News

Owing to tropical storm in Philippines, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to Philippines, particularly the following provinces and areas are subject to delay until further notice. * please find the attached file.
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To celebrate the coming Renchen Chinese Year, Macao Post will issue a lucky ornament titled "Macao's Lunar Year of the Dragon Stamp" on 5th January 2012. It is engraved with laser techniques for highlighting the Macao Post Headquarters' building and a thin wooden card with the wood dragon stamp image is affixed on the other side. It is certainly a precious and commemorative collectable. The selling price is MOP 15 and will be available for sale at the Macao Post Headquarters, the "Rua do Campo" Post Office, the Maritime Ferry Terminal Post Office, the Airport Post Office and the Communications Museum.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that in the New Year, the Government will continue to boost the social and economy developments in order to lift up the level of people's livelihood. In a challenging and memorable 2011, the Government has achieved the goals such as maintaining the economy growth in a steady pace, the social environment remained secure, and gradually implemented policies committed to in the policy address, he said. In the New Year, the Government would actively develop Macao as the world's tourism and leisure centre as well as to facilitate economic to diversify. On enhancing people's livelihood, the Government will perfect the social security system, help the needy, improve public transportation services and cultivate all kind of personnel needed for social development. He said that the government would strictly implement policies such as employment, housing, education and medical. For better governance, it is dedicated to building a clean government, to promote constitutional development and to emphasise on scientific decision-making. On behalf of the SAR Government, Mr Chui extended to all citizens his cordial greetings and best wishes for the New Year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Gross National Income (GNI) at current prices amounted to MOP 201.88 billion in 2010, up by 25.0% in real terms. In comparison with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at MOP 226.26 billion, GNI was lower than GDP by MOP 24.39 billion, equivalent to 10.8% of GDP. Besides, per-capita GNI amounted to MOP 369,778, which was MOP 44,666 lower than per-capita GDP of MOP 414,444. In 2010, value of both GNI and per-capita GNI were lower than GDP and per-capita GDP, implying that the income earned by non-resident investors from Macao was higher than the foreign investment income earned by resident investors from abroad. In particular, income earned by non-resident investors from Macao increased by 35.0% upon a substantial surge in Direct Investment Income; however, foreign investment income earned by resident investors from abroad declined by 5.4% due to a decrease in Other Investment Income. Therefore, the difference between GNI and GDP widened further from MOP 15.34 billion in 2009 to MOP 24.39 billion in 2010. In 2010, GNI increased by 30.4% in nominal terms and 25.0% in real terms, lower than the respective GDP growth of 33.0% and 27.1%, attributable to higher total outflow of external factor income than total inflow. GNI is the total income earned by residents of an economy from engaging in various economic activities within or outside the economy, corresponding to GDP plus total inflow of external factor income minus total outflow. Gross National Income (GNI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 2006-2010
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released information on the industrial structure of Macao for 2010. The economy of Macao saw notable improvement in 2010, with Gross Value Added, Intermediate Consumption and Compensation of Employees of all economic activities rising by 26.4%, 30.0% and 6.0% respectively from 2009. Analyzed by industry, respective indicators of the Gaming sector surged by 61.5%, 56.2% and 7.7%; in addition, related industries to the gaming and tourism sector, namely Wholesale & Retail; Hotel; and Transport, Storage & Communications also registered favourable growth. On the contrary, Gross Value Added of the Manufacturing and Construction sectors decreased continuously. Ratio of Gross Value Added to Gross Output of all economic activities dropped by 0.7 percentage point year-on-year, from 47.0% in 2009 to 46.3% in 2010, indicating an increase in the percentage share of Intermediate Consumption to Gross Output. However, ratio of Compensation of Employees to Gross Value Added decreased sharply by 6.6 percentage points, from 41.0% in 2009 to 34.3% in 2010. As regards changes in the industrial structure, subsequent to the decrease in Gross Value Added of the Manufacturing and Construction sectors, the relative importance of the secondary sector to GDP declined from 10.9% in 2009 to 7.4% in 2010, of which the relative importance of the Construction sector decreased by 2.6 percentage points to 5.5%, the Manufacturing sector declined by 0.6 percentage point to 0.9% and the Electricity, Gas & Water Supply sector fell by 0.2 percentage point to 1.1%. Relative importance of the tertiary sector to GDP increased from 89.1% in 2009 to 92.6% in 2010, with that of the Gaming sector soaring by 8.9 percentage points year-on-year, from 32.0% in 2009 to 40.9% in 2010. Relative importance of Wholesale & Retail rose from 5.9% to 7.0% (+1.0 percentage point), the Hotel sector went up from 4.3% to 4.6% (+0.3 percentage point) and the Transport, Storage & Communications sector saw mild increase. However, relative importance of the remaining economic activities posted different level of decrease, with the most significant decline being observed in Real Estate Activities, down by 2.5 percentage points from 2009. The industrial structure of Macao refers to the compilation of the production-based GDP, which equals the sum of Gross Value Added (Gross Output minus Intermediate Consumption) of all economic activities, plus taxes on products. The following table illustrates changes in the industrial structure from 2008 to 2010:
