News

According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply rebounded in January. As total deposits increased at a faster pace than total loans, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector dropped from a month earlier.
Money supply
Currency in circulation grew 18.7% whereas demand deposits dropped 3.1%. M1 thus increased 0.3% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities rose 5.1%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, increased 4.4% to MOP460.9 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 14.2% and 18.2% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 24.6%, up 0.5 percentage points from a month ago but down 0.5 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 51.2%, down 2.1 percentage points month-to-month or 3.8 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits increased 4.1% from the preceding month to MOP450.3 billion. Of which, MOP deposits, HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 5.4%, 0.3% and 12.1%. Non-resident deposits rose 8.6% to MOP189.2 billion. Public sector deposits with the banking sector also increased 13.3% to MOP83.4 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector grew 6.3% from a month earlier to MOP722.9 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 18.8% and 42.0% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector increased 4.5% from a month ago to MOP269.0 billion. Among which, MOP79.6 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP166.3 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 29.6% and 61.8% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans rose 4.7% to MOP290.5 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.6% (MOP4.6 billion) and 23.3% (MOP67.6 billion) respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
The loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-January dropped 0.5 percentage points from the previous month to 50.4%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors also decreased 1.2 percentage points to 77.4%. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met today with Guangdong Province leaders to exchange views on strengthening bilateral co-operations.
The Chief Executive met with the Secretary of the Guangdong CPC Provincial Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhu Xiaodan, in Beijing where he will attend tomorrow's opening of the Second Plenary Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress.
Mr Chui firstly thanked the leaders for the Guangdong Government's great support for the new campus of the University of Macao located in Hengqin, and updated them on the co-operation projects of Macao and Guangdong, such as the Hengqin Industrial Park and Nansha projects, which are progressing smoothly. He also told them that he was satisfied with the progress of business solicitation in the Hengqin Industrial Park, which allowed Macao's small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to invest in the Park to further promote the diversification of Macao's economy. On the Nansha project, Guangdong and Macao could strengthen co-operation on opening up the individual travel scheme for yachts, and the building of a cruise terminal, he said. Also present in today's meeting were the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen; the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng; the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms Wallis O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Daniel Fung Sio Weng; and the Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin Hung.
Before his departure for Beijing, Mr Chui told reporters at the airport that he would discuss landing rights for Teledifusão de Macao S.A.R.L. (TDM) in the Mainland when he meet with the Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Mr Liu Qibao.
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Consumer Council conducted its first 'Supermarket price survey' for March on 3rd March for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Areia Preta and Avenida de Venceslau de Morais in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer 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. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The University of Macau's (UM) Faculty of Health Sciencies (FHS) became the first faculty to move onto the new campus on 28 February. UM's University Council Chair Tse Chi Wai, UM's Vice Rector Alex Lai, and new campus contractor Nam Yue Group General Manager Zhang Zhuo congratulated FHS on the relocation. Prof. Ge Wei, interim dean of FHS, noted that the relocation opened a new chapter not only in the faculty's history, but also in UM's history. "As the dean of FHS, I feel very proud that we are the first to move onto the new campus," said Prof. Ge. "We have been looking forward to this day for a long time, and we are all very excited." He added, "The new campus is beautiful, and the facilities are very good. With the continued support of the university, my colleagues and I will continue to work together to try to develop FHS into a first-rate faculty in the field." FHS faculty and staff members are very pleased with their new offices on the new campus, saying that they already feel more motivated in the new environment. They also commented on how the interconnecting covered walkways between the buildings make walking around the campus not only a lot easier but also more enjoyable as now they can chat with their colleagues or students as they walk. Prof. Edwin Cheung Chong Wing likes his light and airy new office and feels very excited to work on the new campus. Dr. Chris Wong Koon Ho looks forward to making more contributions in research with the faculty's own new advanced lab soon to be opened, something Dr. Wong said was not available on the current campus due to its small size. UM is moving its staff and students to the new campus in batches. Last September, at the start of the new academic year, approximately 1,300 students and faculty members became the first batch to move into the three residential buildings on the new campus. This February, when the second semester began, the first batch of students began to have classes on the new campus. Some of the courses, such as general education courses (English, Portuguese, computer, etc) and some law courses are being conducted on the new campus. Currently there are two buses that go to the new campus, 37U and MT3U. Two new residential colleges have become operational on the new campus. Several administrative units have started working on the new campus as well. Some facilities like restaurant, café, convenience store and laundry, have opened. The computer room in the Central Teaching Building has been set up. As for the UM Sports Complex, the current plan is that it is expected to be put into use in mid-March.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today convened a preparatory meeting for the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM8) and instructed all parties to make all-out efforts for a successful project.
