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To make the best use of Macao's strength as a business service platform as well as fostering trade and economic communication and co-operation between the EU's and Macao's creative industries, plus boosting the new developments in the industry. Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute will be co-organising the Seminar on EU-Macao Business Opportunities with various local and overseas EU-related organisations during the 17th MIF. The Seminar on EU-Macao Business Opportunities is jointly organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Institute of European Studies of Macau (IEEM), European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (ECCHK) and the European Union Business Information Programme in Hong Kong and Macao (EUBIP). The Seminar will be held from 2:30-4:30pm on 19 October 2012 (Friday), in the Sicily Room at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The theme of the Seminar is Unlocking Cultural and Creative Industries' Potential – In Culture, Business, Innovation, major topics for discussion include: development potential of cultural and creative industries in EU countries and Macao, exploring the prospects of cultural and creative industry collaboration between the EU, Macao and neighbouring regions as well as emerging business opportunities. Presentation speeches, panel discussion and Q&A session will be conducted to promote constructive interaction between panellists and participants. Experts and representatives from local and overseas organisations, enterprises in creative industry have been invited to give presentations on topics including EU-Macao trade and economic communication and co-operation, experience in cultural and creative businesses. Ms. Echo Chan, IPIM's Executive Director, Mr. Jens-Erik Olsen, Vice-Chairman of ECCHK will give the opening speeches. Moderator of the Seminar is Mr. José Luís de Sales Marques, President of IEEM, speakers include Mr. Philippe Kern, Founder and Managing Director of KEA European Affairs; expert to the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Europe, Mr. Tavs Jensen Vagnby, Founder and owner of International Design House, Ms. Marielle Lagers, Director of Dutch Design Desk South China, Mr. Jorge Cerveira Pinto, National Co-ordinator of National Programme "Criatividade Portugal", Mr. Silvestre Mota, Director of INOVA Agency and Ms. Sofia Bobone, Product designer in Macao, business partner of Macau Banner Bag. All local and overseas entrepreneurs are welcome to join the Seminar. Simultaneous translation services are available in Cantonese, Putonghua and English. For further enquiries and registration, please contact Ms. Kuan of IPIM's Research and Information Division on 8798 9127, Fax: 2859 0309 or email: ipimpcom@ipim.gov.mo.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on seasonings. Survey result indicated that the difference in price of the 13 surveyed products ranged from 15% to maximum 68%. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data in comparison of the price range of the same brand of seasonings. Consumer Council collected 13 brands of seasonings from 20 retail outlets on 11th October. Survey result showed that price difference of the same brand of seasonings in different retail spots ranged from 15.4% to 68.4% respectively. An obvious difference in price was "Kimlan Light Soy Sauce (590ml)", which was sold at $9.8 (the lowest price) to $16.5 (the highest price). While, the price difference of "Tai Yang Hua Brand Table Salt (1lb)" in different retail spots reached to 60%. Survey result also revealed that prices of some surveyed products in branches under the same supermarket chain ranged from minimal to 10%. Particularly, selling price of "Amoy Premium Oyster Sauce (555g)" sold at San Miu Supermarket Taipa Flower City branch was different from that sold at Pou Seng branch, with percentage difference of almost 13%. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data to make practical consumption. The specific price survey on seasonings 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. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The University of Macau (UM) has been closely following the Sin Fong Garden incident that occurred earlier. UM has been providing technical and academic support to the SAR government in monitoring and problem identification. In the meantime UM has also adopted a series of emergency measures on campus to help students and staff affected by the incident. After the occurrence of the incident, UM's Centre for Engineering Research and Testing (CERT) was commissioned by the relevant government authorities to monitor the structure of the building, with technical support of UM's Faculty of Science and Technology (FST). In order to understand the behaviour of the structural members of the building and to provide updated monitoring data to the SAR government, after strengthening of the damaged column, several instruments have been installed on those temporary facilities and the adjacent columns through the real-time monitoring system to collect the data. In the meantime UM launched a series of emergency measures to help a dozen or so affected students and staff, including (1) providing free off-campus accommodation to affected students, and (2) providing psychological counselling to affected staff and students, and providing necessary assistance to students whose academic performance might be affected by the incident. UM will continue to closely follow the development of the incident, and will continue to fulfil its social responsibility and provide all necessary technical and academic support to the government. It will also exert its best effort to follow up on staff and students affected by the incident.