Industrial structure at current prices, 2008 - 2010
(* please find the attached file)
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"Population Count via SMS", the game organized by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) in July and August 2011, has been well-received by the public. At the press conference on the release of the Preliminary Results of 2011 Population Census, Director of DSEC draws out ten winners from the correct entries, as follows: Fong Iok Ieng (6239 XXXX), Leong Sio Lun (6693 XXXX), Fong Iu Meng (6615 XXXX), Sou Son Leong (6666 XXXX), Vu Chan Tong (6613 XXXX), Lam Sao Va (6699 XXXX),
Tam Tou Man (6232 XXXX), Lam Chi Fai (6661 XXXX), Un Chun (6356 XXXX), Poon Chi Hin (6219 XXXX). DSEC staff will contact the winners to collect the prize and the list will be posted at the Census website: www.censos.dsec.gov.mo. To collect their prizes, the winners should go in-person to the DSEC office at Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, No. 411-417, Dynasty Plaza, 17th floor before 31 March 2012, together with their Macao Resident Identity Card and the confirmation SMS from DSEC. For inquiries, please contact 8399 5311.
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Preliminary results of the 2011 Population Census (2011 Census) released by the Statistics and Census Services indicates that the population of Macao totals 552,500 on 12 August 2011, an increase of 26.9% compares with the 2001 Census. The annual average rate of population growth is 2.4% over the past ten years. Total number of households reaches 170,700 in August 2011, up by 26.5% from 2001; the average household size is 3.08 members, equivalent to a decrease of 0.06 compares with 3.14 in 2001. Average number of households per residential unit is 1.01, down by 0.02 from 1.03 households per unit in 2001. In the last decade, total land area has increased at an annual average rate of 1.4%, lower than the average rate of population growth; consequently, population density rises to 18,600 per km2 in 2011, an increase of 1,730 (+10.3%) in comparison with 16,870 per km2 in 2001. Analysed by age group, the youth population (aged 0-14) totals 65,900, making up 11.9% of the total population, a substantial decrease of 9.7 percentage points compares with 21.6% in 2001. The adult population (aged 15-64) reaches 446,600 to share 80.8% of the total, an increase of 9.7 percentage points from 71.1% in 2001. The elderly population (aged 65 and above) totals 40,000 that accounts for 7.2% of the total population, similar to 7.3% as in 2001, attributable to the majority immigrants and non-resident workers are adults that enables a slowdown in the pace of population ageing. Moreover, longer life expectancy lifts up the median age of the population to 36.0 years old in 2011, an increase of 2.7 years compares with the median age of 33.3 in 2001. Gender structure holds stable as in 2001 Census, with male (265,100) and female (287,400) accounting for 48.0% and 52.0% of the total population respectively. The predominance of female over male is due to the fact that the majority of immigrants and non-resident workers are female. In addition, gender ratio of the population remains unchanged at 92.3 males per 100 females, same as in 2001. With respect to the place of birth of the population, the majority (255,000) were born in Mainland China that make up 46.1% of the total population; besides, 227,000 (41.1%) were born in Macao and 19,000 (3.4%) in Hong Kong. An analysis of the population by statistical areas indicates that three of the more densely populated areas are Areia Preta & Iao Hon (66,900), NATAP (57,200) and Taipa Central (55,400), with the population size of Taipa Central growing by 26,200 from 2001. Furthermore, Pac On & Taipa Grande; and NAPE & Praia Grande register the highest rate of population growth, at 5.4 times and 1.6 times respectively, due to completion of more residential units in these areas. Coverage of the 2011 Census includes 234 vessels and 233,870 building units, of which 81.8% are residential units. Besides, a total of 168,000 residential units are being occupied. Total number of vacant building units (i.e. for lease/for sale) is 23,058 and the rate of vacant units is 9.9%, down significantly by 14.5 percentage points from 2001.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for November 2011 amounted to MOP651 million, up by 14.2% year-on-year; value of domestic exports (MOP219 million) and re-exports (MOP432 million) increased by 16.1% and 13.2% respectively; exports of Articles for casino soared by 106.1%. Total merchandise import amounted to MOP6.23 billion, up notably by 51.9% year-on-year, of which imports of Gold jewellery and Mobile phones surged by 174.1% and 81.0% respectively. