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Consumer Council added a grading standard to its assessment system for 'Certified Shops', 1190 'Adherents' had been awarded the 2012 'Certified Shop' emblem and 9 'Certified Shops' were graded 'Class A'. To ensure the goodwill and service quality of 'Certified Shops', Consumer Council has been making assessment on its 'Certified Shops' by conducting analysis and on-the-spot evaluation since the establishment of the 'Certified Shops' mechanism in 2001, qualified 'Adherents' and 'Certified Shops' are awarded the annual emblem. This action not only monitors the operation of 'Certified Shops' but also encourages improvement made by 'Certified Shops'. For years, the 'Certified Shop' emblem has become one of the local brands of assurance and quality. As Macao is now set as a world centre of tourism and leisure, services provided by local retail industry should align with international standards, Consumer Council therefore bettered its evaluation system for assessing 'Certified Shops' by adding class grading in addition to the current score grading. 'Certified Shops' were evaluated based on almost 30 criteria such as their records of complaint cases, hygienic conditions of shops, service quality provided by staff, sales policy and procedures, as well as their abidance to their 'Code of Practice', etc. 1190 qualified shops were then classified into 5 classes, the highest being 'Class A'. 9 'Certified Shops' with score over 95 were awarded as 'Class A Certified Shop' for the first time. Consumer Council indicated that 1241 'Adherents' or 'Certified Shops' were assessed in 2011, 51 shops (around 4 percent) did not pass the assessment mainly due to unqualified sales policy or numbers of complaint cases filed against them. The Council indicated that selling prices are often stated unclearly at shops where payments are accepted in currencies other than Patacas (MOP), especially when exchange rates of other currencies to Patacas are not displayed; 'Certifies Shops' would be asked to rectify this situation. 9 'Class A Certified Shops' were awarded at the launching ceremony of the new 'Certified Shop' emblem held on 28th December. Consumer Council hoped that all of its 'Certified Shops' would continue to improve and better local retail industry's services. Further, a new design for the 'Certified Shop' emblem was released at the event held on 28th. The above article can be downloaded at http://www.consumer.gov.mo/c/ccnews.asp
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for September-November 2011 was 2.3%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period (August-October 2011); the underemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage point to 1.1%. Total labour force was 345,000 in September-November 2011 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.5%, with total employment decreasing by about 1,800 over the previous period to 336,000. Analyzed by industry, employment of the Construction Sector saw increase, while that of Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services and Real Estate & Business Activities registered decrease. Number of the unemployed decreased by about 300 from the previous period to 8,100, with 15.3% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 1.1 percentage points over the previous period. In comparison with September-November 2010, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 0.5 and 0.6 percentage point respectively; meanwhile, the labour force participation rate increased by 1.3 percentage points.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today met with the Secretary of CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, Mr Zhang Gaoli, in Tianjin where the two governments agreed to strengthen co-operation on trade, culture and tourism. Mr Chui and his official delegation arrived in Tianjin on 26 December after the Chief Executive's duty visit to report to the state leaders. During the meeting, Mr Zhang introduced the latest political and economic development of Tianjin city to the Macao delegates. He also said Tianjin and Macao should step up co-operation in all aspects. Mr Chui said that after the business promotional activity -- "Macao Week" had been held successfully in Tianjin city earlier this year, both sides have enhanced communication. He said that Mr Zhang should visit Macao when he had the time as well as to hold "Tianjin Week" in Macao to further expand mutual co-operation on business, culture and tourism. Mr Chui attended the welcome luncheon hosted by the Tianjin Government and visited the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city, the Tianjin Haihe Italian Business Park and the Tianjin Planning Exhibition Hall. The delegation returned Macao in the evening.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On concluded his duty visit and reported that President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao had affirmed the SAR Government's work in 2011. Mr Hu and Mr Wen had respectively received Mr Chui today in Beijing. The Chief Executive said Mr Hu and Mr Wen had particularly hoped the government should be more concerned on several aspects: (1) due to the overall economic situation in 2012, the government should manage finance matters with security in order to reduce risk; (2) the government should intensify the work on improving people's livelihood; and (3) the government should accelerate the pace of economic diversification. According to China's 12th Five-Year Plan, Macao has been positioned as the world's tourism and leisure centre and as the business and trading service platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries; the SAR Government would fully carry out these two missions, said Mr Chui. He stressed that Macao has become a tourist destination and has engaged into the international market, the government is confident to build Macao as the world's tourism and leisure centre. On its function as a service platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, Mr Chui said that in the near future, the government would organise business delegations from the Portuguese-speaking countries to participate commercial and trading activities, such as fairs in the Mainland. On the other hand, the government would also organise business delegations from the Mainland to visit Portuguese-speaking countries to promote their goods and products, as well as to participate the international trading activities, said Mr Chui. The Chief Executive also said that the government has placed great hope in regional co-operation to diversify Macao's economy and he said he has confidence in achieving this. In response to media questions about constitutional development, Mr Chui re-iterated that the government is waiting a reply from the NPC Standing Committee and will announce the result to the public shortly.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, left today for Beijing to report to state leaders on the government's performance in the past year and the policy blueprint for the coming year. Before his departure, Mr Chui told the media at Macao International airport that he would talk about the strategies in boosting economic development and improving people's livelihood to state leaders on this duty visit. He said that considering the complex international financial crisis, the government in the next year will implement preventive measures to cope with difficulties. Mr Chui highlighted that the government would speed up efforts to build Macao as the world's tourism and leisure centre, advancing Macao as the business service platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries in accordance with China's 12th Five-Year Plan. The government would continue to diversify Macao's economy through regional co-operation. When the media asked him about constitutional development, Mr Chui responded that more than 100 submissions were received during the consultation period over the past two years. According to the formal procedures, the government has written to the National People's Congress and would listen to the NPC Standing Committee's suggestion on modification after the Committee had its meeting. Regarding to the constitutional development which led to the recent discussion, Mr Chui emphasised two points: First, Macao's Basic Law is different from Hong Kong's Basic Law. This is the first time Macao had asked the NPC Standing Committee for interpretation after the SAR Government establishment in 12 years. The government must strictly abide by the NPC Standing Committee and in accordance with procedures laid down. Second, the Central Government has the right to start and to make determination in the whole process, said Mr Chui. Yet, he stressed that the government will take the mainstream view of the Macao residents as the basis to move forward with constitutional development. While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, is acting Chief Executive.
