News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for December 2012 amounted to MOP683 million, down by 7.0% year-on-year, the first decline after ten consecutive months of increase; value of re-exports (MOP492 million) and domestic exports (MOP190 million) decreased by 3.3% and 15.4% respectively. Total merchandise import amounted to MOP6.62 billion, up by 2.9% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP5.94 billion for December 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2012, total value of merchandise export (MOP2.01 billion) and merchandise import (MOP18.82 billion) increased by 4.8% and 5.3% respectively year-on-year, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP16.81 billion. For the whole year of 2012, total value of merchandise export increased by 17.1% year-on-year to MOP8.16 billion, attributable to a 28.2% increase in re-exports (MOP5.87 billion), but domestic exports (MOP2.28 billion) decreased by 4.4%; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 13.9% to MOP70.93 billion. Merchandise trade deficit reached MOP62.77 billion in 2012. In 2012, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP4.10 billion) and Mainland China (MOP1.37 billion) increased by 31.7% and 24.7% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP507 million) and the EU (MOP316 million) decreased by 8.7% and 17.7% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles (MOP7.11 billion) in 2012 expanded by 26.2% year-on-year, of which exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP1.43 billion) and Travel goods & handbags (MOP211 million) surged by 127.1% and 110.1% respectively; yet, exports of Textiles & garments (MOP1.05 billion) decreased by 21.3%. Domestic exports of Tobacco & wine (MOP528 million) rose by 12.7%, while exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP335 million) declined by 25.3%. Re-exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP1.42 billion) soared by 129.0%. In 2012, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP23.20 billion) and the EU (MOP16.65 billion) increased by 21.3% and 7.4% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 12.3% to MOP43.36 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP7.37 billion), Watches (MOP5.15 billion) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP3.31 billion) increasing by 10.7%, 30.6% and 33.9% respectively; however, imports of Tobacco (MOP508 million) dropped by 39.7%. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP13.16 billion) registered a year-on-year increase of 21.5%. External merchandise trade reached MOP79.09 billion in 2012, up by 14.2% compared with MOP69.26 billion in 2011.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) will hold the grand outdoor Chinese New Year celebrations namely "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake" on the 3rd and 7th day of Lunar New Year, with programs including float parade, 1,000-artists performance, fireworks display and float exhibition, etc. to celebrate the joy of Lunar New Year together with citizens and visitors. MGTO held a press conference today (January 31) introducing the event preparation details. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Administration Committee member of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Ma Kam Keong and Head of Cultural Events Department in Cultural Affairs Bureau (ICM), Ieong Chi Kin were present today. During the conference, Director Fernandes expressed that the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake" will take place at Macau Central District and Northern District on the 3rd and 7th night of Lunar New Year respectively. Close to 1,000 artists will participate in the performance highlighted by fireworks display on the 3rd day of Lunar New Year. The parade floats will be showcased at Sai Van Lake Square and Tap Seac Square. It is anticipated that the event will boost the charm and festive ambience of Macau and divert visitors into different districts through a variety of activities in accord with the Development Plan for Community Tourism. MGTO, IACM and ICM are the organizers of the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake" while The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District is the supporting entity. The major programs will take place at night on the 3rd and 7th day of Lunar New Year. The highlights include a launch ceremony, float parade, 1,000-artists performance, stage show, fireworks display and float exhibition. The launch ceremony of the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake" will take place on Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van at 8 p.m. on the 3rd day of Lunar New Year, whereas another parade's launch ceremony will take place on Avenida do Conselheiro Borja at 8 p.m. on the 7th day of Lunar New Year. 10 floats will take part in the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake" on the 3rd day of Lunar New Year. Besides, 28 local associations will arrange nearly 1,000 artists to perform along the parade. The parade will commence from Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, pass through Avenida Dr. Stanley Ho and reach the destination at Sai Van Lake Square. There will be stage performance at Sai Van Lake Square at 9 p.m. on the day. Upon the parade's arrival at the square, part of the performing teams will stage their performance as well, followed by Fireworks display at 10 p.m. Lighting devices and icicle lights will be installed along the parade route, while curtain lights and meteor lights will be set up at the starting and finishing points. In addition, MGTO will install LED screens at Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van and live broadcast the parade through the LED screens at Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva and Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre so that audience can enjoy the whole spectacular show of the parade. Simultaneously, Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. (TDM) and Macau Cable TV will live broadcast the parade while the latter will also record the show for subsequent broadcast. Over 340 staff and nearly 230 volunteers will participate in the event. Similarly, 10 floats will take part in the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake" on the 7th day of Lunar New Year. The parade will set off from Avenida do Conselheiro Borja and finish at Rua do Mercado de Iao Hon. Stage performance will be scheduled in Iao Hon Market Garden. The 10 floats joining the "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake" will be showcased at Sai Van Lake Square and Tap Seac Square respectively during February 12 – 24. The floats' lighting device will be on from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. during the above period. MGTO has begun the related promotion for the parade among citizens and visitors by television/radio, internet, commercials, printed materials, press, posters, leaflets, advertising boards and light boxes. MGTO will also participate in the Lantern Festival celebrations organized by IACM at Tap Seac Square on the 15th of the first lunar month, including float exhibition and artistic performance. In addition, MGTO will join hands with IACM again to co-organize the Lunar New Year celebrations on the 1st and 2nd day of Lunar New Year. Spring Festival celebrations will be held at the Ruins of St. Paul's and Senado Square on the 1st day of Lunar New Year. A 238-meter-long golden dragon will lead a parade across major tourist spots and enrich the festive atmosphere whilst demonstrating the traditional culture of Chinese New Year. MGTO will also distribute "Lai Si" to visitors during Lunar New Year by tradition and share the delight of Spring Festival with Macau citizens and visitors.
