News

Consumer Council expands the scope of its supermarket price survey this October to collect prices of over 300 products from almost 100 supermarkets in different areas of Macao. The Council has also updated the searching system of its 'Supermarket price information platform' website for consumers' better navigation and for making better price comparisons. Consumer Council indicates that as consumers demand for more price information and the number of local supermarkets keeps on increasing, supermarkets have become an important location for consumers to purchase daily commodities. The Council has not only expanded its supermarket price survey work by adding the amount of products surveyed and the number of chain supermarkets, but also updated and enhanced its website and the functions of its iPhone and Android smart phone 'Supermarket price information platfrom' apps. Starting this October, the Council further expands the scope of its supermarket price survey work by collecting prices from more supermarkets. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets all over Macao monthly for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check prices of several hundreds of products directly according to their desired locations. The Council now collects prices of over 300 products, such as cooking oil, rice, and canned foods, etc, in 12 different categories. The 'Supermarket price information platform' website has also been updated. Consumers may now choose their own parishes, check the price information of all supermarkets in their parishes, and make price comparisons. The Council indicates that similar updates will also be launched later for both its iPhone and Android apps.
The areas to be surveyed in the expanded price collection work this time include supermarkets in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish (Areia Preta and Venceslau de Morais). The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. The 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 enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
…

According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply continued to grow in August. As total deposits grew at a faster pace than total loans, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector dropped from a month earlier.
Money supply
Currency in circulation grew 1.7% whereas demand deposits dropped 0.5%. M1 thus decreased 0.2% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities rose 2.5%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, increased 2.1% to MOP419.3 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 34.4% and 20.5% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 24.7%, down 0.3 percentage points from a month ago but kept virtually unchanged from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 52.9%, up 0.2 percentage points month-to-month but down 2.6 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits rose 2.1% from the preceding month to MOP410.8 billion. Of which, MOP deposits, HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 0.8%, 2.5% and 2.6%. Non-resident deposits grew 3.6% to MOP161.0 billion. Public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 5.0% to MOP61.9 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector grew 2.8% from a month earlier to MOP633.6 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 20.1% and 45.3% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector increased 3.3% from a month ago to MOP240.8 billion. Among which, MOP75.6 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP140.7 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 31.4% and 58.4% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans rose 0.2% to MOP267.0 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.1% (MOP3.0 billion) and 22.6% (MOP60.3 billion) respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
The loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-August rose 0.4 percentage points from the previous month to 51.0%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors dropped 0.9 percentage points to 80.1%.
…

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) participated at Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT & CMA) held in Bangkok, Thailand from 1 to 3 October to promote business tourism. Running it's 21st edition, IT & CMA is Asia-Pacific region's premier business tourism tradeshow which also serves as a platform for promoting incentive travel. This year, the show attracted over 280 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions. This year, MGTO ran a booth under the theme "Touching Moments Experience Macau". MGTO joined hands with Macau Economic Services (DSE) and 23 local trades to promote the latest business tourism products and facilities. In addition, MGTO promoted the "Incentive Travel Stimulation Program" among incentive travel organizers. Since 2009, the "Incentive Travel Stimulation Program" initiated by MGTO has been welcomed by the trades. In accordance with the figures by the Statistics and Census Service, there were 458 Meetings, Incentives, Convention and Exhibitions held in Macau in the first half of this year.
…

The latest issue of Consumer Report (no. 240) is available and the contents include the total number of cases received by the Council in the first half of 2013 and tips and guidelines for choosing an old age home for the elderly. Consumer Council handled 3,614 cases in the first half of this year. 843 cases were complaints and 2,749 cases were inquiry, 22 cases were suggestions from consumers. The top five complaint categories, which amounted to around 50 percent of the complaint cases, were telecommunication equipments and services, food and beverages, electronic products, travel agency business and restaurants. Details regarding the analysis of the complaint and enquiry cases can be found it the current issue. With the increase in ageing population in Macao, the demand for elderly service has been increased accordingly. Some consumers will choose to place their elderly family members at old age homes. Now, there are around 10 non-government subsidized, private old age homes in Macao. Requirements for admission and operation rules of the old age homes have to be approved by the relevant department. As service provision and charges may vary among different old age homes, consumers are suggested to get more information before making the choice. An article about the operations of private old age homes can be found in the current issue. The current issue also features articles about suggestions of CI on consumers' right to access fair and stable financial services, the visit of "Hong Kong Ming Pao Student Reporter Scheme" to the Council, as well as some health information for consumers. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at Consumer Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, 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.
…

