News

Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 18th January. Frozen and refrigerated foods were added this time to make a total number of 305 surveyed items. In comparison with last month's record, average prices of over 40% of the surveyed items had been raised this month, other 30% recorded price drop and around 25% recorded no change in price. Rice imported from Thailand was one of those which showed price rise. Out of the 19 surveyed samples, prices of 8 of them had increased by 2% to 15%. Prices of both 'Red Lotus (5kg)' and 'Wing On Thai White Fragrant Rice (5kg)' had been raised by almost 15%. For dairy products, average prices of 'Nestle' and 'Dreyer's' had been increased by 10% to over 20%. 16 out of the 25 surveyed cooking oil samples recorded price increase of around 2%, several brands of tissue handkerchiefs also recorded price increase of around 2%. Instant noodles and household cleaning products were the main categories which showed decrease in price while canned foods prices were stable. Consumer Council indicated that supermarket price level in January is more stable than end of last year, as the percentage change in price of the over 300 surveyed samples falls between 2% to 3%. The Council also noted that as supermarkets change their prices constantly, the difference in prices of products also varies significantly. Selling prices of the same product are different even in supermarket chain stores located in different areas of Macao, the highest price difference being over 30%. Consumers are advised to check with the price data provided by the Council, especially the 'Top Ten Price Differences' function on its website, and to download the new 'Supermarket price platform' iPhone app available for free on the Council's website. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey'is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone app. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM's Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. For inquiries, please call 8988 9315.
…

Owing to the strike action taken by the truck drivers in Italy, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet and Parcel) from Macao to Sicily (Postal codes : 90010 to 98101) are subject to delay until further notice. Thank you for your kind attention.
…

Macao Post announced that the mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) previously affected by the strike action taken by the workers' union in Nigeria have resumed as normal. Thank you for your kind attention.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average Composite CPI for the whole year of 2011 was 110.30 and the inflation rate for 2011 stood at 5.81%. The rising inflation rate was attributable to higher charges for meals bought away from home, dearer prices of clothing and gasoline, driving up the annual inflation rate by 2.5 percentage points. However, subsidy on electricity charges and lowered telecommunication charges tapered off part of the increment of the Composite CPI. In 2011, notable increase was observed in the price index of the following sections of goods and services, namely Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+9.06%); Transport (+8.75%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.14%); and Clothing & Footwear (+6.73%); however, price index of Communication decreased by 10.67%. In addition, the average CPI-A (109.49) and CPI-B (110.63) for 2011 increased by 5.51% and 5.99% from a year earlier. The Composite CPI (113.40) for December 2011 increased by 6.81% year-on-year. Price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+11.08%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+11.02%); and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+9.00%) registered marked increase on account of dearer prices of fresh meat, vegetable, fresh fish, women's clothing, gasoline and gold jewellery, as well as soaring tobacco tax and charges for meals bought away from home. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 13.96% year-on-year. The CPI-A (112.48) and CPI-B (113.77) for December 2011 increased by 6.80% and 6.90% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for December 2011 increased by 0.74% month-to-month, of which the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; and Recreation & Culture increased by 10.48%, 3.02% and 1.34% respectively, while the price index of Transport decreased by 0.03% with lower gasoline prices. Meanwhile, the CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.69% and 0.74% respectively month-to-month. The Composite CPI for the fourth quarter of 2011 rose by 6.72% compared with the same quarter of 2010, with noticeable increase in the price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+10.40%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+9.53%); and Transport (+7.57%). In the fourth quarter of 2011, the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.57% and 6.88% from a year earlier. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that total visitor arrivals increased by 12.1% year-on-year to 2,545,718 in December 2011. Same-day visitors (1,354,407) accounted for 53.2% of the total, with 811,723 coming from Mainland China. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased by 23.5% year-on-year to 1,482,380 (58.2% of total), mostly from Guangdong Province (689,956), Fujian Province (91,425) and Hunan Province (55,194); Mainland visitors travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) totalled 572,841, up by 15.8% year-on-year. Visitors from Singapore (41,767), Japan (40,491) and the Republic of Korea (38,505) went up by 19.9%, 12.3% and 14.0% respectively; on the contrary, those from Hong Kong (657,910); Taiwan, China (85,737) and Malaysia (40,626) decreased by 1.5%, 18.9% and 1.5% respectively. Visitor arrivals set a new record of 28,002,279 for the whole year of 2011, up by 12.2% from 2010. Visitors from Mainland China (16,162,747), Hong Kong (7,582,923) and the Republic of Korea (398,807) increased by 22.2%, 1.6% and 20.2% respectively, while those from Taiwan, China (1,215,162); and Japan (396,023) decreased by 6.0% and 4.2%. Same-day visitors accounted for 53.8% of the total, at 15,077,119. Mainland visitors travelling to Macao under IVS increased by 20.1% from a year earlier to 6,588,722 in 2011. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea totalled 11,020,999 in 2011, up by 7.6% year-on-year. Visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour increased by 10.3% to 7,124,903, while those arriving at the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa decreased slightly by 0.3% to 3,422,313. Visitor arrivals by land registered an increase of 16.9%, reaching 15,299,600 in 2011, with 14,160,602 arrivals through the Border Gate. Visitor arrivals by air rose by 2.9% from 2010 to 1,681,680. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport increased by 2.8% to 1,655,973, with the majority coming from Mainland China (38.2%); Taiwan, China (33.6%); and Malaysia (6.2%).
…

