News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that there were 1,119 establishments operating in the Construction Sector in 2012, down by 201 year-on-year; number of persons engaged increased by 1,261 to 21,309. With the Government accelerating public housing construction, total Value of Construction and Other Receipts increased by 24.2% year-on-year to MOP30.84 billion in 2012. Intermediate Consumption that represents operating costs increased by 22.1% to MOP24.40 billion; Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy totalled MOP6.44 billion, up by 33.0%. Value of private construction projects (MOP18.81 billion) decreased by 1.9% year-on-year, of which Value of Construction of hotels, and tourism and gaming facilities (MOP11.67 billion) registered a decline of 10.6%; meanwhile, Value of Construction of private residential buildings (MOP5.01 billion) increased by 19.1%. As regards public works, Value of Construction (MOP11.71 billion) rose significantly by 116.3% on account of a 287.6% surge in that of public housing (MOP7.57 billion). Value of Construction of infrastructures (MOP2.53 billion) increased by 14.5%, with that of Light Rapid Transit & roads (MOP1.10 billion) and slope protection & landscaping (MOP270 million) soaring by 156.5% and 1,250.0% respectively; meanwhile, Value of Construction of ferry terminal (MOP541 million) declined by 29.3%. Analysed by location of construction, Value of Construction in the Macao Peninsula increased by 23.7% year-on-year to MOP6.54 billion, of which Value of Construction in the Parish of Sé amounted to MOP3.24 billion due to the expansion project of Centro Hospitalar Conde de S. Januário and renovation work of some hotels. Value of Construction in the Islands increased by 24.2% year-on-year to MOP23.99 billion, of which Value of Construction in Coloane reached MOP8.59 billion on account of the construction of the Shek Pai Wan public housing complex. Analysed by industry, attributable to an increase in Value of Construction of private residential buildings and public housing, value of construction of buildings and civil engineering (MOP17.90 billion) rose notably by 40.0% year-on-year; value of completion of buildings (MOP6.49 billion) and specialized installation (MOP5.21 billion) increased by 2.4% and 6.2% respectively. Gross Value Added of construction of buildings and civil engineering (MOP3.46 billion) rose substantially by 61.4% year-on-year, and that of completion of buildings (MOP1.50 billion) and specialized installation (MOP1.28 billion) increased by 15.6% and 1.5% respectively. Gross Fixed Capital Formation soared by 91.4% year-on-year to MOP354 million, due to a 488.9% surge in acquisition of buildings (MOP159 million); acquisition of construction machinery and equipment (MOP134 million) also rose by 16.5%. Construction Survey covers establishments engaging in construction in 2012, including completion of buildings, specialized installation, construction of buildings and civil engineering.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) co-organized a promotion session together with Zhongshan Municipal Tourism Bureau and Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau to promote the "Fragrant Hill Tour Route across Three Cities on Pearl River's Western Bank" and multi-destination tours in Hefei, Anhui yesterday (26 November). With the country's booming development of High-speed Rail, an increasing number of Anhui residents have chosen to travel to Guangdong Province via high-speed railway in recent years. The tourism offices of Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau thus joined hands with each other to promote three-in-one tour routes among local trade partners in order to encourage visitations to the three destinations and promote multi-destination tours. During the promotion session, the three tourism departments each presented their destination's tourism resources and latest development, followed by their hosted banquet for the attendees. The tourism offices of Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau signed the "Cooperation Memorandum in Tourism among Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau" in 2006 and since then made concerted efforts to develop and promote multi-destination tours across the Mainland, various countries and regions in order to further expand their tourism market together.
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In view of the recent safety situation in Thailand, the Department of Consular Affairs and the Embassy of P.R.C. in Thailand remind mainland Chinese citizens in Bangkok and those who intend to visit Bangkok to remain vigilant and keep abreast of local security advice. Following is the translated version of the full text: "Since November, numerous protest rallies took place in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, mostly in the vicinity of Bangkok Democracy Monument Square and various locations of government departments. Anti-government protesters continue to occupy the Finance Ministry building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various government departments. The authority in Thailand had increased security measures and implemented the Internal Security Act in Bangkok and proximities to strengthen local security. The Department of Consular Affairs and the Embassy of P.R.C. in Thailand remind mainland Chinese citizens in Bangkok or those who intend to travel there to avoid areas of large gatherings and demonstrations, raise awareness of security and remain cautious. If necessary, please contact The Embassy of P.R.C. in Thailand, Tel: 00 66 854 833 327 (call in Thailand: 0854833327)." The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will keep monitoring the latest development of situation in Thailand and also remind Macao residents who are currently in Bangkok or intend to travel to Thailand in the near future to pay close attention to the situation development, avoid gatherings and demonstrations, be aware of security precautions and ensure personal safety. According to the Macao tourism industry, there are 6 Macao tour groups, approximately 95 pax, currently travelling in Thailand. GGCT so far has received 3 telephone inquiries but no requests for assistance. If necessary, Macao residents can call the tourism hotline (853) 2833 3000 or the Embassy of P.R.C. in Thailand for assistance.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for August-October 2013 held stable at 1.9% in comparison with July-September; the underemployment rate declined further to 0.4%, down by 0.2 percentage points. Total labour force was 374,000 and the labour force participation rate increased by 0.1 percentage point from July-September, at 73.2%. Total employment reached 367,000, an increase of 2,400 from July-September. Employment in the Construction sector and Retail increased by 4.9% and 4.0% respectively. Number of the unemployed was similar to the previous period, at 6,900; fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job accounted for 13.0% of the total unemployed, down by 2.0 percentage points. In comparison with August-October 2012, the labour force participation rate increased by 0.9 percentage points; the unemployment rate stayed unchanged, while the underemployment rate decreased by 0.4 percentage points.
