News

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, said today that his five-day visit in Taiwan was fruitful and would benefit the development of relations between Macao and Taiwan in the future. Mr Cheong spoke to the press after a meeting with the Vice Chairman of 'Mainland Affairs Council, Mr Kao Charng, and its Director of Department of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, Mr James Chu. He quoted Mr Kao Charng as having said that 'Mainland Affairs Council' support further co-operation and exchanges between Macao and Taiwan and welcome the establishment of a Macao representative office in Taiwan. Mr Kao also said he thanked the Macao SAR Government for its support to Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Macao. Mr Cheong also extended gratitude to 'Mainland Affairs Council' for its support to his visit. In his five-day visit, Mr Cheong and the Macao delegation attended a tourism promotion event, met Taiwan’s culture and other authorities, visited Taiwan’s night market and bookshops and chatted with Macao’s students in Taiwan. He said he believed that Macao and Taiwan could further co-operate in creative industry as well as other areas.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is to visit Fujian tomorrow for the opening of China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT). Macao has set up a pavilion to introduce its latest investment environment and services to guests and business people from all over the world participating in the CIFIT. The trade promotion event is organised by the Ministry of Commerce: it takes place on September 8 -11 every year in Xiamen. Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute has organised almost 100 representatives from Macao’s business circles to attend the event. Members of Macao’s official delegation include the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, and a number of senior officials from different entities.
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The Government today signed new agreements with Bank of China Macao Branch (BOC) and Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU) to extend their notes-issuing status for another 10 years, effective when the existing agreements expire on 15 October 2010. The signing ceremony were witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, Mr Xu Ze, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the MSAR, Mr Lu Shumin, and the Prosecutor General of the Public Prosecutions Office of Macao, Mr Ho Chio Meng. Secretary for Economy and Finance Mr Tam Pak Yuen signed on behalf of Macao while BOC and BNU were represented by Mr Ye Yixin, General Manager of BOC and Mr. Artur Santos, President of the Executive Committee of BNU, respectively. Other dignitaries present at the ceremony included Consul General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong, Mr Manuel Carvalho, Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Macao, Mr Teng Lin Seng, Executive Vice-President of the Bank of China Headquarters, Mr Yue Yi, and Member of the Board of Directors of Caixa Geral de Depósitos of Portugal, Mr. Rodolfo Lavrador. BNU founded its Macao branch in 1902 and was given the right to issue banknotes three years later. In 1980, the Portuguese Macao Government established the Issuing Institute of Macao (IEM) which was a public enterprise in nature. It was also the predecessor of the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM). By virtue of the original agency agreement, BNU became the notes issuing agent bank for IEM. In 1989, the Monetary and Foreign Exchange Authority of Macao (AMCM) was established to take over the related functions of IEM. According to its original statute, AMCM was not vested with the authority to issue notes for the territory. As a result, the authority to issue local legal tender reverted to the Macao Government in July 1989 while BNU retained its role as agent bank for the Government. In 1995, the Portuguese Macao Government and BNU renewed the notes-issuing agency agreement. Simultaneously, the first agency agreement of such nature was concluded with BOC. Since then, the two banks have been sharing on equal footing such notes issuing right. After the execution of the relevant agreements, the two notes-issuing banks have been sharing the right to issue equal amount of notes in accordance with Decree-Law No. 7/95/M which requires them to provide the necessary legal reserves for notes they have issued.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is in Shenzhen to attend the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. Speaking to the press before leaving for Shenzhen, Mr Chui said the position of the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive was very important as he directly assisted the work of the Chief Executive, and he was also responsible for initial co-ordination and contact with different provinces and foreign entities. Mr Chui said the Chief-of-Cabinet also had to liaise with different entities of the Guangdong Provincial Government over the establishment of Chinese Medicine Park. As for Mr Chui’s itinerary, he is scheduled to attend a reception this evening and the celebration ceremony tomorrow. Members of Macao’s delegation include the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, and a number of senior officials from the Office of the Chief Executive. The Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
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The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 5 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (September 5). Three premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, 1 operator, 2 touts and 2 management staff were caught and interrogated. Four occupants found at the premises were investigated, among whom 1 was an illegal immigrant. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 405 premises were checked, of which 56 were normal residences, while 51 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found three premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 405 occupants, among whom 231 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 10 operators, 9 touts, 8 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and two occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were 7 overstayers and 6 illegal immigrants. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
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Organised by the Financial Services Bureau and starting tomorrow, Monday, September 6, at 6:00pm, in the World Trade Center’s Lotus Room, is the seminar on The Public Accounting System in the EU. Integrated in the 2nd EU-Macao Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field, this seminar will be lectured by Rowan Harrison Jones, Professor of Public Sector Accounting, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK. This seminar will be conducted in English, with 105 participants registered to attend. During its five sessions, which will take place daily between 6:00pm and 8:30pm, until September 10, the seminar will address three of the most distinctive national government budgeting and accounting systems in Europe: the UK, France and Germany. Its particular focus is on the relationship between traditional cash-based budgeting and modern accrual-based accounting. The 2nd EU-Macao Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field, extending until December 2012, which embodies the said seminar, has the “Consolidation of the Macao Legal System” as its main objective. The total budget for the programme is 1.500.000 euros (approximately 16.500.000 patacas), this programme is co-financed by the European Union and the Macao Foundation, with the remaining costs supported by the MSAR’s budget. The implementation of this Co-operation Programme is co-ordinated by the International Law Office (GADI), with participation of several other MSAR’s entities and public departments, namely, the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (CFJJ), the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ), the Economic Services (DSE), the Financial Services Bureau (DSF) and the Institute of European Studies of Macau (IEEM).
