News

Macau Government Tourist Office was informed this afternoon about the internal administrative dispute of New Century Hotel, which led to temporary suspension of check in service in the hotel. MGTO has immediately deployed staff to the site (New Century Hotel) to collect information. Meanwhile, the representative of the hotel held a press conference on its internal issues and the representative of the hotel pledges that hotel guests who have reserved rooms in advance will not be affected. The Tourism Industry Council of Macau and Macau Travel Agency Association have also sent staff to assist visitors on site. Currently, the hotel has resumed check-in service for the guests who have reserved hotel rooms in advance. Macau Government Tourist Office will closely follow up on the situation.
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The President Mr Hu Jintao today affirmed the Macao Government's performance and said the Central Government would continuously support Macao's development.
The President said this when he received the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, who was in Hong Kong to participate in the 15th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR and the inauguration of the fourth Hong Kong SAR Government.
Mr Chui told reporters on his return to Macao that during the meeting with Mr Hu, he had reported the MSAR Government's performance in the first half of this year and Macao's economic was developing steadily.
Though the global economic condition is affected by the European debt problems and the impact of the U.S. economy recovery, the MSAR Government would strive to manage the situation with caution, Mr Chui said.
He also reported that the MSAR Government would implement policies set in the policy address to develop the economy and to improve people's livelihood. Meanwhile, Macao would be developed into a world leisure tourism centre and a business and trading plafform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries according to the nation's "12th Five-Year Plan".
Mr Chui said the President had affirmed MSAR Government's performance and hoped the Government would give high regards to the importance of improving people's livelihood.
The Chief Executive went to Hong Kong on 30 June to attend a series of Hong Kong SAR anniversary celebrations.
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The 17th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held from 18 to 21 October 2012 (Thursday to Sunday) at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The event is organised by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) . Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) is the first UFI certified international exhibition in Macao. After 16 years of continuous innovation and development, MIF has now become Macao's branded fair. As a regional trade and investment platform, especially an important co-operation and service platform between China and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries, MIF's role in boosting Macao's economic growth is becoming increasingly significant, in particular, in the introduction of high and new technology, as well as the technological exchanges in capital and talent. It fostered technological progress and industrial upgrading of the local tourism and leisure industry, as well as other business areas, such as finance, manufacturing, convention and exhibition and cultural and creative industries. MIF provides Macao's SMEs as well as enterprises from abroad with more business opportunities. The16th MIF held in October last year, with over 1,400 booths and more than 20 themed exhibition zones, attracted 350 business delegations from over 60 countries and regions worldwide and contributed to 1,502 business matching sessions. This fully reflects, once again, the vital role played by MIF as a regional co-operation platform and the hub for trade exchanges. A total of 1,600 booths will be set-up at the venue this year, and covers an exhibition area of over 30,000 square metres. Major scopes and features will include: domestic and foreign investment environment and investment projects, cultural and creative industries, food and wine, gifts and packaging design, convention and exhibition equipment, mahogany furniture, digital photography equipment, fashion design, exhibition and retail sale of international SMEs' products and international cultural and artistic performance service projects. In addition, the International Trade and Investment Forum 2012 and the 9th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs will be held concurrently, as well as other high-level political and economic forums and promotion seminars organised by local, Mainland China and foreign government agencies, organisations and enterprises. The organisers intend to further highlight the theme "Co-operation – Key to Business Opportunities theme", through the themed exhibition zones, and by organising a series of conferences each with distinctive features, and the planning of business matching and procurement negotiations. Highlights focusing on the dynamic of business opportunities Exhibitors include companies and organisations from the European Union, Portuguese-speaking Countries, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the four territories across the Strait of Taiwan and other emerging markets which will set up their thematic exhibition zones to display their