News

High-level economic forums are a major component of the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF). Every year, senior government officials, leader of business organisations and industrial entrepreneurs are invited to attend the Forum to work together to promote regional co-operation and industrial development. During this year’s MIF, the International Trade and Investment Forum 2010, organised by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Investment Promotion Agency of Ministry of Commerce, P.R.C., All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Macao Chamber of Commerce and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), will be held at 3pm on 21 October 2010, in Sicily Room at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Mr. Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr. Dong Songgen, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Mr. Liu Zhiqiang, Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and Mr. Vong Kok Seng, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Macao Chamber of Commerce will deliver speeches at the Forum. Speeches will be made by various ministerial officials from Portuguese-speaking countries and other regions, including Mr. António Manuel Soares Serrano, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries of Portugal, Ms. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Undersecretary of Department of Agriculture of Philippines and Mr. Cristiano da Costa, Vice Minister of Economy and Development of Timor-Leste. The theme of Forum is “New Horizon, New Opportunities” and the invited guest speakers will speak on how enterprises can strengthen regional co-operation, enhance competitiveness and explore new business opportunities in the current international economic situation. Guests attending will include leading officials and representatives of municipal governments, as well as leaders and representatives from Mainland, local and overseas enterprises and business organisations. All local and overseas entrepreneurs are welcome to participate in the International Trade and Investment Forum 2010, one of the major events of this year’s MIF. Simultaneous translation service will be provided in Putonghua, Cantonese, Portuguese and English. For further enquiries and registration, please contact Ms. Kuok of IPIM’s Research and Information Division on 8798 9127, Fax: 2872 8208 or 2859 0309 or email winnievai@ipim.gov.mo.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP169.7 billion (USD21.23 billion) at the end of September 2010. The reserves rose by 2.7% from the revised value of MOP165.2 billion (USD20.62 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP27.4 billion or 19.3%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-September 2010 represented 33 times the currency in circulation or 257.0% of Pataca M2 at end-August 2010. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency’s exchange rates against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners, fell by 0.35 points month-to-month but increased by 0.91 points year-on-year to 90.50 in September 2010. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the third quarter of 2010 rose by 11.16% year-on-year to 164.15. The price indices of Miscellaneous Goods (+22.74%), Accommodation (+14.20%), Restaurant Services (+5.44%), and Transport & Communications (+5.15%) recorded notable increases, attributable to dearer prices of gold jewellery and airfare, as well as higher hotel room rates and charges for restaurant services. On the contrary, price index of Entertainment & Cultural Activities decreased by 0.44% year-on-year. For the third quarter of 2010, TPI went up slightly by 0.07% quarter-to-quarter, of which the price indices of Miscellaneous Goods; and Clothing & Footwear increased by 2.14% and 1.76% respectively, on account of rising prices of gold jewellery and new arrivals of adults’ clothing. However, price index of Accommodation dropped by 7.72% as a result of lower hotel room rates compared with the second quarter. The average TPI for the last 4 quarters ended the third quarter of 2010 rose by 10.52% from the preceding period, with marked increase observed in the indices of Miscellaneous Goods (+22.86%); Accommodation (+13.96%); Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco (+4.65%); and Restaurant Services (+4.53%). For the first three quarters of 2010, TPI went up by 10.95% year-on-year, of which the price indices of Miscellaneous Goods and Accommodation surged by 21.86% and 14.26%, respectively. TPI reflects the price changes of goods and services purchased by visitors, which is compiled according to the consumption pattern of visitors. TPI covers 8 sections of goods and services, namely Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods. The base period of TPI is from July 1999 to June 2000.