The 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest adjourned splendidly. SAS BREZAC Artifices from France won the championship, followed by the fireworks teams from China and Switzerland in the second and third rank. The prize-giving ceremony was held at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre and was attended by Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes as well as Deputy Directors Manuel Pires and Cecilia Tse, etc. During her closing speech, Senna Fernandes remarked that starting from a small-scale production, Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has developed into a mega event which enjoys not only wide recognition among the press across the region and overseas but also huge popularity among visitors and citizens today. As the organizer, MGTO has given great efforts and passion to present a spectacular contest over the past 25 years. Innovations were also introduced this year to improve the contest such that it made not only a grand tourism and entertainment event but also a festive season for local citizens to celebrate in Macau. The prize for the champion team is 8,000 US dollars whereas the second and third prize winners were awarded 4,000 and 2,500 US dollars respectively in the contest. The ten teams came from five continents namely Asia, Europe, America, Oceania and Africa to join the event this year, including fireworks companies from Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Korea, Portugal, Australia, Italy, Canada, France and Mainland China. Four of the teams won the championship in the past Macau contests. The three fireworks shows on the last night of the contest were presented by the teams from France, Italy and Mainland China; to celebrate the 64th Anniversary of the National Day, the fireworks company from Mainland China was arranged to present the finale spectacle again this year, filling the evening with warm ambience. Citizens flocked into streets to see the fireworks shows during the National Day's holiday while different areas were bustled with visitors around Macau Peninsula and Taipa. A festive atmosphere pervaded the city. This year's contest introduced five innovations including "Pyrotechnics Industry Forum", contestant teams from five continents, an African fireworks company's debut, laser light effects and a promotional micro movie. There were also live broadcasts of the fireworks shows on television as well as the mobile message game to raise citizens' involvement. In addition, MGTO worked together with the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau again to present the Fireworks Carnival, which added fun and color to the splendid fireworks evenings through a variety of entertainment shows and delicacies offered. MGTO launched the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest since 1989. The contest has developed into an annual highlight event in Macau which attracts many visitors and enjoys international recognition today. Citizens equally look forward to the delightful moments of the fireworks displays. Filling the holidays and festive season with joyous atmosphere, the fireworks contest has become Macau's brand and signature event.
…

The Macao Special Administrative Government is fully dedicated to boosting the substantial development in politics, the economy and culture to enhance the people's livelihood. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said this today when he addressed some 900 guests at the National Day reception hosted by the Government. He said government would bolster economic and social development and facilitate people's livelihood by establishing a long-term effective and protective mechanism. The Government has the determination to solve housing problems, to ensure employment opportunities for locals, to take care of the needy and to share the economic achievements of the region. The Government will put more efforts in dealing with transportation and flooding problems, and other politics relating to the people's livelihood, he pledged.
Mr Chui said the country's prosperity has further promoted the stable development of Macao's politics, economy and culture. On politics, 14 direct and 12 indirectly legislators have been successfully elected in the fifth Legislative Assembly election. The new legislature would continue to fulfill the duty of formulating laws and monitoring government's policies. Mr Chui stressed the Government would have more interaction with the Assembly and work harder to contribute to the region.
New opportunities have been created for the people of Macao to start businesses in the Mainland with the implementation of the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao and the 10th Supplementary Protocol to CEPA signed this year.
The Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Co-operation Forum (Macao) would be held in Macao soon, and Macao would once again act as a bridge and platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. With the full support of the Central Government, Macao is actively serving as a world tourism and leisure centre and a commercial and trade platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries in speeding up economic diversification.
Through regional co-operation, the multi-destination travel scheme would also enhance the tourism benefit of the entire region, Mr Chui said. Guests attending the reception included the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Bai Zhijian; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Hu Zhengyue; the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army, Senior Colonel Zhu Qingsheng; the President of Legislative Assembly, Mr Lau Cheok Va; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. In the morning, some 200 guests attended the flag raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square. A number of government departments have also organised celebratory events, including a variety show organised by the Macao Sport Development Board, at Macao East Asian Games Dome, at 2 pm. Pyrotechnics displays of the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, by teams from France, Italy and China, will take place on the waterfront near Macau Tower at 9 pm, 9:30 pm and 10 pm.
…

The Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, opens its 27th edition with a Latvian National Opera production of Richard Wagner's opera Das Rheingold, to be held on October 2nd, Wednesday, at 8pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth. The MIMF brings 22 outstanding shows to the territory from October 2nd to November 3rd 2013. Das Rheingold, the first opera in the cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring cycle), introduces Wagner's vast, mythical world. In legendary times, Northern Europe consisted of three realms: the underworld, where the Nibelungs lived; the earth's surface, inhabited by giants and mortals; and the cloudy heights, home of the gods. The dwarf Alberich renounces love and steals the gold guarded by the maidens of the Rhine. He forges a magic ring from the gold, but it soon becomes an object of desire for Wotan, the ruler of the gods, who wants to save his wife's sister from the giants. The infuriated Alberich lays a curse on his lost treasure – anyone who possesses it will eventually meet their doom… This modern version of Das Rheingold by the Latvian National Opera, together with a strong cast and exquisite sets, will certainly enrapture the audience. The 27th MIMF's opening ceremony will take place before the opening performance, at 7.45pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre lobby. The public is welcome to attend. Tickets for the 27th Macao International Music Festival can be purchased at all Kong Seng Ticketing outlets, both by telephone and online. A variety of discount plans is offered. For more information pertaining to the 27th MIMF, please visit the Festival's website at: www.icm.gov.mo/fimm.
…

Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on cooking oil on 27th July for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
…

The Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) is presently participating in the 38th Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly where representatives from 181 member states and major international and industry organizations gather together to hold discussions in separate commissions to deliberate safety, security, economic, environment and regional cooperation issues relating to the future development of the global air transport systems. The 38th Session was declared open on 24 September 2014 at the ICAO Headquarters in Montreal. It will be concluded on 04 October 2014. AACM is participating as member of the delegation of the People's Republic of China. According to ICAO statistics, the global air traffic will rise from 100,000 aircraft movements per year to 200,000 aircraft movements in the next twenty years. In his welcome address for the opening ceremony, the President of the ICAO Council, Mr. Roberto Kobeh González pointed out that the rapid increase in air traffic will pose significant challenges to system safety, efficiency, security, economic viability and environmental protection. The Assembly therefore urges all member states and administrations to collaborate with the industry to take measures to improve both oversight and operations in order to manage the upcoming capacity expansion without sacrificing the overall system safety and convenience. In aviation safety, the Assembly defined runway safety, controlled flight into terrain and loss of control as the three main focuses for the next three years. The Assembly also reviewed and approved the two revisions of the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), both of which have already been endorsed by the ICAO Council previously. The GASP is a framework for guiding and assisting the Aviation Safety Groups in different regions, ICAO's member states and administrations, as well as the airlines worldwide, in the formulation of their aviation safety plans, for improving international safety. The key objective of the 2013 GASP is to continually reduce the aviation accident rate through effective safety oversight, safety management and risk assessment. The GANP is a strategic plan that presents all states and administrations supporting a harmonized global air navigation system. Together with the Aviation System Block Upgrades that has been incorporated into the Plan, the new GANP provides a comprehensive planning tool for the modernization of air traffic management in contemporary and future times. Furthermore, the Assembly also urges all states and administrations to actively take part in regional sub-groups to promote safety at all levels and share information among themselves. In aviation security, ICAO will continue to drive all states and administrations to further secure aircraft, passengers and cargo and implement facilitation to avoid obstructions to traveler convenience and trade flows. In the environmental protection area, aviation now contributes just 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions each year. Despite this, ICAO and all states and administrations have dedicated much effort to reduce CO2 emissions. Aircraft today are at least 80% more fuel efficient than they were in 1960s. The Assembly reviewed the CO2 emission reduction activities carried out by the states and administrations. All parties will continue to implement a broad range of measures including operational refinements, alternative fuels, new technologies to significantly improve protection capacity. The ICAO Assembly is held every three years with the participation of all contracting states and major international and industry organizations. About 1,400 delegates from a total of 231 delegations, who are coming from 181 states and 50 international and industry organizations, unions and associations, are now attending the event. Election for the new 36-seat Council took place on 28 September 2013, which will run for three years till 2016. The People's Republic of China has been elected as a Council member. The new Council will continue to serve as ICAO's governing executive body in the coming triennial period.
…

