News

This year, the regular maintenance of Macao Museum is scheduled between 29th August to 9th September (12 days in total). During the maintenance, Mount Fortress Garden will be open as usual from 7:00am to 7:00pm, people are welcome to visit through the Fortress South entrance. Macao Museum receives many visitors every year and therefore the condition of the facilities is gradually deteriorating by frequent usage. In order to keep the Museum in good condition, there is regular repair and maintenance to be carried out every year. After the maintenance, the Museum will reopen to the public on 10th September (Saturday). We apologize for any inconvenience caused. For further information about opening hours, please visit www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or contact Macao Museum on 2835 7911 during office hours.
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Due to maintenance work taking place in the Historical Archives of Macao, the Reading Room will be closed from 29th August to 10th September. It will reopen on 12th September.
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According to the statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, the proportion of international business in the local banking sector increased further in the second quarter of 2011. At end-June 2011, the share of international assets in total banking assets remained unchanged at 86.9% from end-March 2011, whereas the share of international liabilities in total banking liabilities went up from 79.7% to 80.4%. Foreign currencies remained as the dominant denomination in international banking transactions. At end-June 2011, the shares of Pataca (MOP) in total international assets and total international liabilities were 0.2% and 3.7% respectively. Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) and Other Foreign Currencies (OFCs) accounted for 41.8% and 58.0% of total international assets as well as 45.8% and 50.5% of total international liabilities respectively. International Banking Assets
At end-June 2011, total international assets increased by 6.7% from three months earlier or 38.7% year-on-year to MOP539.6 billion (USD67.3 billion). Within this total, external assets expanded by 35.1% from a year earlier to MOP411.3 billion while local assets in foreign currencies soared by 51.6% to MOP128.3 billion. As a major component of international assets, external loans & deposits jumped by 38.4% over a year earlier to MOP388.6 billion. Within this total, loans to overseas banks grew markedly by 36.1% from a year earlier. International Banking Liabilities
Meanwhile, total international liabilities expanded by 7.6% quarter-to-quarter or 39.1% from a year earlier to MOP499.2 billion (USD62.3 billion). Of this total, external liabilities and local liabilities in foreign currencies amounted to MOP275.6 billion and MOP223.6 billion in respective order. Compared with a year earlier, the former grew markedly by 50.9% while the latter increased by 26.9%. Foreign currency deposits held by residents in the local banking system formed a major component of international liabilities. This type of deposits grew by 23.6% to MOP207.5 billion at end-June 2011 from MOP167.8 billion a year earlier. Breakdown of External Banking Assets and Liabilities by Region
The majority of external assets and liabilities were related to the regions of Asia and Europe. At end-June 2011, claims on Hong Kong and Mainland China occupied respectively 37.1% and 18.2% of total external assets, while claims on Portugal took up 11.9%. On external liabilities, Hong Kong and Mainland China occupied 44.8% and 25.8% of the total respectively while France and Portugal took up respective shares of 6.5% and 5.3%. The compilation of International Banking Statistics follows the methodology advocated by the Bank for International Settlements in order to facilitate Macao SAR's participation in the "Locational International Banking Statistics" project of the international organisation. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao
(Tel：83952532; Fax：28353042)
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Social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs/Weibo and other mobile media like iPhone, iPad and Android have become increasingly popular around the world and are being used more and more for commercial purposes. By making wise use of these emerging media resources in promotion, in conjunction with conventional advertising can help to market your products and services and reach target buyers more precisely and effectively. As such, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) and the SME Service Centre of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute have co-organised a seminar and invited experienced speakers to speak at the event. Speakers will explore the topic and talk about the wise use of online Internet advertising service through TDC promotional platform to effectively get in touch with overseas buyers. The seminar will be held at 3pm on 19/F, Macao Business Support Centre on 26 August. The Seminar will be in two parts: Part I – representatives from Hong Kong Association of Interactive Marketing will talk on how to make use of the social media platform to promote products. Part II – representative from HKTDC will explain how to use using TDC's comprehensive promotion service and mobile media advertising programme to acquire more foreign trade orders. IPIM hopes that the information and insights of experts will help enterprises to tap markets and explore new sales channels. The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese. All local enterprises and the general public are welcome (particularly those engaging in manufacturing, wholesaling industries and enterprises interested in tapping overseas markets). Interested parties please contact Mr. Ho or Ms. Leong on 28728212, Fax: 28728 213 or email: smec@ipim.gov.mo