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Consumer Council released test result for the hygienic condition of tissue papers in its latest issue no. 219 Consumer Report, all 18 tested samples passed and complied with the quoted standard. Consumer Council pays attention to the hygienic condition of daily essential product of consumers such as tissue papers. 18 samples, packaged in 6-rolls to 12-rolls formats, were spot checked earlier and tested for their total amount of bacteria, colon bacillus, hemolytic streptococcus, and staphylococcus aureus, according to the quoted mainland China's national standard. All samples tested were satisfactory. Test result showed that the amount of bacteria found in most samples were much less than that stated in the national standard, meaning that the quality of tissue papers available in the market is ensured. However, consumers are advised not to choose tissue papers of poor quality or packaging, or those with unclear product labels, rather, they should choose products with certified labels printed on their packages and check whether they are properly packed without any air leaks or damages to avoid further contamination during transportation and storage. The latest Consumer Report also features an interview with ophthalmologist Dr. Frank Lai from Kiang Wu Hospital about the effects of coloured contacts to consumers' eye health. Consumer Report also covers the promotional work of the Council for the upcoming anti-smoking law that comes into force next year, as well as other recent activities of the Council. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the two offices of Consumer Council, Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources online at the Council's official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that total visitor arrivals increased by 20.1% year-on-year to 2,417,765 in November 2011. Same-day visitors (1,317,503) accounted for 54.5% of the total, with 812,787 coming from Mainland China. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China surged by 33.2% year-on-year to 1,460,992 (60.4% of total), mostly from Guangdong Province (705,194), Fujian Province (88,413) and Zhejiang Province (55,047); Mainland visitors travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme totalled 561,070, up by 28.3% year-on-year. Visitors from Hong Kong (589,082), Japan (39,713), Malaysia (35,492) and Singapore (30,590) increased by 4.9%, 10.6%, 1.8% and 22.4% respectively; on the contrary, those from Taiwan, China decreased by 6.9% to 89,761. In the first eleven months of 2011, visitor arrivals reached 25,456,561, up by 12,2% year-on-year which had surpassed the annual total (24,965,411) of 2010. Visitors from Mainland China (14,680,367), Hong Kong (6,925,013) and the Republic of Korea (360,302) increased by 22.0%, 1.9% and 20.9% respectively, while those from Taiwan, China (1,129,425) and Japan (355,532) decreased by 4.8% and 5.8%. In the first eleven months of 2011, same-day visitors accounted for 53.9% of the total, at 13,722,712. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea totalled 9,979,965 in the first eleven months of 2011, up by 7.6% year-on-year. Visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour increased by 10.7% to 6,433,037, while those arriving at the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa decreased slightly by 0.9% to 3,112,688. Visitor arrivals by land registered an increase of 16.9%, at 13,944,205 in the first eleven months of 2011, with 12,900,168 arriving through the Border Gate. Visitor arrivals by air increased by 3.0% year-on-year to 1,532,391. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport increased by 2.8% to 1,508,877, with the majority coming from Mainland China (37.9%); Taiwan, China (34.3%); and Malaysia (6.1%).
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On will pay a duty visit to Beijing on 25-26 December, after which he will also visit Tainjin In Beijing, Mr Chui will meet state leaders and report on the recent developments in Macao and his policy blueprints for next year, according to an announcement by the Office of the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive has re-affirmed that boosting economic development and improving people's livelihood are the focal points of the policy address of the SAR Government for next year. He said the Government would work together with the community to build Macao as the world's tourism and leisure centre, advancing Macao as the business service platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.
