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IFT is offering a “Western Culinary Arts Practicum Programme”, in cooperation with the local industry, to train professionals in the area of food production. An agreement signing ceremony and press conference was held on 12 July at IFT with 11 participating partner hotels to mark this meaningful collaboration. The programme is set up to answer the need for young chefs from the local industry, hence its special emphasis on practical training. It is a contribution to the local hospitality industry by creating qualified personnel and an invitation to those who are interested in acquiring the art, skill and refinement for this commendable profession. The concept of this programme is for IFT to provide theoretical knowledge while working with well-established local hotels for practicum opportunity, where students apply the theories in hands-on practical training environment. Our industry partners include: Altira Macau, City of Dreams, Four Seasons Hotel, Grand Lapa Macau, Grand Hyatt Macau, Grand Lisboa Hotel, Hotel Lisboa, MGM GRAND Macau, Sands Macao Hotel, The Westin Resort Macau and Wynn Macau. This free programme is carried out 6 days a week (1 day at IFT and 5 days at hotels), and lasts for 18 months, during which participating hotels will be paying a monthly allowance of not less than MOP4,000 to the students. Programme contents include general courses (such as language, computer studies, nutrition, food hygiene, purchasing and cost control, hospitality and food industry, restaurant service and customer care) which take place at IFT, while gastronomy knowledge as well as practicum are mainly at hotels. Upon completion of the programme, students will receive a certificate issued by IFT and a skills certificate issued under Macao Occupational skills Recognition System (MORS). It is hoped that by creating qualified manpower and bringing in the right talents to the hospitality industry, that IFT’s new training programme is able to meet local demand for culinary professionals.
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The distribution overview of the Wealth Partaking Scheme 2010 is as following,: 1. Beneficiaries
1. Holders of valid or renewable Macau SAR Resident Identity Card Holders on 31 December 2009 are entitled to receive the cash premium. Every Macau SAR Permanent and Non-Permanent Resident Identity Cards will be granted 6,000.00 patacas and 3,600.00 patacas respectively.
2. Pursuant to Article 3 (2) of Law No.8/2002 regarding the circumstances of non-compulsory acquisition of resident identity card, persons below the age of 5 on 31 December 2009, will be granted the cash premium upon the obtainment of the abovementioned identification document.
3. Holders of valid or renewable Macao SAR Resident Identity Card who are currently residing abroad will be granted the cash premium, provided that they can prove that they are unable to renew their Macao SAR Resident Identity Card due to the reason of bedridden, completely or partly paralyzed. For those who have submitted the documentary proof and were granted the cash premium in the previous year, the Social Welfare Bureau is authorized to exempt them from documents resubmission if it is concluded that no new evidence is needed for the approval of current Scheme after analyzing the exiting documents. 2. Modes of distribution
1. Bank transfer
The following individuals will have the cash premium disbursed by means of bank transfer:
- Persons receiving financial assistance or subsidy for senior citizens from the Social Welfare Bureau;
- Teaching staff receiving direct subsidy as well as students in tertiary education receiving student aid from the Student Benefits Fund of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau;
- Retired civil servants receiving retirement pension and other persons receiving aforesaid pension for the family of the deceased;
- Civil servants. 2. Crossed cheque mailing
The rest qualified for being awarded the cash premium will receive the crossed cheque via mail by the Identification Services Bureau. details are as follows:
- Beneficiaries aged 18 or above will each receive a cheque made payable to the beneficiary;
- Minor beneficiaries (under the age of 18) will each receive a cheque made payable to the beneficiary, his/her father, and his/her mother, which may be deposited either into the beneficiary’s account, his/her father’s account, or his/her mother’s account. The crossed cheque will be sent via surface mail so as to enable the beneficiaries to get the cheque in the simplest way. On the other hand, as it is a crossed cheque, it can only be deposited into the payee’s account, in this way, even if one gets the cheque of others, in no way the cheque can be cashed. 3. Special circumstances
The Social Welfare Bureau shall be responsible for the distribution of cash premium to the following persons: persons stated in above 1 (3), minors whose guardianship has not been established, incompetent persons, and persons deprived of their liberty by rehabilitative measures or subjected to criminal punishment. 3. 2010 Wealth Partaking Scheme Schedule for Distribution
(Please find the attached file.) 4. Address change for mailing purpose
The address of holders of Macau Resident Identity Card in the database of the Identification Services Bureau is the one declared by the resident during his/her replacement for the Macau SAR Resident Identity Card. To ensure that the residents can receive in time their cheque, from 29 March 2010, those who have moved their residence can change their address information in the following ways:
- Prior to changing the address, the resident has to provide data for verification by entering his/her identity card number, his/her birth date and his/her mother’s name (as the names of father and mother are not shown on the identity card), at the Identification Services Bureau website (www.dsi.gov.mo); - Return directly the declaration for change of address to the Identification Services Bureau. 5. Establishment of Support Centre for Wealth Partaking Disbursement