The meeting was held at the Government Headquarters where Mr Chui told all participating departments to make good evaluations and preparations on security, meeting arrangements, finance, human resources, venues, protocol and promotion. The Government would keep close contact with the National Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said. The Chief Executive stressed that hosting the TMM8 is one of the most important tasks for Macao, and instructed all parties to ensure adequate resources to support the meeting.
All members of the Organizing Committee who took part in today's meeting provided suggestion based on their area of expertise. Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, introduced the work on security, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, said he would instruct related departments to prepare well for the TMM8, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, and the Secretary-General of the Committee, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng, gave details on the consensus made with the related departments in the Mainland, the Director of the Financial Services Bureau, Ms Vitória Alice Maria da Conceição introduced the preliminary plan for the TMM8. The APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting Organizing Committee was established on 9 January 2014 in accordance with the Chief Executive's dispatch made on the same day. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of APEC: China would once again host the APEC meeting and gave approval for Macao to undertake the hosting of the 2014 APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. An organizing committee was established to better prepare for the meeting. The Committee is chaired by the Chief Executive with members included the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U; the Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va; the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng (the Secretary-General); the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms Wallis O Lam; the Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office, Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the Commissioner of the Public Security Police Force, Mr Ma Io Kun; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Daniel Fung Sio Weng, the Director of the Financial Services Bureau, Ms Vitória Alice Maria da Conceição, Advisers of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin Hung, Ms Tam Ka Wa, Ms Loi I Man. All expenses the TMM8 would be borne by the Office of the Chief Executive. The Vice Premier, Mr Wang Yang, announced Macao would host the 2014 APEC TMM8 when he was here last November for the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Mr Chui had exchanged views on the preparations and arrangements for hosting the TMM8 with the Chairman of the National Tourism Administration, Mr Shao Qiwei, and the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Zhang Yesui, during his annual duty visit to Beijing.
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The Chief of the Information Department of Government Information Bureau (GCS), Mr Louie Wong Lok I, has been sworn in as Deputy Director of the Bureau. According to the Chief Executive Order on 27 January 2014, Mr Wong is appointed Deputy Director of GCS from 1 March 2014 until 28 February 2015. Mr Wong took the oath in the Bureau this afternoon, witnessed by the Director of the GCS, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping, and the Chief of the Administration and Finance Division, Mr Wong Man Fu. Mr Wong graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree in International Journalism and Mass Communication at Jinan University. He also holds two master degrees -- Master of Law in International Relations from Jinan University and Master of Arts in Computer-aided Translation (CAT) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He joined GCS on 2 December 1996 as Senior Information Officer and assigned as the Chief of the Research and Publications Division from 16 February 2000 to 15 February 2011. He was promoted to the Chief of the Information Department from 16 February 2011, was Acting Deputy Director for a full year until today's swearing in.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for January 2014 amounted to MOP996 million, down by 1% year-on-year; value of domestic exports (MOP168 million) decreased by 7% while that of re-exports (MOP828 million) held stable as in January 2013. Total merchandise import grew by 25% year-on-year to MOP8.82 billion. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP7.82 billion for January 2014. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Mainland China (MOP130 million) and the EU (MOP35 million) in January 2014 increased by 6% and 5% respectively year-on-year, while export to Hong Kong (MOP629 million) and the USA (MOP35 million) decreased by 5% and 18% respectively. In addition, exports of Non-textiles (MOP908 million) were similar to that in January 2013, of which exports of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP173 million) increased by 39% year-on-year, but that of Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP159 million) and Electronic components (MOP56 million) both declined by 11%. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP87 million) decreased by 13%, of which exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP30 million) fell by 28%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP2.94 billion) and the EU (MOP2.03 billion) increased by 21% and 14% respectively year-on-year in January 2014. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 31% to MOP5.78 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP1.53 billion), Watches (MOP802 million) and Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP262 million) soaring by 139%, 124% and 60% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP9.81 billion in January 2014, up by 22% compared with MOP8.06 billion a year earlier.