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Recently, the China Criminal Law Society held an award ceremony in Zhengzhou for winners of the National Excellent PhD Thesis of Criminal Law Award as well as their supervisors. Mr. Jiao Yanpeng, University of Macau's (UM) first doctor of law, who is currently an associate professor of the Kenneth Wang School of Law, Soochow University, won the prize for his PhD thesis entitled, "A Study on Basic Theory of Ecological Legal Interest in Criminal Law". Dr. Jiao's supervisor is Prof. Zhao Guoqiang from UM's Faculty of Law. The National Excellent PhD Thesis of Criminal Law Award, sponsored by the Gao Mingxuan Criminal Law Foundation and organized by the China Criminal Law Society, is a national award to reward outstanding theses in law. The committee consists of eleven well-known scholars in the field, which ensures the prize is representative and authoritative. All candidate papers undergo an initial evaluation and a second review. This year only eighteen papers from thirteen institutes received this prize. Dr. Jiao passed his thesis defense with excellence in February 2011 and graduated in March, becoming UM's first doctor of law since the university launched the PhD programme in law. Now Dr. Jiao is an associate professor and master's supervisor at Soochow University, as well as the director of the university's legal specialists training and research centre. His PhD thesis, "A Study on Basic Theory of Ecological Legal Interest in Criminal Law", is considered by the China Criminal Law Society to be pioneering, groundbreaking and innovative. The China Environmental Law Society rates the thesis as "a major innovation in basic theoretical research in environmental law".
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Macao' aviation security oversight work was audited by International Civil Aviation Organization in 2010 and satisfactory results were achieved. The government bodies responsible for aviation security and the airport operators have always been endeavoring their best efforts in enhancing the level of security in Macau International Airport. Regular exercises are carried out to test and assess the capacity of the Airport Emergency Plan. On 16 October midnight, the Bomb Threat Exercise 2012 was carried out in Macau International Airport to simulate the activation of the Airport Emergency Plan and the security contingency procedures in response to a bomb threat that occurred in the passenger terminal of the airport, the process of which was smooth. The exercise took place from 02:00 to 05:30 on 16 October with the participation of about 150 people. The scenario simulated a suspect baggage being found by a passenger in the departures hall of the passenger terminal of Macau International Airport. Upon being notified of the incident, the police on duty and the airport security guards arrived at the scene and confirmed that it was a suspect bomb. The case was reported immediately to the superior and the site was cordoned off. An emergency was declared and the Airport Emergency Operations Centre was activated. The police forces security immediately activated their contingency procedures and a thorough inspection was performed on the whole airport area. The police and the airport security guards later found another suspect bomb in the car park. The special police were called in to inspect the two suspect objects and one of them was confirmed to be a genuine bomb and was then detonated. The Facilitation and Security Committee holds regular meetings to review the aviation security work in Macau International Airport and discuss improvement measures to further enhance the level of security. This bomb threat exercise was conducted in accordance with the work schedule approved by the Committee in the beginning of this year. The Public Security Police Force was the coordinator; the other participants were Unitary Police Force, Macao Customs Services, Judiciary Police, Fire Services Bureau, Security Coordination Office, Health Bureau, Maritime Administration, Civil Aviation Authority, CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd, Administration of Airports, Ltd., Macau Security Company Ltd. (airport security), Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd and Air Macau Company Ltd. The President of the Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Chan Weng Hong, said that exercises with different themes are carried out every year in Macau International Airport with the objective of testing and assessing the effectiveness of the Airport Emergency Plan and the capacity of the participating entities on command and control, coordination, communication, resource allocation and so on when facing contingencies. He stressed that regular training for the personnel is necessary so that they can further improve their skills in recognizing and dealing with aviation security emergencies. With the active participation from and the combined efforts between the entities as well as the personnel, all exercises that took place in the past have achieved good results. On 06 July 2012, the full-scale emergency exercise was carried out in Macau International Airport with success. According to the 2012 work plan on exercises, a full-scale exercise will be conducted in the Macau Heliport in the midnight of 19 October.