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Hosted by the Macao SAR Government, coordinated by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM)and Environmental Protection Bureau (DSDPA), with National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the PRC as the invited special supporting organisations, and Koelnmesse Pte Ltd as the event manager, the 2011 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2011MIECF) will be held at Macao Venetian-Resort-Hotel from 31st March to 2nd April 2011. The upcoming “2011 Macao International Environment Cooperation Forum and Exhibition” will be the fourth edition being held. In 2010, the event received the strong support of 44 government departments from different regions and countries, regional and international associations, institutions and trade chambers, with over 5,990 professional visitors from 47 countries and regions. 362 entities and enterprises exhibited on area exceeding 13,400 sqm. floor space .416 business matching sessions were arranged and 24 projects were signed on-site. All these facilitate MIECF to become a platform for showcasing environmentally friendly technology and achievements, connecting with business clients and expanding green business opportunities. Exhibition Incentives for Macao SMEs
The 2011MIECF features the theme “Green Opportunities – Low Carbon Urban Development”, advocating “Green Cities, Smart Technology, Sustainable Growth”. 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 between local environmental industry, the Greater Pan-Pearl River delta region and international markets will be promoted to a greater extent with more green business opportunities being explored. The registration is open from today until 24 January. Exhibition registration forms are available at IPIM’s Macao Business Support Center (Alameda Dr. Carlos D' Assumpção, n° 263 Edf. China Civil Plaza, 19° andar, Macau). 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: 87989605.
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A survey on credit card additional fees charged by travel agencies has been conducted earlier by Consumer Council. Survey result shows that some agencies charge consumers an additional amount when paying with credit card. The Council states that this is against Decreto-Lei n.º 16/95/M and responsible department is working on this problem. Regarding the use of credit card and similar kinds of electronic money, Subsection 2, Section 2 of Decreto-Lei n.º 16/95/M, states that all products and services transacted within the region of Macao should be paid in MOP, and no excuses is allowed to attach any extra fee on the agreed price or transaction amount. Among the over 50 surveys received from travel agencies, over half of them are informed of Decreto-Lei n.º 16/95/M, but still over 30 per cent of these travel agencies are charging extra fees on consumers who purchase tour package, flight ticket, or hotel booking with credit card. Survey result has been sent to Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) and according to AMCM’s research, there are still quite a number of travel agencies which are not informed of, and are not complying with Subsection 2, Section 2 of Decreto-Lei n.º 16/95/M. The Macao Government Tourism Office (DST) is also informed to urge travel agencies to abide by the law and prohibit them from charging extra fees. The Council will pay close attention to travel agencies and other businesses regarding the matter of charging credit card additional charges. When choosing to pay with credit card or other means of payment instead of cash, consumers are advised to check with the travel agency on the amount to be charged prior to purchasing any travel services. According to Decreto-Lei n.º 16/95/M, consumers paying with credit card should not be charged any additional amount other than the transaction sum. Should any consumer find his or her rights interfered, he or she should bring up the case and file a complaint. Details of the survey can be found in the new Consumer Report No. 208. Due to cases of carbon monoxide intoxication caused by the misuse of flueless gas water heaters in the past, Despacho do Chefe do Executivo n.º 361/2010 was issued last year and such water heater is prohibited from import starting this January. Consumers are advised to stop using flueless gas water heater, and resources on how to choose other kinds of water heaters can be found in the current issue of Consumer Report. Consumer Report is now 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). For inquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead an official delegation to Singapore next week, at the invitation of Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong. During the visit from 10th to 13th January, in addition to meeting the Prime Minister, Mr Chui will also meet Senior Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong, Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr George Yeo, and other officials. They will also attend receptions to be hosted by Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean, and China’s Ambassador to Singapore. Mr Chui and his delegation will also visit the Central Provident Fund Board, the Housing and Development Board and other public agencies and visit Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. Members of the official delegation would include the President of Legislative Assembly, Mr Lau Cheok Va, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, members of the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly and other senior officials. The visit was originally scheduled for last October. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
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“Macau Slow Food Awards and Gala Dinner” was held by IFT Students and raised fund to Caritas Macau. A MOP 25,000 cheque was presented by Mr. Baudouin Neirynck, President of Macau Slow Food Association, and IFT Students, to the Head of the Caritas Macau, Mr. Paul Pun Chi Ming on 30 December 2010. Thanks to the support of many restaurants, suppliers, media and sponsors, the event was a great success. The event will be held again this year. The Macau Slow Food Awards and Gala Dinner 2010 organized by the current Institute for Tourism Studies – IFT - Tourism Event Management Year 2 students took place on the 3rd December 2010 at the IFT Grand Hall and Educational Restaurant respectively. The event gave recognition to restaurants and suppliers operating along the philosophy of Slow Food culture, so as to encourage them to keep on providing good, clean and fair food. The profit of entry tickets and dining vouchers was donated to Macau Caritas for charity purpose.
