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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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To promote the latest MICE development and tourism products of Macau in the Greater China market, the Macau Business Tourism Centre (MBTC) of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and 25 local trade representatives participated in the prestigious China Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM) 2010 held in the China National Convention Centre in Beijing from 31 August – 2 September. MGTO has participated in the trade show for quite a few years now. The platform provided by CIBTM is great and it also allows the Macau trade to establish business networks with their counterparts in the Mainland, while serving as a gateway for Macau to get in touch with the industry professionals. This year, MGTO invited a total of 120 CIBTM hosted buyers and Macau trade representatives to a networking cocktail at the Macau promotional booth on the first day of the trade show, which had successfully generated vast attention from the show floor. Feedback from both guests and Macau trade representatives indicated that the event was useful and facilitate their understanding about Macau’s MICE development. Just the night before CIBTM 2010 kicked off, MGTO was presented the Best Meeting & Incentive Destination (Short Haul) Award of the TravelWeekly China Travel & Meeting Industry Awards 2010, at a gala cocktail evening organized by TravelWeekly China at the Park Hyatt Beijing. Since its debut in 2002, the award is aimed at recognizing the best of the best enterprises in China’s travel, meeting and incentive industry. Taking the opportunity of CIBTM 2010, the Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (AACVB) held a meeting in Beijing on 30 August. Participants in the meeting included representatives from Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand. Apart from general project updates, the representatives also discussed in the preparation for the press conference to be held during the Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) in Bangkok in October.
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To provide more opportunities for people in the Mainland to learn about Macau’s experience of moderate economic diversification, as well as to showcase the unique culture, tourism resources and the latest development and products of the MICE industry in Macau, the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) hosted the “Macau Business Tourism Presentation and Networking Dinner” at Changchun Huatian Hotel during the Dynamic Macao event in Jilin on 2 September. The networking dinner invited 170 representatives to participate, including Deputy Director of MGTO, Manuel Gonçalves Pires Júnior, Deputy Director of Jilin Provincial Tourism Administration, Lin Tian, officials from Jilin and other trade association representatives from Macau. Speaking at the dinner, Deputy Director of MGTO Manuel Gonçalves Pires Júnior expressed that Dynamic Macao has been organized in various cities in China since May 2009, when the fifth stop came to Changchun of Jilin, he believed that it was a good chance for Macau to showcase its diversified development, as well as to enhance business opportunities for Macau corporates in the Mainland market. In addition, he hoped that further business exchange can be strengthened through this event, thus elevating Macau’s status in Changchun and promoting mutual tourism exchange between the two cities. Same day in the morning, Manuel Gonçalves Pires Júnior also attended the opening ceremony of the “Dynamic Macao Business and Trade Fair•Jilin Changchun” at “The 6th China Jilin Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo” held at Changchun International Conference & Exhibition Center, which was followed by a site inspection of the fair. The event of Dynamic Macao will run from 2 – 5 September in Changchun of Jilin. It is supported by Macao Economic Services, Macau Government Tourist Office, Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Macao Chamber of Commerce and Macao Importers and Exporters Association, hosted by Macau Convention and Exhibition Association and China Council for The Promotion of International Trade – Jilin Branch, co-hosted by Macau Fair and Trade Association and The Association of Advertising Agents of Macau, and organized by the Organizing Committee of Dynamic Macao.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released results of the Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages of the Gaming Sector for the second quarter of 2010. Survey coverage excluded junket promoters and junket associates. At the end of the second quarter of 2010, the Gaming Sector had 43,870 employees, down slightly by 0.2% year-on-year. Among the employees who are directly related to betting services, 18,684 were dealers, up by 3.3% year-on-year; 11,724 were hard & soft count clerks, cage cashiers, pit bosses, casino floorpersons, betting service operators, etc., down by 4.0%. Meanwhile, 5,060 were casino & slot machine attendants, security guards, surveillance room operators, etc., down slightly by 0.5% from a year earlier. In June 2010, average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) of full-time employees rose slightly by 0.9% year-on-year to MOP 15,390. Average earnings of dealers rose by 3.6% over June 2009 to MOP 13,590, and that for hard & soft count clerks, cage cashiers, pit bosses, casino floorpersons, betting service operators, etc. stood at MOP 18,880, up by 1.5%. Average earnings of casino & slot machine attendants, security guards, surveillance room operators, etc. registered a slight year-on-year decrease of 0.4% to MOP 10,020. At the end of June 2010, number of vacancies of the Gaming Sector increased substantially by 74.0% year-on-year to 628, with 174 for dealers, 96 for hard & soft count clerks, cage cashiers, pit bosses, casino floorpersons, betting service operators, etc. and 125 for casino & slot machine attendants, security guards, surveillance room operators, etc. As regards recruitment prerequisites, 52.5% of the vacancies required working experience, and 66.3% required senior secondary education or higher. Other preferred language skills were Mandarin (63.2%) and English (45.1%). With respect to the indicators that measure the inflow and outflow of human resources, as well as staffing needs of the sector, the employee recruitment rate (4.2%) and turnover rate (4.1%) of the Gaming Sector dropped year-on-year in the second quarter of 2010, while the job vacancy rate (1.5%) rose by 0.7 percentage point.
