News

Consumer Council conducted a test on the accuracy of fuel meters at 18 gas stations in Macao and all specimens passed. The Council conducted the mentioned test on petrol machines at 18 gas stations in Macao. According to the standard requirement, each fuel meter was tested thrice consecutively for the calculation of the difference between the actual output volume of fuel and the volume stated on the meter. All tested specimens passed this year, with a passing rate of 100 percent while last year's rate was only 94 percent. Test result and data of the same test conducted in previous years are available in the latest issue no. 225 of Consumer Report. The oil and petrol industry is called on to carefully monitor the accuracy of petrol machines for the sake of protecting the rights of consumers, and to renew components periodically to ensure accuracy and stability of the fuel meters. The current Consumer Report also features articles on the price changes of commodities and recommendation for 'Certified Shops' on choosing reliable product sources. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the office of Consumer Council (Rua Inácio Baptista, Nº 6-6A Edificio 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 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 (DSEC) indicated that the 27 banks in Macao had a total of 5,228 employees at the end of the first quarter of 2012, up by 7.5% year-on-year. Analyzed by occupation, technicians and associate professionals totalled 1,466, an increase of 13.5% year-on-year; 2,341 were clerks, with 842 being bank tellers. In March 2012, average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) of full-time employees amounted to MOP20,810, up by 5.9% year-on-year. Average earnings of bank tellers stood at MOP12,060 and that of professionals amounted to MOP23,120, up by 12.1% and 7.2% year-on-year respectively. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, number of job vacancies of the Banking Sector totalled 223, down by 19.8% year-on-year; vacancies for clerks stood at 119, with 52 for bank tellers. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 59.2% of the vacancies required working experience and 73.1% required tertiary education. Besides Cantonese, other preferred language skills were Mandarin (91.5%) and English (88.3%). The Banking Sector hired 206 new employees in the first quarter of 2012, lower than the 470 recruits in the third quarter of 2011, bringing the employee recruitment rate down substantially by 5.3 percentage points from 9.3% to 4.0%. The job vacancy rate was 4.1%, up by 1.6 percentage points from the third quarter of 2011, with the vacancy rate for professionals topped at 7.5%.
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In order to promote museum culture, admission to the Macao Museum, under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and the Tak Seng On Traditional Pawnshop Museum will be free on the International Museum Day. The organisers will also organize two free public guided tours and a series of activities on the same day. Since 1977 the "International Museum Day" has been celebrated annually on 18th May by initiative of the International Council of Museums. The Macao Museum celebrates this date with a series of activities, including free admission and two guides tours, also free, at 11am (in Mandarin) and at 3pm (in Cantonese). On the same day, in order to promote the preservation work of the world cultural heritage and increase social awareness to cherish and protect Macao's historical heritage, the Museum organizes a lucky draw as well as a competition titled "Test your knowledge about Macao's World Heritage Sites", from 11am to 1pm and from 3pm to 5pm, to enrich the population's knowledge about these sites. Participation is open not only to residents but also to visitors. In May, museums around the world promote museological heritage. This year, the Macao Museum presents the Exhibition "Maritime Porcelain Road - Relics from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Museums" co-organized by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture, the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, with artefacts from the Guangdong Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Macao Museum's collections. The exhibition displays the history and impact of the Chinese porcelain sea export trade, spanning for almost two millennia, from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. This is already the second time the three regions cooperate to organize a large-scale relics exhibition. "Maritime Porcelain Road" will run from May 26th to October 7th 2012 at the Macau Museum, after which it will be displayed in Guangdong Province and Hong Kong. The opening ceremony of the exhibition will be held at 5pm on May 25th (Friday) at the Mount Fortress Garden. For more information, please call 28357911, during office hours, or visit the Macao Museum website at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo, or the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at www.icm.gov.mo.