As Lunar New year, a peak shopping season is drawing, Economic Services department (DSE), Macao Government Tourist Office (DST), Transport Bureau (DSAT), Judiciary Police (PJ), Public Security Police Force (PSP), Macao Custom Service and Civic and Municipal Affairs Council (IACM) were called for a meeting on the discussion of protection of consumer rights for inbound tourists and 'unscrupulous shops'. Consumer Council states that involved departments have been working closely in dealing with 'unscrupulous shops' during the past year and no serious case of shops doing business in unethical ways has been observed recently, though special attention is paid to those shops which are often being complained against. Participating departments at the meeting all agreed to work closely and enhance their surveillance work during this peak shopping season. Interdepartmental cooperation will also be carried out if necessary. Further, business owners in all industries, especially restaurants, are called on to take note that price setting is regulated by law in Macao (Section 8 of Decree Law No. 16/96/M), business owners should abide by this and keep consumers informed of this. Businesses, especially 'Certified Shops' and 'Adherents', should provide good-quality services and products to all local citizens and tourists and help building up the positive image of Macao as an international tourist centre. Consumer Council also reminds that if any citizen or tourist find his or her consumer rights being infringed, he or she should file a complaint at the Council or other departments and provide all necessary detailed information. The Council will also assign its staff to provide services to consumers through its hotline during 11am to 6pm each day during 23rd to 25th January. (Consumer Council hotline: 8988 9315)
…

