News

Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on milk powder. Survey result showed that prices of the 8 surveyed products recorded various price differences. The highest price difference recorded was over 30 percent and average prices of all survey brands remained stable. On 28th February, Consumer Council collected prices of 8 brands of milk powder, mainly infant formulas for new born babies, from 28 retail outlets including drugstores and supermarkets. Survey result showed that the lowest price difference for the same product sold at different outlets was found in product 'Friso Infant Milk Formula – 1/900g' in which the lowest and highest prices differed for 1.77 percent while the greatest price discrepancy of 31.5 percent was recorded in 'Snow Brand Smart Baby 1/900g'. In comparison with December's figures, 'Nestle NAN H.A.1/900g' recorded price increases of about 1 percent in several retail spots while prices of other milk powder brands remained stable. The specific price survey on milk powder is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. Further, for consumers' convenience to get hold of milk powder prices, Consumer Council sends requests to all drugstores listed on the list provided by Health Bureau to provide the most updated selling prices of milk powder. The Council will consolidate prices and information of the lowest and highest selling prices of 7 milk powder brands (for babies under one year old) and such information will be posted to the Council's website. The involved prices will be updated whenever the Council is informed by drugstores about any price changes.
…

IFT strives to offer students various practical experiences in the bachelor degree programmes, enabling them to meet the industry requirements and be prepared for the challenges in their future career. All bachelor degree programme students are required to complete a 6-month internship in Macao or overseas during their 3rd year of study. Since the establishment of internship programme, students' performances are excellent and feedbacks from the industry are very positive. In the academic year 2012/13, over 50 organisations and corporations offer internship opportunities to IFT students, including Administration of Airports, Ltd., Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Cultural Affairs Bureau, DFS Cotai Limitada, East Asia Airlines Limited, EGL Tours (Macau) Company Limited, Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Grand Hyatt Macau, Hong Thai Travel Services (Macau) Ltd., Louis Vuitton Macau Company Limited, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mandarin Oriental Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Macau, Morning Star Travel Service (Macau) Limited, New Yaohan Department Store, Nuance-Watson (Macau) Limited, Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, Sheraton Macao Hotel Cotai Central, Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16, The Westin Resort Macau, The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, Wing on Holidays (Macau) Co. Ltd., Wynn Macau and other industry partners. To broaden the horizons of the students, IFT has been aggressively exploring more opportunities of overseas internship. Students can choose to conduct internship at large corporations in the USA, Europe, South East Asia, Hong Kong SAR and Mainland China to experience a different life and work culture. In the academic year 2012/13, students completed internships at a number of international well-known organisations namely Anantara Kihavah Villa - Minor International (Labuan) Ltd in Baa Atoll of Republic of Maldives, Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront in New Zealand, Walt Disney World in Orlando USA, World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument - National Park Service in Honolulu USA, Wynn Las Vegas in USA, Heritage Conservation Department of Yiliang, Yunnan Province in China, Shanghai International Convention Center - The Oriental Riverside Hotel in China, World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (Shanghai) under the auspices of UNESCO in China, Le Méridien Taipei Hotel in Chinese Taiwan, Hilton Cairns in Queensland Australia, Lux Island Resorts Ltd. in Belle Mare of Republic of Mauritius, Macau Tourism Promotion and Information Centre in Portugal, National Trust Carmarthenshire Portfolio in UK, W Retreat Koh Samui in Surat Thani Thailand, etc. Starting from the academic year 2008/09, IFT has been working together with The Florida State University and Walt Disney World in offering internship opportunities to students through the "International College Program". Participating students will attend an intensive hospitality course at The Florida State University before they perform internships at the Walt Disney World. On 6 March, Ms. Julie De Francisco and Ms. Yvette Noethen, Walt Disney World International Recruiters, visited IFT to introduce their internship programme and interview the students. Successful candidates will go to the Walt Disney World in Orlando USA to learn the theme park operation and customer service skills. They can also experience different cultures through the interaction and communication with students around the world.
…

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is joining "Guangzhou International Travel Fair 2013" (GITF 2013) for the unparalleled opportunities to expand tourist markets and enhance connections with Mainland and worldwide travel industry partners, promoting Macau's value and positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure in the acclaimed travel show. GITF 2013 is held at China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou from today (March 7) for 3 successive days. MGTO Deputy Director Manuel Pires and Head of Destination Marketing Department, Betty Fok attend the travel fair together with over 40 trade delegates from 21 entities in Macau ranging from hotels, travel agencies to tourism meeting and exhibition facilities companies. Themed around "Touching Moments･Experience Macau", MGTO's exhibit occupies an area of 225 square meters in the travel fair. It not only showcases the Historic Centre of Macau but also highlights the festive events such as the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and the 60th Macau Grand Prix. There are staff providing trip advices and promotional pamphlets for citizens at MGTO's booth while Macau travel delegates meet local industry partners to discuss business opportunities. GITF is widely acknowledged as one of the leading international travel fairs in China and the Asia-Pacific region. Last year, the trade fair attracted diverse exhibitors representing over 650 companies from 36 countries and regions. 80,000 domestic and overseas visitors were admitted to the exhibition. Through the Guangzhou travel fair, MGTO gives an update of Macau's latest development and promotes Macau's value and positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure to the trade and media representatives from around the world. The office also aims to enchant more visitors to Macau for an encounter with Macau's unique cultural gem of East and West.
…

