News

The Historical Archives of Macao has invited Ms. Barbara Hassel, a specialist in book and paper conservation from Germany, to give a public lecture on "Western Style Book Conservation (Germany)" in the reading room of the Archives on Tap Seac Square from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, 8 September 2013. At the lecture, Ms. Hassel will share her experiences in the conservation and restoration of paper art pieces and western ancient books and give an in-depth discussion on cases of various paper conservation techniques. Books in French-style full leather binding as well as tools and materials for bookbinding and paper restoration will also be displayed. Ms. Barbara Hassel was the head of the Department for Book and Paper Conservation at the State Academy of Art and Design in Stuttgart, Germany, from 1993 to 1998. Since 2000, she has been teaching bookbinding and conservation courses in universities in Stuttgart, Germany, and Ascona, Switzerland. In 2011, Ms. Hassel was invited to teach in the 2nd Training Course on Western Ancient Book Conservation Techniques which was jointly organized by the China National Centre for Preservation and Conservation of Ancient Books, the library of Zhongshan University of Guangzhou and the library of the Goethe-Institut of Hong Kong. Macao boasts profound cultures with time honored history and a rich collection of precious western documents. Protection of paper heritage is essential to the preservation and promotion of traditional culture. The public lecture will be given in English with Cantonese interpretation. All those interested in attending are invited to register. Entrance is free. For enquiries and registration, please call the Archives at 28592919 (during office hours) or email readingroom.ah@icm.gov.mo.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, and the Vice Minister of Commerce, Ms Gao Yan, today signed a supplement to an economic agreement to further enhance trade exchanges between Macao and the Mainland. Mr Tam and Ms Gao signed Supplement X to the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the Government Headquarters after officials from Macao and the Mainland met at the 2013 CEPA Joint Steering Committee high-level meeting. The signing ceremony was attended by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Ms Qiu Hong; the Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the Macao SAR, Mr Feng Tie; Inspector of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Huang Guang, and the Director-General of the Macao Customs, Mr Choi Lai Hang. Similar to the nine previous supplements, Supplement X would further relieve restrictions and facilitate trade in services between Macao and the Mainland in a wide range of areas such as legal, financial, health, tourism, sports and social services sectors. Highlights of the supplement included expanding the scope of privileged policies for Macao companies and individuals to provide services in varied sectors in Guangdong Province, and abolishing some restrictions in investing in transport industry in Fujian Province. One of the initiatives in Supplement X is to enable individuals with Macao identification documents to work temporarily in the Mainland for Macao services providers that are not commercially registered in the Mainland. These individuals, under the role of contracted services providers, could work temporarily in 26 services areas, including construction, information technology, real estate, convention and exhibition, translation and interpretation, tourism, sports, and transportation. In terms of trade and investment facilitation, Macao and the Mainland would continue to strengthen co-operation in commodity inspection, quality specification and protection of intellectual property rights. Supplement X to CEPA will come into force on 1 January 2014. Speaking to the press after the signing ceremony, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, said the targets of CEPA, which was signed a decade ago, had been met and the agreement should be seen as a success. He re-iterated that basically all products made in Macao entering the Mainland now enjoyed zero tariff treatment.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on milk powder on 29th August for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) launches a micro movie "We Meet．We Love" in Hong Kong in line with the Office's promotional theme "Touching Moments．Experience Macau". Starring Hong Kong singer-songwriter Alex Lam and the third-prize winner of Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2012 Tracy Chu, "We Meet．We Love" is a romantic story about predestined love. It comes in three episodes depicting a journey in quest of true love in Macau. In the movie, the two characters encounter and ramble amidst the streets and alleys in Macau, unveiling the city's captivating beauty for audience. Starting tomorrow (31 August), the micro movie will be released in three episodes on TVB Jade and Pay Vision channels. Audience can also watch the enchanting moments between the two main characters again on MGTO's YouTube platform or Facebook page "Touching Moments Experience Macau" for the destination's promotion in Hong Kong. Besides the touching story on the screen, MGTO also shares the movie's special features on its Facebook page including the actor and actress's sharing about the filming experience. After viewing Episode One and Two broadcasted on 31 August and 7 September respectively, audience can click into the Facebook page "Touching Moments Experience Macau" starting from 8 September, to vote their favorite story ending and leave a message about their thoughts on the movie for a chance of winning two sets of roundtrip tickets from Hong Kong to Macau. The most popular ending voted by audience will be released during the road show "Experience Macau Carnival" at Olympian City 2 in Hong Kong on 21 and 22 September. Alex Lam and Tracy Chu will be invited to the function and share with audience their film experience and fascinating encounters in Macau. With the micro movie launched to promote Macau, MGTO hopes to set off Macau's beauty through the story background and plots, thus attracting more visitors to come and experience Macau's festivities and romantic ambience. As one of this year's highlighted events, the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest features contesting teams from five continents with their fireworks display accompanied by laser light effects the first time ever. The office also opens a mini site for Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. Visitors not only can browse the site for details about the latest and past contests but also can enjoy the micro movie "We Meet．We Love" through a direct link to YouTube on the site. Following the contest, the 60th Macau Grand Prix will commence in November as another spectacular event in town. Watch Micro Movie "We Meet．We Love" on: YouTube：http://www.youtube.com/mgto