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.58 billion in November 2011. In the first eleven months of 2011, total value of merchandise export decreased by 2.8% year-on-year to MOP6.24 billion, of which value of domestic exports and re-exports declined by 1.2% and 3.6% respectively; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 41.7% to MOP56.05 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first eleven months of 2011 widened by 50.3% year-on-year to MOP49.81 billion; the exports/imports ratio dropped by 5.1 percentage points year-on-year to 11.1%. Merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP2.75 billion), Mainland China (MOP990 million) and the USA (MOP503 million) in the first eleven months of 2011 decreased by 1.2%, 3.6% and 31.2% respectively year-on-year. Exports of Textile & garment declined by 17.4% to MOP1.23 billion; meanwhile, exports of Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP216 million) decreased by 64.6%, but that of Tobacco & wine (MOP595 million) and Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP539 million) grew by 53.4% and 29.8% respectively. In the first eleven months of 2011, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP17.05 billion) and the EU (MOP13.96 billion) expanded by 38.0% and 59.5% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 48.1% to MOP34.66 billion, with imports of Food & beverages (MOP7.75 billion), Gold jewellery (MOP6.02 billion) and Handbags & wallets (MOP3.10 billion) increasing by 36.3%, 103.9% and 119.7% respectively. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP9.70 billion) registered year-on-year increase of 58.3%. In the first eleven months of 2011, total value of external merchandise trade amounted to MOP62.29 billion, up by 35.5% compared with MOP45.99 billion a year earlier.
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Consumer Council added a grading standard to its assessment system for 'Certified Shops', 1190 'Adherents' had been awarded the 2012 'Certified Shop' emblem and 9 'Certified Shops' were graded 'Class A'. To ensure the goodwill and service quality of 'Certified Shops', Consumer Council has been making assessment on its 'Certified Shops' by conducting analysis and on-the-spot evaluation since the establishment of the 'Certified Shops' mechanism in 2001, qualified 'Adherents' and 'Certified Shops' are awarded the annual emblem. This action not only monitors the operation of 'Certified Shops' but also encourages improvement made by 'Certified Shops'. For years, the 'Certified Shop' emblem has become one of the local brands of assurance and quality. As Macao is now set as a world centre of tourism and leisure, services provided by local retail industry should align with international standards, Consumer Council therefore bettered its evaluation system for assessing 'Certified Shops' by adding class grading in addition to the current score grading. 'Certified Shops' were evaluated based on almost 30 criteria such as their records of complaint cases, hygienic conditions of shops, service quality provided by staff, sales policy and procedures, as well as their abidance to their 'Code of Practice', etc. 1190 qualified shops were then classified into 5 classes, the highest being 'Class A'. 9 'Certified Shops' with score over 95 were awarded as 'Class A Certified Shop' for the first time. Consumer Council indicated that 1241 'Adherents' or 'Certified Shops' were assessed in 2011, 51 shops (around 4 percent) did not pass the assessment mainly due to unqualified sales policy or numbers of complaint cases filed against them. The Council indicated that selling prices are often stated unclearly at shops where payments are accepted in currencies other than Patacas (MOP), especially when exchange rates of other currencies to Patacas are not displayed; 'Certifies Shops' would be asked to rectify this situation. 9 'Class A Certified Shops' were awarded at the launching ceremony of the new 'Certified Shop' emblem held on 28th December. Consumer Council hoped that all of its 'Certified Shops' would continue to improve and better local retail industry's services. Further, a new design for the 'Certified Shop' emblem was released at the event held on 28th. The above article can be downloaded at http://www.consumer.gov.mo/c/ccnews.asp
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for September-November 2011 was 2.3%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period (August-October 2011); the underemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage point to 1.1%. Total labour force was 345,000 in September-November 2011 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.5%, with total employment decreasing by about 1,800 over the previous period to 336,000. Analyzed by industry, employment of the Construction Sector saw increase, while that of Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services and Real Estate & Business Activities registered decrease. Number of the unemployed decreased by about 300 from the previous period to 8,100, with 15.3% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 1.1 percentage points over the previous period. In comparison with September-November 2010, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 0.5 and 0.6 percentage point respectively; meanwhile, the labour force participation rate increased by 1.3 percentage points.
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