With an effort to cope with the implementation of the Scheme, the Support Centre for Wealth Partaking Disbursement was set up. The Centre is equipped with staff and a hotline to handle and entertain enquiries related to the Scheme, as well as to help solving other problems. The Centre will be opened on 13 July 2010 which is located in Avenida da Praia Grande, n.º 762-804, Edifício China Plaza, Opens on Mondays to Firdays (except public holidays), from 9:00 to 18:00 straight. The service hotline and facsimile are 2822 5000 and 2822 3000. The official website of Wealth Partaking Scheme http://www.planocp.gov.mo also provides the most up-to-dated information.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, arrived in Sichuan today on a four-day visit to learn more about the earthquake relief projects supported by Macao. Mr Chui told the press at the airport before his departure that he would also hold a meeting with leading officials of the province to follow up on the reconstruction projects supported by Macao, as well as a tourism co-operation project. Macao had earmarked 5.5 billion patacas for reconstruction projects after the province was struck by earthquakes in 2008. Mr Chui re-iterated that these projects should be completed by the end of next year, as requested by the State Council. Soon after his arrival, Mr Chui and his delegation visited Mianyang and inspected a middle school and a hospital which reconstruction was financed by Macao.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is scheduled to leave for Sichuan Province on Sunday to view the progress on the earthquake reconstruction projects funded by Macao. Mr Chui and his delegation will visit Mianyang, Guangyuan and Beichuan County in the province to see the latest on the projects in these areas. During his four-day visit, Mr Chui will also meet the leading officials of the province and hold meetings regarding reconstruction schemes. Members of the delegation include the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U; the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng; the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Cheung So Mui; the Secretary-General of the Executive Council and Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Ms O Lam; the Director of Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of Health Bureau, Mr Lei Chin Ion; the Director of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Mr Sou Chio Fai; the Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, Mr João Manuel Costa Antunes; the Director of Social Welfare Bureau, Mr Ip Peng Kin; the Director of Macao Sport Development Board, Mr Vong Iao Lek, and the Director of Macao Economic Services, Mr Sou Tim Peng. The Director of Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the MSAR, Mr Bai Zhijian, is a specially invited member of the delegation. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
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Macao Franchise Expo 2010 (2010 MFE) "Forum on International Franchise Business Opportunities" and other activities is held on 8th July in Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. It’s believed that this forum enhances the communication and cooperation of franchising business between Mainland China, Overseas and other districts and Macao, encourages brands come to Macao, and explores new markets via Macao, this superior business platform. Forum on International Franchise Business Opportunities will be held after the Grand Opening of 2010 MFE, which organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Brazilian Franchise Association, Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Licensing and Franchising Association of Hong Kong, Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association and Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association. It’s honored that celebrities will address speeches in the forum, including Vice President of U.S. & International Development, International Franchise Association (IFA), Mr. Hsu Hsiang-hung, Chairman of Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Ms. Susan Su, Director of Franchise & Entrepreneur Department, China Chain Store & Franchise Association, and Mr. Kimiharu Nishino, Chairman of Franchise Committee in Japan Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants Association - Tokyo branch. Mr. Scott Lehr introduced the current development as well as the expectations of franchise market in America, moreover he shared the strategy of Multi-Brand in the International franchise market; Ms. Susan Su made a speech about the status of Chinese franchise market, specifically about the current situation, corresponding policy and regulations and the development of oversea franchise brand; Mr. Hsu Hsiang-hung made the future trend of international franchise as the topic of speech, he pointed out that Cross-Straits market create more business opportunities. Mr. Kimiharu Nishino, in terms of professional of Japan, elaborated the international franchise strategy of Japanese enterprises along with the trends and characters of business pattern. Besides, Mr. Tong Kai Chung, Secretary General of Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association moderates the panel discussions of 2010 MFE. Local and overseas chain store operators, senior managers, and professionals exchange and share their franchising business opinions and experiences, including Mr. Yu Cheng Lung, Deputy Chairman of Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Mr. Sam Siew Pak Kheong, Chairman of National & International Relation Sub-Committee, Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA), Mr. Wilson Lee, President of Licensing & Franchising Association of Hong Kong, Mr. Ho Kam Meng, Supervisor General of Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association, Mr. Toby Chan, Managing Director of Regent Lane Ltd and Mr. Sérgio Marques, Managing Director of Parfois – Barata & Ramilo, S.A.
There are around 100 participants of International franchising senior managers, experts, professionals, business representatives in Forum on International Franchise Business Opportunities, covers USA, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. This forum promotes the business communication and cooperation between enterprises and assists local companies to explore via franchising.
