News

Consumer Council's quarterly specific price report on rice revealed that prices of Thai rice brands had been stable during the past 6 months and an average price increase of 5% was recorded in most Japanese rice brands. The Council also indicated that price variation of up to almost 60% was found with the same rice brand sold in different retail shops. The specific price report on rice for Q3 was conducted on 7th Sept. In comparison with data from last quarter, prices of Thai rice brands were stable; 'Wing On Thai Jasmine Rice (5kg)' registered a price drop of over 15% in several retail spots. However, obvious price rise was observed in Japanese rice brands sold in many retail spots, e.g. 'Japanese Variety Pearl Rice (5kg)' recorded a price hike from 2% to 4%. Though stability is shown in rice prices, Consumer Council will continue to conduct its supermarket price survey and specific price reports on commodities. To sum up, prices of Thai rice brands have been stable since March 2011, certain brands even decreased in price; Australian brand 'Double Ram Australian Calrose Rice (5kg)' registered a price drop ranging from 13% to 25% in many retail outlets; Japanese rice brands show increase in their prices when comparing figures from Q3 to Q1, as obvious price hikes ranging from 5% to 15% are recorded in two surveyed Japanese rice brands. Improvements on reducing price discrepancies have been noted since the Council announced its work on surveying rice price; however, significant price difference of the same brand sold in different retail outlets still exists in certain outlets, and a price variation of up to almost 60% was observed this time. Consumers are advised to check with the price surveys available on the Council's website before heading out to purchase. The Council has also optimized its website functions to include the top ten commodities with greatest price differences and customized shopping cart calculations, etc. The above-mentioned report is available for download on www.consumer.gov.mo.
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The "23rd Macau International Fireworks Display Contest" kicks off today (September 10) as the fireworks teams from Canada and Korea light up the sky of Macau with splendid fireworks. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U joined Director of Macau Government Tourist Office João Manuel Costa Antunes to officiate the opening ceremony at the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza.
Held on September 10, 12, 17, 24 and October 1 at the sea area across the Macau Tower, 23rd Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has attracted ten teams from around the world to vie for the contest.
The contest this year features teams from Canada, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Austria, Chinese Taiwan, the Philippines, Portugal, France and China, each will show off their pyrotechnic wizardry to spectators both from Macau and overseas. Sirius Pyrotechnics from Canada makes its debut at the contest tonight. Performed in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics 2010 in Canada last year, Sirius Pyrotechnics is a famous fireworks company that specializes in large scale pyrotechnic production.
After last year's debut at the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, Woori Fireworks from Korea is back to the city's pyromusical competition. The Korean team is a fireworks producer and performer, with several displays at fireworks events in Asia and around Korea, including participation at the 2002 FIFA Soccer World Cup Korea-Japan.
This year MGTO and Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L. (CTM) continue to jointly launch "SMS Game" to promote citizen participation in the event. During the period of fireworks display contest, CTM will send out short message to their mobile service subscribers to introduce the game, in addition to promotion of the game on the websites of MGTO and CTM. Macau residents can send one text message to CTM through their mobile to vote for their favorite team after each night of display. The citizen who voted for the most popular team on that night is eligible for lucky draw to win two sets of reservoir stand tickets for the 58th Macau Grand Prix (Saturday and Sunday) and souvenir. The 5 teams who get the most SMS votes will be awarded with "The People's Choice" certificates and souvenirs. However the voting result will not affect the jury's decision on the fireworks display contest. MGTO will also post web banner on CTM's website to enhance the promotion effectiveness.
Each participating team is requested again this year to complement their display with music to enthrall the audience with a light and sound spectacular. To enhance the enjoyment, the organizer will install sound systems at the waterfront of the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza, at the Macau Tower Street seaside and at the square in front of Kun Iam Statue on Ave. Dr Sun Yat Sen so that the public can enjoy synchronized music to the spectacular displays. Spectators are able to listen to live music of the fireworks displays through Radio Macau's live broadcast at FM100.7.
MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau will again jointly present the Fireworks Carnival to offer an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights on the fireworks display nights. The opening ceremony of the Fireworks Carnival 2011 was held today (September 10) at 7:30pm. Citizens can enjoy an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights at the carnival between 5:00 - 11:00 p.m. on each of the fireworks display nights. 20 stalls offering snacks and souvenirs will also add sparkle to the party.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, on a monthly basis, broad money supply continued to grow in July. As total deposits grew faster than total loans, the loan-to-deposit ratio dropped slightly from a month earlier.
Money supply
Currency in circulation dropped 0.5% while demand deposits rose 2.8%. M1 thus increased 2.3% when compared with the previous month. Quasi-monetary liabilities rose by 0.9%. M2 therefore increased by 1.1% to MOP274.3 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 8.7% and 20.2% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 26.2%, down 0.4 percentage points over a month ago and 1.9 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 54.2%, up 0.6 percentage points month-to-month but down 0.3 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits grew 1.2% from the previous month to MOP268.1 billion. Of which, MOP deposits dropped 0.5% while HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 2.3% and 0.2%. Concurrently, non-resident deposits remained approximately unchanged from the previous month at MOP92.1 billion, while public sector deposits with the banking sector increased by 2.7% to MOP23.5 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector grew 1.0% from a month earlier to MOP383.7 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 21.8% and 45.1% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector grew 1.5% on a monthly basis to MOP159.1 billion. Among which, MOP40.6 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP104.2 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 25.5% and 65.5% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans dropped slightly by 0.3% to MOP157.9 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 0.2% (MOP0.4 billion) and 32.2% (MOP50.9 billion) respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
As domestic loans to the private sector grew faster than resident deposits, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-July 2011 rose marginally by 0.1 percentage point month-to-month to 54.5%. Meanwhile, the ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors dropped 0.3 percentage points from the previous month to 82.6%.
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Under the nomination of the Prosecutor-General, and in accordance to the Administrative Order no. 61/2011 published in no. 36 Official Gazette on September 5, 2011, the Chief Executive has appointed, on a permanent basis, Leong Weng Si, Cheong Kuok Chi, Sio In Ha, Cheang Weng In and Sam Kim Kuong as prosecutors of the Public Prosecutions Office, effective from September 8, 2011. The swearing-in ceremony of the five new public prosecutors will take place at the 2nd floor of the Macau Special Administrative Region Public Prosecutions Office Headquarters, presided by the Chief Executive.
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The 58th running of the iconic Macau Grand Prix will set new records, both in terms of the quality of the race programme and commercial partnerships. With a record number of FIA titles on the programme, plus two historic landmarks to celebrate, the sporting schedule has never looked stronger. Corporations have been quick to recognise the benefits of a partnership with an event which each year reaches hundreds of millions of television viewers and garners massive global media coverage. For the first time in the Grand Prix's history all seven races have attracted title sponsors. The largest partner this year is long-time Grand Prix supporter Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A. (SJM), which becomes the official sponsor of the 58th Macau Grand Prix. In addition, SJM is title sponsor for the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, which this year counts as both the FIA F3 Intercontinental Cup and the finals round of the new FIA Formula 3 International Trophy, and title sponsor for the final two rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (FIA WTCC). While the season finale of the FIA WTCC will be held on Macau's legendary 6.2km street circuit for the seventh successive year, 2011 also marks the 40th running of the Guia Race. Macau added the prestigious FIA championship round to the race programme in 2005, but the event has always retained its Guia Race title, and SJM has been a supporter for many years. A firm favourite of two-wheel fans across the world, the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix this year has a title sponsor in the form of the City of Dreams. Celebrating its 45th running, the extraordinary, white-knuckle thriller sees the world's finest road racing and endurance specialists brush the walls of the Guia Circuit at breakneck speeds. With sportscar racing gaining a growing and enthusiastic army of fans across the globe, the Macau GT Cup has quickly captured legions of supporters since its debut in 2008. In recognition of its rising status on the Macau Grand Prix race programme, as well as the thrilling on-track action it provides, Empresa de Desenvolvimento Predial Vitoria, S.A.,under the banner of Star River‧Windsor Arch, has signed on as title sponsor of the Macau GT Cup. Enthusiastic Grand Prix supporters CTM and Hotel Fortuna return this year. The CTM Macau Touring Car Cup attracts the cream of regional competitors racing Super Production cars, while the Hotel Fortuna MAC/HKG Interport Race sees the rival SARs do battle on the unforgiving Guia street circuit. The race which last year provided a record number of thrills and spills, the Macau Road Sport Challenge, is back and is sponsored by the Suncity Group for the first time. Long-time Grand Prix supporter Yokohama is again the Official Formula 3 Tyre Supplier as well as being the official, season-long tyre for the FIA WTCC. V.W.M. Motors Limited returns for the second year as Official Safety and Rescue Cars Supplier, providing the crack team of rescue personnel and officials with high-performance VW vehicles. Media accreditation for this year's motorsport spectacular is now open via the official Macau Grand Prix website www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo and applications will close on October 21.
