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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today met the Minister for Manpower, Mr Gan Kim Yong, on the last day of his four-day visit to Singapore. During the meeting, Mr Gan introduced Singapore human resources policies to Mr Chui, and told him that imported labour accounted for about one-third of Singapore’s workforce. Mr Gan also said Singapore highlighted the importance of lifelong education as it gave education subsidies to workers. In response, Mr Chui said that it was also necessary for Macao to draw imported talents to complement the shortage of local workers, yet the Government was adamant in protecting the employment and quality of life of local workers. He told Mr Gan that the Macao SAR Government supported lifelong education by giving education subsidies to residents aged 15 or above in the latest Policy Address. After the meeting with Mr Gan, Mr Chui and his delegation left in the afternoon for Macao.
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The 12th Identification Services Bureau Liaison Meeting between Guangdong Province and Macao and the 37th Border Liaison Meeting organized by the Public Security Department of the Guangdong Province were held in Yingde from 5 January 2011 to 6 January 2011. Participating parties included Ms. Chen Min, Director of the Immigration Control Bureau of the Public Security Department of the Guangdong Province, Mr. Isaac Ieng Kit Lai, Director of the Identification Services Bureau of the Macao SAR, Mr. Lai Kam Kun, Deputy Director of the Public Security Police Bureau of the Macao SAR, representatives of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region as well as superiors and guests of Zhuhai Immigration Control Main Station.
Both parties of Guangdong and Macao had discussion on mutual concerned topics in regard to immigration cooperation including data verification, information notification, visa and others in the meeting. Consensus was reached, which led to further facilitate the communication and cooperation between both parties.
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The Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On, today made courtesy calls on the Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr George Yong-Boon Yeo. Speaking to the press after the meetings, Mr Chui said he was glad that he had exchanged ideas with them candidly. He said visits to Central Provident Fund Board and the Housing and Development Board yesterday enabled the Macao delegation to learn more about Singapore’s experience in establishing provident fund and housing policies. Singapore’s experience in many aspects were worthy of learning and yet Macao would act in accordance with the actual conditions in Macao, he said. He said that it was necessary for Macao to formulate sound social security and retirement systems and housing policies for residents to raise their quality of life. He said he was glad that the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau of Macao had signed a memorandum of understanding with Civil Service College of Singapore yesterday to strengthen co-operation in civil servants training. He said the Macao SAR Government would invite officials and professionals from Singapore to visit Macao for further co-operation. Yesterday Mr Chui and his delegation visited Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, the two casinos in Singapore. They are scheduled to visit the Ministry of Manpower tomorrow, before returning to Macao in the afternoon.
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Today the Official Gazette of the Macao SAR published the Chief Executive’s order of the appointment of Kuan Kun Hong as Deputy Commissioner Against Corruption. Administered by the Commissioner Against Corruption, Fong Man Chong, the swearing-in ceremony was held at the headquarter of the CCAC at 11:00am. Kuan Kun Hong swore in as the Deputy Commissioner Against Corruption in front of the members of the Monitoring Committee for the Discipline of the CCAC Personnel, lawyer Paula Ling and lawyer Philip Xavier, the Chief of Cabinet of the Prosecutor General, Lai Kin Ian, the Cabinet Coordinator of the Unitary Police Service, Chio U Man and the colleagues of the CCAC. The Commissioner, Fong Man Chong, expressed his gratitude for the public’s support for and trust in the anti-corruption efforts. He noted that the CCAC’s basic principle was to gather public opinions and ideas extensively. Based on this principle, the Commission would join hands with the public to promote integrity and build a clean society. He believed that the new Deputy Commissioner, Kuan Kun Hong, would have inspiring achievements with his rich knowledge of law and techniques and experiences in criminal investigation as well as team spirit. Fong Man Chong stressed that the CCAC had made certain adjustments to the strategies due to social development and it would continue to maintain close communication and cooperation with the associations and entities in various sectors in the society in order to further integrity promotion and education and boost their effectiveness. At the same time, the combat against corruption in the private sector would be strengthened to facilitate the integrity building in Macao. Kuan Kun Hong stated that the support of the entire society is the foundation of success. Therefore, the CCAC will continue to be open to public opinions and suggestions. With his legal work experiences at the anti-corruption and police agencies and in some other areas, he and the staff will do the best to fulfill their duties to safeguard fairness and justice and fight corruption and malpractices persistently in order to enhance the integrity building in Macao SAR. He also pointed out that recently the CCAC has commenced a series of projects, such as revising the Law of Declaration of Incomes and Properties and the Organizational Law of the CCAC. In this year, the Anti-Corruption Bureau will be restructured and it is planning to recruit professional staff members and purchase advanced investigative equipments. At the same time, the Commission will strengthen personnel training so as to enhance the staff’s capabilities in legal aspects and investigative techniques, with the aim to elevate law-enforcement standard and build a professional and exceptional investigation team. Moreover, prevention and suppression of corruption in the private sector is also one of the main policies in the future, therefore, the CCAC will strengthen the promotion of the new law and establish task force for combating corruption in commercial activities in order to create a fair and just business environment. The new Deputy Commissioner, Kuan Kun Hong, obtained bachelor degrees in translation and interpretation and law from the University of Macau. When working for the High Commission Against Corruption and Administrative Illegality (predecessor of the CCAC), he participated in investigation of corruption cases as an investigator. With rich practical experiences in criminal investigation, he also worked as an instructor of the CCAC’s investigator training courses. Between 2001 and 2007, he was an advisor of the Unitary Police Service and joined the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering as the representative of Macao (police). On 20th December 2009, he was appointed as an advisor of the CCAC. Kuan Kun Hong is fluent in Chinese, Portuguese and English. With many years of teaching experiences, he teaches courses on criminal law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Macau and has been an instructor of the Judicial Clerk Induction Programmes and the workshop on the Law of Defense of National Security. Moreover, he has received professional trainings in various areas such as financial investigation, anti-money laundering and law drafting.