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To facilitate the promotion and development of Macanese cuisine, IFT had participated in the filming of "Macau, an Oriental Passion", produced by the Portuguese Television, RTP2. "Macau, an Oriental Passion" is a documentary programme portraying the important roles of gastronomy in Macao during 1930s and 1940s, while expressing the cultural side of Macao during that period. In the programme, Graça Pacheco Jorge was filmed for Macanese Cuisine cooking demonstration in IFT kitchen. During the filming, Graça prepared 3 traditional Macanese dishes: Portuguese Chicken, Fish in a Soya Sauce and Fried Chinese Cabbage for demonstration and together with her husband, they were being filmed in IFT Educational Restaurant to talk about the cream of Macanese cuisine and their memories of Old Macao. GRAÇA, born in Macao, is descendent of an ancient Macanese family. In 1992, she wrote the book "A Cozinha de Macau de Casa do Meu Avô" which was edited by Macau Cultural Affaris Bureau and re-edited by Editorial Presença in Lisboa in 2003. In 1999, she was invited by the Japanese TV Channel (NHK) to participate in a prime time Tokyo TV Show, to talk about Macanese culture and gastronomy. In 2004 she participated in several programmes for the Portuguese National TV about Macanese Cuisine. Throughout the period of 2009 to 2011, she has maintained her activity of divulging the Macanese gastronomy with workshops, theoretical and practical classes, in partnership with Macau Tourism Promotion and Information Centre in Lisbon, and Casa de Macau (Lisboa). In June 2010, she was being elected as "Honorary Member of the Macanese Gastronomy Association". She had also worked with IFT last year for the Macanese Cuisine Cooking Demonstation Workshop. IFT has always been dedicated to promote different ethnic cuisines for the public, especially the Macanese Cuisine. IFT has been co-organising Macanese Cooking Competition in the past few years, published a Macanese Cuisine related cook book named The Art of Macanese Cuisine & Other IFT Delights. Signature Macanese cuisine dishes are also provided at IFT Educational Restaurant. All of these can facilitate Macanese cuisine promotion. By participating in the filming programme this time, it is hoped that the spirit of Macanese cuisine, a real unique cuisine representing Macao together with local culture can be spread to more places in the world.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 3,592 building units were purchased and sold at MOP11.71 billion in the first quarter of 2012 as per Stamp Duty record, up by 1.4% and 15.7% respectively quarter-to-quarter. There were 2,344 residential units amounting to MOP8.31 billion, up by 7.9% and 32.6% respectively over the previous quarter. Analyzed by year of completion of the building, 781 residential units purchased and sold were completed in 1990-1999, and 632 units in 2010 and after (including 342 pre-sale units in uncompleted residential buildings). As regards floor area of the unit, 1,139 residential units (48.6% of total) had an area of 50 to 99.9 square metres. The average transaction price of all residential units amounted to MOP45,453 per square metre of usable area, up by 9.5% quarter-to-quarter. The average price of those in the Macao Peninsula (MOP41,266), Taipa (MOP48,107) and Coloane (MOP83,173) increased by 5.2%, 6.8% and 29.8% respectively quarter-to-quarter. Analyzed by floor area, the average price of residential units with an area of 150 square metres and over increased by 21.9% quarter-to-quarter to MOP70,960 per square metre. In addition, the average price of office units increased by 5.1% quarter-to-quarter to MOP40,362 per square metre, and that of industrial units rose by 15.4% to MOP16,068 per square metre. In the first quarter of 2012, a total of 1,990 cases of real estate sale and purchase contracts were made, up by 1.0% quarter-to-quarter, and the number of units rose by 37.6% to 3,248. Moreover, there were 1,388 cases of residential mortgage contracts signed, a decrease of 9.8% quarter-to-quarter. In the first quarter of 2012, gross floor area of buildings completed totalled 9,164 square metres, altogether providing 36 units (24 are residential units), 17 parking spaces for cars and 6 parking spaces for motorcycles.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the credit card statistics for the first quarter of 2012. The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 575,445 at the end of March 2012, equivalent to an increase of 3.2% over a quarter ago. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 424,775, 67,344 and 83,326 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective growth of 2.7%, 0.9% and 8.1% quarter-to-quarter. On an annual basis, RMB cards recorded an upsurge of 122.1% while MOP cards and HKD cards grew 18.7% and 8.9% respectively. As at the end of March 2012, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao reached MOP9.4 billion, up 5.4% from end-December 2011. Credit card receivables amounted to MOP1.3 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP458.7 million, accounting for 34.6% of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, increased slightly to 0.88%.
For the first quarter of 2012, the credit card turnover slid 2.2% quarter-to-quarter to MOP2.7 billion. The cash advance turnover was MOP148.6 million, accounting for 5.4% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, went up 8.6% from the previous quarter to MOP2.9 billion.