products, services, technology, investment environment and investment projects, all with rich contents. The exhibition area of the Portuguese-speaking Countries will be further expanded, of which, the Portugal Pavilion will be significantly enlarged, essentially to display that country's wine and food. On the other hand, several trade promotion organisations in Brazil will jointly participate in the MIF. At the same time, this year's MIF has attracted the participation of more emerging countries, such as Nepal, Indonesia and Vietnam, which will introduce their latest investment environment and investment projects, to open new markets for the exhibitors. Besides, more detailed and specific exhibition on co-operation projects in the Zhuhai and Guangzhou (Nansha) Exhibition Zones will be held. A new exhibition zone for the Qianhai district in Shenzhen, is also being planned. The exhibition zone for mahogany furniture will undertake the luxurious content of last year, and ceramics and other attractive home furnishing items display is under planning. The Exhibition Zone of the Provinces and Municipalities of Mainland China, Cultural and Creative Industries Zone, Fashion Design Performance Zone, the Taiwan Exhibition Zone and the Digital Photography Equipment Exhibition Zone will all add in new elements. Food and wine on display will be broader with products coming from more diversified countries of origin. Newly-created exhibition zones, including the Gifts and Packaging Design Exhibition Zone and the International Cultural and Artistic Performance Service Project Exhibition Zone, are expected to also generate more business opportunities and cooperation. Closer Interactions between MIF and the Cultural and Creative Industries to Promote Regional Co-operation In order to strengthen regional co-operation and further promote the development of moderate economic diversification , the Organisers have for the first time invited the participation of the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair. Also, the Convention and Exhibition Industry Exhibition Zone, which in the past was organised by the local industry-related operators, will now be expanded to include related operators from Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao, to jointly organise high-level forums. The Gifts and Packaging Design Exhibition Area will be jointly organised by the industry-related organisations from Japan, Taiwan and Guangdong Province, to showcase Asia's high-end packaging design standards. The International Cultural and Artistic Performances Service Projects Zone will adequately reflect Macao's role as a unique platform, by converting the world's outstanding cultural and artistic performances into trade in service projects and promote them on-site to enterprises in the tourism and cultural fields. " One Trip, Multiple-Stop" Service to include Qianhai (Shenzhen) to Promotes Greater Co-operation To enhance the effectiveness of the MIF for the participating delegates, the Organiser will continue to actively work with partners in the neighbouring regions to jointly provide the "One Trip, Multiple-Stop" Service, by organising fact-finding visits to the Canton Fair and also to Hengqin (Zhuhai), Nansha (Guangzhou) and Qianhai (Shenzhen). Furthermore, delegates will be directed to Macao Ideas-the Macao Products Display Centre, to increase their awareness and understanding of Made in Macao Products, Macao Brands, Macao Designs and Products from the Portuguese-Speaking Countries with distribution agents in Macao. Invitation of a Larger Number of Procuring Agents to Promote Business Matching The Organiser will work with the relevant organisations in Mainland China and abroad to invite professional buyers, branded enterprises, prime hotels and other trade visitors to participate in the on-site procurement negotiations, in addition to providing incentive plans to the professional visitors, such as the "MIF Express", "Concessions for Professional Buyers" and "Concessions for Invited Buyers from Abroad". Professional buyers, large-scale hotels, super-markets and related enterprises are welcome to refer to the Organiser's website for further details. Participation The Organiser will continue to support the participation of local small and medium-sized enterprises by providing a number of concessions. • Discounted Booth Rental Price
A total 120 booths will be set up at the Macao SMEs' Exhibition Zone. For eligible Macao SMEs, the organiser will provide the following concessions: A discount of 40% off on the rental fee for a 9 square metres standard booth, with an original rental fee of MOP9,000.00, the discounted fee is MOP3,600.00. Registration on or before 16 July , as well as enterprises that have previously participated as exhibitors in exhibition activities organised by IPIM will be entitled to a 10% discount. Applications for exhibition in the Macao SMEs' Exhibition Zone will be held from 4 to 23 July (Monday to Friday), from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Applicants should register in person and bring along their application form and all required documents to the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute – SME Service Centre (Address: Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, 263, China Civil Plaza Building, 19th floor, Macao) .Each SME can only apply for one booth, on a first-come-first-served basis. The exhibition venue will be zoned in