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The Historical Archives of Macao will hold another of its popular conservation workshops on Saturday 23rd of October from 14.00 to 17.00. This time the focus will be on making a Book sleeve. No previous experience is required but participants must be at least ten years old. Starting 18th of October, please visit the Historical Archives of Macao (open Mon-Fri, 09:30-18.30, Sat, 13.00-18.00) on Tap Seac Square to register and pay the workshop fee of MOP$20 (inclusive of materials and equipment for the workshop). Places are limited and will be distributed according to order of registration. For more information about individual workshops this year, please visit http://www.archives.gov.mo. For further details, please contact Ms. Esther Chu of the Macao Historical Archives of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at 85986537.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 23.1% year-on-year to 477,072 in August 2010. In comparison with August 2009, visitors from Mainland China (350,005); Hong Kong (25,893); Japan (24,070) and the Republic of Korea (14,276) rose by 28.4%, 8.3%, 3.9% and 152.6% respectively, while those from Taiwan, China (23,455) decreased by 16.5%. In the first eight months of 2010, visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 36.9% year-on-year to 4,000,979. In August 2010, Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours up by 13.4% year-on-year to 30,048, with Mainland China (63.7% of total); Taiwan, China (8.2%); Japan (7.5%) and Malaysia (7.4%) being the most popular tour itineraries. In the first eight months of 2010, residents travelling in package tours totalled 165,712, an increase of 24.6% over 2009. Meanwhile, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies rose by 9.8% year-on-year to 50,384 and the main destinations were Mainland China (34.0% of total), Hong Kong (27.5%) and Taiwan, China (19.0%). In the first eight months of 2010, outbound residents travelling under such arrangements rose by 11.2% year-on-year to 317,709. At the end of August 2010, total number of available guest rooms of the hotel sector increased by 1,577 (+8.7%) year-on-year to 19,767 rooms. A total of 696,013 guests checked into hotels and guest-houses in August 2010, up by 10.2% year-on-year, with the majority coming from Mainland China (52.0% of total) and Hong Kong (23.6%). The average occupancy rate of the hotels and guest-houses increased by 2.2 percentage points year-on-year to 82.4% and that of the hotels reached 83.0%, with 4-star hotels leading at 85.0%. The average length of stay of the guests went up by 0.03 night to 1.5 nights. The cumulative number of guests reached 5,150,974 in the first eight months of 2010, an increase of 20.9% over the same period of 2009. In the first eight months of 2010, visitor-guests of hotels and guest-houses accounted for 60.2% of the total number of tourists, down from 61.0% in the same period of 2009.
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Macao’s participation in Expo 2010 Shanghai China prominently displayed MSAR’s cultural dimensions and development process, the Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On said today. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Macau Week in the Expo, Mr Chui said Macao could learn from the experience of other countries participating in the Expo, to better promote advances and progress in Macao. With the support of the Central Government, Mr Chui said, Macao had the honour to build Macao Pavilion in the Expo site and Tak Seng On in the Urban Best Practices Area to promote its harmonious atmosphere and efforts in preserving its cultural heritage. Mr Chui presided over the opening ceremony of Macau Week, attended a string of promotional activities and toured “The Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR)”. Attending these events with Mr Chui, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, told reporters that the Government would continue to listen to public opinion in deciding how to display Macao Pavilion in Macao in the long-term. According to the plan of the Expo authorities, the Macao Pavilion would be dismantled after the completion of Expo, while Tak Seng On would remain intact. Mr Tam said the participation of Macao in the Expo had received positive feedbacks. Macao Pavilion and Tak Seng On received several awards: the former was host to more than 1.3 million visitors. Mr Chui will leave for Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on Friday for a two-day visit to learn more about the development of the Yangtze River Delta region.
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A test on 14 biscuit samples for their hygienic condition and safety of additives has been conducted by Consumer Council and all tested samples are satisfactory. Test result has been published in the Council’s Consumer Report issue no.205.
Biscuit is a common snack and non-staple food. The Council tested 14 samples of normal and sandwich biscuits for their freshness, hygienic condition, preservatives and heavy metals contained. Acid value and peroxidation value are important indices for the evaluation of food freshness, and no samples in this test shows any potential sign of spoiling. No pathogenic bacteria have been found, and the values of mold and heavy metals contained are acceptable. For additives, preservatives and sweetener are tested and both values conform to the national standard. The levels of aluminium contained in all samples are satisfactory, though aluminium is considered a contaminant according to the national standard quoted this time and significant difference of aluminium value contained in the samples is observed, ranging from 1.6mg/kg to 73.7mg/kg.
Among the 14 samples tested, 80 per cent contain trans fat and have it stated on labels. Trans fat is vegetable oil after hydrogenation, the most common trans fat include margarine and shortening. Consumers need to pay attention to product labels when choosing biscuits as studies have shown that coronary artery disease can be caused by excessive intake of trans fat. As suggested by both WHO and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), daily intake of trans fat should be kept as low as 1 per cent of a person’s daily calories intake, which amounts to less than 2.2g if one takes in 2,000 calories a day. The Council reminds consumers to look for biscuits with longer expiration date and those in good condition with no shrinking in sizes or any contaminants. Result of this biscuit test can be found in the latest Consumer Report.
