News

The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the credit card statistics for the first quarter of 2013. The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 668,966 at the end of March 2013, equivalent to an increase of 3.1% over a quarter earlier. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 483,940, 72,461 and 112,565 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective growth of 2.8%, 2.1% and 5.0% quarter-to-quarter. Compared with a year ago, MOP cards and HKD cards rose 13.9% and 7.6% respectively, while RMB cards registered an upsurge of 35.1% mainly driven by a marked 36.8% growth of MOP/RMB dual-currency cards. As at end-March 2013, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao reached MOP11.4 billion, up 5.1% from end-December 2012. Credit card receivables amounted to MOP1.5 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP492.2 million, accounting for 33.1% of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, edged up to 0.66%. For the first quarter of 2013, the credit card turnover dropped 6.7% quarter-to-quarter to MOP3.2 billion. The cash advance turnover was MOP152.3 million, accounting for 4.8% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, went up 10.0% from the previous quarter to MOP3.5 billion.
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The 15th International Exhibition of Food & Drink, Hotel, Restaurant & Food Service Equipment, Supplies & Services (HOFEX 2013), Asia´s largest biennial food and hospitality trade show, was held from May 7 to 10, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organized by the Hong Kong Exhibition Services Ltd., HOFEX 2013 occupied a venue of over sixty thousand square metres spread over 3 floors, with 13 pavilions, to showcase more than 1,900 international suppliers and distributors of food, beverages, foodservice equipment, hospitality design and technology, from over 40 countries. The event attracted hotel and restaurant owners and senior management, as well as executive chefs from all over the world, looking for catering and hospitality sources. Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) set up a Macao Pavilion at the venue, with the participation of 34 enterprises, including 26 local enterprises and 8 Portuguese enterprises, being the latter organized by the "Associação de Jovens Empresários Portugal-China (AJEPC)". With an area of 342 square metres, products on display at the Macao Pavilion included table wine, coffee, food and souvenirs, ice cream, brown sugar products, hotel bedding and disposable tableware. Through the Macao Pavilion, IPIM promoted the business environment in Macao, the services provided by IPIM, the Macao Ideas (Macao Products Exhibition Centre), "One-Stop Service" for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao, as well as the Macao Franchise Expo 2013 (MFE 2013) to be held in July and the 18th MIF to take place in October this year, among various events in Macao. The 46-member Macao Business Delegation attended the opening ceremony of HOFEX 2013. Mrs. Irene V. K. Lau, Executive Director of IPIM, was invited to participate and to preside over the opening ceremony together with such distinguished guests as Prof. Chan Ka-keung, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong SAR Government, Dr. Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board and Mr. Daniel Cheung, General Manager of Hong Kong Exhibition Services Ltd. In addition to visiting the Macao Pavilion and various exhibitions, members of the Macao Business Delegation also took part in business matching sessions in the food, dairy products, table wine, kitchenware and tableware sectors. Members of the delegation represented the following business associations in Macao: Industrial Association of Macau, Macau Union Suppliers Association, Macau Association of Retailers & Tourism Services, China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries Culture, Art and Economy Promotional Association, the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau, Association of Macao Tourist Agents, Macau Youth Entrepreneurs Association, etc. Through this one-stop international sourcing platform, Macao entrepreneurs had the opportunity to exchange trade information and carry out business talks for procurement of goods and services.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on shampoo and shower gel on 9th May 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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The University of Macau (UM) recently held the Joint Meeting of the University Assembly (UA) and the University Council (UC) for the 2012/2013 academic year. Chui Sai On, chancellor of UM and chief executive of Macao SAR, said at the meeting that UM will move to the new campus in stages this year and in the future the university should seriously think about how to make use of the advantages of the new campus to develop into a world-class university with distinctive character in order to nurture more outstanding graduates for Macao and China. Chui Sai On also expressed his hope that the university's management team continues to lead UM to progress steadily and live up to the high expectations of the central and SAR governments. The joint meeting was presided over by Chui Sai On, chancellor of UM and chief executive of Macao. Cheong U, secretary for social affairs and culture of Macao SAR; Tam Chon Weng, chief of the Office of the Chief Executive; as well as UA and UC members, comprised of distinguished community figures, the university's top management, and alumni and student representatives, attended the meeting to contribute suggestions for the future development of the university. Chui Sai On said at the meeting that the SAR government will continue to provide support to UM. He said he hopes that UM can seize the wonderful opportunity presented by the new campus to highlight the characteristics of Macao's higher education, to further manifest the advantages of UM and Macao, to improve the comprehensive competitiveness of Macao, and to help Macao develop into a world tourism and leisure centre as well as a service platform for business and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. He noted that over the past three years the new campus has been constructed at full throttle and now the various construction tasks have been basically completed. After the