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) will jointly organize celebratory activities on the first day of Lunar New Year (Jan 23) at the Ruins of St. Paul's and Senado Square to mark the spring festival. MGTO will host for the first time a fireworks display on the first day of Lunar New Year to add a festive atmosphere to the city. Visitor arrivals to Macau surpassed 28 million last year, registering an increase of 12.2% over 2010. Close to 25 million visitors were from the Greater China region, with a growth of 13.5% while the number of international visitors rose by 2.2%. As Lunar New Year is a peak season for visitors from the Mainland and nearby region to celebrate this important festival in Macau and many international visitors also choose to experience traditional celebrations here, MGTO and IACM take this opportunity to express New Year greetings to residents and hospitality to visitors. On the first morning of Lunar New Year, joined by representatives of the travel trade, Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, President of IACM, Raymond Tam, Deputy Directors of MGTO Helena Fernandes and Manuel Pires will host the eye-dotting ceremony of the golden dragon and lions at the Ruins of St. Paul's and light firecrackers at Senado Square to mark the celebrations. Guests will then team up with the God of Fortune to greet the public and distribute "Lai Si" and souvenirs to residents and visitors. "Lai Si" distributed by the God of Fortune bestow good luck and fortune for the Year of the Dragon. Performance by dance troupe from the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region will add colors to the joy. A 238-meter long golden dragon will lead a parade through major tourist spots. The vibrant dragon and lion dances signal Macau to be as energetic and spirited as these noble creatures in the Year of the Dragon. Dragon symbolizes dignity and success and these characteristics encourage Macau's residents to strive for accomplishment and work hand in hand for the betterment of Macau. In keeping with tradition, lucky "Lai Si" containing phrase of blessing will be distributed at MGTO counters during Lunar New Year while stock lasts. A splendid fireworks display organized by MGTO will light up the sky of Macau to usher in the Year of the Dragon. From 9pm on the first day of the Lunar New Year, about 20,000 pyrotechnic shells will be fired from 4 barges at the sea area in front of the Macau Tower and the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre for around 30 minutes. The display, with the theme "Blessing", will comprise eight different scenes: Prosperity, Happiness, Harmony, Hope, Bright Future, Solidarity and Happy Reunion. MGTO will install sound systems at six locations including Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, Macau Tower Street seaside, open area between Avenida de Sagres and the Bridge of Nobre de Carvalho, Ave. Dr Sun Yat Sen, Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre, Avenida dos Jardins do Oceano and Estrada Nordeste da Taipa so that the public can enjoy synchronized music to the spectacular displays. The Lunar New Year celebrations are held on the first and second day of the Lunar New Year. Details of the activities are available on the website of MGTO http://www.macautourism.gov.mo During Lunar New Year, MGTO's "Tourism Hotline 2833 3000" maintains its 24-hour operator service to answer tourists' enquiries.
…

Due to the completion of maintenance works, the open-air café (esplanade) of the Maritime Museum will be reopened on 22nd January 2012. The Museum and the café open daily from 10:00-18:00 (closed on Tuesdays).
…

* please find the attached file.
…

Consumer Council recently checked the selling prices of 7 festive foods from 22 retail outlets and the survey data is now available online at the Council's website. The said price survey was conducted on 16th January, surveying 7 festive food samples from 22 retail outlets for their selling prices. Survey result showed that many outlets were selling festive foods as discounted items but this 'special price' offered did not mean that the product was sold cheaper than in other places. According to the figures recorded, the highest price difference recorded for the same product selling in different outlets last year was almost 40%, this year, the figures have gone down to about 23%. In comparison with last year's data, most of the 7 surveyed festive foods recorded increase in prices. Selling price of 'Sugus Assorted Fruited Flavour Chews (350g)' had been raised distinctly, over half of the 18 outlets which were selling this candy recorded a price increase of about 25% to 40%. Selling prices of other surveyed festive foods had also increased by 10%. Meanwhile, 'Brown & Haley Almond Roca (340g)' recorded slight price decreases of up to 8% in several outlets, though certain retail outlets were still selling it at a price 10% higher than last year's. The 7 festive foods surveyed this year were 'Ferrero Rocher', 'Brown & Haley Almond Roca', 'Sugus Assorted Fruited Flavour Chew', 'Kjeldsens Butter Cookies' and 'Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies', 'Planters Premium Selection', and 'Kraft Ritz Sandwich Cracker'. Sizes of the last two items were different from the ones surveyed last year. As consumers tend to buy more of these festive foods during holidays, Consumer Council reminded consumers to check and compare prices of these festive foods on its website before making purchases. Retailers are also called on to guarantee the safety and reliability of import channels of these festive foods. The said price survey on festive foods is now available online at the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo).
…