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From December 14 until 5p.m. of January 3, the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed two more premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally. An operator and a managing staff were 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 95 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, 1,161 premise-checks were conducted, involving 764 premises, of which 95 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 116 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 943 occupants, among whom 427 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 21 overstayers and 15 illegal immigrants. 15 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 Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released the first issue of information on Gross National Income (GNI) for 2002 to 2009. GNI, formerly known as Gross National Product (GNP), is the total income earned by residents of an economy from engaging in various economic activities within or outside the economy. The definition of “resident” incorporates individuals and institutions; resident individuals are those who have stayed or intend to stay in the economy for 12 months or longer, while resident institutions are producing units that usually operate in the economy. From 2002 to 2009, GNI at current prices rose from MOP 54.71 billion to MOP 150.24 billion, at an annual average growth rate of 15.5%; at the same time, GDP increased from MOP 54.80 billion to MOP 165.58 billion, at an annual average growth rate of 17.1%. GNI registered the highest year-on-year growth of 39.0% in 2007, attributable to the substantial increase in Portfolio investment income (PII) and Other investment income (OII) received by resident investors and institutions from their investment abroad, as against a marked decrease in Direct investment income (DII) received by non-resident investors from direct investment in Macao. Per-capita GNI rose from MOP 124,800 in 2002 to MOP 276,028 in 2009, at an annual average growth rate of 12.0% in nominal terms or 7.4% in real terms. Meanwhile, per-capita GDP increased from MOP 125,013 in 2002 to MOP 304,211 in 2009, at an annual average growth rate of 13.5% in nominal terms or 8.0% in real terms. After removing the effect of price changes, GNI increased at an annual average growth rate of 10.8% in real terms, of which GNI soared by 29.8% in 2007. However, GNI for 2008 decreased by 7.0% in real terms owing to the decline in external factor income inflow, significant rise in external factor income outflow, as well as lower purchasing power caused by rising prices. From 2002 to 2009, the annual GNI and GDP displayed an upward growth pattern. During this period, value of external factor income outflow was larger than the inflow, which implied that the external factor income received by non-resident investors from their investment in Macao was larger in comparison with the external factor income received by resident investors from the investment abroad; therefore, value of GNI was lower than that of GDP. Gross National Income (GNI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 2002 to 2009
(please fidn the attached file.)
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the Government would continue to improve the people’s livelihood and to promote economic prosperity this year. In his New Year Message to the people, Mr Chui said the Government would carry on the principle of adopting more scientific policy-making processes in order to realise a ‘Sunshine Government’. To improve governance, the Government would focus on constructing sound systems in different areas, he said. The Government would promote low-carbon economy, support small- and medium-sized enterprises, enhance the social security system and uphold integrity among civil servants. The reason behind promoting economic prosperity was to improve the people’s well-being and the Government was adamant that social vulnerable groups should be supported, he said. By giving continuing education subsidy to the citizens, the Government encourages the people to work hard and improve their competitiveness, he said. Mr Chui said more happiness was brought to the Macao people as Hoi Hoi and Sam Sam, the two pandas given by the Central Government, would meet the public this year. He expressed his warmest wishes to Macao citizens and wished Macao would have a better development.
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The English edition of Macao Yearbook 2010, an annual publication compiled by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of the Macao SAR, is launched today (31 December 2010). It is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government; Calendar of Events; Review of the MSAR; Overview of the MSAR; and Appendices. The English edition of Macao Yearbook 2010 comprises 661 pages and is enriched by 148 photographs. Consisting of 16 chapters, the Overview of the MSAR presents information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. The Macao Yearbook 2010, together with a complimentary CD-ROM containing the PDF version of the yearbook, can be purchased at the following places at 120 patacas or 120 Hong Kong dollars per copy at a later date: major local bookstores and Government’s Public Information Centre at Rua do Campo; and the Macao Post Office (Macao Post)’s Philatelic Division, Rua do Campo Branch, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Branch, Macau International Airport Branch, and Nova Taipa Branch. During the promotional period lasting until 31 March 2011, a 20-percent discount will be offered to any purchase of Macao Yearbook 2010. The Chinese and Portuguese editions of Macao Yearbook 2010 were launched earlier in November.
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A price check on canned foods and beverage items was conducted by Consumer Council earlier (30th December). In comparison with last month’s report, significant increase in average price is observed this month while decrease in price is minimal. Selling price of ‘Gu Long Spiced Pork Cubes (142g)’ has been increased by almost 30 per cent in two retail outlets and price increases are recorded at two retail outlets for ‘Porthos Sardines in Olive Oil (125g)’, with a price rise of almost 12 per cent. For beverages, average prices of most products have dropped or remained stable in the past three months. ‘Carlsberg All Malt Premium Beer (can 330ml)’ records a price drop of almost 10 per cent in two retail spots. However, a 16 per cent and 10 per cent increase in price are recorded for ‘Vita Lemon Tea (250ml x 6)’ and ‘CocaCola-Original (330ml)’ respectively. Consumers are advised to check with the reports for the most updated prices in different retail stores to save time and money. The Council will continue to monitor local price trend of both beverages and canned foods. The above-mentioned reports are now available online at the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Since its inception in 2004, the personal RMB business of Macao has been on the rise in an orderly and steady manner. Since December 2009, the scope of personal RMB business of Macao has been further widened. Simultaneously, the cross-border RMB trade settlement scheme was inaugurated. Lately, the People’s Bank of China has opened RMB fund settling channel between Macao and Hong Kong. It provides cross-border settlement of funds for Macao residents and institutions involved in respect of the transactions for RMB bonds issued in Hong Kong, which is conducive to the development of RMB business in Macao. With immediate effect, Macao residents and institutions involved can purchase or sell, through Macao RMB participating banks, the RMB bonds issued in Hong Kong.
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