inspection of the new campus is over, UM will move to the new campus in stages. He remarked that in the future UM should seriously think about how to make full use of the advantages of the new campus to develop into a world-class university with distinctive character so as to nurture more outstanding graduates to contribute to the future development of Macao and China. He promised that the Macao SAR government will adhere to the policy of increasing investment in education and will continue to closely follow the university's development. Chui Sai On also announced at the meeting that he has accepted UC's proposal to reappoint Wei Zhao as the rector of UM for another five-year term, and that the UC has accepted the rector's proposal to reappoint Simon Ho, Rui Martins and Alex Lai as the vice rectors of UM for another five-year term. Chui Sai On said he hopes that Rector Wei Zhao and the three vice rectors, along with Vice Rector (Student Affairs) Haydn Chen who assumed office last year, can work together to lead UM steadily forward to fulfill the high expectations of the central and SAR governments. Rector Wei Zhao reported the latest development of UM, including the institutionalisation of the new "4-in-1" mode of education, the development of academic disciplines, the recruitment of high-quality faculty members, and the improvement of administration. Rector Wei Zhao also pointed out that as a university for Macao people, UM will adhere to the guiding policy of mainly serving Macao residents. He reported that the university is in the process of reforming master's curriculum, and will reserve most of the places for local residents with the aim of providing a steady supply of graduates that answer the practical needs of the Macao society. He noted that serving the local community has always been a guiding principle for the university, and after the new campus is put into use, the university will share sports, cultural and other resources with the local community. The university will also establish a higher education information centre to let Macao residents access information in the library, and will share advanced lab equipment with local institutions. Wei Zhao also said UM has the responsibility to bring glory to Macao and China at national and international levels. Lam Kam Seng, second vice chair of UC and chair of the UC Campus Development Committee, reported some information about new campus buildings. Vice Rector (Administration) Alex Lai reported the progress of the revision of the UM Charter. Attendees at the joint meeting included UA Chair Chui Sai On, Tse Chi Wai, Lei Pui Lam, Lam Kam Seng, Wong Chong Fat, Ng Fok, Vitor Ng, Siu Yin Wai, Maria Edith da Silva, Ma Iao Lai, Susana Chou, Leong Vai Tac, Ho Iat Seng, Joaquim Jorge Perestrelo Neto Valente, Cheng Kar Shing, D. José Lai, Kong Tat Choi, Anabela Fátima Xavier Sales Ritchie, Tong Chi Kin, Kou Kam Fai, Au Chong Kit, Leong Heng Teng, Vong Hin Fai, Yeung Tsun Man, Huen Wing Ming, Sou Chio Fai, Leong Lai, Ng Chi Keong, Wei Zhao, Simon Ho, Rui Martins, Haydn Chen, Alex Lai, Hao Yufan, Lai Neng, Ao Peng Kong , Kot Man Kam, Xu Ming, and Chan Ka Man. Cheong U, secretary for social affairs and culture of Macao SAR; Tam Chon Weng, chief of the Office of the Chief Executive; and Maria Leong Madalena, acting chief of the Office of Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR, also sat in on the meeting.
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The workshop on "Horizontal Property: Administration of the Condominium", will take place on May 14th and 15th from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, in the multi-function room of the Civil Service Training Centre located on Alameda Dr. Carlos D' Assumpção n.° 322-362, Cheng Feng Commercial Centre, 6th floor. This event is organized by the Legal and Judicial Training Centre and is integrated in the 2nd EU-Macao Co-operation Program in the Legal Field, the event will have as speakers: 1. Prof. María Elena Sánchez Jordán, Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of La Laguna, Spain; 2. Ms. Sandra Cristina Farinha Abrantes Passinhas, Lecturer of Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra, Portugal. The workshop will be conducted in English and Portuguese, with simultaneous translation into Cantonese and Portuguese and the following topics will be discussed in these sessions: I. Condominium management - Calling of the general meeting;
- General meeting's procedural rules; - Proxies' regime;
- General meetings' composition. Legal faculties;
- Relationship between management body and management agents (companies): faculties and liability;
- Constitution and management of the condominium (common) reserve fund; - A special law (piecemeal) respecting the legal regime of management of the condominium;
- Ad rem nature of the contribution to common expenses. The duty to disclose;
- Simple and complex management regime; - Management board's liability and supervision of its activity;
- Postal vote. II. Utilization of own and common areas of the building - The loss (damage) caused by owners/users to other owners/users and the applicable legal means. III. Common areas and private areas - The distinction between common areas and private areas;
- The case of owners/users who do not pay their contribution for common expenses;
- The "over" use of some private areas (enclosing a balcony or building a small room on the private part of the roof of the building, i.e., the part belonging in an exclusive way to the owner). IV. Renewal works in the common areas - The works for repairing the building, especially when the purpose is to make it more accessible to handicapped or elderly people;
- The installation of mechanisms allowing the use of modern technologies, as well as those dealing with clean energies. The 2nd Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field between the European Union and Macao, which incorporates this seminar, has as its main objective the "Consolidation of the Macao Legal System" and is going to take place until December 2013. The execution of the Co-operation Programme is coordinated by the Law Reform and International Law Bureau, together with many entities and public departments of the Macao SAR, namely the Legal and Judicial Training Centre, the Legal Affairs Bureau, the Economic Services, the Financial Services Bureau and the Institute of European Studies of Macao.