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In the first half-year of 2011, a total of 220 applications for temporary residency for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders were received by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) (a decrease of 7 compared with the same period last year), 33 applications for major investment and major investment plans (an increase of 26 compared with the same period last year), representing 87% and 13% of the total of 253 new applications in the first half-year of 2011. Approved cases for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders amounted to 225 (a decrease of 85 compared with the same period last year), approved applications for major investment and major investment plans totalled 5 (a decrease of 4 compared with the same period last year). In accordance with the Administrative Regulation No. 7/2007, temporary residency applications for fixed asset purchases have been suspended since 4 April 2007. There were over 4,000 applications lodged before the closing date of the policy and are still being processed. Therefore, there were no new residency applications during the first half-year of 2011 for fixed assets purchases while all of the 21 already approved cases were lodged before 4 April 2007. Statistics of Investment Residency Applications and the Cases and Number of Beneficiaries in the First Half-Year of 2011
(* please find the attachment) For further enquiries on the residency application guidelines, please contact IPIM by visiting the website: www.ipim.gov.mo, email: gjfr@ipim.gov.mo, tel: 28712055 or fax: 28713950. Applicants may also visit the website and enquire about the progress of their residency application status online.
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Consumer Council's latest specific price survey report on tissue and toilet papers has been released. In comparison with the data of the same period in last month, most surveyed samples recorded no change in price while a certain brand recorded price drop of over 15%. Since May, the specific price survey report shows stability in average price of tissue and toilet papers. The Council conducted the survey on 30th August, surveying 13 samples of tissue and toilet papers from 25 local retail outlets. 6 samples surveyed this time showed no change in price, the ones which decreased slightly in price dropped by around 0.3% to 15.8%. Both 'C&S' brand samples surveyed reflected average price decrease of over 10%. Further, the price difference of the same brand sold in different retail outlets observed this time has widened from 28% last month to 35.23% this month. Consumers may visit the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) to use its online price search function; both "Supermarket Price Information Platform" and "Specific Product Price Information Platform" make checking prices of various commodities an easy job. The specific price survey report on tissue and toilet papers is now available online on the Council's official website. For enquiries, please call 8988 9315. The above article is accessible at http://www.consumer.gov.mo/c/ccnews.asp
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Based on the good foundation laid in the past, the Macao and Xinjiang governments would enhance their co-operation in education, culture, tourism and trade. This was discussed when the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with the Secretary of CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Mr Zhang Chunxian, and the Chairman of Xinjiang Uygur Automonous Region, Mr Nur Bekri, in Xinjiang, where he attended the opening ceremony of the first China-Eurasia Expo today. During the meeting after the opening ceremony, Mr Zhang greeted the Macao delegation warmly, saying that over the past 11 years Xinjiang and Macao had built a good co-operative relationship using education and culture as the starting points. He said tourism would be the focal point of the next co-operative stage. He also suggested that Macao would act as a trading platform, attracting funds from all over the world to invest in the developing market of Xinjiang. Moreover, Macao could also make use of its links with the European Union to further promote exchanges and co-operation between Xinjiang and European countries. Mr Chui expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Zhang's hospitality in receiving the delegation. He said the success of the first China-Eurasia Expo has given him much encouragement, and that the Macao Government would actively participate in the activities of the second Expo. He told Mr Zhang that the Macao Government would study his suggestions in detail, and invited Mr Zhang to visit Macao. After the meeting, Mr Chui attended the welcome banquet hosted by Mr Nur Bekri. Mr Chui led an official delegation to the China-Eurasia Expo where he delivered a keynote speech in the morning. Afterwards he toured the Expo and visited the Macao Pavilion. He is scheduled to return to Macao tomorrow.