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Consumer Council conducted its 'Supermarket price survey' for November on 25th November for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Surveyed locations included 12 supermarkets in Sé 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 Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released results of the Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages for the third quarter of 2013. Survey coverage comprises Manufacturing; Hotels & Restaurants; Insurance; Financial Intermediation Activities; Electricity, Gas & Water Supply; Child-care and Elderly Care. This survey excludes the self-employed, as well as insurance agents and brokers not directly employed by insurance companies. At the end of the third quarter of 2013, Manufacturing had 10,779 persons engaged, down by 4.6% year-on-year, of which those working in Manufacture of Food Products (3,627) increased by 454 while those in Manufacture of Wearing Apparel (2,834) decreased by 926. Average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) of full-time employees in September rose by 9.8% year-on-year to MOP8,510; sewing machine operators earned an average of MOP4,100. Hotels & Restaurants had 70,928 persons engaged, up by 4.1% year-on-year, with those working in Hotels increasing by 1.7% year-on-year to 45,360. Average earnings of full-time employees in September rose by 6.4% year-on-year to MOP12,240, with waiters/waitresses of Hotels earning MOP8,710 and Housekeeping staff earning MOP7,910; waiters/waitresses of Restaurants earned an average of MOP6,820. Electricity, Gas & Water Supply had 1,104 persons engaged, up by 1.2% year-on-year. Average earnings of full-time employees in September increased by 5.1% year-on-year to MOP25,790. Insurance had 482 persons engaged, up by 5.2% year-on-year. Average earnings of full-time employees in September rose by 5.2% year-on-year to MOP21,760. Financial Intermediation Activities had 396 persons engaged, down by 5.9% year-on-year. Average earnings of full-time employees in September increased by 6.5% year-on-year to MOP13,350. Child-care and Elderly Care had 894 and 643 persons engaged respectively. Average earnings of full-time employees in September amounted to MOP10,700 and MOP10,590 respectively. At the end of the third quarter of 2013, vacancies in Restaurants increased by 369 year-on-year, while those in Hotels and Manufacturing decreased by 467 and 316 respectively. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, all vacant posts in Insurance required working experience. As regards educational attainment, 73.3% of the vacancies in Restaurants required junior secondary education or lower, while 90.0% of those in Insurance required tertiary education. Besides Cantonese, all vacant posts in Insurance and Financial Intermediation Activities required knowledge of Mandarin, while 90.0% of those in Insurance required English. Meanwhile, 79.3% and 63.0% of the vacancies in Hotels required knowledge of Mandarin and English respectively. In the third quarter of 2013, Restaurants had the highest vacancy rate (10.6%), while the employee turnover rate (7.0%) edged up by 0.2 percentage points year-on-year; the vacancy rate in Manufacturing reached 9.3% and the employee turnover rate rose notably by 8.5 percentage points to 16.1%, indicating that most of the vacancies are not filled and that the turnover of employee has not improved in these industries.