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From May 13 this year, Macao Postal Savings will set up a special currency exchange counter at the Marine Terminal Post Office, located at the ground floor (Arrivals), providing money exchange service for more than 10 currencies such as Hong Kong Dollar, Renminbi, U.S. Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, etc. In addition to the currency exchange service, we will also provide Western Union money transfer service, during the following office hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 2 pm and from 3pm to 7 pm. The office hours for other services rendered in the said post office remains unchanged: Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 7 pm.
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Senior Superintendent and Head of Enforcement Division of Macao Customs Service, Ian Chan Un, was invited by Consumer Council as speaker to introduce to 'Adherents' and 'Certified Shops' the legislations regarding intellectual property rights in Macao. Consumer Council offers various professional training to its 'Adherents' and 'Certified Shops', aiming to let both businesses and consumers aware of their own rights and obligations by spreading knowledge of legislations regarding consumer rights. Head of Enforcement Division of Macao Customs Service, Ian Chan Un, was invited to speak at the talk on 'protecting consumer rights' and 'intellectual property' earlier. Ian Chan Un gave an introduction to 'what is intellectual property', explained its importance and the scopes involved during the talk. The three main legislations for protecting intellectual property rights in Macao include Decree-Laws 43/99/M, 51/99/M, and 97/99M. The three decree-laws cover intellectual property rights of the author, the production and sales of discs, and industrial production. Ian Chan Un reminded that retail businesses like 'Adherents' and 'Certified Shops' should be aware of the regulations in Decree-Law 97/99/M as they involve the protection of industrial intellectual property rights, including the rights of patent and trademark. Ian pointed that any person who violates the regulations are subject to fines and penalties. The Macao Customs Service is keen on attacking infringements on intellectual property rights and through the co-operation with Consumer Council in recent years, many cases of intellectual property infringement have been tackled. Ian believes that 'Adherents' and 'Certified Shops' are self-disciplined and abide by the laws but certain businesses may infringe intellectual property rights during procurement due to insufficient knowledge about the product, neglect or misguidance. Therefore, businesses should pay attention to the sources and trademarks of the products during procurement and only buy from reliable suppliers. Businesses are welcome to contact the Macao Custom Service or Consumer Council when they have doubts about the origins of products. Participants included industries such as drugstores, optical retail and clothing & apparel.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on canned foods on 7th May 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 celebrate the International Children's Day, Communications Museum will waive the entrance fee for all visitors on June 1, 2013 (Saturday). From now until May 24, the Museum accepts online registration for the "Stand Painting Workshop" to be held on June 1, from 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. During the break, the participants may join the special guided tour "Explore Singapore! Colours of Heritage" Special Exhibition and taste special Singaporean delicacies. The International Children's Day Fair 2013, jointly organized by the Social Welfare Bureau, Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, Education and Youth Affairs Bureau and Legal Affairs Bureau, will be held at the Macao Forum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 26 (Sunday). At the booth of Communications Museum, visitors can play the game "How much do you know about your motherland?". At 4:15 pm, there will be stage promotion about "Kids, Let's Collect Stamps", in which the kids are invited to play a maze game printed on large stamps. Participants can win fabulous prizes and enjoy a cheerful Children's Day.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) has completed the second round of the four-quarter data collection of the 2012/2013 Household Budget Survey (HBS). The progress has been satisfactory with the support and cooperation of households. As a token of appreciation for the cooperating households, DSEC held the second Cooperating Household Lucky Draw. Ten winning households were drawn and will be notified by phone and mail. Winning households shall collect their prize in person at the Promotion and Data Dissemination Division of DSEC (Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, No. 411-417, Dynasty Plaza, 17th floor) by presenting the winner notification letter, identity card of the household member and a proof (e.g. water, electricity or phone bill, etc.) containing his/her name and the address of the household. The list of winning households is available on the DSEC website. For enquiries, please contact Ms. Yu at 8399 5332.
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