Together with the trade delegates, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is promoting Macau at the renowned international tourism trade fair, ITB Berlin, towards the industry partners from around the world. The MGTO Marketing Division representatives and trade delegates have set off for Berlin, the capital of Germany, to engage in ITB Berlin 2013 from March 6 to 10. MGTO's 90-square-meter booth showcases Macau's latest outlook and tourism products in the trade fair, a prominent occasion to enhance Macau reputation and gain wide recognition among local citizens and worldwide trade visitors, which ultimately faciliates Macau's development of long-haul markets. The exhibit highlights two upcoming splendid events in 2013, the 60th Macau Grand Prix and the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. For upmost regional awareness, MGTO's booth is located next to the exhibits of China National Tourism Administration and Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). To enhance networking and both cities' long-term tourism development, MGTO and HKTB jointly hosted key media and travel trade partners for a cocktail reception at the booth on March 7. The two offices have together published a German-language consumer magazine which offers a dual introduction of Hong Kong and Macau tourism. The magazine's second volume was launched during the reception as well. MGTO representatives met trade partners and discussed business opportunities, seizing every chance to promote Macau and attract more European visitors to Macau. Arranged by MGTO, Lion Dance performances will give visitors a glimpse of Chinese cultural heritage during the fair's consumer days. The ITB travel fair boasts a history for over 4 decades in the German capital Berlin and enjoys worldwide recognition as one of the largest travel trade shows in the world. More than 113,000 trade visitors and 11,000 represented companies/entities from 180 countries or regions find their opportunities in ITB Berlin this year.
…

In view of the recent challenging safety and security situation in the area of Eastern Sabah, Malaysia, the Consulate-General of the PRC in Kuching has released a travel safety reminder to Chinese citizens who intend to visit this area. Following is the translated version of the full text: "Recently, the safety and security situation in the area of Sabah, Malaysia is still serious. According to Malaysia's media reports, clashes that occurred in this area between Malaysian security personnel and Philippine "Sulu Army" armed groups have resulted in casualties. The Government of Malaysia has mobilised further security forces to Lahad Datu, Kunak and Sempona in Sabah State. There will be a further expansion of the conflict. The background of the incident is complicated and involves different factors such as history, nation, ethnic and land. The conflict area is an important tourist destination in Sabah. The tropical island scenery has increasingly attracted mainland Chinese tourists in recent years. Although Malaysian authorities have not yet formally issued any travel alerts, in view of the current situation, the Consulate-General of the PRC in Kuching reminds that mainland Chinese tourists should avoid travelling to the above places unless the armed conflicts have ceased and safety and security situation improved." According to the Macao tourism industry, there are no Macao tour groups currently in the area of Eastern Sabah, Malaysia. However there is no information regarding individual travellers. The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) has not received any requests for assistance so far. If necessary, Macao residents can call the tourism hotline (853) 2833 3000 for assistance.
…

The current Head Office of Consumer Council and its Consumer Arbitration Centre located at Rua Inácio Baptista nº6-6A Edf. Seaview Garden R/C will relocate to its new office from 12th March (Tuesday). Consumer Council indicates that as its services continue to expand, the mentioned Head Office located at Rua Inácio Baptista nº6-6A Edf. Seaview Garden R/C is insufficient for its work and staff. The Council will relocate its Head Office to Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 26, Edf. Clementina A. L. Ho, 3.º-5.º andares from 12th March. After its relocation, the Council can be reached by the following means: Head Office: Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 26, Edf. Clementina A. L. Ho, 3.º-5.º andares Public services:
1. Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C
2. Rua Nova da Areia Preta, N.º 52, Centro de Serviços da RAEM, 1.º Andar, Zona M Telephone: 89889315
Fax: 28307816
E-mail: info@consumer.gov.mo
…

Owing to the noxious fumes affecting the postal facilities in Jamaica, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packets and Parcels) from Macao to Jamaica are suspended until further notice.
…

