News

Owing to the hurricane in Dominican Republic, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet and Parcel) from Macao to that country are subject to delay until further notice. Thank you for your kind attention.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released results of the Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages for the second quarter of 2011. Survey coverage comprised the Gaming sector; Wholesale & Retail Trade; Transport, Storage & Communications sector; Security Activities and Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities, excluding own-account workers and junket promoters & junket associates. At the end of the second quarter of 2011, the Gaming sector had 47,321 employees, up by 7.9% year-on-year, of which 20,816 were dealers, an increase of 11.4%. In June 2011, average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) of full-time employees rose by 7.0% year-on-year to MOP 16,460, with dealers earning MOP 14,560 in average. Wholesale & Retail Trade had 31,754 paid employees, up by 10.2% year-on-year, with 20,029 working in Retail trade. In June 2011, average earnings of full-time employees rose by 7.8% year-on-year to MOP9,920, with Sales representatives and Salespersons earning MOP11,940 and MOP9,000 respectively in average. The Transport, Storage & Communications sector took on 7,598 paid employees, up by 2.5% year-on-year. In June, average earnings of full-time employees increased by 2.8% year-on-year to MOP15,530. Drivers of passenger/cargo transport by land earned an average of MOP13,250. Security Activities had 4,739 paid employees, up by 13.1% year-on-year. The average earnings of full-time employees in June rose by 2.7% year-on-year to MOP7,640, with Security guards earning MOP7,230 in average. Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities had 665 paid employees, up by 5.2% year-on-year. The average earnings of full-time employees in June increased slightly by 0.9% year-on-year to MOP11,130. At the end of the second quarter of 2011, number of vacancies in the Gaming sector reached 2,142 (800 for dealers); besides, vacancies in Land transport also rose to 372. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 89.7% of the vacancies in Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities and 59.8% of those in Wholesale & Retail Trade required working experience. As regards educational attainment, 82.8% of the vacancies in Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities and 58.1% of those in the Gaming sector required senior secondary education or higher, while 59.7% of the vacancies in Security Activities and 50.6% of those in the Transport, Storage & Communications sector required primary education only. Besides Cantonese, Mandarin and English were the more preferable language skills for the vacancies in Wholesale & Retail Trade at 59.7% and 38.5% respectively; for those in the Gaming sector, 71.2% required knowledge of Mandarin and 57.7% required English. With respect to the indicators that measure the inflow and outflow of human resources, as well as staffing needs, Security Activities had the highest turnover of employees, with vacancy rate, employee turnover rate and recruitment rate standing at 12.9%, 11.4% and 8.1% respectively. Job vacancy rate of the Gaming sector (4.6%) rose by 3.1 percentage points year-on-year; employee recruitment rate was 6.7%, up by 2.5 percentage points.
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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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