accordance with the nature of the business and the allocation of each booth will be decided by draw. The Recruitment and Briefing Session for the Macao SMEs' Exhibition Area will be held at 2:30 p.m. on 3 July (Tuesday) at the Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC), located at Alameda Dr. Carlos d´Assumpção, no. 263, China Civil Plaza, 19 andar. Interested parties are cordially invited to participate! MIF provides Multiple Services to the Participants To assist the MIF participants to look for partners and business opportunities, the Organiser will provide a series of free business matching services, including procurement negotiations, franchise and chain operations and brand agency. Interested parties can login to the on-line business matching service platform for pre-matching or accept the on-site matching service arranged by the Organizer. For more information, please call: (853) 2872 8328. During the preparation period and the duration of MIF, the MIF Administration and Service Centre will provide a wide range of services to local and overseas exhibitors as well as to other merchants. For further details, please contact the Organizer by telephone (853) 2882 2711, fax: (853) 2882 8722 or visit the official MIF website: www.mif.com.mo. Remarks:
Enterprises applying for preferential schemes related to exhibition in the Macao SMEs' Exhibition Zone should meet the following requirements: small or medium-sized enterprise (employing not over 100 people in Macao) incorporated in Macao; has fulfilled obligations as a tax payer and has been duly registered with the Macao Finance Bureau for at least two years (as of 18 October 2012); and the company should be owned at least 50% by a Macao resident or by a company incorporated in Macao. After satisfying the above criteria, the applicant should also meet one of the following two requirements: it has participated in a previous MIFs or other exhibitions organised by IPIM or is a company manufacturing Made in Macao Products, holder of Macao Brand or is an agent for Macao Products.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) for its approval or record of two bills relating to the selection method of the Chief Executive and the election method of the Legislative Assembly. This is announced today by a statement issued by the Government Spokesperson Office, after a meeting by the Standing Committee of NPC. The decisions made by the Standing Committee of NPC marked the completion of the legislative procedures of revising Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law of Macao. This is the first time that the Macao SAR revised the selection method of the Chief Executive and the election method of the Legislative Assembly and this made an important step in Macao's constitutional development. This may enhance the stability of Macao's fundamental political system, the progression of Macao's democracy, the effective functioning of Macao's executive-led political system, the balancing of interests of all walks of lives and the long-term prosperity, stability and development of Macao. The Macao SAR Government would, in accordance with the decisions made by the Standing Committee of NPC and public opinions collected previously, submit bills to the Legislative Assembly to revise the election laws of the Chief Executive and the Legislative Assembly. The election of the Fifth-term Legislative Assembly is scheduled in 2013 and the election of the Fourth-term Chief Executive in 2014.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is in Hong Kong today to attend the celebratory activities of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR Mr Chui is there at the invitation of his Hong Kong counterpart, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. Speaking to reporters at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal before his departure, Mr Chui said that he would also pay a courtesy call on the President, Mr Hu Jintao, who is in Hong Kong for the events. Mr Chui is scheduled to attend a welcome banquet for President Hu hosted by the Hong Kong SAR Government, attend a variety show to celebrate the anniversary, and the inauguration of the fourth Hong Kong SAR Government. Speaking about the two bills relating to the selection method of the Chief Executive and the election method of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Chui said he hoped that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress would complete the procedure of approval and record at today's meeting, so that the Government could work on their legislation in Macao afterwards.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Financial Services Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government to reinforce financial cooperation between Shanghai and Macao. Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Tam Pak Yuen and Vice-Mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Tu Guangshao witnessed the ceremony. The SAR Government supported wholeheartedly the joint effort of the two regions to develop financial services. AMCM and the Financial Services Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government held in Shanghai the "Shanghai-Macao Financial Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony" on 29 this month. Mr. Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance, MSAR and Mr. Tu Guangshao, Vice-Mayor of the Municipal Government of Shanghai, Mr. Jiang Zhuoqing, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Ms. Zhang Yixing, Deputy Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, officiated the ceremony to witness the signing of the Cooperation Agreement by Mr. Teng Lin Seng, Chairman of AMCM Board of Directors and Mr. Fang Xinghai, Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government Financial Services Office. Secretary Tam in his address says that Shanghai recently strives to become an international financial centre. It is the leading city of the Yangtze Delta Region. Shanghai faces the world and its network covers the four seas. The SAR is glad to have the Financial Cooperation Agreement executed between the two parties. Macao will no doubt make use of the experience of Shanghai in its successful development which is invaluable to Macao in enhancing its financial industry. Through cooperation of Shanghai and Macao, Macao will provide services relating to economic and commercial liaison between Shanghai commercial enterprises and Portuguese speaking countries. It is expected that under the motivation of the Shanghai Municipal Government and Financial Services Office, liaison will be strengthened. The SAR Government will wholeheartedly support the collective financial endeavour of the two regions, promote financial and commercial cooperation of two regions with a view to achieving common goal through complementary cooperation. Vice-Mayor Tu expresses his conviction that Shanghai is delighted to arrive at a more extensive and deep cooperation relationship with all regions, including the Macao Special Administrative Region. Such move will certainly inject vitality into the ambition of Shanghai in its endeavour to forge an international financial centre. At the same time, Macao SAR has long working relationship with Portuguese speaking countries which carries very positive meaning in helping Shanghai financial enterprises to explore such markets. It is hoped that in the expectation of building up financial cooperation between the two regions, through the setting up of liaison mechanism and meetings at regular intervals, the sharing and communication of financial information will be reinforced which will be conducive to the mutual development of the financial industry of the two regions.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for May 2012 amounted to MOP683 million, up by 15.9% year-on-year, of which value of re-exports (MOP472 million) and domestic exports (MOP210 million) increased by 20.2% and 7.5% respectively. Total merchandise import amounted to MOP5.97 billion, up by 23.5% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.29 billion for May 2012. In the first five months of 2012, total value of merchandise export increased by 18.8% year-on-year to MOP3.30 billion, attributable to a 26.6% increase in re-exports (MOP2.32 billion) when domestic exports (MOP978 million) rose by 3.7%; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 26.8% to MOP28.86 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first five months of 2012 amounted to MOP25.56 billion. Merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.65 billion) and Mainland China (MOP529 million) in the first five months of 2012 were principally re-exports, up by 39.2% and 14.6% year-on-year respectively; meanwhile, merchandise export to the USA (MOP219 million) and the EU (MOP141 million) were primarily domestic exports, down by 12.1% and 14.7% respectively. Exports of Non-textile (MOP2.84 billion) in the first five months of 2012 expanded by 29.3%, of which exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP521 million) and Articles for casino (MOP96 million) surged by 126.7% and 63.6% respectively year-on-year; however, exports of Textile & garment (MOP464 million) registered a decrease of 20.4%. Domestic exports of Tobacco (MOP222 million) rose by 47.2% year-on-year, while that of Knitted or crocheted garment (MOP164 million) and Non-knitted or non-crocheted garment (MOP138 million) declined by 20.3% and 24.1% respectively. In the first five months of 2012, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP9.25 billion) and the EU (MOP6.64 billion) expanded by 31.4% and 19.4% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 28.1% to MOP17.71 billion, with imports of Watches (MOP2.12 billion), Handbags & wallets (MOP1.63 billion) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP1.27 billion) increasing by 53.9%, 44.2% and 59.3% respectively. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP5.38 billion) registered a year-on-year increase of 33.8%. In the first five months of 2012, total value of external merchandise trade amounted to MOP32.16 billion, up by 25.9% compared with MOP25.54 billion a year earlier.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will be in HK to attend activities to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR and the inauguration of the Fourth Term Government of the HKSAR.
A statement today by the Office of the Government Spokesman said Mr Chui will leave tomorrow to attend the banquet to welcome the President, Mr Hu Jintao, hosted by the HKSAR Government and watch a cultural show. On 1st July, he will attend the inauguration ceremony of the Fourth Term Government of the HKSAR.
The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng and the Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Fung Sio Weng will also attend the activities with Mr Chui.
