News

The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 2 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (September 8). One premise was sealed for being suspected to provide accommodation illegally, and 2 occupants found on site were investigated. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 408 premises were checked, of which 56 were normal residences, while 53 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 415 occupants, among whom 237 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 10 operators, 9 touts, 9 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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This year, the regular maintenance of Macao Museum is scheduled between 13th to 17th September (5 days in total, from Monday to Friday). During the maintenance, the Mount Fortress Garden will be open as usual, people are welcome to visit through the south entrance of the Mount. As Macao Museum is situated in the Historic Centre of Macao and becomes one of the main tourist attraction sites, it receives many visitors every year and therefore the condition of the facilities is gradually deteriorating by frequent usage. In order to keep the Museum in good condition, there is regular repair and maintenance to be carried out every year. After the maintenance, the Museum will reopen to the public on 18th September (Saturday). We apologize for any inconvenience caused. For further information about opening hours, please visit www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or contact Macao Museum on 2835 7911 during office hours.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released summary of the GDP for the second quarter of 2010. The rates of change refer to the year-on-year change in real terms, unless otherwise specified. Favourable performance of the gaming and tourism sector sustained in the second quarter of 2010, with gross gaming revenue (excluding gratuities) soaring by 76.5% year-on-year in nominal terms, and total visitor spending (excluding gaming expenses) rising further from the 14.3% increase in the first quarter to 30.9%; decline in merchandise exports narrowed from 12.8% in the first quarter to 7.5%; gross fixed capital formation contracted by 30.9%. Integrating the respective information, GDP for the second quarter of 2010 expanded by 49.1% in real terms; meanwhile, economic growth for the first quarter revised upward from 30.1% to 31.4% in real terms. For the first half year of 2010, GDP grew by 40.2% in real terms. As regards major GDP components, private consumption expenditure rose by 6.6% in the second quarter of 2010, higher than the 2.3% increase in the first quarter. Household final consumption expenditure in the domestic market grew by 6.4% and that abroad rose by 1.2%, with the expenditure in Mainland China amounting to MOP 760 million. Government final consumption expenditure increased by 5.0%, a rebound from the 1.0% decrease in the first quarter, with compensation of employees and net purchases of goods and services rising by 4.1% and 7.7% respectively. As a gauge of investment, gross fixed capital formation contracted by 30.9%, moderating from the 38.0% decrease in the first quarter. Total private investment shrank by 31.3%, with construction investment decreasing by 44.2%, while equipment investment rising by 7.5%. Total government investment went down by 24.4%, in which construction investment dropped by 35.4%, while that of equipment grew by 34.4%. Integrating data of both sectors, decrease in overall construction investment narrowed from 53.9% in the first quarter to 43.6% whereas overall equipment investment rebounded to increase by 8.6% after shrinking by 2.6% in the first quarter. In terms of visible trade, decrease in the total value of merchandise exports tapered off from the first quarter to drop by 4.2% in nominal terms or 7.5% in real terms. Analyzed by destination, merchandise exports to the United States and European Union decreased by 42.4% and 46.1% respectively in nominal terms, while exports to China; Hong Kong; and Taiwan, China rose by 8.9%, 14.1% and 49.4% respectively. Total value of merchandise imports rose by 17.8% in nominal terms, higher than the 15.5% in the first quarter, or rose by 13.2% in real terms, also higher than the 12.1% in the first quarter. As regards invisible trade (exports of services), exports of gaming services soared by 78.6%; total visitor spending (excluding gaming expenses) also increased by 30.9% upon rising visitor arrivals and their per-capita spending. Integrating the principal data on exports of services, overall exports of services expanded by 70.9%, up from the 51.3% increase in the first quarter; meanwhile, imports of services went up by 48.1%, lower than the 53.8% increase in the first quarter.
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In the first half of 2010, a total of 227 applications for temporary residency for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders were received by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) (a decrease of 231 compared with the same period last year), 7 applications for major investment and investment plans (a decrease of 6 compared with the same period last year), representing 97% and 3% of the total of 234 new applications in the first half-year of 2010. Approved cases for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders amounted to 310 (an increase of 145 compared with the same period last year), approved applications for major investment and investment plans totalled 9 (an increase of 1 compared with the same period last year). In accordance with the Administrative Regulation No. 7/2007, temporary residency applications for fixed asset purchases have been suspended since 4 April 2007. There were over 4,000 applications lodged before the closing date of the policy and are still being processed. Therefore, there were no new residency applications for fixed assets purchases while all of the 120 already approved cases were lodged before 4 April 2007. Statistics of Investment Residency Applications and the Cases and Number of Beneficiaries in the First Half-Year of 2010 (1) Figures of approved applications for fixed asset purchases only refer to those registered cases as of 4 April 2007 when the Administrative Regulation were in effect, figures of approved cases in other categories include all applications submitted during and before 2010.