Spanning a week (1 – 7 October), 1st October Golden Week will start tomorrow officially. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has been actively preparing for its arrival in various aspects including food guide publication and activation of the tourism notification system. The Office has also increased its inspection duties and launched an online system for hotels and guest houses to report their room rates. Through a series of measures, MGTO makes a great effort not only to cater for citizens and visitors' needs but also to improve service quality in the tourism industry. The tourism notification system for 1st October Golden Week will officially come into operation between MGTO and Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province since 28 September until 8 October. MGTO will release related information online as a platform, which includes updating every previous day's Mainland and total visitor arrivals at various ports in Macau. The highest room rates offered by different hotels during the Golden Week will also be posted online. Both tourism authorities will maintain close communication with each other during the aforementioned period. MGTO regularly releases the reported room rates of different room categories offered by hotels and guest houses in Macau online. Citizens and guests can browse MGTO's website for further information and room rates of hotels and guest houses. Before 1st October Golden Week arrives, the Office has also introduced a room-rate report system online for industry partners to update their room rates on the Internet in order to raise the report system's efficiency and enable visitors to obtain the latest information. MGTO publishes the "Macau Food Guide for 1st October Vacation" (Chinese version only) together with General Union of the Macau Neighborhood Association, The United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau, The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District as well as The Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau. The guide offers a contact list of restaurants open during 1st October Golden Week for visitors to get their operation info conveniently. MGTO has also launched the first four walking tour routes themed as "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities" lately, encouraging visitors to stroll around Macau leisurely and explore different neighborhoods for hidden gems. The new routes are expected to divert visitors off the beaten tourist track in order to alleviate the burden and foster community tourism. Visitors can download the food guide and the four walking tour maps from MGTO's website: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo or acquire the printed copies for free from the Office's Tourist Information counters. For Mainland visitors who plan to visit Macau during the Golden Week, MGTO will advise them via WeChat and mobile messages to make room reservation in advance and check local room rates on MGTO's website if needed; the Office also encourages visitors to download travel information online before their trip to Macau or acquire the printed materials at MGTO's Tourist Information counters upon arrival so that they can obtain more useful information in hand. Meanwhile, MGTO will strengthen its inspection duties at various sightseeing attractions, ports and areas while increasing the manpower at Tourist Information counters. MGTO's Tourism Hotline 2833 3000 will maintain its 24-hour operator service as usual with inspectors standing by round the clock to help visitors with their enquiries, whereas visitors can browse MGTO's website for travel tips and related information. The Office has also sent a written reminder to industry partners regarding concerns about health and hygiene, food safety, fire safety, opening hours, occupational guidelines for tour group operators, requirements for hotel room-rate report and so on. MGTO also maintains communication and exchanges news with Consumer Council, Public Security Police Force, Macau Customs Service, Marine and Water Bureau, Transport Bureau and so forth. Through the "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports" offered by Public Security Police Force, visitors can check the real-time border-crossing images at the arrival & departure halls and traffic lanes of Barrier Gate, Outer Harbour and Cotai Frontier Post by visiting the platform webpage: www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/pspmonitor on phone or computer. Visitors can therefore choose a suitable timing to leave or arrive in Macau flexibly. MGTO has posted a direct link to Public Security Police Force's webpage "Real-Time Information Platform of Border Ports" on its website as well. In addition, the "Tourism Law of the People's Republic of China" will take effect on 1st October. MGTO thus invited a policy expert from China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) to address explanation sessions in Macau for related official departments and travel industry partners on July so that they could gain a clearer understanding of the Tourism Law and its relations with both destinations' tourism development. MGTO will persist in carrying out its relevant duties properly in accord with the new law, hoping that the concerted efforts of all sectors will steer the tourism market toward a sound development course.
…