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The Heritage Foundation released today its 2011 Report on the Index of Economic Freedom. Macao’s overall score has improved slightly by 0.6 to 73.1, making the SAR the 19th freest among 179 economies with assigned scores worldwide, up one place from a year earlier. Macao is ranked 5th in the Asia-Pacific region while its overall score is well above the world and regional averages. The study covers economies in different regions across the world, which are assessed with 10 factors of economic freedom. Macao ranks relatively high in factors such as trade freedom, government spending, investment freedom, monetary freedom, fiscal freedom and financial freedom. The Foundation’s 2011 Report says that Macao, as a free port, has long benefited from global trade and investment. The overall entrepreneurial environment is efficient and streamlined, and property rights are well respected. Foreign investors can conduct business on the same terms as nationals. Taxation is low and efficient. Since the open-up of the gaming industry in 2002, Macao has attracted more foreign investors and has transformed itself into one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. In the Asia-Pacific region, Macao just ranks behind Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. In the global ranking of economic freedom, Macao ranks 19th and is classified as “mostly free”. According to the Heritage Foundation, economic freedom is positively related to per capita income as well as overall well-being.
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The Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On, on an official visit to Singapore, today visited the Central Provident Fund Board and the Housing and Development Board and two gaming companies there. On the second day of his four-day visit, Mr Chui visited Central Provident Fund Board in the morning to learn more about the scheme, such as the contribution of employers and employees and other benefits. He then attended the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau of Macao and Civil Service College of Singapore to strengthen co-operation. This was followed by a cocktail and lunch hosted by the Deputy Minister of Singapore, Mr Teo Chee Hean In the afternoon, he visited the Housing and Development Board and its show flats, before visiting Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, the two casino resorts in Singapore. In the evening, he attended a dinner hosted by China’s Ambassador to Singapore, Mr Wei Wei. The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive and Government Spokesperson, Mr Tam Chon Weng, told the press that the visit so far was rewarding as they learned more about Singapore’s long experience in formulating provident fund and housing policies. He said that Macao had established civil servant training programmes with Singapore since 2000 and the Macao SAR Government is willing to extend co-operation with Singapore in this field.
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The Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau of Macao SAR and Civil Service College of Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the 11th of January to consolidate the cooperation on training of Macao civil servants. The signing ceremony marked a new stage for the development of the bilateral cooperation. The signing ceremony was held in the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore at noon on 11th of January. The Director of Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, Jose Chu, and the Dean of Civil Service College, Lionel Yeo, respectively representing the Government of MSAR and the Government of Singapore, signed the Memorandum of Understanding, witnessed by the Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Chui Sai On, President of Macao Legislative Assembly Lau Cheoc Va, Secretary for Administration and Justice Florinda Chan, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Teo Chee Hean and Permanent Secretary of Public Service Division, Lim Soo Hoon. The Memorandum of Understanding strengthens both parties to reinforce in the area of training co-operation and exchanges of civil servants. According to the terms, CSC will provide support, consultancy and guidance for the development plan and strategies of the new training centre for civil service to be established this year. The aim is to introduce more specific training programs hence raising the quality and competency of the Macao civil servants. The members of Macau SAR delegation currently visiting Singapore were present at the signing ceremony, including: Vice-President of the Legislative Assembly, Ho Iat Seng; members of the Executive Council, Leong Heng Teng, Liu Chak Wan, Ma Iao Lai, Leonel Alberto Alves, Cheang Chi Keong, Leong Vai Tac, Chan Meng Kam, Ho Sut Heng, Wong Yue Kai; members of the Legislative Assembly, Chui Sai Cheong, Kou Hoi In; the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive Tam Chon Weng; the Director of the Government Information Bureau Chan Chi Ping; the Assistant of Chief Executive Tam Ka Wa; the advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive Fung Sio Weng; the advisor of the Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice Tchiang Van Kei; together with other Singapore Government officials also attending the ceremony. After the signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Teo Chee Hean hosted a lunch for the Macao Delegates and looked forward both parties to having a better achievement of co-operation on the training programs. The Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau of Macao SAR (SAFP) and Civil Service College of Singapore signed the first Memorandum of Understanding in October 2000, regarding training of the Macao civil servants, in order to comply with the government training policy of improving the management and leadership skills of the Macao civil servants. Up to date, almost 3,000 high and middle levels of executives, supervisory, and technical officers have joined the training programs organized by CSC and SAFP. They included: “Executive Management Development Program”, “Policy Development Program”, “Executive Management Skills Program” and “Train-the-Trainers Program” etc. The outcomes were highly satisfactory. Apart from increasing management abilities and skills of the participants, the training programs also helped to widen their horizon and thinking. At the same time, through group learning, it did not only increase the communication and interactions of the participants amongst different public service departments, but also facilitated team co-operation within the Macao SAR.