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In response to the boom of Macau travel industry and diverse customer demand, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) regularly organizes professional training for specific fields in the industry to upgrade service quality and efficiency across the sector in order to promote quality tourism. As a result, over 90 courses and seminars were held from January to November this year. This year MGTO is dedicated to optimizing industry management and training as well as actively promoting quality tourism as one of its main working goals. The Office has also explored the industry's specific needs for training together with related trade associations and from January to November organized a total of 93 training courses and seminars in different style, which won active participation and support among industry partners. 4,584 attendees seized the training opportunities. The profession categories under training include travel agency supervisors, tour guides, employees in the retail and catering industry as well as tourism department personnel of Portuguese-speaking countries, etc. MGTO works closely with industry partners and training institutes to organize different kinds of training activities to meet specific training demand in the sector. Through such measure, the Office strives to promote and coordinate professional and technical training opportunities for the tourism industry so as to enhance overall service quality and efficiency in the industry. Furthermore, the Office continues to help build Macau into a quality tourist city in accord with the destination's development strategy as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. MGTO organizes the four-day "Effective Travel Agency Supervisory Management Workshop" on 25, 29 November and 2, 6 December as well as two sessions of the two-day workshop named "Technique in Handling Dissatisfied Customer for Tour Guides" on 28 – 29 November. Instructors of the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), a lecturer of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Registered Tour Co-ordinators (HARTCO) are invited to supervise the aforementioned workshops. Other training activities and seminars for the catering industry will also be held in December.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 218 MICE events were held in the third quarter of 2013, down by 5 year-on-year. The average duration stood at 2.0 days, bringing a total of 623,000 participants and attendees; the floor area used totalled 142,000 m2. There were 197 meetings and conferences held in the third quarter of 2013. Number of participants surged by 92% year-on-year to 30,000 on account of an increase in number of Conferences and participants of Corporate Meetings. Concurrently, 21 exhibitions were organized, and the total floor area used was 57,000 m2; number of exhibition attendees totalled 593,000. In accordance with the information from organizers of 21 exhibitions, 13 exhibitions were repeated events, engaging 367 full-time workers. Number of exhibitors was 2,280, with the majority coming from Macao (39%) and Mainland China (26%); professional visitors totalled 38,482, and 64% were from Macao. In the third quarter of 2013, Revenue (MOP19.15 million) and Expenditure (MOP39.15 million) of the exhibition organizers decreased notably by 57% and 40% year-on-year, due to the absence of some exhibitions that were held in the same quarter of 2012. Revenue came from financial support granted by government & other organisations (51%) and rental of exhibition booth (49%). As regards expenditure, production, construction & decoration services and publicity & public relation accounted for 31% and 27% of the total respectively. In addition, information from 220 exhibitors indicated that sales of products took up 95% of the revenue while rental of exhibition booth shared 78% of the expenditure. There were 676 MICE events held in the first three quarters of 2013, down by 52 year-on-year. Total number of participants and attendees increased by 5% year-on-year to 1,045,000. A total of 42 exhibitions were held in the first three quarters of 2013; number of attendees increased by 7% year-on-year to 962,000.
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Macao Post has launched the "Secure Electronic Postal Box – SEPBox" on 8th October 2013. Macao SAR residents, associations, business corporations and public entities are free to register and activate their SEPBox for receiving Postal Registered Electronic Mails, Postal Electronic Mails and eDirect Mails. From 8th October 2013 to 31st March 2014, Macao Post will hold six rounds of lucky draws for the users who registered and activated their SEPBox successfully. The first round lucky draw winner is Ms. Chiang I Man who has received a brand new Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone and the prize presentation was conducted on 22 November 2013. With success registration and activation of SEPBox on or before 31st March 2014, users are automatically eligible for the monthly lucky draw and have the chance to win a brand new Smartphone. Registration of SEPBox can be conducted through web or mobile applications. There are still five lucky draws, the earlier you register and activate, the greater chances of winning. To get more information about SEPBox and lucky draw, please visit our website http://seps.macaupost.gov.mo. For enquiry, please contact us at Tel: 28720029 or email us at: support@seps.macaupost.gov.mo.
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The Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On met today with the visiting President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso, at the Santa Sancha where they reviewed the co-operation between Macao and the EU and exchanged views on increasing and expanding co-operation on air services, creative industries, education, and environmental protection industries.
Mr Chui welcomed Mr Durão Barroso and his delegation once again for having visited Macao, and expressed his gratitude's to the President for the EU support for Macao over the years. The EU and Macao have established a good and solid foundation for co-operation and he expected this to have more optimistic broad prospects for co-operation in the future, he said. Mr Durão Barroso agreed that co-operation between the EU and Macao has attained ideal results in the past 20 years. The aviation agreement signed today symbolised both sides would have better and more partnerships.
He said the EU and China were important partners, and because of Macao's uniqueness and the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, Macao plays an important role in the process of sustainable development of relations between the EU and China. The President showed interest in Macao's future strategies in economic and social development, and the challenges ahead. He said he was glad to see an encouraging growth in economic and tourism development in recent years. The EU would be willing to strengthen co-operation with Macao on legal, education, culture, environmental protection, personnel exchanges and other aspects, and that both sides would have mutual benefits, he said.
Mr Chui updated Mr Durão Barroso on the latest developments in Macao and said the Government had made good use of the supportive policies from the Central Government on accelerating regional co-operation with brotherhood provinces, co-operating with Guangdong on the opening up Hengqin and Nansha, promoting in many ways economic diversity, the growth of creative industries, exhibition industries and traditional Chinese medicine industries. On tourism development plans, the Government would actively inject non-gaming element into the policy. Meanwhile, the new campus of the University of Macao has been inaugurated recently, which would help cultivate more talents for the sustainable development of Macao, Mr Chui added.
Also present in the meeting were the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao, Mr Hu Zhengyue; the Head of Office of the European Union (EU) to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Vincent Piket; the EU Ambassador to China, Mr Markus Ederer; member of the President's cabinet, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen; the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng; the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the World Trade Organization, Mr Raimundo Arrais do Rosário; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng.
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