to have a trial to open 30 minutes earlier from 31st July to 7th October in this summer. The opening hour will be changed from 10:00 to 09:30. During the trial of opening 30 minutes earlier, the Macao Museum will be having an exhibition with the theme of "Maritime Porcelain Road — Relics from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Museums." Citizens and visitors can take this opportunity to enjoy the major exhibition co-organized by the Guangdong Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art and Macao Museum. Through exhibits, photos, related documentary films, remnants of ancient kilns, a series of multi-media displays, an educational zone and a game zone, the public can gain a better knowledge on the production process of Chinese ceramics and the history of trading of export porcelain ware in the ancient China. In addition, the Macao Chinese Orchestra will hold concerts in the Macao Museum during the summer vacation, and performances are scheduled on 10th August (Friday) and 7th September (Friday) at 5pm. The Macao Orchestra will also host concerts from 4th at 4pm and 5th August (Saturday & Sunday) at 2pm, the concert will take place in Museum Entrance Hall. Citizens and visitors are welcome to enjoy the shows. The Macao Museum closes every Monday and still opens on some public holidays including the National Day of the People's Republic of China and the day following Mid-Autumn Festival (1st October). The Day following National Day of the PRC (2nd October), and Chong Yeung Festival (23rd October). For inquiries about the opening hours of museum, please call us at 28357911 within our working hours or visit our websites at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today inspected the Northern District and listened to the views of industry representatives from the district to learn about the business environment of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Talking to reporters after the visit, Mr Chui said the major concerns raised by residents of the Northern District were the lack of tourist facilities, insufficient promotion of the district, high rents and manpower shortage. He added that residents in the neighbourhood hoped the government could enhance the quality of life, enrich tourism resources and improve the business environment of the Northern District through urban renewal. The Chief Executive noted that today's visit had given him a better understanding of the issues facing the Northern District, which would be tackled in the upcoming Policy Address. Mr Chui believed that the new Macao-Zhuhai passageway, together with the Northern District urban renewal project and the Light Rapid Transit project, would help improve the business and living environments of the Northern District. He revealed that the government would make full use of the land near the new Macao-Zhuhai border crossing for the development of public housing and tourist facilities; and the government would also consider allowing local SMEs to participate in the tender for construction of budget hotels. Meanwhile Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lao Si Io, who accompanied Mr Chui in today's visit, said the new pedestrian passageway between Macao and Zhuhai would mark a new milestone in the development of the Northern District. Mr Lao said that construction of the new passageway would include enhancement of Canal dos Patos (Duck River) to improve water quality and attract more tourists.
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The Macao Chinese Orchestra, a musical institution under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, has been invited to tour Portugal from 24th July to 2nd August. The last time this orchestra travelled to Portugal as representatives of Macao was in 1998, before the Handover. This activity is part of the 2012: EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue, an important, large-scale initiative for the exchange of arts, culture and the humanities between China and Europe. This agenda this year includes the presentation of a series of top-quality Chinese cultural activities to European audiences in 27 member states of the European Union. The Macao Chinese Orchestra is participating, as musical and cultural ambassadors of the MSAR, in the Grand Event honouring Guimarães, Portugal, as 2012 European Capital of Culture. Their tour, promoting the cultural customs and musical features of Macao, also takes them to the university city of Coimbra and to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. The three cities on the tour represent the northern, central and mid-southern areas of Portugal. After the first performance in Guimarães on 27th July, the Orchestra will present their East Journey Musical Concert, outdoors, at the 4th Coimbra Arts Festival the following day. The final concert of the tour will take place on the outdoor plaza of Lisbon's 200-year-old São Carlos National Theatre as part of the Festival ao Largo on 29th July. The traveling delegation is led by Ung Vai Meng, President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and Pang Ka Pang, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Chinese Orchestra. Pang will lead the Orchestra in presenting masterpieces of traditional Chinese music, as well as works commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Bureau for the Macao Chinese Orchestra. Some of these commissioned works will be heard in their European premieres. The Orchestra will also collaborate with renowned Portuguese fado singer Carlos do Carmo and other Portuguese artists, providing an unforgettable Sino-European cultural experience. During the tour, the delegation will also participate in exchange with the event organisers, meeting with individuals from the Portuguese cultural sector to enhance the friendship between China and Portugal. EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue The year of 2012 is the EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. The event organisers are co-operating with the European Commission, and the entirety of Europe, to realise this project in Europe and China simultaneously. The abundant and varied cultural activities will facilitate exchange and collaboration between elements of Chinese and European culture. The Macao Chinese Orchestra's tour of Portugal, as part of the EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue, represents both an iconic bridge for interchange between Chinese and Portuguese music and an ample stage for the future of cultural and artistic communication between these two countries. 2012 European Capital of Culture: Guimarães The ancient Portuguese city of Guimarães has a long history and is known as the birthplace of Portugal, the cradle of the Portuguese nation. In 2009 Guimarães, along with Maribor, Slovenia, were designated the 2012 European Capitals of Culture by the Council of the European Union. After a 14-year hiatus, the Macao Chinese Orchestra once again embarks upon a performance tour in Portugal and will take part in the Grand Event Celebrating Guimarães as a European Capital of Culture. With great charisma and skill, the Orchestra and its unique musical repertoire will promote the distinguished cultural tradition of Macao, further confirming the Region's place in the world as a nexus of integration for Chinese and Western culture.
