News

The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) continues to assist Macau students stranded in the UK due to adverse weather and has obtained information of 108 stranded students with air tickets and provided necessary assistance. Among the 108 stranded students, 84 are holding tickets of Cathay Pacific Airways. GGCT has submitted their information to Cathay Pacific and requested the airline to assist the stranded students on the list to travel on the additional 3 flights arranged by the airline in the next three days. MGTO’s UK Representative is assisting the coordination of the matter at the hotel arranged by Cathay Pacific. A number of stranded Macau students have been arranged to take the first additional flight, which will depart from Manchester to Hong Kong at 7:30pm on Dec 21 local time and is expected to arrive Hong Kong International Airport at around 3pm on Dec 22. With the announcement of Cathay Pacific Airways that 3 additional flights will be arranged to depart from the UK to Hong Kong within 3 days to fly the stranded passengers, GGCT is maintaining close contact with Cathay Pacific to provide updated information to assist the stranded Macau students holding the airline’s tickets to board the additional flights. According to GGCT, 8 out of the remaining 24 students holding tickets of different airlines departed the UK yesterday (Dec 20), 3 have rebooked flights that will depart tomorrow (Dec 22) with the help of their airlines, while 13 are still waiting for seats. GGCT urges affected Macau residents or those with family members stranded in London to contact the following numbers for assistance in case of emergency: －Hotline: (853)28333000； －MGTO's Representative in the UK: (44)2083348328 or －the Embassy of the PRC in the UK: (44)2072998431 / (44)7551436721 Tourism Crisis Management Office
21 December 2010
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On said the Government would provide assistance to Macao students stranded at London airports due to flight delay and cancellation caused by severe weather, according to a statement by Government Spokesperson’s Office. The Chief Executive had instructed the Tourism Crisis Management Office yesterday evening to follow up on the situation of the students and the Government would assist them by providing necessary food, accommodation and transport to return to Macao.
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Due to adverse weather conditions in Europe, numerous flights were delayed and cancelled at airports in London. Through the contact of the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) and Macau Government Tourist Office's (MGTO) UK Representative, to date, information of 99 stranded Macau students in possession of tickets were obtained and GGCT will provide necessary assistance. Staff from MGTO's UK Representative visited the stranded Macau students at the hotel arranged by the airline to learn about their condition and offered necessary assistance. Among the 99 stranded students, 77 are holding tickets of Cathay Pacific Airways. GGCT has submitted their information to Cathay Pacific for assistance. 50 students, together with other passengers of the same airline, are staying in a nearby hotel or the hotel’s function room while waiting for seats. There are also students who returned to their host family or local relatives, while ten some cases are being followed up.
According to GGCT, 17 students holding tickets of different airlines were helped by their airlines to rebook other flights to depart in the next two days. 5 new cases are being followed up.
GGCT will continue to liaise with Cathay Pacific Airways to update information of Macau travelers who request assistance and learn about the latest arrangement. It will also follow up closely on the latest situation of the stranded students to provide timely assistance.
Regarding package tours, GGCT has maintained close contact with the travel trade for latest updates of Macau residents who joined tours. Till now, 18 Macau residents, who joined different tour groups originated from Hong Kong, are assisted by the travel agencies. GGCT will continue its close contact with the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Security Bureau of Hong Kong SAR, the Office of the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs in the Macau SAR and MGTO's UK Representative, Macau’s travel trade and airlines to follow up on the situation in London. GGCT has received 35 requests for assistance and 3 inquiries today, in addition to 18 requests for assistance and 2 inquiries received yesterday (Dec 20). Till 17:30pm today, there are a total of 53 requests for assistance and 5 inquiries. GGCT urges affected Macau residents or those with family members stranded in London to contact the following numbers for assistance in case of emergency: －Hotline: (853)28333000；
－MGTO's Representative in the UK: (44)2083348328 or
－the Embassy of the PRC in the UK: (44)2072998431 / (44)7551436721
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, visited some Central Government agencies during his duty visit in Beijing today. In the afternoon, Mr Chui met the Minister of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Mr Zhi Shuping, and extended gratitude for the agency’s support in guaranteeing the safety and quality of food supplied to Macao. He told Mr Zhi that the rise of Remminbi raised the cost of food imported from the Mainland and hoped that the agency could help increase food exporters for Macao. Mr Zhi said minimising the number of intermediary agencies could lower the price of imported food and he advised that the importers of Macao should try to find more food exporters. Mr Chui said he would report to the state leaders about the rise of food prices when they met tomorrow. In the morning, Mr Chui met the Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, and the Minister of Public Security, Mr Meng Jianzhu. He said he believed that the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement could be signed in the near future, with the support of the related Central Government departments and commissions. He also said that Macao and Guangdong had reached consensus on lengthening the working hours of customs services gradually and the ultimate goal is providing round-the-clock services.