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, pledged today that Macao would strengthen its co-operation with Xinjiang in tourism and education, and to make use of the Macao's international tourism network to promote Xinjiang's abundant tourism resources and boost the development of its tourism industry. Delivering a speech at the China-Eurasia Economic Development and Co-operation Forum in Urumqi, Xinjiang, Mr Chui said Macao would also fully leverage its position as a commercial service platform and actively promote trade and commercial collaboration between Xinjiang and other western regions, and Portuguese-speaking countries. Macao would continue to increase cultural and educational exchanges and co-operation aimed at establishing a harmonious relationship between Xinjiang and Macao, he said. The Forum was a co-event of the first China–Eurasia Expo, which was opened this morning by Vice Premier Mr Li Keqiang, Mr Chui and other prominent figures in the region. In his speech, Mr Chui also said that the Expo provided Macao with 'a brand new platform and greater potential for participating in the development of western China, together with Central Asia, Western Asia and Europe. 'With abundant natural resources, Xinjiang has historically played a key role in bridging Eurasia, and continues doing so today. We are pleased to witness the ongoing progress of Xinjiang's economy and community; these achievements are known to the world, and have contributed to improvements in people's lives,' he said. 'Xinjiang's new rise and development are not only important to the prosperity and growth of society, but also significant for expanding the trade and economic co-operation between China and other countries in Central Asia, Western Asia, Southern Asia and Europe, and for promoting harmony, stability and common development in western China. We pay attention to and strive to fully support Xinjiang's development and progress. 'Macao is a special administrative region on the west bank of the Pearl River estuary, with unique characteristics and a service-oriented economy. Since Macao's reunification with the motherland, the fundamental principles of "One country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy have demonstrated great vitality and creativity, resulting in the rapid economic growth and social stability of Macao. 'With full support from the central government, the Macao SAR is quick to seize the opportunities arising from mainland China's vigorous development. By fully leveraging our close relations with Portuguese-speaking and Latin countries and the European Union, we are committed to providing excellent intermediary trade services, and to broadening our horizons for development. 'At present, the Macao SAR is actively implementing the Twelfth Five-year plan, the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta, and the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement. We are also boosting the effectiveness of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between Mainland China and Macao (CEPA) and its supplementary protocols, aiming to establish Macao as a world-class travel and leisure centre and a commercial service platform for business co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. 'These administrative measures of the SAR dovetail with the national strategy to ensure Xinjiang is one of China's key gateways to the world, as well as the aims of the China-Asia-Europe Expo. We aim for joint progress in implementing the national policy of regional interaction and co-operation between eastern, central and western China,' he said. Mr Chui toured the exhibition area after attending the Forum. He is scheduled to return to Macao tomorrow.
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To commemorate the centenary of the Xinhai Revolution in grand style, the Cultural Affairs Bureau, starting in September, will hold a series of activities, including large-scale thematic exhibitions, conferences and seminars, historical guided tours of Dr. Sun Yat Sen's revolutionary sites as well as two musical events. It is hoped that this wide range of popular and academic promotional programs will not only enhance local residents' understanding of Dr. Sun Yat Sen and the 1911 Revolution in China, but also arouse public interest in the history and culture of Macao by revealing the important role the territory played in the 1911 Revolution., The Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau held yesterday afternoon (August 31st) a press conference at the Macao Museum Auditorium. It was hosted by the Director of the Macao Museum, Chan Ieng Hin, the director of the Macao Chinese Orchestra, Zhou You, and the director of the Special Project Division, Lam Chong Keong. Invited to attend and speak was the deputy director of the working committee for the Commemoration of the Centenary of the Xinhai Revolution in Macau, Chen Kin Ieng . Macao was an important basis for Dr. Sun Yat Sen to move out into the greater world and carry out his revolutionary activities. To this day, the cultural relics retained in Macao relating to Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his revolutionary activities bear a glorious historical imprint on Macao. Putting the 1911 Revolution into historical context, the exhibition For the People – Sun Yat Sen and Macao, which will be held at the Macao Museum of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, seeks