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The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, arrived in Taipei today and met the President of the Friends of Hong Kong and Macao Association and Vice Chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT), Mr Tseng Yung-Chuan. Mr Cheong extended the greetings of the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, to Mr Tseng and said he wished to learn more about Taiwan’s tourism, culture, health and creative industries and boost co-operation between Macao and Taiwan on all fronts. Mr Tseng welcomed Mr Cheong and said he was glad for the upcoming promotional Macao Week in Taiwan. He said Macao and Taiwan had maintained close relations and currently there were about 20,000 Macao people working in Taiwan. He also suggested the establishment of flights between Macao and Taichung, in addition to present flights to Taipei and Kaohsiung.
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To define the principles for aviation accident and incident investigation, and the protection of safety information, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) has completed the draft law on “Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Aviaton Safety Information Protection Law”. On 02 September 2010, the Authority invited a number of government bodies and the local aviation industry to attend a consultation session to collect their opinions on the draft text. The consultation of the draft law started in August 2010 and will continue for two months. To ensure that the law can be implemented upon approval and implementation, AACM will study into the opinions thoroughly and make amendments when appropriate. In accordance with the draft law, the scope of application includes civil aircraft accident or incident occurred in Macao or in Macao airspace, and accident or incident in a foreign state involving Macao registered aircraft or aircraft operated by a Macao operator, in the latter case that the state of occurrence does not conduct any investigation. The draft law stipulates that an accident or a serious incident shall be investigated. AACM is empowered with the authority to conduct the investigation and operators have the responsibility to report to the Authority the occurrence of an accident and an incident. In such occurrence, AACM will appoint an investigator in charge (IIC) to conduct the investigation with independent and unhampered investigating authority. The IIC decides the tasks necessary for the investigation in accordance with the Standards and Recommended Practices of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and cooperate with the other government departments (with the appropriate authority) to collect evidence; the pilot in command, the operator or the owner, the director of the airport or heliport, and the air traffic controller or air traffic service provider concerned with the accident or incident are obliged to report to AACM within a specified time frame; the flight crew concerned is also obliged to submit reports to AACM within a specified time limit. In addition to accident or serious incident, AACM can investigate any incident, if it considers that the investigation will facilitate collection of reference information in regard to aviation safety. Inquiring into the factors that affect safety from an aviation accident investigation can help to lower the possibility of occurrences. The Authority emphasizes that the purpose of investigation is to find out the factors so that improvement measures can be taken to prevent accidents and incidents, and not to apportion blame or liability. Further to the above provisions, for the purpose of encouraging the industry to report safety concerned issues to the Authority, the draft law also establishes the confidential and non-punitive Aviation Safety Data Collection and Processing System (SDCPS). In accordance with the relevant provisions, unless there is evidence that the occurrence was caused by intentional conduct or gross negligence or the appropriate judicial authority determines that the release of safety information is necessary for the proper administration of justice and its release outweighs the adverse impact that such release may have on the future availability of safety information, the entity responsible for analyzing and processing aviation safety information contained in SDCPS shall ensure that the internal and external confidentiality of relevant information and the source of such information, and establish formal procedures for protection of safety information, in order to avoid inappropriate use of such information; the aviation safety information shall not be used for purposes different from the purposes for which it was collected; an employer cannot take disciplinary action against an employee using information received through a SDCPS. AACM states that with the rapid development of the world economy, the frequencies for tourism and business travels have also increased along with the rise of an individual’s average income. Aviation has expanded tremendously and air transport has become an indispensable travelling channel. Under the great demand for aviation, the aeronautical authorities all over the world have actively studied into ways of balancing between the quality of flight and the protection of lives and properties of passengers. For this reason, establishing safety culture has always been an on-going important work for AACM. In 2009, AACM started to devise the Macao Safety Programme which includes safety policies and objectives, safety risk management, safety protection measures and safety enhancement measures. The principles regarding the protection of safety information that are stipulated in the draft law is one of the important tasks to fulfill the objective of the Macao Safety Programme. In what regards the functions of AACM in aviation accident and incident investigation and the collection of safety information, in accordance with the statute of the Authority, AACM carries the responsibility of investigating into an aviation accident which occurs in Macao or involves a Macao registered aircraft outside