(2) figures only cover the number of additional family members in the application; For further enquiries on the residency application guidelines, please contact IPIM by visiting the website: www.ipim.gov.mo, email: gjfr@ipim.gov.mo, tel: 28712055 or fax: 28713950. Applicants may also visit the website and enquire about the progress of their residency application status online.
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According to the statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, the proportion of international business in the local banking sector increased marginally during the second quarter of 2010. At end-June 2010, the share of international assets in total banking assets rose to 84.8% from 84.1% at end-March 2010, while the share of international liabilities in total banking liabilities edged up to 78.1% from 78.0%. Foreign currencies remained as the dominant denomination in international banking transactions. At end-June 2010, the shares of Pataca (MOP) in total international assets and total international liabilities were 0.5% and 1.1% respectively. Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) and Other Foreign Currencies (OFCs) accounted for 45.1% and 54.4% of total international assets as well as 54.8% and 44.0% of total international liabilities respectively. International Banking Assets
At end-June 2010, total international assets increased by 4.7% from three months earlier or 16.5% year-on-year to MOP389.2 billion (USD48.5 billion). Within this total, external assets expanded by 20.0% to MOP304.6 billion in a year while local assets in foreign currencies rose by 5.7% to MOP84.6 billion. As a major component of international assets, external loans & deposits jumped by 23.8% over a year earlier to MOP280.7 billion, mainly attributable to the 80.4% increase of loans to overseas non-bank borrowers. International Banking Liabilities
Meanwhile, total international liabilities expanded by 4.1% quarter-to-quarter or 14.8% from a year earlier to MOP358.8 billion (USD44.7 billion). Of this total, external liabilities and local liabilities in foreign currencies amounted to MOP182.6 billion and MOP176.1 billion in respective order. Compared with a year earlier, the former soared by 19.0% while the latter increased by 10.7%. Foreign currency deposits held by residents in the local banking system formed a major component of international liabilities. This type of deposits grew by 11.7% to MOP167.8 billion at end-June 2010 from MOP150.2 billion a year earlier. Breakdown of External Banking Assets and Liabilities by Region
The majority of external assets and liabilities were related to the regions of Asia and Europe. At end-June 2010, claims on Hong Kong and Mainland China occupied respectively 39.2% and 13.6% of total external assets, while claims on Portugal and the UK took up respective shares of 13.1% and 1.5%. On external liabilities, Hong Kong and China occupied 50.4% and 14.0% of the total respectively while Portugal and France took up respective shares of 8.9% and 8.2%. The compilation of International Banking Statistics follows the methodology advocated by the Bank for International Settlements in order to facilitate Macao SAR’s participation in the “Locational International Banking Statistics” project of the international organisation.
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The opening ceremonies on 1 and 6 September marked the commencement of IFT day time and evening bachelor degree programmes for academic year 2010/2011. During the ceremonies, President Dr. Fanny Vong briefed students about the 5 degree programmes, namely Tourism Business Management, Heritage Management, Hotel Management, Tourism Event Management as well as Tourism Retail and Marketing Management. This academic year also carries two newly launched evening degree programmes for Hotel Management and Tourism Event Management, with Chinese as the main medium of instruction, specially catered for industry members or individuals who are interested in taking tourism related programmes. Since established, IFT has been introducing diversified programmes at different levels, well balancing theoretical and practical teaching by working closely with the industry, and maintaining strong networks with a good number of renowned international institutes as well as organisations in the tourism fields. Through various forms of cooperations with these partners, students are enriched with international perspectives. At the same time, IFT also encourages students to step out for internship and exchange programmes that connect to partner institutes in Asia Pacific, North America and major European cities. It is hoped that the two new evening Chinese degree programmes may find its way to more collaborations with prestigious educational schools in Mainland China. Dr. Fanny Vong addressed the students with a note of encouragement for the 4 years of fruitful study ahead. Dr. Vong mentioned that IFT students should learn to confront challenges as independent and mature professionals, who are well-prepared to contribute. Special acknowledgement went to the evening degree programme students for their determination and perseverance in continual study. The opening ceremonies ended with campus tours for students who came all the way from Mainland China and overseas countries. IFT is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this month, the Institute looks forward to progress and innovate with its students. Together they share the responsibilities of serving Macao.
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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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