to introduce Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his family's strong connection with Macao through the display of cultural relics. This collection comes from a number of cultural organizations and individual collectors from Macao, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Taipei and Hong Kong and some of them are extremely rare and precious. The exhibition will be held on the 3rd floor of the Macao Museum and will run from September 24th to December 11th . There will also be a grand opening ceremony. Allegiance of Revolutionaries: Seminar commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution organized by the Macao Historical Archives will be held at the Macao Museum Auditorium on September 24th. Dr. Sun Yat Sen's granddaughter, Dr. Lily Sun, has been invited to attend this seminar alongside expert scholars from China, Hong Kong, Macao and Portugal to present various papers themed on the history of the 1911 Revolution, Macao's role in the 1911 Revolution and the impact of this Revolution. These experts will provide valuable information for the study of the historical relationships between Macao and the 1911 Revolution. Admission is free. In addition to this, two seminars will be given by local scholars: Macanese and the 1911 Revolution by Dr. Li Chang Sen, Professor of the Macao Polytechnic Institute, at 3pm on October 29th and The Newspaper Industry in Macau Before and After the 1911 Revolution by Dr. Agnes Lam Iok Fong, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities (FSH) in University of Macau, at 3pm on November 12th. Revolutionary pioneer Dr. Sun Yat Sen promoted revolutionary activities in Macao and left his indelible mark in different places. The Culture Affairs Bureau and the Macao Heritage Ambassadors Association will jointly launch the Tour of Dr. Sun Yat Sen's Macau Revolutionary Trail, guiding participants and allowing them to revisit places which were once familiar to the "Father of Revolution". This guided tour will be held in Cantonese and will take place at 3pm every Saturday from September 10th to October 29th. The tours of September 24th and October 29th will be held in English. People of all nationalities are welcome. Through visits to sites which present Dr. Sun Yat Sen's life in Macao, this tour will provide a deeper understanding on the close relationship between Macao, Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his revolutionary causes from different perspectives. The route for the September tour will be: the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, the Lou Lim Ioc Garden, the Lok Kuan Reading Room, the Meeting Place of the Tong Meng Hui Union and the Kiang Wu Hospital Historical Museum.The route for the October tour will be: the Lilau Square, the Mandarin's House, the headquarters of the old newspaper- the 'Eco Macaense', the House of Secret Meetings of the Revolutionary Party Chong Hua, the Residence of Sun Mei, elder brother of Sun Yat Sen, Rua de Estalagens, N.º 80 and the Lou Kau Mansion. Applications for guided tours are currently being accepted. Application forms can be found in promotional leaflets or downloaded from the Cultural Affairs Bureau website. The Cultural Affairs Bureau will also hold two major events during the 25th Macao International Music Festival to commemorate the centenary of the 1911 Revolution. Running ten successive days from October 9th to 16th, Rising Sun - The Musical provides an innovative overview of Dr. Sun Yat Sen's young and frivolous years, explaining the various events surrounding Dr. Sun's immersion in discussing matters of great importance with his revolutionary comrades known as the "The Four Bandits" and his commencement of the Revolution. The Xinhai Revolution Commemorative Concert will be held at 8pm on October 15th at the Grand Auditorium of the Macao Cultural Centre. An event of significant importance, the Macao Chinese Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Pang Ka Pang has specially commissioned new music from four of the most distinguished Chinese composers of contemporary folk music, who will have their new works premiered in Macao. In addition to the above activities, the Cultural Affairs Bureau's magazine Review of Culture will launch two "Centenary of the 1911 Revolution" Special Commemorative Editions (Chinese Edition Issues 80 and 81) in the autumn and winter of this year, which will contain several academic research works on the 1911 Revolution. At the same time, a variety of beautifully-themed commemorative souvenirs will be available for sale to residents and tourists alike at the Mandarin's House and other locations. At the press conference, the deputy director of the working committee for the Commemoration of the Centenary of the Xinhai Revolution in Macau, Chen Kin Ieng, announced that on September 4th a large-scale commemoration of the centenary will be held in Macao. Activity details can be obtained from promotional leaflets, the Cultural Affairs Bureau website at www.icm.gov.mo, or over the phone, via Cultural Affairs Bureau Hotline at 8399 6699. A series of activities commemorating the Centenary of the 1911 Revolution
(* Please find the attachment)
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