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The performance Encounters: Audiovisual Mapping of St. Paul's Ruins, commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and staged during the 22nd Macao Arts Festival, will be revived for 10 consecutive nights, from 26th August to 4th September, with two performances at 8:00pm and 9:00pm each night at the Ruins of St. Paul's. Admission is free. Commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the performance Encounters: Audiovisual Mapping of St. Paul's Ruins was produced by the Barcelona-based Telenoika Mapping team with support from the agency Panda Artist Management. Utilising cutting-edge audiovisual technology, coupled with uniquely structured images and original music, this stunning production was staged at Macao's landmark Ruins of St. Paul's. The show depicts various chapters in the site's and the city's history, from the arrival of the Portuguese in Macao and the fire that destroyed much of St. Paul's to the more modern development of the city and its diverse cultural characteristics. The creative visual composition and compelling content gives new, vivid, modern life to this ancient and significant locale. Performances of the show during the Macao Arts Festival in May this year attracted impressive numbers of residents and tourists. The public's enjoyment of the projections instantly sparked heated discussions on the Internet and among the younger generation, who spread the word about the show to every corner of the city. With exposure to worldwide audiences via the Internet, the audiovisual performance was, and continues to be, enthusiastically received both at home and abroad. The revival of Encounters: Audiovisual Mapping of St. Paul's Ruins is scheduled to run for 10 consecutive nights, from 26th August to 4th September, with two performances at 8:00pm and 9:00pm each night at the Ruins of St. Paul's. As outdoor performances are easily influenced by inclement or serious weather conditions, such as typhoons, the organiser has made the following arrangements: In the event there is rain at 7:00pm on the evening of the show, the organiser will cancel the 8:00pm performance. If the rain persists until 8:00pm, the 9:00pm performance will also be cancelled. In the event a Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 3 or above, or a Rainstorm Signal / Thunderstorm Warning, is hoisted by the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau and is in effect at 3:00pm on the day of the show, both the 8:00pm and 9:00pm performances will be cancelled. Even if the signal is lowered at or before 8:00pm, the shows will remain cancelled. Residents may keep abreast of last-minute schedule changes on the Cultural Affairs Bureau website. To better manage the size of audiences and congestion in the viewing area, the organiser recommends viewing the show on weekdays, if possible. For enquiries, please call 8399 6699 or visit www.icm.gov.mo
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Support from all groups and communities is essential to deepen and develop the co-operative relationship between Guangdong and Macao. This was stated today by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, in his keynote speech at a conference held in Macao themed "Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement and new policies of Hengqin development". The Governor of Guangdong, Mr Huang Huahua, and Mr Chui, led the Guangdong and Macao official teams at the conference. In his speech, Mr Chui said the two governments had been striving for new breakthroughs in Hengqin development policy and that he was delighted the Central Government had agreed to implement a string of incentives to attract more investment in Hengqin, such as tax relief and customs clearance. He said to implement the Guangdong-Macao Co-operative Framework Agreement and Henqin development policy; the Macao government would try to perfect the regulations, mechanisms and resources. The government is speeding up the policy-making process for Macao Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises to invest in Hengqin. The Governor of Guangdong said in his speech that the co-operation between Guangdong and Macao have achieved a breakthrough in recent years. The new polices and incentives to be implemented in Hengqin symbolised the co-operation between the two governments had entered into a new stage. The Guangdong government would work together with the Macao government and fully implement the new policies to open up Hengqin, Mr Huang said. The conference was attended by some 500 people representing diverse businesses, professions and social groups.
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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 from the previous quarter in the second quarter of 2011. On outstanding balance, increases were observed in both RMLs and CRELs. New Lending Approved For the second quarter of 2011, new RMLs approved by Macao banks increased by 28.9% quarter-to-quarter to MOP10.9 billion; of which, 93.6% was extended to residents. In terms of approved value, new RMLs to residents and to non-residents rose 28.4% and 36.7% respectively. When compared with the same period of 2010, new approvals of RMLs also increased by 28.9%. After registering decline in the previous quarter, new CRELs approved increased by 39.0% quarter-to-quarter to MOP8.7 billion in the second quarter of 2011; of which, 69.4% was granted to residents. In terms of approved value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents climbed by 10.5% and 234.6% respectively. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs dropped by 24.5%. Outstanding Balances As at end-June 2011, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP70.8 billion, an increase of 8.5% from three months earlier or 30.7% from a year ago. The resident component made up 91.3% of the total. Outstanding RMLs to residents grew by 9.6% whereas outstanding RMLs to non-residents dropped 1.9% from three months earlier. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs rose 9.6% from end-March 2011 or 37.0% from end-June 2010 to MOP55.7 billion. Residents accounted for 90.0% of the loans. Outstanding CRELs to residents rose 10.9% whereas outstanding RMLs to non-residents edged down by 0.3% from three months earlier. Delinquency Ratios At the end of June 2011, the delinquency ratio for RMLs stood at 0.08%, down 0.02 percentage points from three months earlier or 0.06 percentage points from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs went down 0.29 percentage points from end-March 2011 or 0.27 percentage points from end-June 2010, to 0.12%. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department Monetary Authority of Macao
(Tel：83952532; Fax：28353042)