The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
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More than 260 contestants have submitted their works for the "Precious Moments in Macao" 2012 Photography Competition, which is co-organised by the Government Information Bureau together with eight photographic organisations and four media associations. Out of a total of 1,834 entries, 53 winning entries have been picked after six rounds of professional evaluation. The judging was held on 3 June; the judging panel comprises one representative from the Photographic Society of Macao, Photography Salon Society of Macao, Macao Association for the Promotion of Photographic Art, Macao Association of Photographers, Macao Multimedia Photographic Art Association, Macao Association of Photographic Art, Macao Camera Lens Art Association, Macao Digital Photography Association, Macao Media Workers Association, Macao Journalists' Club, Macao Journalists' Association, and the Macao Media Club, respectively as well as representatives from the Government information Bureau. This year's competition has used an online portal for the submission of entries for the first time. During the submission period between 7-20 May, a total of 1,834 entries from 266 contestants were submitted. These entries reflect changes in Macao's skyline and precious moments in the lives of Macao residents. In addition to the record number of contestants and entries, this year's competition is also marked by the variety and quality of submissions. After six rounds of evaluation by the 13-member judging panel, the following 53 winning entries have been named: First Prize: Ung Teng Pong; Title of Work: Tranquil Prosperity
Second Prize: Cheong Keng Lim; Title of Work: Religious Pomp
Third Prize: Tam Kam Weng; Title of Work: Striving for the Best Winners of the 50 merit prizes are as follows (in no particular order): Agostinho Guilherme Fernandes - Four Girls
Chong Io Sang - Macao's Night Scene
Chong Io Sang - Fireworks over the Water Lam Sai Kuong - Fireworks
Maria Ferreira Sin - Fireworks Splendour
Wong Kwok Fai - Lakeside
Ho Waikin - Hustle and Bustle
Ho Chon In - Small City
Ung Teng Pong - Metamorphoses
Li Man Lok - Glitter Lam Sao Wa - Panoramic View of Taipa and Coloane
Lam Sao Wa - Colourful Skyline
Lam Sao Wa - Piggyback Ride
Leong Kafai - Macao at Dusk
Kuok Kim Va - Frontrunners
Kuok Kim Va - Religious Procession
Kuok Kim Va - Team Work
Kuok Kim Va - Strike
Kuok Kim Va - Amid the Rain
Chan Meng Kai - After the Rain
Chan Chou Meng - Fireworks Display
Chan Chou Meng - Latin Parade
Lok Wai Keong - Bringing Joy to the Elderly
Lok Wai Keong - Lighting up the Sky
Mak Heng Kin - Running Neck and Neck
Vong Kuok Kei - Welcoming the Buddhist Bone Relic
Wong Chang Man - Rolling out the Red Carpet for the Buddhist Bone Relic
Vong Hoi Veng - Taking Flight
Vong Hoi Veng - Sports for All
Wong Keng Si - Unique Macao
Lao Chao I - Buddhist Blessing Ceremony
Au Ieong Kin Hou - Nightfall
Au Ieong Kin Hou - Macao Science Centre
Pun Tak Cheong - Magnificent Pyrotechnics
Pun Tak Cheong - Splash with Blessings
Tang Loi Cheng - Age of Innocence
Tang Chan Seng - Willowy Dance
Tang Chan Seng - Rugby Contest
Tang Chan Seng - Family Fun
Tang Chan Seng - Breaking Loose
Tang Chan Seng - Full Speed Ahead
Tang Ian Tek - Sunset
Tang Kai Lon - Tough Competition
Tang Kai Lon - Mother & Daughter Sharing a Laugh Tang Kai Lon - Hitting the Finishing Line
Jose Lopes Lai - Happy Family
Lou Chon Man - Twilight
Hon Peng U - Nurturing Seedlings
Kuan Fu Lon - Turning Point
Kuan Ka Pou - Over the Horizon Winners of the first, second and third prizes will get a cash prize of MOP8,000, MOP5,000 and MOP3,000 respectively in addition to a trophy while winners of the merit prizes will each get a cash prize of MOP500 and a certificate. In addition, three submissions from the above winning entries have been picked as winners of this year's Yearbook Full-page Illustration Award and their winners will each get a cash prize of MOP1,000. The three winners are as follows (in no particular order):
Tang Chan Seng - Rugby Contest
Kuok Kim Va - Amid the Rain
Tang Loi Cheng - Age of Innocence This year's Yearbook Cover Award, which is decided by the Editorial Committee of the 2012 Macao Yearbook, has been left vacant due to the lack of suitable entries.
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To welcome the coming of summer holidays in July and August, Communications Museum is organizing various interesting summer activities to let participants unleash their potential through interactive, explorative and experimental activities. All are welcome to apply for the activities that still have vacancy, including: The workshop "Component Commando" is suitable for students of Primary 4 to 6 to learn electric components through composing their unique robots. Students of Form 1 to 3 may choose workshops of "Introduction to Electric Circuits", "Electricity and Electromagnet" and / or "Component Commando" to make batteries, lighting decorations, simple telegraphs and electric bars. Students from Primary 6 to Form 1 who like mathematics may choose the workshop "Graphic for Fun". The "Creative Card & Gift Bag Design" workshop will be held for students who are in Form 1 or above and interested in handicrafts.
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