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To take on the then global financial crisis, to maintain the stability of the financial system, the MSAR Government announced in October 2008 full protection for all deposits placed by customers with banks operating in Macau (offshore banks excluded) until 31 December 2010. In scrutinizing all operational and regulatory targets, we have witnessed that the financial system of Macao now has never been better; adequate capital, ample liquidity, excellent asset quality have rendered the system, as usual, secure and stable. Nevertheless, in view of the enhancement of the security of the financial system brought about by deposit protection, the MSAR Government has decided, after taking into consideration the most up-to-date deposit protection arrangement made available by neighbouring regions and the practical situation of Macao, to continue deposit protection with effect from 1 January 2011. The maximum amount under protection is however adjusted to MOP500,000 (five hundred thousand Patacas), namely, the maximum amount of protection available to each depositor in any individual bank shall be MOP500,000. Other related provisions shall remain unchanged. All deposits denominated in Pataca or other currencies in name of individuals or organizations shall be protected. However, structured deposits, pledged deposits, bearer commercial papers and other financial products, such as bonds, stocks, investment funds are not included. The aforementioned deposit protection arrangement will cover 95% of depositors, aligned with the standard suggested by relevant international organizations.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) publishes the first release of the chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2010. In addition, data users can download the original series of GDP prior to the major revision from the DSEC website. In the third quarter of 2010, the economy of Macao expanded by 27.1% in real terms that was spurred by favourable performance of the tourism and gaming sector. Analyzed by major components, exports of gaming services soared by 45.4% when total visitor spending (excluding gaming expenses) increased by 24.6%; though investment continued to shrink, yet the decrease narrowed considerably; however, decline in merchandise exports plunged further. In the third quarter, implicit deflator of GDP that measures the change in overall prices rose by 3.3% year-on-year. As the unemployment rate held stable at low level and total employment increased in the third quarter, private consumption expenditure increased by 7.5%, of which final consumption expenditure in the domestic market rose by 4.8%; at the same time, final consumption expenditure abroad surged by 24.7%, with that in Mainland China amounting to MOP 1.195 billion. Government final consumption expenditure increased by 9.2%, of which compensation of employees and net purchases of goods and services rose by 9.7% and 8.5% respectively. In view of the recommencement of several major construction projects in the private sector, gross fixed capital formation, the gauge of investment, shrank by 11.6%, moderating from the decrease in the second quarter. Private investment contracted by 18.7%, attributable to the 26.3% decrease in construction investment, while equipment investment rose by 9.8%. Government investment increased by 36.9%, in which construction and equipment investment grew by 41.0% and 1.7% respectively. Merchandise trade continued to fall in the third quarter, of which the decline in merchandise exports widened further from the second quarter to decrease by 13.2%. Merchandise imports rose by 9.9%. As regards trade in services, rising visitor arrivals and visitor spending boosted total exports of services to expand by 41.6% in the third quarter, with exports of gaming services soaring by 45.4% and total visitor spending (excluding gaming expenses) rising by 24.6%. Moreover, imports of services increased by 33.6%.
