News

Consumer Council released the specific price survey on rice for January. In comparison with last (December 2011) survey's figures, 10 out of the 16 surveyed rice brand samples showed stability in price, other 6 samples recorded price increase of about 5 percent. According to recent price surveys on rice conducted by the Council, price increases in recent months had slowed down; the Council will continue to keep an eye on the price trends of rice. The specific price survey on rice conducted on January 5th showed that prices of most Japanese, Australian, and Thai rice brands had all been raised. Out of the 16 surveyed rice brand samples, 6 of them recorded price increases of about 5 percent. Though price increases had slowed down in recent months, certain rice brands still recorded obvious rise in price: '"Fung Soi" Thai Hom Mali Rice (10kg)' and '"Tsing Ling Gi" Thai Hom Mali Rice (10kg)' both had a price increment of 21 and 15 percent respectively, 'Golden Elephant Brand Premium Jasmine Rice (8kg)' also recorded price rises in several retail spots from 5 to 8 percent. For prices of the same brand sold in different retail outlets, price discrepancies still exist in certain outlets, consumers are advised to check with the data conducted by the Council. Consumer Council indicated that local rice price is expected to rise. The Council will continue to pay heed on the change in rice prices and provide timely resources for consumers. The Council also plans to include the search function of this specific price survey to its newly released iPhone app for consumers' easy reference. The latest specific price survey on rice can be accessed at the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), consumers may also get access to individual pages of each rice brand on the 'Price Information Platform' to get full details of rice price. For inquiry, please call 89889315. The above article is accessible at http://www.consumer.gov.mo/c/ccnews.asp
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, on a monthly basis, broad money continued to grow in November. As total deposits grew much faster than total loans, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio dropped from a month earlier. Money supply
Currency in circulation and demand deposits grew 0.9% and 6.7% respectively. M1 thus increased 5.8% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities rose 2.9%, pushing M2 to grow 3.3% to MOP301.7 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 17.4% and 25.6% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 25.1%, up marginally by 0.1 percentage point over a month ago or down 3.1 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 55.0%, up 2.6 percentage points month-to-month and 0.3 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits
Resident deposits increased 3.3% from the previous month to MOP295.8 billion. Of which, MOP deposits and HKD deposits grew at respective rates of 3.8% and 8.5% while other foreign currency deposits dropped 9.1%. In the meantime, non-resident deposits declined 2.1% to MOP94.2 billion whereas public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 2.1% to MOP26.1 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector grew 2.0% from a month earlier to MOP416.1 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 21.2% and 46.4% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector dropped slightly by 0.3% on a monthly basis to MOP164.6 billion. Among which, MOP42.4 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP109.8 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 25.8% and 66.7% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans rose 2.4% to MOP151.9 billion, of which loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 0.7% (MOP1.1 billion) and 34.2% (MOP51.9 billion) respectively. Loan-to-deposit ratios
Due to the decline in domestic loans to the private sector and increase in resident deposits, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-November 2011 dropped 1.8 percentage points month-to-month to 51.1%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors was 76.1%, down by 0.8 percentage points from the previous month.
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Hosted by the Macao SAR Government, coordinated by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA), with National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the PRC invited to be the special supporting organizations and the Provincial and Regional Governments of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region invited to be the co-organizers, and Koelnmesse Pte Ltd as the event manager, the 2012 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2012MIECF) will be held at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from 29th March to 31st March 2012. The upcoming "2012 Macao International Environment Cooperation Forum and Exhibition" will be the fifth edition being held. In 2011, the event received the strong support of 49 government departments from different regions and countries, regional and international associations, institutions and trade chambers, with over 6,514 professional visitors from 48 countries and regions. 333 entities and enterprises exhibited on a floor area exceeding 16,500 sqm. 574 business matching sessions were arranged and 31 projects were signed on-site. All these facilitate MIECF to become a platform for showcasing environmental friendly technology and achievements, connecting with business clients and expanding green business opportunities. Exhibition Incentives for Macao SMEs
The 2012MIECF features the theme "Green Economy – New Engine For Growth", advocating "Thinking Green, Going Clean, Living Cool". As the annual green economic and trade platform for the environmental industry, to encourage more Macao SMEs to take part in the event, the organizer will provide up to 60% financial subsidies to eligible Macao SMEs. It is hoped that by involving SMEs to actively participate in various activities, the technology exchange and co-operation among local environmental industry, the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region and international markets will be promoted to a greater extent with more green business opportunities being explored. Local companies (Application Conditions: at least 50% of the company shareholders are Macao residents or wholly-owned Macao enterprise and registered with Macao Finance Services Bureau (DSF) for at least 2 years and fulfilled tax obligations) which are interested in participating may obtain an application form at IPIM's Macao Business Support Center (Alameda Dr. Carlos D' Assumpção, n° 263 Edf. China Civil Plaza, 19° andar, Macau) during office hours. The application is open from today until 31 January. Booths will be allocated on a first- come-first-served basis and the organizer reserves the right to select eligible exhibitors. Registration and enquiry hotline: 8798 9605, website: ：www.macaomiecf.com.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is to visit Brussels, Belgium, and the European Union during a six-day trip between 8 and 13 January. A statement by the Government Spokesperson Office today said Mr Chui and his delegation are scheduled to make courtesy calls on the President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso, and the Vice President of the European Parliament, Mr Libor Roucek, to exchange views on enhancing ties between Macao and the European Union. He would also make courtesy calls on leading officials of the Belgium government. During his visit in Brussels, he is also scheduled to meet the Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Mission to the EU, Mr Wang Hongjian, and the representative of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr Chen Xiaoming. Members of the Chief Executive's delegation include the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan; the Vice President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng; the Secretary-General of the Executive Council and Adviser of the Office of the Chief Executive, Ms O Lam, and the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the European Union, Mr Raimundo Arrais do Rosário. This is Mr Chui's first visit to the European Union as Chief Executive since he assumed office in 2009. While Mr Chui is away, his official duties will be borne by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, from 8 to 11 January, and the Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, from 12 to 13 January.