While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, will be acting Chief Executive.
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Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 15th December. In comparison with last month's record, average prices of rice and cooking oil had become stable and decreased respectively while those of many surveyed samples of noodles, milk products, sanitary and hygienic products had increased slightly by 2 to 4 percent. A total of 300 kinds of products were surveyed by Consumer Council. Prices of rice and cooking oil, where obvious price increase were recorded last month, had turned stable and dropped respectively; though several Thai rice brands recorded no change in price in the last two months, certain brands, such as '"Fung Soi" Thai Hom Mali Rice (10kg)' and '"Tsing Ling Gi" Thai Hom Mali Rice (10kg)', still showed significant increase in price. Among the 25 samples of cooking oil surveyed, prices of half of them had dropped since last month, e.g. a price drop of over 13 percent was recorded in 'King Chef 100% Pure Corn Oil (3.5L)'. Further, average prices of several brands of instant noodles had increased by 0.5 to 8 percent. Some samples from the categories of milk products, sanitary and hygienic products also recorded a price increase. For canned foods, prices of most of the samples surveyed in both the 'Supermarket Price Survey' and 'Specific price survey on canned foods' were stable, with only an exception of 'Greatwall Brand Chopped Pork & Ham (340g)' in which average price had increased by 4 percent since last month. Consumers are advised to check with the price data provided by the Council and to download the new 'Supermarket price platform' iPhone app available for free on the Council's website. Both 'Supermarket Price Survey' and 'Specific price survey on canned foods' are now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). 'Supermarket Price Survey' is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM's Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. For inquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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With reference to media reporting of the occurrence regarding the loss of communication during cruise that took place on 01 October 2011 of an Air Macau wet leased operation, AACM has now completed its investigation. The occurrence and the investigation conclusions are summarized as follows: On 01 October 2011, the Air Macau wet leased flight (Air China Flight CCA101) which was destined to Hong Kong International Airport took off from Beijing Capital International Airport at 0844. From 0921 to 1037, the air traffic control centres that CCA101 passed through were not able to establish contact with the flight for more than one hour. The flight landed at Hong Kong International Airport at 1139. During this occurrence, the cabin conditions were normal and no passengers were affected. (A wet lease is a special leasing arrangement between two airlines whereby the lessor provides an aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance to the lessee. The lessor aircraft logo and the registration mark remain unchanged.) In accordance with the Mandatory Occurrence Reporting System established by the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM), Air Macau notified the Authority on the same day after the occurrence. Having analysed the nature, AACM mobilized its investigation. Air Macau was also required to find out the root cause and submit their report. The operator subsequently suspended the duties of the two flight crew members to assist in the investigation. Air Macau submitted their report to AACM on 28 October 2011, which AACM has analyzed. The Authority has interviewed the flight crew members to obtain their statements as well as carried out a thorough review on all relevant information, including the maintenance records of the aircraft, the data decoded from the digital flight data recorder and cabin voice recorder, the training and the duty time records of the flight crew, the air ground communication records of the air traffic controllers and so on. After review and analysis of all factual information, data and the flight crew statements, the investigation did not find any factors on the part of the ground and air communication equipment and the air traffic control operations that could have contributed to the occurrence. The factual information indicated that the flight crew members are properly licensed with airline traffic pilot license and are technically qualified to operate the flight. Their duty time complied with the Air Navigation Regulation of Macau. AACM's investigation report concluded that the causal factor in this occurrence was the flight crew's negligence in maintaining an effective radio listening watch. In addition, the flight crew members' failure to set and monitor the guard frequency and their lack of situational awareness during flight are factors contributing to the occurrence. For the purpose of preventing recurrences in order that safety can be maintained, AACM's investigation report listed out 14 safety recommendations for Air Macau to take action, which include: the operator should take concrete steps to enhance flight crew members' understanding of and compliance with their operational procedures and instructions in flight operations, particularly in maintaining radio listening watch and setting and checking correct radio frequency; the operator should look into their certificate of maintenance review process for effective checking of compliance status to relevant regulations and requirements; the operator should take concrete steps to enhance line maintenance personnel's understanding of and performing maintenance work; the operator should study and increase the frequency of line proficiency checks conducted to flight crew members in wet lease flights and ensure that these checks are conducted on regular basis; the operator should, as part of their Safety Management Systems, assess the safety risks of mixed operations of wet lease flights and apply mitigation measures to control the risk probability. In the aspect of safety monitoring work, AACM will enhance oversight on aircraft equipment status during the renewal process of the aircraft certificate of airworthiness. Analysing the nature of this occurrence and the investigation conclusions, in accordance with Provisions 1 (3) and 3 of Article 20 of the Administrative Regulation No. 10/2004 and Paragraph 4 of the Thirteenth Schedule of the Air Navigation Regulation of Macau, AACM has decided to suspend the license of the two flight crew members for 6 months. AACM reiterates that the purpose of investigation is to look for the casual factors so that effective corrective actions can be implemented to avoid similar recurrences in the future.
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