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Six finalists were selected in the semi-final of the Yundi Macao Young Musicians Competition, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and Melco Crown Entertainment (MCE). The Grand Final is scheduled on July 31, Tuesday at Dom Pedro V Theatre. International piano maestro Yundi, as the Head Judge, will join two of the most respected musicians from Central and Shanghai Conservatory of Music to choose the winner. The concept of the Melco Crown Entertainment – Yundi Scholarship (the Scholarship), which will be awarded to the winner of the competition, originated in the Special 1st Anniversary Charity Show for the flagship entertainment resort of Melco Crown Entertainment, City of Dreams' entertainment centerpiece "House of Dancing Water". In the event, Melco Crown Entertainment announced the Scholarship, with the objective to support and promote Macao's development in music, arts and culture whilst providing opportunities and financial support for aspiring professional soloists to be coached at a world-renowned institution. The Yundi Macao Young Musicians Competition received a great number of applications after registration opened in April from numerous young local musicians of great talent. The semi-final took place on 23rd July, Monday, at the Dom Pedro V Theatre. The ten semi-finalists performed a compulsory piece live before the jury, who then selected as the finalists Choi Hio Lam (guzheng), Zhou Cheng Lam (cello), Su Fei Nga (violin), Cheong Hoi Leong (piano), Poon Ho Suet (piano) and Chan Sin (piano). In the final round, participants will again perform the same compulsory piece plus a full concert work of their choosing. This competition seeks to perpetuate the art of music, enabling local gifted musicians to develop their talent and promoting the local development of the musical arts and culture. MCE, whose key Corporate Social Responsibility pillar is to inspire young people of Macau to develop a passion for culture and arts, will award the winner the Scholarship in the amount of up to MOP 1 million, giving this excellent Macao musician the opportunity to further his or her studies in a world renowned institution, on the path to becoming a professional soloist.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) rose in May 2012. With regard to outstanding balance, both RMLs and CRELs also witnessed slight increases. New Lending Approved In May 2012, new RMLs approved by Macao banks grew notably by 42.4% month-to-month to MOP4.0 billion; of which, 95.5% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents rose 48.3% whereas those to non-residents fell 22.9%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) rose 61.7% month-to-month to MOP154.5 million; of which 91.0% was extended to residents. The equitable mortgage to residents and non-residents rose 51.5% and 395.9% respectively. New CRELs increased month-to-month by 31.3% to MOP2.0 billion; of which, 97.0% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents rose 39.3% whereas those to non-residents dropped 54.1% from one month earlier. Outstanding Balances As at end-May 2012, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP81.0 billion, an increase of 2.2% from one month earlier. The resident component made up 92.5% of the total. Outstanding RMLs to residents grew by 2.5% while those to non-residents edged down 1.3% over one month earlier. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs grew 1.7% from end-April to MOP62.9 billion. Residents accounted for 90.3% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents edged up 1.8% and 0.2% respectively. Delinquency Ratios At the end of May 2012, the delinquency ratio for RMLs stood at 0.07%, down 0.02 percentage points from one month earlier. The ratio for CRELs remained unchanged from end-April at 0.09%. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department Monetary Authority of Macao
(Tel：83952532; Fax：28353042)
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Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 19th July. In comparison with last month's data, prices of over half of the surveyed items remained stable or recorded light decrease. In comparison with June's data, prices of 114 out of over 310 items recorded this month remained unchanged while 79 items recorded light decrease in price, price decreases were mainly recorded in categorizes such as beverages, snacks, sanitary and hygienic products. Price drops were also observed in many cooking oil brands, prices of 'King Chef 100% Pure Corn Oil (3.5L)' had dropped by 6.11 percent. Prices of 125 items, mainly dairy products and household cleansing products, have increased but with an average increase less than 5 percent. 'Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes (Refills) (144pcs)' recorded the highest price rise of 8.96 percent. Among the top ten products with the most price differences, prices of the first three sold in different retail outlets varied for over 100 