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Consumers’ need for food and groceries increases as Winter Solstice and Christmas approach, Consumer Council surveyed supermarkets on 19th December for its latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey Report’. In comparison with data recorded earlier this month, average price of over 100 surveyed samples have dropped, though prices of certain rice and cooking oil brands continue to rise. In the current report, 105 out of the 200 surveyed samples recorded a drop in average price from less that 1 per cent to 5 per cent; these samples include canned food, cereal products, dairy products and beverages. Milk powder, which was found to have significant price increase last time, now records a slight decrease in average price of up to 10 per cent, though average price of ‘Enfamil Infant Formula with Iron – 1 (900g)’ still records a price increase of over 10 per cent. Further, no change in price has been observed in 48 samples during the last two weeks. For rice, prices of Thai rice brands tend to remain stable though price increases are observed in 4 specific brands; other rice brands record price decreases from 1 to 2 per cent. Average price of 6 cooking oil samples have risen while 8 other samples have dropped by almost 6 per cent. The Council will continue to keep an eye on the current price trend and provide information to consumers for reference. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey Report’ is now accessible on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo) It is also available free of charge at the two offices of the Consumer Council, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources online at the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) or through WAP channels on their mobile phones. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the average Composite CPI for the first eleven months of 2010 increased by 2.71% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended November 2010, the average Composite CPI rose by 2.54% from the preceding period. The Composite CPI (105.55) for November 2010 increased by 3.93% year-on-year, attributable to the price increases in Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Miscellaneous Goods & Services; and Transport. Analyzed by section of goods and services, Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+6.71%); Clothing & Footwear (+6.02%); Health (+5.79%); Transport (+5.72%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.00%); Recreation & Calture (+3.71%) recorded notable increase on account of dearer prices of gold jewellery, men’s and children’s clothing, women’s footwear, gasoline, fresh fish as well as higher charges for out-patient medical services, meals bought away from home and outbound package tours. Meanwhile, reduced charges for mobile phone services caused the price index of Communication to fall by 3.60% year-on-year. The CPI-A (104.91) and CPI-B (105.72) for November 2010 increased by 3.65% and 4.06% year-on-year respectively. The Composite CPI for November 2010 increased by 0.45% month-to-month, with the price indices of Clothing & Footwear; Transport; and Housing & Fuels rising by 3.37%, 0.99% and 0.94% respectively on account of rising prices of Autumn and Winter clothing, gasoline and LPG. However, price indices of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages; and Recreation & Culture fell by 0.37% and 0.28% respectively due to lower prices of vegetables and fresh seafood, as well as reduced charges for outbound package tours. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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Due to adverse weather conditions in Europe leading to numerous flight delays and cancellations at airports in London, the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) has maintained close contacts with the Chinese Embassy in the UK, the Office of the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs in the Macau SAR and the Macau Government Tourist Office's UK Representative to follow up on the situation in London. GGCT will continue to monitor closely the condition and progress of the resumption of airport and flight services in London. GGCT urges affected Macau residents or those with family members stranded in London to contact the following numbers for assistance in case of emergency: －Hotline: (853)28333000；
－MGTO's Representative in the UK: (4420)83348328 or
－the Embassy of the PRC in the UK: (44)2072998431 / (44)7551436721 Tourism Crisis Management Office
20 December 2010
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The Chief Executive is scheduled to leave for Beijing this evening for his annual duty visit. Speaking to the press after a reception to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao SAR, Mr Chui said he would report to state leaders on the recent development in Macao and his policy blueprints for next year. He said he would also visit the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and the Ministry of Commerce to gain their support in increasing the imports of daily necessities from the Mainland and guaranteeing the supply of these products. The Government’s goal is to provide daily necessities to the people at affordable prices, he said. He also extended his gratitude for the motherland’s support in supplying food and other daily necessities to Macao. Mr Chui told the press that the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement had been submitted to the Central Government and that he hoped that it would be signed in the first quarter of next year. In response to demonstrations by some residents this afternoon, Mr Chui said the Government respected people expressing their opinions in a lawful manner and that the Government would gather their opinions for analysis.
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