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The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 3 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (September 1). One premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally was sealed and 4 occupants found at the premise were investigated. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 398 premises were checked, of which 56 were normal residences, while 48 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found three premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 398 occupants, among whom 224 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 9 operators, 7 touts, 6 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and two occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were 7 overstayers and 5 illegal immigrants. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
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Construction on the Guangdong-Macao Chinese Medicine Industrial Park on Zhuhai’s Hengqin island would begin once the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Framework Agreement gets the green light from the Central Government. Preparatory works for the park were progressing smoothly and construction would be completed in three years, Government Spokesperson Mr Tam Chong Weng announced today at a press conference. According to Mr Tam, the preparatory office for the park has reached a consensus with the Guangdong provincial government and the administrative committee of Hengqin New Area regarding the project’s financing. Based on the principle of mutual benefit, the industrial park would take the form of a joint venture company between Macao and Guangdong, with Macao holding a majority stake of 51% and Guangdong 49%. Mr Tam said the preparatory office, which was set up earlier and allocated a budget of about MOP14.35 million, had begun hiring staff and purchasing equipment. The office had also commissioned academics to conduct a study on the planning of the industrial park and a report will be submitted in the first half of next year. For its part, the Guangdong government has set up a firm, Zhuhai Dahengqin Investment Ltd., to take charge of the industrial park’s management. The Macao government will also set up a public enterprise later this year for the park’s administration, as the counterpart of the Guangdong company. Mr Tam said the relevant legislation for setting up the public enterprise was being drafted. Meanwhile, the Macao and Guangdong governments will discuss the criteria for investing in the industrial park, which is expected to attract high-technology enterprises with good standing. Ms Chan Keng Hong, Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, was today appointed Deputy Director of the preparatory office for the industrial park. According to Mr Tam, who is also a director of the preparatory office, Ms Chan’s additional role would not carry any financial benefit. He said he believed her rich experience at institute would help attract more investors to the park. The Guangdong-Macao Chinese Medicine Industrial Park is one of the projects under the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Framework Agreement, which has allocated an area of five square kilometres on Hengqin island for the joint development of Macao and Guangdong. Covering an area of half a square kilometre, the park will serve as a launching pad for industrial co-operation between Macao and Guangdong. When asked about the Macao government’s spokesperons system, Mr Tam said the government was committed to perfecting the system and would consider holding regular press briefings to satisfy the public’s desire for information.
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Since the first ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee (TC) Integrated Workshop held in Macao, China hosted by Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (MMGB) in the year 2006, MMGB will once again host this important annual event of the Typhoon Committee together with the Typhoon Committee Secretariat and support from Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Macao Foundation, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of Korea (MLTM) and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT). The Workshop will be held at the Convention Center of the Macao Science Center on 6 -10 September 2010 with the attendance of more than 70 experts from 14 TC Members: China; Cambodia; Hong Kong, China; Japan; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; the Philippines; Thailand; Viet Nam; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; Macao, China; Singapore and the United States of America. The Asia and pacific Region is one of the most vulnerable areas to natural disasters. From 1950 to 2005, 54 percent (approximately 3 million people) of the worldwide deaths produced by natural disasters occurred in this region and many of these deaths are due to typhoon-related impacts. Besides this, the wind storms and floods associated with typhoon-related impacts account for 57 percent (approximately US$33.5 billion) of the economic losses in this region in the same period. Recent example of flooding disasters in urban cities such as Manila in 2009 makes the issue of urban flooding as one of the main challenges of TC. Subsequently, The ESCAP/WMO TC at its 42nd Session held in Singapore decided to convene again the Integrated Workshop and adopted “Urban Flood Risk Management in a Changing Climate: Sustainable and Adaption Challenges” as the title of the Workshop in response to this challenge. The Workshop is intended to provide the opportunity not only for the exchange of ideas among experts from the various fields covered by the Committee, but also to assess the progress in the various activities endorsed by the Committee at its 42nd Annual Session. Specialists in all three fields: Meteorology, Hydrology and Disaster Risk Reduction will join together to develop strategies to mitigate the devastating impacts of Urban Flooding in the context of changing climate. Moreover, the experts will take this opportunity to discuss the issues on: Climate Change and the Committee Activities; benefits of typhoons and to review the TC Strategic plan 2007-2011 in view to prepare a draft of Strategic Plan for the period of 2012-2016. The Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) and the Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF), as one of the important technique to estimate the amount of precipitation, will also be addressed.
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Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13 the Cross-departmental Working Team has been carrying on operations to fight the premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, with inspection strategy being adjusted continuously. For the last more than 20 days of operations, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) as carried on 56 inspections to buildings and, during different periods, on the streets nearby looking for suspect touts. At the same time, inspectors have been checking sealed premises to see if the seal at the door and the water and electricity suspension has been kept untouched. Until now, the Cross-departmental Working Team has sealed 47 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally. Since the new law took effect, a total of 395 premises were checked, of which 55 were normal residences, while 47 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. MGTO and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found three premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 388 occupants, among whom 220 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 9 operators, 7 touts, 6 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and two occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were 7 overstayers and 5 illegal immigrants. To help the investigations, when necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
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