Macao. The present Aircraft Accident or Incident Investigation Procedures and the Mandatory Occurrence Reporting Sytem which were issued through an aeronautical circular have been implemented some years ago. In order to increase the legal status of the authority to investigate and collect information, and taking into consideration the recommendation from ICAO at the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme carried out in Macao, AACM started the studies on the legislation since 2009. Reference was made to similar legislation in Europe, USA and Australia during the drafting process. Apart from the legislation, with the purpose of gaining experience from foreign states on this aspect and achieving resources sharing through regional cooperation, AACM signed cooperation programmes with the Investigation Bureau for Civil Aviation of France and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China respectively in 2008 and 2009 in order to build up a long-term cooperative relationship as well as offer each other technical assistance and the use of facilities in the investigation relating to aviation safety. AACM is also committed to providing their staff with continuous training of aviation accident investigation to enhance the professionalism of their investigators. The consultation session took place between 15:00 to 17:00 in the Multi-Function Room of AACM. More than 30 representatives attended the session, including the Procuratorate, the Public Security Forces Bureau, the Judiciary Police, the Fire Services Bureau, the Port Authority, the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, the Office for Personal Data Collection, the Office for Law Reformation, and CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd., Administration of Airports Ltd., Air Macau, Macau Jet, East Asia Airlines and Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd.
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The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, today led a delegation to Taiwan for a five-day visit aimed to bolster exchanges between the two places. Talking to reporters before departing for Taipei, Mr Cheong said the visit was to fulfill a key mission outlined in the Chief Executive’s 2010 Policy Address last March, which was to boost co-operation between Macao and Taiwan on all fronts. The secretary underlined that the major goal of his trip was to foster better understanding between the two sides and to make friends, thereby paving the way for further co-operation in future. He added that he believed Macao’s ties with Taiwan would grow with time. During the visit, a Macao Week will be held in Taipei to promote Macao’s tourist industry and cultural resources in a bid to attract more visitors from Taiwan to Macao. Meanwhile, the delegation would meet with representatives of Taiwan’s cultural, tourism and health authorities for experience-sharing. It would also meet with Macao students studying in Taiwan to learn more about their lives there. Mr Cheong will meet with the President of the Friends of Hong Kong and Macao Association and Vice Chairman of the Kuomintang party, Mr Tseng Yung-Chuan. He would also make a courtesy call on the "Mainland Affairs Council". The Macao delegation comprised from the cultural, tourism and health authorities as well as industry representatives.
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Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, 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. 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 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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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new SME lending approved by Macao banks increased in the first half of 2010. Concurrently, the utilisation of SME credit in proportion to the credit limit approved by banks continued to decline. New Lending Approved In the first half of 2010, new SME credit limit approved by Macao banks totalled MOP10.3 billion, 16.7% up on the second half of 2009 or 67.7% up on the same period last year. The collateralised ratio, which indicates the proportion of credit limit with tangible assets pledged, was 36.3%, down significantly by 28.1 percentage points when compared with the second half of 2009 or down by 3.1 percentage points when compared with the same period of the preceding year. Credit Utilisation As at end-June 2010, the outstanding value of total SME loans reached MOP22.5 billion, which represented a growth of 8.7% from end-December 2009 or 14.9% from a year earlier. When compared with end-December 2009, SME loans to sectors of “manufacturing”, “transport, warehouse and communications” and “restaurants, hotels and similar activities” increased at respective rates of 23.4%, 5.6% and 1.2%, whereas those to “construction and public works” and “wholesale and retail trade” dropped 6.5% and 3.4% respectively. These sectors accounted for 73.0% of the total SME loans outstanding. The utilisation rate, defined as the proportion of outstanding credit balance to the credit limit granted, declined 7.3 percentage points from six months ago to 53.3% . Delinquent Loans At the end of June 2010, the outstanding balance of delinquent SME loans decreased 5.2% from six months ago to MOP483.4 million. Compared to a year ago, the balance grew by 11.6%. The delinquency ratio, a ratio of delinquent loans outstanding balance to total SME loans outstanding, dropped 0.32 percentage points from end-December 2009 or 0.06 percentage points from a year earlier to 2.15%.
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The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 2 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (September 1). Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 385 premises were checked, of which 52 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. 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 383 occupants, among whom 220 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 9 operators, 6 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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