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Macao Consumer Council pays attention to recent cases of unscrupulous sales tactics adopted by businesses in nearby region where tourists were misrepresented to buy expensive electrical products. The Council will work with relevant departments to follow this kind of sales practices with the concerned industry, and cooperate with consumer organizations in mainland China to issue consumer alerts to consumers in the Mainland. The two shops named by Hong Kong Consumer Council earlier were highlighted to have adopted unscrupulous sales tactics, or misled tourists. Tourists were usually misled to purchase cheap products but were told later that no stock was available, or found out that certain functions did not exist in the models they purchased. Macao Consumer Council's statistics showed that the Council received 3,438 cases in the first half year of 2011, out of which 321 involved electrical appliances (computer products, photographic equipments, and telecommunications equipment). 101 of the involved cases were brought forth by tourists: 13 cases for computer products, 25 cases for photographic equipment, and 63 cases for telecommunications equipment, which amounted to 31.5% of all the electrical appliance cases handled by the Council. Cases filed locally were sometimes similar to those in Hong Kong, which direct a negative impact to the promotion of Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and infringe consumer rights. The Council indicates that it will constantly keep in contact with relevant law enforcement departments to deal with businesses which adopt unscrupulous sales practices; communication with the concerned industry will also be maintained to enhance business ethics. Consumer Council will issue a consumer alert to nearly 40 consumer organizations in various provinces and cities in mainland China to remind consumers' attention. Further, the Council appeals to 'Certified Shops' & 'Adherents' of the concerned industry to do business with their usual honest practices and attitude for the benefit of Macao to become a renowned international centre of tourism and leisure.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that total visitor arrivals increased by 18.0% year-on-year to 2,550,867 in July 2011. Same-day visitors (1,323,512) accounted for 51.9% of total visitor arrivals, with 768,364 coming from Mainland China. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased by 27.9% year-on-year to 1,460,473 (57.3% of total), mostly coming from Guangdong Province (750,839), Fujian Province (86,836) and Zhejiang Province (57,222); those travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme totalled 617,591, up by 29.4% year-on-year. Visitors from Hong Kong (719,681); Taiwan, China (126,233); the Republic of Korea (35,337) and Malaysia (21,051) increased by 7.3%, 4.1%, 23.6% and 16.4% respectively; however, those from Japan (29,255) decreased by 11.1%. Total visitor arrivals reached 15,797,523 in the first seven months of 2011, up by 9.8% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (8,935,559), Hong Kong (4,440,583) and the Republic of Korea (230,721) increased by 16.8%, 4.5% and 25.6% respectively, while those from Taiwan, China (726,543); Japan (208,748) and Malaysia (175,256) dropped by 6.2%, 10.9% and 7.0% respectively. In the first seven months of 2011, same-day visitors accounted for 53.9% of the total, at 8,514,474. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea totalled 6,250,259 in the first seven months of 2011, up by 5.5% year-on-year. Visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour increased by 9.2% to 4,032,759, with the majority coming from Hong Kong (54.0%) and Mainland China (24.3%); meanwhile, those arriving at the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa decreased by 3.5% to 1,954,215. Visitor arrivals by land went up by 14.5% to 8,585,722 in the first seven months of 2011; those arriving through the Border Gate totalled 7,940,851 and the majority were visitors from Mainland China (80.8%) and Hong Kong (13.2%). Visitor arrivals by air dropped slightly by 0.8% year-on-year to 961,542. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport decreased by 1.1% to 946,966, with the majority coming from Mainland China (36.9%); Taiwan, China (35.0%); and Malaysia (6.1%).
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Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey Report' and specific price survey report on canned foods. In comparison with last month's data, the latest 'Supermarket Price Survey Report' shows price increase in almost half of the total 252 products surveyed; the specific price survey report on canned foods also shows obvious price increase in 'Narcissus Brand Spiced Pork Cubes (142g)'. The current 'Supermarket Price Survey Report' was conducted on 17th August, surveying over 250 product samples from 14 retail spots. In comparison with last month's figures, among the surveyed product samples, 120 samples recorded increase in prices and 63 items remained unchanged. Obvious increases in average price were observed in cooking oil and canned food products: half of the 21 surveyed cooking oil products recorded price increase of less than 1% to over 10%. For canned foods, both 'Supermarket Price Survey Report' and the specific price survey report on canned foods reflect price increases in most brands. Average prices of 'Campbells' Cream of Chicken (305g)' and 'Narcissus Brand Spiced Pork Cubes (142g)' have increased by over 18% and 25% respectively. 'Narcissus Brand Spiced Pork Cubes (142g)' also recorded obvious price increases from 13% to 40% in different retail spots in the specific price survey report. Further, price difference of 'Porthos Sardines in Olive Oil (125g)' selling in different outlets amounted to over 53%. Consumers are advised to check with the above mentioned reports for the most updated price. Consumer Council has optimized its website with regard to the online search of data on its 'Supermarket Price Survey Report' and specific price survey report. Consumers can choose the items of their interest and use our online search function to interactively compare the retail prices of their chosen items at various retail outlets. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey Report' and specific price survey report on canned foods are now accessible on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). Reports are 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 inquiries, please call 8988 9315
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