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From January 4 until 5p.m. of January 10, the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed two more premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally. An operator was seized on site. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has waged a total of 97 sanctions, among which two sanction proceedings have been completed and two operators who provided accommodation illegally were fined 200 000 patacas. Other cases are in different stages of sanction proceedings. Since the Cross-departmental Working Team started operations, to date, 1,174 premise-checks were conducted, involving 774 premises, of which 97 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 119 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found 19 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved 972 occupants, among whom 451 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 21 overstayers and 15 illegal immigrants. 16 operators, 13 touts, 15 persons who managed the premises that provide accommodation illegally (managing staff) and six occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were seized on site. MGTO has begun sanction proceedings on offenders according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation". If the two operators who provided accommodation illegally, who were fined 200 000 patacas, do not pay within the statutory period, the Financial Services Bureau will enforce the collection of fine. Meanwhile, the six occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were fined 3 000 patacas each, among which three have paid the fine. For those who fail to pay the fine within the statutory period, MGTO has notified the Financial Services Bureau to enforce the collection of fine and informed PSP that the involved persons should pay the fine or their reentry into Macau will be denied. According to the law, operators and persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty of up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas, persons who fail to cooperate can be fined up to 20 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the Government would relentlessly support efforts to wipe out corruption. Mr Chui made the comment when reporters asked him about the departure of two former Assistant Commissioners of Commission Against Corruption, who left last December and joined the Public Prosecutions Office. Speaking at the airport before leaving for Singapore on a four-day visit, Mr Chui said the Government fully respected their decisions and that such personnel changes were normal. He said the Government greatly respected the advice of Mr Fong Man Chong, the Commissioner of Commission Against Corruption, especially his advice for the new Assistant Commissioner. He re-iterated that the Government would fully support and co-operate with the work of the Commission, such as in law drafting and consultation, to meet public expectations. Asked about the renovation of government guest house Santa Sancha, Mr Chui said it would improve the facilities of the structure and enhance its function in receiving guests from the Mainland and overseas. It could also become the home of the Chief Executive in the future, he said. Mr Chui said the renovation was approved by the Government in 2009 and after consultation with the Cultural Affairs Bureau and other departments related with public works.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, on a monthly basis, money supply M2 witnessed a decline in November. As deposits with banks dropped and total loans increased, the loan-to-deposit ratio rose from a month earlier.
Money supply
Currency in circulation and demand deposits increased 0.5% and 4.1% respectively. M1 thus grew 3.5% when compared with the previous month. Meanwhile, as quasi-monetary liabilities fell 2.5%, M2 decreased 1.7%, amounting to MOP240.5 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 4.6% and 13.7% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 28.2%, up 0.7 percentage points over a month ago or 0.1 percentage point from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 54.8%, down 1.1 percentage points month-to-month but up 0.3 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits dropped after growing for five straight months. Their value decreased 1.7% from the previous month to MOP235.0 billion. Of which, MOP deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 0.9% and 0.4%, while HKD deposits fell 3.6%. Concurrently, non-resident deposits grew 2.2% to MOP77.8 billion and public sector deposits with the banking sector decreased 4.8% to MOP20.5 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector dropped 1.0% from a month earlier to MOP333.3 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 23.4% and 47.3% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector increased 1.8% on a monthly basis to MOP124.3 billion. Among which, MOP37.1 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP79.6 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 29.8% and 64.0% of the total respectively. Meanwhile, external loans decreased slightly by 0.2% to MOP114.1 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 0.4% (MOP0.4 billion) and 41.4% (MOP47.2 billion) of the total respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
Due to the decline in resident deposits (including public sector deposits) and increase in domestic loans to the private sector, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-November 2010 grew 1.8 percentage points month-to-month to 48.7%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors reached 71.5%, up 1.3 percentage points from the previous month.
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