News

Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on dairy products. Survey result revealed price differences of up to 80 percent for the same product sold in different retail outlets. Consumer Council collected prices of 16 brands of dairy products from 18 retail outlets on 22nd October. An average price of $12.0 to $13.0 was recorded for 'Cowhead Pure Milk (paper pack)/1L' in most outlets, but the highest price recorded was $19.0 and the lowest was $10.5, thus resulting a price difference of up to 80.1 percent. The mentioned difference was also the biggest price difference observed this month. Other brands of dairy products which recorded price differences of over 50 percent included 'Pura UHT Milk (paper pack)/1L' and 'Anchor UHT Whipping Cream/1L', which recorded price differences of 56.7 percent and 50.0 percent respectively. The Council indicated that both price increases and decreases were observed for the surveyed items and consumers are advised to check with the survey data to make practical consumption. The specific price survey on dairy products is now available on the Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps.
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Two carnivals will be held later this month and in November for the promotion of the regulations and services of Consumer Arbitration Centre by Consumer Council. The first carnival will be held on 28th October (Sunday), from 15:00 to 17:00, at the outdoor area next to Flower City Garden in Taipa. Residents are welcome to participate in the event. Services provided at Consumer Arbitration Centre are legal, fast, and free of charge and the Centre serves as an alternate channel for consumers and businesses to settle disputes. Consumer Arbitration Centre was established in March 1998, aiming to solve disputes between consumers and businesses efficiently through mediation and arbitration. A total of 465 dispute cases have been handled since the establishment of the Centre. Two carnivals will be held later this month and in November to promote the regulations and services of Consumer Arbitration Centre. The first carnival will be held on 28th October (Sunday), from 15:00 to 17:00, at the outdoor area next to Flower City Garden in Taipa. Information on the services, development, and regulations of Consumer Arbitration Centre will be exhibited from 15:00, 28th October to 16:00, 29th October. The second carnival will be held on 4th November (Sunday), in the afternoon at Luís de Camões Garden and details will be announced at a later stage. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 18th October. A total of 350 products were surveyed this time and in comparison with last month's records, 40 percent of the surveyed products remained at the same price level. Survey result also revealed price differences of up to 24.72 percent for the same product being sold in different supermarket chain stores located in different areas of Macao. A total of 350 items were surveyed in the Council's latest 'Supermarket Price Survey'. Survey result showed that among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed by the Council, selling prices of many products were found to vary in different branches. Prices of 'Garden Original Saltine/200g' at R. Areia Preta Park'n Shop and Son Wo Kong Cheong Park'n Shop differed for 24.72 percent; prices of 'Minute Maid Orange Juice Drink/450ml' at R. dos Mercadores San Miu and S. Lourenco San Miu differed for 20 percent; a price difference of 18.54 percent was also recorded for 'Amoy Pea Shoot and Pork Water Dumpling/10 pcs' sold at S. Lourenco Royal and Sunny View Garden Royal. In comparison with last month's figures, prices of 98 products had decreased, 143 products recorded no change in price and prices of 109 products had been raised lightly, though most of them recorded an increase of less than 5 percent. Only 'C & S Face Clean & Soft Tissue (Toilet Paper)/10pcs' recorded a comparatively significant price increase of 11.43 percent. Consumers are advised to check with the information available on the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform', especially the function of 'Top Ten Price Differences' for the surveyed products and in the platform iPhone and Android apps. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer 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.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals decreased slightly by 0.2% year-on-year to 2,161,566 in September 2012; same-day visitors (1,082,468) accounted for 50.1% of the total. The average length of stay of visitors stood at 1.0 day, up by 0.1 day year-on-year, with overnight and same-day visitors staying 1.9 days and 0.2 day respectively. Analysed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased modestly by 0.8% year-on-year to 1,255,962, coming mostly from Guangdong Province (570,571), Fujian Province (59,134) and Zhejiang Province (45,393); Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme rose by 11.4% to 500,395. Visitor arrivals from Hong Kong (582,091) held stable year-on-year and those from the Republic of Korea (32,585) increased by 22.1%; however, visitors from Taiwan, China (97,163); and Japan (35,296) decreased by 3.8% and 0.9% respectively. Long-haul visitors from the Americas (22,642), Europe (19,821) and Oceania (11,439) increased by 0.3%, 6.2% and 8.2% respectively. Visitor arrivals totalled 7,286,971 in the third quarter of 2012, down by 1.7% year-on-year. In the first nine months of 2012, visitor arrivals totalled 20,864,685 and the rate of increase narrowed to 1.0% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (12,458,605), the Republic of Korea (331,435) and Japan (319,067) increased by 6.0%, 9.6% and 12.7% respectively, while those from Hong Kong (5,373,074) and Taiwan, China (817,080) decreased by 7.0% and 13.4%.