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Consumer Council recently conducted a price check on over-the-counter drugs (nonprescription). An average price discrepancy of about 20 percent was revealed in most of the surveyed items, prices of one item sold in different outlets even differed for over 80 percent. Consumers are advised to check with the Council's 'Specific price survey'. Consumer Council conducted its price check on over-the-counter drugs from 26 drugstores on 11th May, surveying 6 different drugs, including remedies for cold and flu, cough syrup, and stomachache medicine, etc. Prices of 3 of the surveyed drugs recorded price differences of about 20 percent. On top of the list was 'Advance Cough Suspension (120ml)', which recorded a price difference of 81.8 percent, ranging from $31.90 to $58.00 in different outlets. Prices of 'WEISEN-U (30 tablets)' in different outlets also differed for almost $30.00 (from $42.50 to $72.00), which was about 70 percent. The Council indicates that the specific price survey on over-the-counter drugs revealed that selling prices of the same item sold in different outlets varied significantly and consumers are advised to check on the resources available to make comparisons. The specific price survey on over-the-counter drugs is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). Further, consumers are advised to have consultation with a physician when not feeling well. If over-the-counter drugs are to be taken, consumers should take note of the precautions and intended dosage described on the package, cease taking of the drugs if any illness occur, and seek medical help. Consumer Council also indicates that consumers need to take into account whether the package label is complete when buying nonprescription medicines; information such as name of the medicine, ingredients, dosage, batch number, and expiry date are all to be considered other than the price.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total population of Macao was estimated at 562,900 as at 31 March 2012, an increase of 5,500 (+1.0%) compared with end-2011. In the first quarter of 2012, there were 1,578 live births, down by 9.9% quarter-to-quarter, with 819 male babies. Gender ratio of the newborn was 107.9, corresponding to 107.9 male babies per 100 female babies. Number of mortality cases totalled 511, up by 14.1% quarter-to-quarter; the top three underlying causes of death were Neoplasms, Diseases of the Circulatory System and Diseases of the Respiratory System. Meanwhile, 6 cases of fetal mortality were recorded. In the first quarter of 2012, there were 815 Chinese immigrants and 556 individuals authorized to reside in Macao, down by 73 and 80 respectively quarter-to-quarter. Meanwhile, 287 illegal immigrants were repatriated, an increase of 20 quarter-to-quarter. Number of non-resident workers totalled 98,664 at the end of the first quarter, up by 4,636 quarter-to-quarter. In addition, 1,090 cases of marriage registration were recorded, up by 4.2% over the fourth quarter of 2011. Due to the outburst of Influenza in Spring, there were 2,505 cases recorded in the first quarter of 2012. Consequently, a total of 3,074 cases of Notifiable Diseases were reported in the first quarter, up significantly by 326.9% quarter-to-quarter.
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On 12 May, 1800 – 2000 at Eduardo Marques Garden, Coloane, IFT Heritage Management Year 4 Students organised a "Speak Up! Memories of Coloane" event. It is a student project led by IFT Visiting Professor Richard Engelhardt and Dr. Johannes Widodo, supported by Cultural Affairs Bureau and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau. The Event includes: Interpretation of memoirs and experience sharing by Local heroes of Coloane, Video presentation made by Heritage Management Year 4 students of IFT. Students chosen Coloane Village as case study in the Heritage Management Programme – "Economics of Heritage Conservation" course. Guided by internationally renowned heritage specialists, Dr. Richard Engelhardt, Regional Adviser for Culture in Asia and the Pacific, UNESCO and Dr. Johannes Widodo, Assistant Professor of the National University of Singapore. Heritage students dedicate doing deep research work on history of Coloane and actively interact with locals on discovering the culture and traditions in Coloane, touching moments for countless times, invaluable stories and memories are collected with all efforts. The event aims to provide a platform for local communities to speak out on their unique and memorable stories reflecting local lifestyle with distinctive feature, as well as discovering rarely known histories and memories of Coloane residents. It mainly established on the base of stories sharing by local villagers, while recording conduct in form of documentary including movie, website and brochure which were shared during the event. The event helps to strength communication and wake up memories among the locals and outsiders who concern on culture protection and heritage conservation. Hence, not only local communities but individuals and parties who are interested in the memories of Coloane, curiosity about stories are welcomed. The objective of holding this event is to promote the unique local customs and characteristic social value of Coloane to the public in order to improve the understanding of history, and the appreciation of civilisation and human spirit of Coloane, leading to accord with the locals' stories to sustain the traditional unique culture.
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Paul Pun, Secretary of Caritas Macau received a donation of MOP 3000 on 9 May, 2012, the proceed of Terra Madre 2012, a Taste Education event organised earlier by Tourism Event Management Year 2 students of Institute for Tourism Studies at Mateus Ricci primary school, from the student representatives and Dr. Baudouin Neirynck (1st from left), President of Macau Slow Food Association.
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