News

Macau Government Tourist Office(MGTO) and the Macau travel trade participated at the ITB Berlin 2012 to strengthen ties with the international travel trade and to promote the positioning of Macau as a World Center of Tourism and Leisure. MGTO deputy director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes led the Macau delegation to the exhibition, held from March 7 to 9 in Berlin, capital of Germany. MGTO's 90 square meter booth at ITB this year showcased the latest updates and tourism products in Macau, so to uplift the destination awareness of Macau and to tap more overseas markets. During the exhibition, travel trade representatives from Macau, Germany and around the world met for business. This year, the exhibition booths of MGTO, China National Tourism Administration and Hong Kong Tourism Board located beside each other for better promotional impact. Besides taking part in various activities promoted by the organizer, MGTO and HKTB jointly invited key media and travel trade partners to a cocktail reception on March 8. This event helped benefit the long-term tourism development of both regions. During the three-day exhibition, deputy Director Fernandes took interviews with the media and appointments with tourism executives, in order to attract more visitors from Europe to experience Macau's unique blend of East and West cultures. As a world's leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin has a history of over 40 years. This year, the gigantic display area of 160,000 square meters welcomed about 11,000 exhibitors from 180 countries and regions in the exhibition, which is hailed as one of the largest travel fairs in the world. Over 170,000 visitors, among which 108,000 trade visitors and over 7,000 media representatives were present.
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Consumer Council, along with Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ), will co-host a carnival at Iao Hon Market Garden on 15th March, an online quiz will also be launched. Residents are welcome to participate in both activities. Each year, Consumers International (CI) encourages its members to organize events to celebrate 'World Consumer Rights Day' to arouse public attention on consumer rights and Macao Consumer Council organizes different activities on 15th March to celebrate 'World Consumer Rights Day'. This year, the Council, along with DSAJ, will co-host a series of activities to promote the regulations and services of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre'. A carnival will be held on 15th March from 12PM to 2PM, at Iao Hon Market Garden; booth games, legal counselling services on consumer arbitration, and on-site quiz games, etc. will be available. The organizers hope to raise the usage rate of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' and strengthen residents' knowledge about arbitration through various kinds of activities. Aside from the carnival, an online quiz will also be hosted by both Consumer Council and DSAJ. The quiz is available in both Chinese and Portuguese, participants who have correct answers to 20 random questions selected from a pool of 50 questions about 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' and other rights of consumers will be awarded. 20 winners will be drawn and awarded with MOP1,000 each. Consumers are welcome to visit Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and DSAJ's website (www.dsaj.gov.mo) to participate in the online quiz from 9AM, 15th March, to 5PM, 14th April. Terms and conditions as well as how to enter the quiz will all be available on the websites. Residents are welcome to participate. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, on a monthly basis, money supply rebounded in January. As total deposits grew much faster than total loans, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio dropped from a month earlier. Money supply Currency in circulation and demand deposits grew 15.8% and 13.1% respectively. M1 thus increased 13.6% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities rose 2.9%, pushing M2 to grow 4.2% to MOP310.2 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 8.6% and 19.8% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 26.8%, up 0.8 percentage points over a month ago but down 1.3 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 54.4%, down 0.2 percentage points month-to-month but up 2.5 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits Resident deposits surged 4.0% from the previous month to MOP303.2 billion. Of which, MOP deposits, HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 6.8%, 4.0% and 0.5%. In the meantime, non-resident deposits rose 16.6% to MOP108.2 billion while public sector deposits with the banking sector declined 4.1% to MOP28.4 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector increased 6.2% from a month earlier to MOP439.8 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 22.0% and 45.7% respectively. Loans Domestic loans to the private sector dropped slightly by 0.7% on a monthly basis to MOP166.4 billion. Among which, MOP42.4 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP110.3 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 25.5% and 66.3% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans rose 1.6% to MOP156.8 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 0.7% (MOP1.1 billion) and 32.4% (MOP50.8 billion) respectively. Loan-to-deposit ratios Due to the decline in domestic loans to the private sector and increase in resident deposits, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector dropped 2.0 percentage points month-to-month to 50.2% at end-January 2012. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors also contracted 4.3 percentage points to 73.5%. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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Owing to the flooding in New South Wales and Victoria of Australia, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to the areas bearing the following postal codes are subject to delay until further notice Postal Codes NSW:
Central West 2787 - 2880
Canberra 2575 - 2599, 2619 - 2639
Murray and Riverina 2640 - 2739
Victoria:
3741; 3685; 3683; 3747; 3707; 3637; 3677; 3678; 3669; 3666; 3672; 3631; 3634; 3636; 3677; 3644; 3638; 3631; 3608; 3633; 3570 Thank you for your kind attention.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that there were 10 institutions of higher education offering courses in the 2010/2011 academic year, and 106 schools providing pre-primary, primary, secondary and vocational-technical education, with 77 within the free education system; moreover, there were 8 schools offering special education. At the end of the 2010/2011 academic year, there were 24,156 students attending higher education, up by 8.4% over previous academic year, with local students accounting for 69.8%. Meanwhile, 71,832 students were attending pre-primary, primary and secondary education, with students of primary (23,833) and secondary (37,101) education decreasing by 6.4% and 3.2% respectively; as a consequence to higher birth rate, pre-primary students (10,898) increased by 9.8% from the previous academic year. In addition, there were 558 students attending special education, up by 8.3%. In the 2010/2011 academic year, there were 5,804 higher education graduates, mostly major in Business and administration (38.8%) and Personal services (21.8%); meanwhile, number of Form Six graduates was 5,485. There were 2,088 teachers teaching in institutions of higher education, 4,977 in pre-primary, primary and secondary education, and 111 in special education. Teacher/student ratio in higher education was 1 to 11.6; the ratio for pre-primary, primary and secondary education was 1 to 14.4 and that for special education was 1 to 5.0. In the 2011/2012 academic year, student enrolment in higher education is 27,346 and that of pre-primary, primary and secondary education is 70,479.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 272 MICE events were held in the fourth quarter of 2011, a decrease of 108 year-on-year; total number of participants and attendees soared by 131% to 508,125, of which 16 exhibitions, with an average duration of 3.9 days, attracted 479,825 attendees (94% of the total). There were 256 meetings and conferences held in the fourth quarter of 2011, bringing in 28,300 participants and the average duration stood at 1.8 days. As regards subject of event, 116 MICE events focused on Commerce, Trade & Management, accounting for 43% of the total; analyzed by type, 158 were Corporate Meetings (58% of total). In the fourth quarter of 2011, data were collected from 15 exhibition organizers (94% of total). Total revenue of the exhibition organizers amounted to MOP 32.61 million, mostly from Rentals of Exhibition Booth (48% of total). Total expenditure was MOP 110 million, of which expenses on Production, Construction & Decoration Services accounted for 24%. In accordance with the information from 213 exhibitors interviewed, total revenue of the exhibitors amounted to MOP 11.05 million and the majority (94%) came from Sales of Products. Total expenditure was MOP 11.03 million, with expenses on Booth Rentals taking up 43% of the total. For the whole year of 2011, a total of 1,045 MICE events were held, down by 354 from 2010; total number of participants and attendees surged by 59% to 1,278,054. Even though number of exhibitions registered a year-on-year decrease of 6 events, yet number of attendees reached 1,167,283 (+78%), indicating improvement in the quality of exhibitions held. Data on 45 exhibition organizers (88% of total) were collected in 2011. Total revenue of the exhibition organizers amounted to MOP 68.68 million, with Rentals of Exhibition Booth accounting for 62%. Total expenditure was MOP 179 million, mainly on Production, Construction & Decoration Services (21%) and Advertising, Promotion & Public Relations (17%). Moreover, total revenue of 452 interviewed exhibitors amounted to MOP 20.71 million, with Sales of Products sharing 93% of the total; total expenditure amounted to MOP 16.14 million, of which 48% were expenses on Booth Rentals.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest specific price survey on dairy products on 29 February. Prices of 13 brands of dairy products were collected from 21 retail outlets, and a price discrepancy of over 70% was recorded. To meet the consumers' increasing demand on dairy products, an essential non-staple food item, the Council therefore included dairy product items to its specific price survey. The 13 processed dairy products surveyed were items such milk and cheese, etc.. Obvious price discrepancy was revealed among milk products. The lowest and highest prices of "Big Shot Fresh Milk (paper pack)/ 200ml" recorded were $4.50 and $8.00 respectively, which equaled to a percentage difference of over 70%. Besides, price difference of over 50% was recorded for "Pura URT Fresh Milk (paper pack)/ 1L" and "Mengniu Pure Milk (paper pack)/ (250mlx6)" sold in different retail outlets. For most of the cheese products surveyed, price difference of around 30% was also recorded. Price differences and comparisons can be accessed on the 'Specific product price information platform' on the Council's website. The latest specific price survey on dairy products is now available online on the Council's official website (www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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David