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Consumer Council conducted its price check on oral care products earlier. Survey result showed that price differences of up to 80 percent were recorded for products in different selling spots, recorded data has been uploaded to the Council's 'Specific Product Price Platform' website and is also available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. Consumer Council collected prices of 10 toothpastes and mouthwashes from 30 retail outlets, including supermarkets and drugstores, on 15th October. 'Oral-B Tooth and Gum Care (100ml)', which was sold at $10.9 to $20.0', recorded the most significant price difference of about 83.5 percent. Price differences for other products have shrunk since last surveyed in August: 'Colgate - Plax Complete Care Mouthwash (500ml)', which observed a price difference of 78 percent last time, now differed for only 37 percent and was sold at $30.0 to $41.10. Survey result also showed that among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed by the Council, selling prices of some products were found to vary in different branches: a price difference of 13 percent was recorded for 'Colgate - Plax Complete Care Mouthwash (500ml)' sold at San Miu Supermarket La Baie Du Noble branch and Taipa Flower City branch. Consumers are advised to check with the survey result to make price comparisons. The specific product price survey on oral care products has been uploaded to the Council's 'Specific Product Price Platform' website and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (117.82) for September 2012 increased by 5.69% year-on-year, attributable to higher charges for meals bought away from home and dearer prices of vegetables. For the 12 months ended September 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.39% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B also rose by 6.54% and 6.60% respectively. In comparison with September 2011, notable increase was observed in the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+33.83%); Household Goods & Furnishings (+7.80%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+7.40%) on account of dearer prices of vegetables, higher charges for meals bought away from home and domestic services. On the contrary, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.06% and 0.41% respectively year-on-year. The CPI-A (117.46) and CPI-B (118.37) increased by 6.14% and 5.83% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI increased slightly by 0.01% month-to-month. Rising charges for domestic services, as well as dearer prices of gold jewellery pushed up the price index of Household Goods & Furnishings (+1.34%); and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+1.11%). However, price index of Education; Clothing & Footwear; and Recreation & Culture fell by 3.20%, 1.97% and 1.47% due to increase in tuition subsidy, seasonal sale of clothing and reduced charges for package tours. The CPI-A increased by 0.09% month-to-month, while CPI-B decreased by 0.01%. The Composite CPI for the third quarter of 2012 rose by 6.02% over the same quarter of 2011, of which price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Housing & Fuels; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages saw noticeable increase, while that of Communication registered a decrease. The CPI-A and the CPI-B for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 6.46% and 6.18% respectively year-on-year. The average Composite CPI for the first nine months of 2012 increased by 6.29% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.53% and 6.51% respectively. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) rebounded whereas commercial real estate loans (CRELs) dropped in August 2012. With regard to outstanding balance, both RMLs and CRELs witnessed increases. New Lending Approved In August 2012, new RMLs approved by Macao banks rose 16.6% month-to-month to MOP4.4 billion; of which, 88.3% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents and non-residents increased 8.9% and 151.0% respectively. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) rose 43.9% month-to-month to MOP237.3 million. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 91.4% of the total, rose 39.9% while the amount to non-residents grew notably by 108.3%. New CRELs decreased 64.2% month-to-month to MOP1.8 billion; of which, 97.2% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents declined by 64.7% and 33.0% compared with the previous month. Outstanding Balances As at end-August 2012, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP88.6 billion, an increase of 2.9% from one month earlier. The resident component made up 92.5% of the total. Outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents grew by 2.6% and 6.7% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs edged up 0.8% from end-July to MOP64.8 billion. Residents accounted for 90.5% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents grew by 0.9% while those to non-residents remained largely unchanged. Delinquency Ratios At the end of August 2012, the delinquency ratio for RMLs remained unchanged from end-July at 0.06%. The ratio for CRELs edged up 0.01 percentage point from end-July to 0.09%.