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) and the Civil Aeronautical Board of Chile held air talks on 30 January 2013 in Santiago, Chile. The two parties reached consensus on the bilateral Air Services Agreement between Macao SAR and the Republic of Chile and initialed the text. Containing no limitations, the Agreement will create a fully liberal environment for the development of the air transport market between the two places. The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Although both parties do not expect that direct flights between Macao and Chile will commence in the immediate future, considering that any designated airlines will be able to enjoy the liberal operation conditions once they are interested to operate the route between the two places in the future, the two delegations have adopted an open manner in their discussions and agreed that no limitations should be imposed. After the text has been finalized, the two sides initialed the Agreement, which allows the air services between the two places to be operated with fifth freedom and seventh freedom traffic rights and with no limitation on capacity, no limitation on the number of designated airlines and no limitation on the number of points to be served. Chile is the second country in South America after Brazil that has signed a bilateral air services agreement with Macao SAR. The country is now the fourth largest air transport market in South America. Its trade and commerce tides with the Asia and Pacific Regions are developing fast, especially those with mainland China. The President of AACM, Mr. Chan Weng Hong and the Secretary General of the Civil Aeronautical Board of Chile, Mr. Jaime Binder, were signatories of the Agreement on behalf of their government.
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It is compulsory for household property owners to get fire insurance coverage for their properties, Consumer Council therefore recently conducted a survey on fire insurance services provided by banks and insurance companies for consumers' reference.
According to the 'Guideline on Residential Mortgage Loans', institutions should take out insurance (e.g. fire insurance) for the collateral properties naming themselves as the beneficiary, irrespective of whether the cost of insurance is to be borne by the borrowers. The usual practice now is that the borrowers are requested by banks to get fire insurance to cover the structure of their properties.
Household property nowadays costs at least several million dollars and the fire insurance premiums involved amount to several thousands. Consumers are therefore concerned about the calculation of these premiums.
Result of the mentioned survey shows that it is generally accepted by banks for property owners to purchase fire insurance coverage from insurance companies, and the requested insured amount should equal to, or not less than the mortgage amount; certain banks also ask for an extra percentage based on the amount of mortgage as the insured amount. For insurance companies, each company requires different insured amount and the standards involved are much complicated than those of banks.
Survey result also reveals that almost 50 percent of the surveyed banks and some insurance companies allow justifications of insurance premiums according to reduction of the mortgage amount, such application should be made by the policyholder to the bank or insurance company in written format and approval from banks is necessary for insurance companies. Details of the survey can be found in issue no. 232 of Consumer Report.