Leaders from Guangdong province and Macao met in Beijing today to exchange views on enhancing collaboration and consensus to jointly strive for more special preferential policies from the Central Government. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with the Secretary of the Guangdong CPC Provincial Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhu Xiaodan, after he attended the opening session of the First Plenary Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress, which opened today. Mr Hu said he met Mr Chui several times after he had been in the new post for two months, and that close communication was very important to facilitate co-operation between the two places. He described the co-operative relationship between Guangdong and Macao as "excellent" and said his government would continue to support the Macao Government. He also pledged that the new campus of the University of Macau (UM) on Hengqin Island would be completed on time. Mr Chui said he was informed that the campus would be completed at the end of March and students might enjoy the new environment in this coming new academic year, after UM could move its entire campus to Hengqin at the end of September. He thanked the Guangdong leaders for having given great support in building UM new campus: over a period of time, these two places had jointly strived for a series of policies and measures which were favourable for co-operation from the Central Government. Based on a good foundation, Guangdong and Macao would jointly strive for more favorable policies to further boost collaboration, which would include actively participating in the development of Hengqin Island in Zhuhai and Nansha in Guangzhou according to the Outline Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta, said the Chief Executive. In addition to Hengqin, he highlighted that there was huge potential in the development of Nansha, which might bring good opportunities for regional development of Guangdong and Macao. Moreover, these special preferential policies also included extending opening hours and to implement a new model of management at the new gateway between Macao and Hengqin Island. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chun Weng, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam, the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping and the Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Ms Zhao Yufang also attended the meeting.
…

Aiming to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation between the Macao´s convention and exhibition industry with their counterparts abroad, promote the advantages of Macau as an ideal destination for the organizations of conventions and exhibitions, so as to attract the organization of MICE activities in Macao by renowned organizations specialized in this area, members of the External Co-operation Group of the Committee for the Development of Convention and Exhibition and officials of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), comprised of 8 persons, travelled to Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, from February 28 to March 1, to participate in the "UFI Open Seminar in Asia". The said event was jointly held by The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) and the Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association (ICEA). UFI is one of the most representative associations in field of convention and exhibition, whose members include managers and professionals of the MICE industry from all over the world, with the common mission of promoting the development of the MICE industry, in the regional and international context. IPIM is a member of UFI since 2005 and has over the years actively participated in the various events organized by the said association, taking the opportunity to carry out exchanges with persons and institutions belonging to the MICE industry. During the UFI Open Seminar, before an audience of over 230 people, comprised of UFI members and leaders and representatives of the convention and exhibition industry around the world, the President of IPIM, Mr. Jackson Chang, promoted the advantages of Macau as an ideal place for the organization of conventions and exhibitions, the support provided by IPIM to event organizers to bid for the organization of conventions and exhibitions in Macao and also the "one-stop" service provided by IPIM. In addition, IPIM also installed a booth in the venue, to distribute promotional materials to the delegates and answer their questions about Macao. Members of the Macao delegation also visited the Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association (IECA) and met with its president, Mr. Effi Setiabud. Both parties exchanged valuable opinions on the support provided by their respective governments to the development of the convention and exhibition industry and also the measures to attract a greater number of MICE activities to their respective countries and regions. Members of the Macao delegation included the Convenor of the External Development Group of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions of Macao and President of IPIM, Mr. Jackson Chang, the Executive Director of IPIM, Ms. Irene V. K. Lau, and members of the External Development Group of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions, including the President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Macao Convention & Exhibition Organizers, Ms. Eva Lou, the President of the Macao Fair & Trade Association, Mr. Lam Chong In and the President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Advertising Agents of Macau, Mr. Kevin Bi.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the total population was estimated at 582,000 at end-2012, an increase of 4.4% year-on-year; female accounted for 51.8% of the total population. As regards the age structure, the elderly population (aged 65 and over) took up 7.7% of the total, up by 0.4 percentage point year-on-year; the youth population (aged 0-14) shared 11.6%, down by 0.2 percentage point, and the adult population (aged 15-64) held stable at 80.8%, similar to 2011. There were 7,315 live births in 2012, up notably by 25.0% year-on-year. Gender ratio of the newborn stood at 113.8, corresponding to 113.8 male babies per 100 female babies. Number of mortality cases totalled 1,841, down by 4 cases from 2011; the top three underlying causes of death were Neoplasms, Diseases of the Circulatory System and Diseases of the Respiratory System. In the fourth quarter of 2012, there were 2,109 live births and 444 mortality cases. In 2012, there were 4,060 immigrants from Mainland China whereas 1,151 illegal immigrants were repatriated to the Mainland, down by 2,162 and 115 respectively year-on-year. Non-resident workers totalled 110,552 at end-2012, an increase of 16,524 year-on-year; besides, a net inflow of 509 individuals authorized to reside in Macao. Marriage registration and divorce cases totalled 3,783 and 1,230 in 2012, up by 238 and 232 year-on-year respectively.
…