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Organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), the 17th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), came to a close today (21st Oct) after four days which saw thousands of trade visitors, residents and tourists come through the doors here for visit, business negotiations, sourcing and purchasing. Many pavilions were well received with tremendous number of visitors and customers. The four-day MIF received a total of 103,899 visits, representing an increase of 9.23%, over last year. Meanwhile, a total of 1,847 sessions of business matching were conducted, resulting in the signing of 88 protocols. A total of 47 forums, conferences, seminars & presentations were held with 6,800 attendees. The 17th MIF spanned an exhibition area of over 30,000 sqm with the showcase of over 1,800 exhibition booths represented by more than 700 exhibitors, and received trade delegations from over 50 countries and regions. In addition to first time exhibiting countries such as Madagascar, Cyprus and Jordan, the Pavilion of Portugal had its biggest ever exhibition area, reaching 500 sqm. Meanwhile, with the debut participation of Shenzhen Cultural Industrial Fair and the introduction of the "Cultural and Artistic Performance Pavilion", it not only built the Fair into a platform for the Chinese cultural and creative industries to "go out" for new markets, it also provided an excellent stage for some of the world's finest performances and demonstrations such as the ones presented at Beijing Pavilion and Hunan Pavilion, the lifelike mechanical models of marine animals of the Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort, the singing and dancing shows of the China's Ethnic Groups Pavilion, the onsite demonstrations by many masters of Chinese traditional arts and crafts, and the glamorous fashion shows of "Macao Brand Show", to name just a few. In order to further raise the standards of technology and equipment of the convention and exhibition industry of Macao, deepen regional cooperation of the convention and exhibition industries in the Pearl River Delta, and strengthen the exchange of the technological results among the local and overseas industry players, the MIF this year upgraded the "Convention and Exhibition Pavilion" by having it jointly organised by industry players from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, to showcase their state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for convention and exhibition. Besides, the 17th MIF specially set up a "Packaging Design Pavilion" to give richer contents to the theme of "culture and creation". In addition to the availability of renowned packaging design experts onsite to provide professional advisory service, there were also several seminars on related topics, so as to promote the exchange of technological results among local and overseas industry players and improve the standards of packaging design of Macao's branded commodities and food specialties enterprises. With regard to SMEs, a full spectrum of services such as a brand new 3D website of "Macao Ideas" launched during the "SME International Business Days", SME Service Corner, orientation to "branding" and "franchising" and the upcoming "Assistance Plan for SMEs to Explore New Business" were lined up to help SMEs accomplish operational upgrade and transformation. "Investment" constitutes a major theme of the MIF. Out of the 47 forums, conferences, business networking activities held during the MIF this year, including the "International Trade and Investment Forum 2012" and "The 9th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs", the total number of attendees exceeded 6,800. All of these activities served to provide a platform for direct exchange and meeting among exhibitors and buyers of various industries for creating new business opportunities. Besides, with a view to fully utilizing Macao's advantage as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and helping local and Mainland SMEs explore the markets of Portuguese-speaking countries, the MIF this year had the biggest ever Pavilion of Portugal which occupied an exhibition area of nearly 500 sqm. Meanwhile, several related activities and seminars were held, including "EU Wine & Food Products Promotion and Networking Cocktail Reception", "Portuguese-Speaking Countries, Fujian and Macao Economic Exchange Networking Cocktail Reception", "Seminar on EU-Macao Business Opportunities Unlocking Cultural and Creative Industries' Potential – In Culture, Business, Innovation" and "Brazil's Investment Environment & Business Opportunities provided by 2014 FIFA World Cup & 2016 Rio Olympics Games", among others. The four-day Fair attracted a total of 103,899 visits, an increase of 9.23% over last year. This year, the "One-trip, Multi-stop" service and "Convention and Exhibition Through Train" plan diverted trade visitors to visit the Canton Fair and to go to Hengqin of Zhuhai and Nansha of Guangzhou for field inspection, with an aim of pooling conventions and sharing resources, and hence optimizing the results and business opportunities for the participating trade visitors. Meanwhile, a total of 1,847 sessions of business matching were conducted, (up 22.9% over last year) which included 351 sessions for hotels, 254 sessions for supermarkets, 289 sessions for others and 953 sessions of onsite project negotiations, which were related to hotels, tourism, food products and wines wholesaling, supermarket retailing, food & beverage, and retailing, etc. The buyers mainly came from Macao, Hong Kong, USA and Switzerland, etc. Among them, the percentage of participation in business matching by Portuguese-speaking countries recorded an increase, in that a total of 350 sessions were arranged for them. This year, the products exhibited by