The current issue also features the result of a test on bottled water co-held by Consumer Council and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM). Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the office of Consumer Council (Rua Inácio Baptista, Nº 6-6A Edficio Seaview Garden R/C), and the service counter of Consumer Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the resources online on 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 (DSEC) indicated that the total number of licensed motor vehicles reached 217,335 at the end of 2012, a year-on-year increase of 5%, of which motorcycles (115,623) and light private cars (87,197) accounted for 53% and 40% respectively. New registration of motor vehicles totalled 17,621 in 2012, similar to 2011, with light private cars and motorcycles sharing 48% and 47% of the total. For the whole year of 2012, number of traffic accidents rose by 4% year-on-year to 14,688 cases, resulting in 5,268 victims and 18 of them were killed. Cross-border vehicle traffic by land between Macao and Mainland China reached 4,465,854 vehicle trips in 2012, up by 8% year-on-year, of which vehicle traffic through the Border Gate accounted for 83%. Commercial flight movements at the Macao International Airport increased by 9% year-on-year to 38,563 in 2012, and the major routes included Mainland China (37% of total); Taiwan, China (28%) and Thailand (13%). Helicopter flights between Macao and Hong Kong (14,920) and between Macao and Mainland China (3,412) decreased by 8% and 7% respectively. Passenger ferry between Macao and Hong Kong totalled 112,691 ferry trips in 2012, down by 7% year-on-year. Passenger ferry between Macao and Mainland China increased by 8% year-on-year to 27,264 ferry trips. For the whole year of 2012, seaborne container throughput totalled 119,927 TEU, equivalent to 87,831 containers handled, up by 18% and 17% respectively year-on-year. Gross weight of seaborne containerized cargo increased by 13% to 207,280 tonnes, with 6,064 tonnes of transshipment goods. Gross weight of containerized cargo by land decreased by 13% to 30,681 tonnes, including 10,986 tonnes of transit goods. In 2012, outward (16,348 tonnes) and inward air cargo (6,393 tonnes) fell by 34% and 35% respectively year-on-year. Transit air cargo rose by 6% year-on-year to 5,054 tonnes. At the end of 2012, number of mobile telephone users increased by 19% year-on-year to 1,613,457 whereas fixed-line telephone users decreased by 2% to 162,533. As regards internet services, number of subscribers reached 231,582 and the cumulative duration of usage in 2012 reached 678 million hours, up by 11% and 29% respectively year-on-year.
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Four bachelor degree programmes offered by the University of Macau's (UM) Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), namely Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Electromechanical Engineering, received accreditation from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). Students starting these four programmes in the 2011/2012 academic year are recognised under this accreditation, and upon graduation they will be qualified to become members of HKIE in order to receive professional qualifications recognised worldwide. This is the first time that Macao's degree programmes have received accreditation from HKIE. Today, UM held a HKIE accreditation ceremony for the four programmes. UM Rector Wei Zhao; Prof Philip Chen, dean of UM's FST; Ir Prof K K Choy, president of HKIE; Ir Jolly Wong, head of the Communications Branch and chief police telecommunications engineer of the Hong Kong Police Force (chairman of the visiting team); Ir Dr Alex Chan, managing director of the Applied Technology Integration Ltd. (co-chairman of the visiting team) and other guests attended the ceremony. Rector Wei Zhao noted in his speech that this is the first time that HKIE has conducted the accreditation exercise outside of Hong Kong, and receiving the accreditation from HKIE represents recognition of the academic programmes of FST. Rector Wei Zhao added that it also represents a big step forward for the university towards the goal of becoming a world-class university. Rector Wei Zhao mentioned that UM will continue to enhance collaboration with international organisations, so as to nurture more outstanding graduates for Macao, China, and the world. HKIE President Ir Prof K K Choy said UM is a high-quality institution in the region with a solid academic foundation. Its graduates will be qualified to become members of HKIE in order to receive professional qualifications recognised worldwide. Ir Jolly Wong and Ir Dr Alex Chan indicated that it is a breakthrough in the international agreement for HKIE to conduct the accreditation exercise for UM. In accordance with the provisions of the Washington Accord, the mutually recognised policy applies to accreditation exercise conducted within the jurisdictions of the members, but normally does not apply to accreditation exercise conducted overseas. However, this accreditation exercise for UM is different. Aiming at obtaining the recognition from all members in the Washington Accord, HKIE obtained the authorisation from the Council, and applied the special codes of the Washington Accord in this special accreditation exercise. With the same goal to gain acceptance from all Accord members, HKIE followed the accreditation standards and procedures throughout the process, so as to meet the requirements of all signatories of the Washington Accord. If it succeeds, these four programmes will be the first batch of programmes to be accredited by the international signatories under the special codes. FST Dean Prof Philip Chen said HKIE considers the development of programmes as a vital element, and pays particular attention to whether the programmes evolve with technology and the changing needs of the profession and society. As such, HKIE not only reviewed the mathematics and basic science courses, but also reviewed the engineering topics that included engineering sciences, engineering design and synthesis, health, safety and the environment, laboratory and field work, and projects. Meanwhile, they looked over some complementary studies, such as practical training, communications, and professional engineering. The HKIE accreditation exercise was conducted on several levels—the university level (support for the accreditation exercise and further development), the faculty level (overall operation), the department level (management in development for faculty members, education for students and programmes) and the programme level (programme contents, preparation for career development and further studies for students). In order to better understand these four perspectives, the HKIE accreditation visiting team met with UM rector, vice rectors, all faculty members of FST, FST advisory board members, departmental advisors, and representatives of alumni and students. HKIE is one of the signatories of the Washington Accord. The engineering degree programmes accredited by HKIE are recognised by the other Washington Accord signatories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, etc. Moreover, HKIE is one of the signatories of the Seoul Accord. For the computer science programmes accredited by HKIE, they are recognised by the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for October-December 2012 held stable at 1.9% in comparison with the previous period (September-November 2012); the underemployment rate was 0.7%, down by 0.1 percentage point. Total labour force was 357,000 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.4%. Total employment reached 350,000, an increase of 500 over the previous period. Analysed by industry, Retail Trade and Manufacturing saw increase in employment, while Construction registered a decrease. Number of the unemployed was similar to the previous period, at 6,600, with 16.1% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 0.6 percentage points. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the general unemployment rate (1.9%) and unemployment rate of local residents (2.4%) decreased by 0.1 and 0.2 percentage points quarter-to-quarter. Total labour force increased by 5,400 quarter-to-quarter, of which total employment rose by 5,800 and the unemployed decreased by 400. Median monthly employment earnings of the employed amounted to MOP12,000 in the fourth quarter of 2012, up by MOP300 quarter-to-quarter, and that of the employed local residents remained unchanged, at MOP13,000. The unemployment rate stood at 2.0% for the whole year of 2012 and the unemployment rate of local residents was 2.6%, both down by 0.6 percentage points year-on-year.