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To facilitate timely release of monthly data on Travel Agencies and the Hotel Industry, the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) releases extrapolated results of the respective surveys within the month following the reference month starting January 2014. Visitor arrivals in package tour totalled 745,000 in January 2014, down by 2% year-on-year, attributable to the decrease in visitors from the Republic of Korea and Mainland China. Visitors from Taiwan (57,000); Hong Kong (39,000) and Thailand (13,000) registered year-on-year increase, whereas those from Mainland China (560,000), the Republic of Korea (33,000) and Japan (11,000) recorded decrease. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies were 111,000 in January, up by 1% year-on-year; those travelling in package tour totalled 42,000 and the main destinations were Mainland China at 29,000 (71% of the total); the Republic of Korea (8%); and Taiwan (7%). There were 98 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of January 2014, providing 28,000 guest rooms, up by 7% year-on-year; 5-star hotels had 18,000 rooms, accounting for 66% of the total. In January 2014, a total of 873,000 guests checked into hotels and guesthouses, up by 5% year-on-year, with 530,000 staying in 5-star hotels. The average length of stay of guests held stable as January 2013, at 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate was 81%, down by 3 percentage points year-on-year, with 5-star hotels leading at 83%. In January 2014, visitor-guests took up 70% of the total number of overnight visitors, similar to that in January 2013.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 346 MICE events were held in the fourth quarter of 2013, bringing 987,000 participants and attendees, and the floor area used totalled 411,000 m2. There were 322 meetings and conferences, with 56,000 participants; moreover, 24 exhibitions were organized, and number of attendees soared by 59% year-on-year to 931,000, in which 4 exhibitions that were held in Macao for the first time attracted over 200,000 attendees. In accordance with the information from organizers of 23 exhibitions, 13 exhibitions were repeated events, engaging 302 full-time workers. Revenue of the exhibition organizers amounted to MOP116 million, up by 34% year-on-year, primarily coming from financial support granted by government & other organizations (81%) and rental of exhibition booths (19%). Expenditure of the exhibition organizers increased by 52% to MOP198 million, mainly arising from production, construction & decoration services (32%); publicity & public relation (16%); and accommodation, food & beverages (12%). There were 1,941 exhibitors in the fourth quarter of 2013, with the majority coming from Hong Kong (32%), Macao (28%) and Mainland China (23%). Professional visitors totalled 61,794, of which 35% were from Macao and 31% from Mainland China. Information from 243 interviewed exhibitors indicated that sales of products took up 87% of the revenue while rental of exhibition booth shared 51% of the expenditure. For the whole year of 2013, a total of 1,030 MICE events were held, up by 8 year-on-year; total number of participants and attendees reached 2,034,000, and the floor area used totalled 833,000 m2. There were 66 exhibitions, with number of attendees rising by 27% year-on-year to 1,893,000; the floor area used totalled 343,000 m2 and the average duration stood at 3.2 days. Meanwhile, 964 meetings and conferences were held with 141,000 participants, and the average duration was 1.9 days. Revenue of the exhibition organizers totalled MOP 180 million and Expenditure amounted to MOP 300 million. In accordance with the information from 653 interviewed exhibitors, 90% of the revenue was generated from sales of products, while 56% of the expenditure was mainly incurred on rental of exhibition booth.
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The stamp poll was organized by Communications Museum to encourage philately and promote appreciation for the stamps of Macao, has gained enthusiastic response and a total of 1211 votes have been received. "My Favourite Stamps" and "My Favourite Souvenir Sheets" of Macao, issued by Macao Post in 2013 that received the highest number of votes are as follows: My Favourite Souvenir Sheet
1st Rank: Centenary of the Macao Chamber of Commerce;
2nd Rank: 60th Macao Grand Prix;
3rd Rank: Lunar Year of the Snake. My Favourite Stamps
1st Rank: 60th Macao Grand Prix;
2nd Rank: Streets of Macao II;
3rd Rank: Centenary of the Macao Chamber of Commerce.
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