Facebook：http://www.enchantingmacau.com/micromovie/ Macau International Fireworks Display Contest Mini Site: http://fireworks.macautourism.gov.mo/
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2013 expanded by 10.2% year-on-year in real terms. Economic growth in the second quarter was mainly spurred by increase in exports of services, of which exports of gaming services grew by 10.2% and exports of other tourism services went up by 17.5%. The implicit deflator of GDP that measures changes in prices increased by 7.2% year-on-year. Economic growth for the first half year of 2013 stood at 10.5% in real terms.
In view of the strong employment market, total employment and working income climbed further, pushing private consumption expenditure to expand by 4.5% year-on-year. Household final consumption expenditure in the domestic market increased by 5.8% and consumption expenditure abroad went up by 6.3%.
Government final consumption expenditure increased by 7.6% year-on-year, of which compensation of employees grew by 3.6% and net purchases of goods and services soared by 15.3%.
As the gauge of investment, gross fixed capital formation expanded by 4.3% year-on-year. Private investment increased by 13.6%, of which construction investment grew by 21.1%, while equipment investment shrank by 10.6%. Government investment dropped significantly by 29.3%, with construction of the Hengqin Campus of the University of Macau approaching completion; as other public construction in progress hardly offset the decrease in construction investment, public construction investment fell notably by 31.3%; meanwhile, equipment investment went up by 7.9%.
Merchandise exports grew further by 10.0% year-on-year; moreover, merchandise imports increased by 15.7% on account of rising visitor arrivals, private consumption expenditure and investment. In respect of trade in services, benefited from the satisfactory performance of the tourism and gaming sector, exports of services increased by 11.1% year-on-year, of which exports of gaming services rose by 10.2% and exports of other tourism services grew by 17.5%. Moreover, imports of services edged up by 1.1% year-on-year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for July 2013 amounted to MOP745 million, up by 16% year-on-year, attributable to a 33% increase in re-exports (MOP563 million), but domestic exports (MOP181 million) decreased by 16%. Total merchandise import reached MOP7.12 billion, up by 24% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.38 billion for July 2013. In the first seven months of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 16% year-on-year to MOP5.34 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP4.15 billion) increased by 30%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.19 billion) decreased by 14%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 14% to MOP45.69 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP40.35 billion for the first seven months of 2013. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP2.89 billion) and Mainland China (MOP961 million) in the first seven months of 2013 increased by 28% and 30% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP216 million) and the EU (MOP169 million) decreased by 29% and 20% respectively. In additon, exports of Non-textiles (MOP4.83 billion) expanded by 23% year-on-year, of which exports of Electronic components (MOP590 million) and Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP369 million) surged by 101% and 123% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP508 million) decreased by 22%, of which export of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP169 million) declined by 35%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP14.91 billion) and the EU (MOP10.55 billion) increased by 16% and 13% respectively year-on-year in the first seven months of 2013. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 20% to MOP29.27 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP5.31 billion), Watches (MOP3.44 billion), Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP1.37 billion) and Tobacco (MOP345 million) increasing by 30%, 20%, 63% and 31% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP51.03 billion in the first seven months of 2013, up by 14% compared with MOP44.66 billion a year earlier.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) hosted the "Macau Tourism Seminar" in Wuhan and Changsha to increase visitations to Macau from the neighboring regions and cities along the high-speed railway line between Beijing and Guangzhou. Following the seminars, the office attended "China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo 2013" to promote Macau's attractions and positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Co-organized by MGTO and China International Travel Service (Macau) Ltd., "Macau Tourism Seminar" was held in Wuhan and Changsha on August 28 and 29 respectively. Head of Destination Marketing Department of MGTO, Betty Fok attended the seminars together with MGTO's team members and Macau industry delegates. Head of Marketing Division of Hunan Provincial Tourism Bureau, Gong Tie Jun, Deputy Director-General of Changsha Municipal Tourism Administration, Chen Wei and Head of Market Development Division of Tourism