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30 December, 2011 Caritas Macau received a donation of MOP18,823, the profits of the 2011 Macau Slow Food Awards. This event was designed, planned and held by a class of second year Tourism Event Management students from the Institute for Tourism Studies. The event gave recognition to restaurants and suppliers operating along the philosophy of Slow Food Culture. The profits from entry tickets and dining vouchers were donated to Caritas Macau for charity.
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Owing to the strike action taken by postal workers in Kenya, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet and Parcel) from Macao to Sierra Leone are subject to delay until further notice. Thank you for your kind attention.
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Owing to tropical storm in Philippines, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to Philippines, particularly the following provinces and areas are subject to delay until further notice. * please find the attached file.
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To celebrate the coming Renchen Chinese Year, Macao Post will issue a lucky ornament titled "Macao's Lunar Year of the Dragon Stamp" on 5th January 2012. It is engraved with laser techniques for highlighting the Macao Post Headquarters' building and a thin wooden card with the wood dragon stamp image is affixed on the other side. It is certainly a precious and commemorative collectable. The selling price is MOP 15 and will be available for sale at the Macao Post Headquarters, the "Rua do Campo" Post Office, the Maritime Ferry Terminal Post Office, the Airport Post Office and the Communications Museum.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that in the New Year, the Government will continue to boost the social and economy developments in order to lift up the level of people's livelihood. In a challenging and memorable 2011, the Government has achieved the goals such as maintaining the economy growth in a steady pace, the social environment remained secure, and gradually implemented policies committed to in the policy address, he said. In the New Year, the Government would actively develop Macao as the world's tourism and leisure centre as well as to facilitate economic to diversify. On enhancing people's livelihood, the Government will perfect the social security system, help the needy, improve public transportation services and cultivate all kind of personnel needed for social development. He said that the government would strictly implement policies such as employment, housing, education and medical. For better governance, it is dedicated to building a clean government, to promote constitutional development and to emphasise on scientific decision-making. On behalf of the SAR Government, Mr Chui extended to all citizens his cordial greetings and best wishes for the New Year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Gross National Income (GNI) at current prices amounted to MOP 201.88 billion in 2010, up by 25.0% in real terms. In comparison with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at MOP 226.26 billion, GNI was lower than GDP by MOP 24.39 billion, equivalent to 10.8% of GDP. Besides, per-capita GNI amounted to MOP 369,778, which was MOP 44,666 lower than per-capita GDP of MOP 414,444. In 2010, value of both GNI and per-capita GNI were lower than GDP and per-capita GDP, implying that the income earned by non-resident investors from Macao was higher than the foreign investment income earned by resident investors from abroad. In particular, income earned by non-resident investors from Macao increased by 35.0% upon a substantial surge in Direct Investment Income; however, foreign investment income earned by resident investors from abroad declined by 5.4% due to a decrease in Other Investment Income. Therefore, the difference between GNI and GDP widened further from MOP 15.34 billion in 2009 to MOP 24.39 billion in 2010. In 2010, GNI increased by 30.4% in nominal terms and 25.0% in real terms, lower than the respective GDP growth of 33.0% and 27.1%, attributable to higher total outflow of external factor income than total inflow. GNI is the total income earned by residents of an economy from engaging in various economic activities within or outside the economy, corresponding to GDP plus total inflow of external factor income minus total outflow. Gross National Income (GNI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 2006-2010
(* please find the attached file)
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