Portuguese-speaking countries included wine products and food. And of these products, Portuguese red wines were the popular among visitors. Over the last four days, 88 projects had their protocols signed during the 17th MIF (an increase of 8.64% over last year), which included 24 contracts, 42 agreements, 10 letters of intent and 12 memoranda (of which 10 projects signed were related to Portuguese-speaking countries, including Portugal, Angola and East Timor, in respect of joint exploration of the Greater China market, setting up a chain store for Portuguese agricultural food products, cooperation in the processing of coffee from East Timor, cooperation for vineyard, and distributorship of Portuguese food products, chocolates and Casa Angola products, as well as friendly cooperation among government entities and trade associations, etc.). The protocols signed were mainly related to tourism, culture and creation, convention and exhibition, information technology, education, manufacturing, real estate, food & beverage, trade and commerce, environmental protection, products distributorship, agricultural cooperation, shops of brand name products, food processing and friendly cooperation among government entities and trade associations, etc. The signing entities mainly came from countries and regions including Macao (45.39%, of which 80% were SMEs), Mainland China (38.16%), Hong Kong (5.26%), and Portuguese-speaking countries (3.95%) (of which Portugal (1.97%), in which the Associação de Jovens Empresários Portugal-China signed 2 agreements with enterprises of Macao, Angola (1.32%), East Timor (0.66%), Taiwan (1.32%), Malaysia (3.29%), Korea (0.66%), Philippines (1.32%), USA (0.66%), etc. Today was the final day of the 17th MIF. Many trade visitors, residents and tourists took the opportunity to visit the Fair for seeking business opportunities, sourcing and purchasing, as well as for watching the exquisite cultural and creative exhibits, demonstrations and performances. Many pavilions were well received by tremendous number of visitors and customers. The 18th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held from 17th to 20th October 2013. Remarks: This is a preliminary press release. The above data were updated until 13:00 of 21st October. The data and information will be subject to further update. Please check back again for more updated news released later by the Government Information Bureau.
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The Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF), an initiative by the Macao government, is contributing to China's efforts to achieve specific objectives for a low carbon society, as well as to raise public awareness and improve conditions for humanity. From its launch in 2008 through to 2012, MIECF has grown from strength to strength and regarded as a success by delegates, exhibitors and the international community. Now, MIECF returns for its sixth edition in 2013 from March 21 to March 23, at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. As the 2013MIECF Event Manager, Koelnmesse Pte Ltd is inviting interested service providers to participate in the second phase of Call for Tender, for appointment of service contracts. The range of services being tendered for are: - Stand Contractor
- Freight Forwarder
- Travel Services
- Printing/ Production Services
- Design Services
- Registration Services
- Shuttle Bus & Limousine Services
- Accounting Services
- UFI Audit Service
- Translation Service
- Manpower
- Promotion Services
- Networking Events Operator
- Conference, Green Public Day &Concurrent Events Operator Interested parties are welcome to submit their tenders. Submission deadline is 5 November 2012. Full information on the tender procedures and specifications can be obtained form the website at www.macaomiecf.com.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) organized grand promotion events once again in Australia, featuring Macau - A New Dimention, Macau Food Week and Macau Festival to attract the young and families to Macau. The Macau Festival Opening Ceremony was held today (October 20) at the outdoor area in Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour. Deputy Lord Mayor of City of Sydney, Robyn Kemmis, Deputy Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney, Hu Xiaolan, Cultural Representative of Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Donna Ingram and Director of MGTO, João Manuel Costa Antunes, among other guests, officiated the opening ceremony. "Macau Festival 2012" was scheduled to take place on weekends and Sundays around the theme "Touching Moments, Experience Macau". MGTO Representative in Australia prepared a rich variety of entertainment and food stalls, whilst promoting next year's 60th Macau Grand Prix and the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest during the event. Macau Food Week took place at the Sheraton on the Park during October 19 – 26. 50 representatives from Australia's travel and food media sampled many classic Macanese delicacies such as Caldo Verde, African Chicken, Serradura and Macanese Egg Tarts at the opening ceremony. In addition, MGTO hosted a special dinner themed around "Macau: A New Dimension" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia to showcase Macau's past, presence and future, and the Consul of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney, Wang Hao and Consul General of the Consulate General of Portugal in New South Walses, Sofia Batalha, together with over 100 Australia's leading travel trade and media partners attended. There was an increase of 5 percent in the arrivals from Australia, amounted to more than 83,000 in total from January to September this year, making Australia the second largest long haul source market for Macau.
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