Administration of Wuhan Municipality, Xu Tie Zhu joined the tourism seminars in Wuhan and Changsha respectively. During the seminars in Wuhan and Changsha, MGTO promoted Macau tourism resources and high-speed rail tours to local trade partners, hoping to ride on the convenience of Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed rail line and enchant more visitors to Macau from the neighboring regions and cities along the rail route. After the seminars, the office hosted banquets to facilitate business networking between the tourism trade partners from Macau and the Mainland. On the other hand, "China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo 2013" will be held in China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou as a three-day event from August 30 to September 1. Betty Fok and the MGTO team will participate in the expo along with 10 business representatives ranging from various hotels, travel agencies, travel exhibition companies to ferry operators in Macau. The office will run a 90-square-meter booth under the theme "Touching Moments．Experience Macau" to showcase two spectacular highlights this year, namely the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and the 60th Macau Grand Prix. Macau travel tips and promotional materials will be offered at the booth, whereas Macau trade delegates will discuss business opportunities with local industry partners. Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau will also set up a joint booth in the event to promote the three destinations' tourism resources and multi-destination tours among domestic and overseas buyers. MGTO hopes that their participation in the expo can facilitate Macau travel trade's connection with their Mainland and international counterparts, while it will be an occasion to promote Macau's attractions and positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure among local trade and citizens, drawing visitors to come and experience Macau's unique gems of the East and West cultures as well as her festive ambience.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on instant drinks on 27th August for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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To meet the increased demand in air transport resulting from the travelling peak at summer time, the Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) approved a total of 47 extra and charter flight services to 7 cities in mainland China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Vietnam in this summer, which were applied by Air Macau. The approval of these flights has allowed the air operator to provide more seats during this peak season to meet the great market demand. Apart from the public air transport, the private and business aviation movement has also gone up by a two-digit rise in this summer. July and August mark the long vacation in a year. Family travelling reaches its annual peak in these two months. Like people elsewhere, the residents in Macao also take the opportunity to enjoy their outbound travels in this period, the number of which increases year on year. To meet the high demand in both inbound and outbound travels, AACM approved the application for 47 extra and charter flights submitted by Air Macau for this summer allowing them to operate 28 services to Hanoi, 5 to Muan, 5 to Pusan, 3 to Okinawa, 2 to Matsuyam and 2 to Guiyang. "The SAR Government has always adopted the liberal air transport policies to make it easy for both local and foreign carriers to do business here," said AACM. Provided that safety operation is guaranteed, AACM will put public interest first in assessing and approving the flight applications. Therefore, during the travelling peak times in a year, AACM always attends to the application for extra and charter flights by local and foreign airlines and grants them the required capacity, in order that the travelling public will not be bothered by the difficulty in arranging air tickets during the high demand periods. In addition to public air transport, the promising development of the gaming industry in Macao has continued to attract high end tourists to visit our city. As a result, the private and business jet flights have continued to grow. The first seven months of 2013 reported a total of 774 movements, an increase of 13% compared to last year; the summer traffic was encouraging with the July movement reported to be 115, a rise of 24% compared to the same month last year.
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Delegates of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) attended the latest session of the UNWTO General Assembly launched in Africa this week and participated in the panel discussion of the Sustainable Tourism – Eliminating Poverty Forum ("ST-EP Forum") as part of the program. The 20th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly is held at Victoria Falls on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe during 24 and 29 August. Advisor of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Lam Wan Nei, Head of Organizational Planning and Development Department of MGTO, Cheng Wai Tong and Head of Communication and External Relations Department, Kathy Iong, etc. attended a series of highlighted events during the assembly. During the ST-EP Forum on 27 August, Advisor of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Lam Wan Nei, on behalf of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, delivered a speech on the topic – "10 Years of ST-EP Initiative: Turning Tourism into an Engine for Socio-Economic Growth". The Macau delegates also attended the Ministerial Roundtable, the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, among other activities in the program. Having become an associate member of UNWTO since 1981, Macau has actively participated in the related conferences. In 2004, MGTO joined the UNWTO ST-EP Program as one of the pioneer members. The program serves to create development and employment opportunities for poor countries through boosting sustainable tourism development.
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