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 3.36% year-on-year to 120.54, attributable to rising charges for restaurant services and dearer prices of clothing. In comparison with the third quarter of 2011, notable increase was observed in the price index of Entertainment & Cultural Activities (+10.65%); Restaurant Services (+10.31%); and Clothing & Footwear (+7.35%) on account of higher charges for entertainment and restaurant services, as well as dearer prices of women's clothing. On the contrary, price index of Accommodation decreased by 3.52% year-on-year. TPI for the third quarter of 2012 increased by 1.64% quarter-to-quarter, of which the price index of Accommodation rose by 7.98%. On the contrary, price index of Clothing & Footwear decreased by 3.30% quarter-to-quarter upon seasonal sale of Summer clothing. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the third quarter of 2012 increased by 9.59% from the previous period, with marked increase being observed in the price index of Restaurant Services (+16.37%); Entertainment & Cultural Activities (+12.58%); and Miscellaneous Goods (+9.67%). For the first three quarters of 2012, TPI went up by 6.66% year-on-year, with index of Restaurant Services; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods increasing by 15.50%, 12.51% and 8.15% respectively. The 2009/2010-based TPI reflects the price changes of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are based on the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on tissue papers. Survey result showed that price difference of about 15 to 20 percent was recorded for the same product sold in different retail outlets. Survey 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 conducted a price check on 12 brands of tissue papers from 24 supermarkets and drugstores on 9th October. Survey result showed that price differences of 7 brands of tissue roll papers ranged from the lowest 2.7 percent to the highest 36.6 percent. 'Andrex Bathroom Tissue (3ply)/10pcs', which recorded the highest price difference, was sold at $36.6 to $50.0. Prices of the other 5 brands of tissue papers ranged from 16.1 percent to 25.0 percent. 'VIRJOY Premium 2 - ply Tissue/4 boxes', which revealed the highest price difference, was sold at$24.0 to $30.0. Survey result also showed that prices of the surveyed tissue brands generally differed for about 15 to 20 percent. Consumers are reminded to check the survey and make practical price comparisons. The specific price survey on tissue papers is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Three pastry team members of the Institute for Tourism Studies participated in the "Macau 6th Chapter Pastry Competition" organised by Macau Culinary Association. IFT teams had joined the categories of Pralines with Artistic Showpiece, Artistic Chocolate, Margarine or Sugar Showpiece and Bread Display. It was very honorable that IFT Pastry Artisans Ronald Gonzales and Jeffrey, Chak Cheong Lao, won the bronze medal in Artistic Chocolate, Margarine or Sugar Showpiece and Pralines with Artistic Showpiece. Both of their showpieces were unique in style and flavour. Moreover, Jeffrey, Chak Cheong Lao and Gordon Hoi, graduate of Diploma in Pastry and Bakery teamed up and participated in the "Fonterra Foodservices Challenge 2012 Macau" organised by Angliss Macau Food Service Limited on 10 Oct. The competition was held at IFT with the theme of Cheese Indulgence. The team of Jeffery won the Angliss Media Award with their masterpiece Mixed Nuts Caramel Cheesecake. IFT Pastry Artisans enthusiastically joining various pastry and bakery contests, raising their overall levels. In the past years, the team had achieved excellent results in competitions being held in Hong Kong, Shanghai, etc. With the rapid development in Macao, local citizens and tourists are expecting an even better culinary service from the industry, and more incentives are needed to attract tourists instead of gaming. No doubt that delicious food is one of the strong incentives. Through participating in various types of culinary competitions, IFT pastry team and chefs hope that ideas and cooking skills can be exchanged with local and overseas culinary talent chefs and in turn enhance the international culinary standard and excellence of Macao. It is also hoped that the new cooking concepts, inspiration and trends they gained through the competition can be conveyed to IFT students.