Wong Yuk Shan, Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage Department of IFT launched his second cookbook titled "The Art of Modern Portuguese Cuisine". David Wong is a fanatical cook and a wine lover, grown up in England, his cuisine is heavily influenced by French, Italian and British. Being a chef for more than 25 years, David has extensive hotel experience in Asia, with the JW Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong, The Mandarin Oriental in Macao, the Westin Banyan Tree in Bangkok, Raffles The Plaza in Singapore and the Luxury collection, Sheraton Grande Laguna in Phuket as Director of Food & Beverage. David joined IFT in 2004 in charge of the Michelin recommended Educational Restaurant also teaches the theory and practical of culinary, wine studies and food and beverage management. An approved tutor for Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), a regular food and wine judge for both the Miele Guide and the Cathay's Pacific, Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (Hong Kong IWSC) and writes restaurant reviews and wine column for South China Morning Post, Macau Daily Times, Macau Closer and Fine Drinks Magazine. With the passion in cooking, David settled in Macao inspired by the rich gastronomy culture of Macanese, he then authored his first cookbook – The Art of Modern Portuguese Cuisine and other IFT Delights, which won the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2008 in the category of "Best Easy Recipes Book" in Macao region. "The Art of Modern Portuguese Cuisine" is his second cookbook proudly presents patrons' and chefs' favourite Portuguese influenced dishes of IFT Educational Restaurant. These signature dishes are a few examples of our chef's years of persistent quest for excellence in cooking, now consummated in this book authored by David Wong. We hope readers enjoy not only the dishes prepare out of this book in the company of family and friends but also the fine art of cooking. IFT always encourages its staff to publish in their area of expertise. This is not only for the sake of academic purpose, but also as an additional reference source to the general public and to raise Macao's international reputation.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) participates once again at Lisbon Travel Market (BTL, from the Portuguese abbreviation), running until Sunday, with a 54 square-meter booth showcasing the binomial historical-cultural heritage/business tourism, and the tourism potential of Macau. The existing historical, cultural and economic links between Macau and Portugal, despite the geographical distance, justify the continuous promotion of Macau at BTL, the biggest Portuguese tourism fair, since its first edition, with Macau being already a benchmark for quality in the event. Through its participation in the fair, MGTO aims to boost contacts between operators and tourism entities of Portugal, Macau and Mainland China. The Macau delegation to the fair, opened to public on Wednesday, includes a Macau tourism operator and representatives from Zhongshan Tourism Bureau. Currently, where there is an increasing demand and visibility of Macau as tourist destination in Portugal, the message of MGTO at BTL 2012 will be focused on promoting and positioning the city as World Center of Tourism and Leisure, and promoting different products under the new marketing theme "Touching Moments - Experience Macau". As in previous years, MGTO booth is also attended by representatives of Chinese traditional activities - a fortune-teller and a silhouette/calligrapher artist – both already very well-known in BTL. Macau's booth will also carry the already popular lucky draw that offers two trips to Macau including accommodation for two people.
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In 2011, Consumer Council handled a total of 6850 cases, involving an amount of almost MOP 16 million. Case completion rate was over 90%. A detailed analysis of complaint cases received in 2011 and the changes in complaint cases in recent years are featured in the latest issue of Consumer Report. Consumer Council indicated that consumers' awareness of their own rights and protection has been greatly enhanced through its promotions and educational work. Both local residents and tourists make inquiries before making consumption, as a great number of cases handled by the Council in recent years were inquiries. In 2011, inquiry cases accounted for about 70% (almost 5000 cases) of the total 6850 cases, almost 1700 cases were complaints, and 170 cases were suggestions; the total amount involved in all these cases was about MOP 16 million. To guarantee consumers' rights to seek redress in economic terms, Consumer Council endeavours to provide better and professional legal assistance to consumers to safeguard their rights. In 2011, case completion rate was over 90%, which was about the same percentage as the previous year. This year, the Council will continue to enhance its publicity and educational work and provide information on consumer issues. Consumer Council, along with Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ), will co-host series of events, including a carnival at Iao Hon Market Garden on 15th March, as well as an online quiz, to celebrate this year's 'World Consumer Rights Day'. The latest Consumer Report also features an article on the aim of the annual theme 'Consumption and Safety' of China Consumers' Association. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the office of Consumer Council (Rua Inácio Baptista, Nº 6-6A Edficio 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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