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Pousada de Mong-Há has won the Top Bargain Hotel in Greater China in the 2013 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards. It is the 3rd out of 20 hotels in Greater China and it is also ranked as one of the Top Bargain Hotels in Asia. Pousada de Mong-Há is a training hotel operated by Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT). It features 20 guestrooms including 4 suites, with 2 restaurants, a conference room, gym room, herb garden and a cozy library. Situated on a historic hilltop and away from the casino glitz, the hotel is an oasis in the bustling little city where guests can enjoy the peaceful ambience. What makes the hotel different is that guests can feel the enthusiasm and care of the students cultivated by this internationally recognised tourism institute, also with the great contribution from a team of hospitality professionals for their coaching and management role in the hotel. Guest is also a very important component for a training hotel, giving students chances for applying the knowledge they have learnt into real situations. Moreover, Pousada de Mong-Há has added a new front desk counter at the hotel lobby so as to create an environment for students to enhance interactions with guests. Being a training hotel, winning awards and getting recognitions from the public means a lot to students. It gives them valuable support and encouragement. This is also recognition for IFT's teaching standards and thus motivating IFT to always be at the forefront of teaching quality. The annual TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards honour the world's best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers. Unlike many other hotel awards programmes in the world, TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice is the only award based purely on the millions of reviews and opinions from guests around the world. Further to the TripAdvisor award, Pousada de Mong-Há has also been recommended by the Michelin Hong Kong and Macau Guidebook for 5 consecutive years. For details, please visit www.ift.edu.mo/pousada.
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The Centre of Languages of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau is offering an Elementary Mandarin Course with English as the medium of instruction.
This course is designed for non-Chinese speaking Macao residents who are 15 years of age or above. This course will be conducted every Monday and Wednesday from 18:30 to 20:30, between February 18th and April 10th, 2013. There will be 30 contact hours and the class will be held on the 3rd Floor of the Centre of Languages at Rua Formosa No. 31.
Interested individuals may enroll for the course from January 29th to February 6th, 2013 during weekdays from 9:00 to 21:00 and on Saturdays either from 9:30 to 13:00 or 14:00 to 18:30. Applicants please present original ID card together with a copy and MOP100.00 during enrollment. For further enquiries, please call 28400211.
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Short-term measures to ensure Macao residents of an adequate supply of infant formula have been announced due to recent changes in supply on the market, according to the Office of the Chief Executive. The announcement was made today after the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, convened an inter-departmental meeting at the Government Headquarters where the Secretary for Economic and Finance Mr Tam Pak Yuen, and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U's, reported the latest development and the actions taken. Since a shortage of milk powder could affect babies' health, which is considered as a public health emergency, Mr Chui stressed that the Government has to implement stabilising measures to assist local residents in buying powdered milk for their personal use. The Chief Executive also instructed the related department to closely monitor its supply and marketing and to keep in touch with suppliers. At the same time more frequent inspections would be carried out and Macao Customs would continue to closely monitor people leaving Macao. The new measures call for residents who need infant formula to register with the authorities on a voluntary basis: distributors would then ensure they can buy an adequate quantity. Details will be announced by the Health Bureau and the Macao Consumer Council. The meeting today was also attend by the Chief of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Cheong So Mui, Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, acting Director of the Macao Economic Services, Mr Tai Kin Ip, President of Executive Committee, Mr Wong Hon Neng, Director of the Health Bureau, Mr Lei Chin Ion and other health officials.
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