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This year's "17th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair" (MIF) will be held from 18 to 21 October 2012, with "SME International Business Days" (hereinafter referred to as the "SME Days") as one of the highlights of the event. Since 2008, SME Days has been an ideal business platform for SMEs to look at ways to transform their business, seek international co-operation and expand their business horizons. To further encourage SMES to develop their client network and widen business collaboration opportunities during the 17th MIF, the "SME Days" will feature various activities such as – (1) Launch of the 3D Website of Macao Ideas; (2) SME Service Corner; (3) Seminars of Branding, Packaging and Promotional Strategies, Franchising and E-Commerce, and (4) SME Promotion Incentive Packages Launch of Virtual Tour of Macao Ideas Macao Ideas – the first Macao products display centre, is an integrated exhibition venue for "Made in Macao", "Macao Design", "Macao Brands" and "Sole Distributorship of Portuguese-Speaking Countries' Products", with over 900 exhibits. Macao Ideas aims to facilitate local and overseas merchandisers, product agencies and buyers a channel to access Macao products and is designed to be the sourcing platform for these products. To further showcase the special characteristics of Macao Ideas exhibits, the "Launch of Virtual Tour of Macao Ideas" will be held concurrently with the opening ceremony of the "SME Days". The website has been upgraded and improved to incorporate a virtual model of "Macao Ideas" and 360-degree product displays that allow visitor to "tour" "Macao Ideas" by just moving their mouse. It also allows visitors to be the first to have this new and exciting look into Macao Ideas during the 17th MIF, as well as providing a means to view the latest Macao Ideas collection without any geographical and time constraints. Brand & Packaging and Franchising Enquiry Services
Branding and packaging play an important role in shaping an enterprise's position and image. During the last few years, MIF has provided enterprises with up-to-date information and a free enquiry service, including "One-stop Service for Macao economic and trade consultation, information on global markets, Mainland China business and legal advisory service, CEPA information on exhibitions and franchising. This year, "SME Days" features professional business consultants from neighbouring regions to provide free on-site brand and packaging and franchising enquiry and consultancy services. SMEs will be able to obtain advice and suggestions on value-added strategies for their brand, franchising and brand sourcing. An Overseas Products/Services and Franchise Catalogue Show will be held concurrently, to allow local enterprises to acquire worldwide product information. Interested parties are welcome to pre-register their enquiries. Themed Seminars and Presentations on Branding, Packaging and Promotional Strategies, Franchising and E-Commerce A series of seminars with themes in Branding, Packaging and Promotional Strategies, Franchising and E-Commerce will be held during "SME Days". Industry experts and professionals are invited to share their insights on related topics such as "How to choose an excellent headquarters to cooperate with?", "Empower your trade business with eCommerce" and "Emotional design for uplifting brand image" on 19 October, "How to choose an excellent headquarters to cooperate with?", "Utilizing Social Network and Media to Promote Your Business" and "The value of design" on 20 October and "Building the Tea Culture and a Strong Tea Brand" on 21 October. The aim is that the above topics will inspire SMEs to become involved with prevailing market trends and developments as well as broaden their horizons. Registration is now open so sign up as soon as possible! Incentive Exhibition Schemes – 50% off for Macao Ideas exhibits and 20% off for MFE exhibitors Another highlight of "SME Days" is the various promotional schemes and packages designed for the needs of SMEs, including Financial Incentives to Participate in Exhibitions and Fairs, SME Business Promotion Package and E-Commerce Promotion Incentives as well as Existing and new Macao Ideas exhibitors applying for exhibition space in "SME Day" are entitled to 50% discount and enterprises enrolling for the "Macao Franchise Expo 2013" (2013 MFE) as exhibitors can take advantage of a 20% discount on exhibition fees. "SME International Business Days Opening Ceremony", Macao Ideas Website Launching Ceremony and Protocol Signing Ceremony will be held at 12:30 pm on 19 October 2012 in the 17th MIF Macao Pavilion Protocol Signing Centre at Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. All interested parties are welcome. For more details, please visit the MIF website at http://www.mif.com.mo/mif2012/tc/smeday.php or contact SME Service Centre (SMEC). Enquiry hotline: 87989614/87989711(Mr. Ho or Ms. Leong).
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