percent: highest and lowest selling price of 'Kraft Miracle Whip Dressing (12oz/354ml)' differed for 116 percent, as the said item was marked as a sale item in one outlet in Taipa. Consumers are advised to check with the information available on the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform'. For a more comprehensive survey, Consumer Council chooses one specific branch from each supermarket chain as regular surveyed points while randomly selects different branches each month to compare their differences in selling price. This month's survey showed that a general price difference of around 5 to 20 percent existed in some of the items sold in different branches of San Miu, Royal, and Park'N Shop. For example, prices of 'Campbells' Cream of Chicken Condensed Soup (305g)' in Rua Areia Preta and Taipa branches of Park'N Shop varied for $3.10, which was equivalent to more than 30 percent in price. Consumers are advised to check with the data provided by the Council on its website and its 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android smart phone apps. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on the 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 enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Leaders of the Macao SAR and the Republic of Cape Verde today exchanged views on how to further expand co-operation by using Macao as the trading and business platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr José Maria Pereira Neves, at Santa Sancha, the official premises to receive important guests. Mr Chui welcomed the visiting delegation and said he was happy to know the delegation had achieved much success in the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation just held in Beijing. Based on the far-reaching historical relationship and friendship between Macao and Cape Verde, the bilateral co-operation on trade, tourism, culture, and sports would reach a new stage when Macao's role as a business platform continued to get more depth, said the Chief Executive. Mr Neves affirmed the role of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation for China and Portuguese-speaking countries with Macao as a bridge, and said that Macao and Cape Verde could enhance co-operations in many aspects including personnel training on leisure tourism, technology, medical and public administration. He stressed that the two governments could put more efforts on economic co-operations to attract more investors to do business in Cape Verde. The Chief Executive agreed that there was a need for mutual support for common development, and the need of professional training for the tourism sector. He also said the government would continue to organise field trips for Macao entrepreneurs who have interest to invest in Cape Verde. The Minister of Tourism, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr Humberto Brito, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr José Luis Rocha, the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Cape Verde in Beijing, Mr. Julio Morais, the Honorary Consul of Republic of Cape Verde in Macao, Mr David Chow, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Director of the Supporting Office to the Secretariat of China and Portuguese - Speaking Countries Economic Cooperation Forum (Macao), Ms Rita Botelho dos Santos, the Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Fung Sio Weng also attended the meeting.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals decreased by 3.4% year-on-year to 2,106,696 in June 2012; same-day visitors (1,041,419) accounted for 49.4% of the total. The average length of stay of visitors decreased by 0.1 day year-on-year to 1.0 day, with overnight visitors and same-day visitors staying 1.8 days and 0.2 day respectively. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased slightly by 1.8% year-on-year to 1,220,846, coming mostly from Guangdong Province (588,987), Fujian Province (54,543) and Zhejiang Province (47,718); inbound Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme rose by 11.3% to 517,935 and Japanese visitors (34,614) registered a notable increase of 28.0%. However, visitors from Hong Kong (558,878); Taiwan, China (87,025); and the Republic of Korea (29,792) decreased by 9.9%, 22.1% and 4.2% respectively. Long-haul visitors from Europe (16,492) increased slightly by 0.2% year-on-year but those from the Americas (23,719) and Oceania (9,061) decreased by 4.9% and 1.0% respectively. Visitor arrivals totalled 6,635,394 in the second quarter of 2012, down by 2.6% year-on-year; for the first half year of 2012, visitor arrivals reached 13,577,714 but the rate of increase narrowed to 2.5% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (8,111,212), the Republic of Korea (214,785) and Japan (206,133) increased by 8.5%, 9.9% and 14.8% respectively. On the contrary, visitors from Hong Kong (3,474,329) and Taiwan, China (501,391) decreased by 6.6% and 16.5% respectively.
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