Reports on the signing of cooperation protocols between Macao Consumer Council and the Consumer Association of Jilin and Consumer Rights Protection Committee of Qingdao in September, as well as the participation of the Council in the promotional event held in Zhangchun, Jilin by the Macao SAR Government can be found in this issue of Consumer Report. Information about the 2010 symposium of the alliance for consumer rights protection is also covered, together with an article on the risks of prepaid consumption. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the two offices of the Consumer Council, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources online at the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) or through WAP channels on their mobile phones. For inquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today left for Shanghai to officiate tomorrow’s opening ceremony of Macau Week in Expo 2010. Speaking to the press before his departure, Mr Chui extended his gratitude to the Central Government and the Shanghai Expo authorities for their support in Macao’s promotional activities in the global event. He said he was glad the Macao Pavilion, which showcased the development of Macao in the past decade since the establishment of the Macao SAR, was popular among visitors. After Shanghai, Mr Chui will head for Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where he is scheduled to spend Friday and Saturday, to learn more about the development of the Yangtze River Delta region.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 91 hotels and similar establishments were in operation in 2009, consisting of 60 hotels and 31 guest-houses; number of hotels increased by 5 from 2008, of which 3 were five-star hotels. With the operation of 5 new hotels in 2009, total number of guest rooms grew by 12.0% from 17,586 in 2008 to 19,697 in 2009. In spite of the opening of new hotels, under the influence of the global financial crisis, the hotel sector had 26,337 persons engaged at the end of 2009, down slightly by 0.6% from a year earlier. Number of persons engaged in hotels totalled 26,183, down by 0.6% year-on-year; however, the 31 guest-houses had 154 workers, an increase of 2.0%. Total Receipts of the hotel sector increased by 6.1% year-on-year to MOP 11.02 billion in 2009. Analyzed by item, Receipts from Room Sales amounted to MOP 4.76 billion (43.1% of total), while Sales of Food & Beverages (MOP 2.39 billion) and Rent Received (MOP 2.03 billion) accounted for 40.1%. Total Expenditure of the sector decreased by 1.4% over 2008 to MOP 13.86 billion, of which 2 non-operational expenses, Depreciation of Fixed Assets (MOP 2.74 billion) and Interest Paid (MOP 1.58 billion) increased by 1.2% and 5.9% respectively. Operating Expenses (MOP 4.45 billion) and Compensation of Employees (MOP 3.73 billion) decreased by 5.3% and 2.7% from 2008; however, Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid (MOP 1.37 billion) increased by 2.9%. In addition, Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy rose by 18.6% year-on-year to MOP 5.19 billion, while Gross Fixed Capital Formation dropped by 65.2% year-on-year to MOP 2.56 billion.
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Organized by the Macau Special Administrative Region and hosted by the Macau Government Tourist Office, “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week” and a series of related activities will be held in Shanghai from October 13 to 17. With the theme “Experience Macau”, the activities of Macau Week will take advantage of the international platform of Expo 2010 Shanghai China to showcase to the world the unique charm of Macau’s centuries of harmonious blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures and its developments and achievements in the 10 years after returning to the Motherland. Macau SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On will lead a 90-strong delegation comprising government officials, tourism industry representatives including members of the Tourism Development Committee and Macau Grand Prix Committee among others, media and other personalities to Shanghai on October 12 to take part in the “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week”. The series of activities of “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week” include the Inaugural Ceremony and Cultural Performance, parades, cultural performances, photo exhibitions, “The Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR)”, Macau World Heritage Photo Exhibition and stage performances at the World Expo site and the Financial Plaza at the Bund. Close to 450 performers from Macau will take part in the event. Macau SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On will officiate the “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week” Inaugural Ceremony and Cultural Performance in the morning of October 13 at the Baosteel Stage of Shanghai World Expo site. Leader of Shanghai Municipal Government, Director of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR Bai Zhi Jian, leader of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macau SAR Government, Florinda Chan, Secretary for Economy and Finance Francis Tam and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U will also attend the ceremony. Following the inaugural ceremony, Chief Executive and the delegation will enjoy the cultural performance, exhibitions and parade. Expo 2010 Shanghai China is a grand international extravaganza and exhibition, and Macau Week will utilize this platform as an opportunity to showcase Macau’s unique culture, history and its development into a modern city through cultural performances by Macau artists and entities, exhibits such as the “The Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macau Special Administrative Region”, “Made in Macau” exhibition, Macau Events and Festivals and Macau World Heritage photo exhibitions among others, and parades. To enhance publicity and echo the “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week”, MGTO in cooperation with Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration and the People's Government of Huangpu District of Shanghai Municipality will organize the “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week” series of activities at the Financial Plaza of the Bund from October 13 to 17. Grand models of world heritage sites - the Ruins of St Paul’s and A-Ma Temple - will be set up at the Plaza, in addition to tourism information pavilions, the “The Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macau Special Administrative Region”, Macau Photo Exhibition and cultural performances, which will certainly attract Shanghai citizens and tourists to catch a glimpse of Macau.
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