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Macao Franchise Expo 2010 (2010 MFE) has been held commenced at Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Center on 8th July. The officiating guests of honor Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR and other officiating guests host the simple and grand opening lighting ceremony at 11a.m. The guests hold the golden ribbon which symbolizes chain operators, with “2010 MFE” marked on the colorful ceremony lighting pillar, a golden flashing ribbon has been exhibited. It implies that Macau Franchise and chain operators have gone a step further connecting with each other and explore the market under the support of Macao government. It also matches with the theme “Brand expansion continues… Business opportunities to be seized”. This has made a prologue for 2010MFE for consecutive 3 days. Apart from Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, the other officiating guests include Mr. Lu Shumin, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao S.A.R., Mr. Zhou Zhi Kui, Director General of Economic Affairs Department of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Hoi Sai Un, President of Macao Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Tai Kin Ip, Deputy Director of Macao Economic Services, Ms. Susan Su, Director of Franchise & Entrepreneur Department, China Chain Store & Franchise Association, Mr. Scott Lehr, Vice President of U.S. & International Development, International Franchise Association (IFA), Mr. Hsu Hsiang-hung, Chairman of Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Mr. Wilson Lee, President of Licensing & Franchising Association of Hong Kong, Ms. Terry Sio, President of Macao International Brand, and Mr. Jaman Wong, Chairman of Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association. In the opening ceremony, Mr. Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute has stated on his speech that the theme of this year’s MFE is “Brand Expansion Continues…Business Opportunities to be Seized”, it is a much larger operation with more varied contents. The number of participating exhibitors, exhibition booths and total area has increased by 60%, 140% and 100% respectively. The 123 participating enterprises come from Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, the Mainland, Malaysia, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan and the US, involving sectors including food and beverage, retail, marketing planning as well as education. Currently, the number of co-operation projects collected by the organizer has increased by 40% when compared to the previous year and the arranged business-matching sessions have been made to assist investors, franchisors and exhibitors to identify targeted business partners and also take the opportunity to conduct direct negotiations. The organizer has also invited leaders of business associations from various industries and senior management of internationally renowned brands to share the reasons for their success and conduct interactive exchanges during the Forum on International Franchise Business Opportunities. In additional, before the opening ceremony, the officiating guests, Mr. Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR and Mr. Lu Shumin, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao S.A.R have accompanied with Mr.. Jackson Chang, President of IPIM, Ms. Echo Chan and Mrs. Irene Lau, Executive Directors of IPIM, the organizers and co-organizers to do the site inspection. The guests firstly go up to the 4th floor of Macao Franchise and Chain Section to taste the Taiwanese drinks, experience delicious food and atmosphere. After then they visited the professional seminars of the site, MFE squares and the most attractive section of this MFE, the premium booth area to experience the gorgeous design and display from different premium booths, and also communicate and exchange with the people in charge of the booths in order to learn about their comments towards MFE and franchise business. Later on they went to the 2nd Floor and visited the booths from Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan exhibitors. 2010 MFE is organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Brazilian Franchise Association, Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association, Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association and Licensing and Franchising Association, International Franchise Association and Japan Association, and coordinated by the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao. After the opening of 2010 MFE, there will be all together 3 consecutive days for exhibitions, it cooperates with the business matching activities, including Forum on International Franchise Business Opportunities, business matching, professional seminars and presentations etc. The first day of the exhibition is for registered professional visitors, 9th to 10th July opens to the public, everyone is welcome to participate and admission is free. Should you have any enquiry, please contact the MFE Secretariat at Tel: 6212 8811 or refer to our website: www.mfe.mo .
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, on a monthly basis, money supply M2 decreased slightly in May. As deposits with banks dropped and loans witnessed an increase, the loan-to-deposit ratio rose from a month earlier. Money supply
Currency in circulation decreased 0.5% whereas demand deposits climbed 6.8%. M1 thus rose 5.7% compared with the previous month. Meanwhile, quasi-monetary liabilities dropped 1.4%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, edged down 0.3% to MOP216.1 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 27.2% and 7.1% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 27.7%, down marginally by 0.1 percentage point over a month ago or 0.4 percentage points from a year earlier. Concurrently, the share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 54.2%, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous month but up 0.5 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits
Resident deposits dropped 0.3% from the previous month to MOP211.1 billion. Of which, MOP deposits and HKD deposits declined at respective rates of 0.8% and 1.1% while other foreign currency deposits grew 2.8%. Concurrently, non-resident deposits decreased by 2.7% to MOP71.3 billion while public sector deposits with the banking sector rose 4.1% to MOP15.5 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector dropped 0.7% from the previous month to MOP297.9 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 22.2% and 46.8% respectively. Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector expanded 2.0% in May to MOP108.4 billion. Among which, MOP33.0 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP67.9 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 30.5% and 62.6% of the total respectively. Meanwhile, external loans grew 1.2% to MOP109.3 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 0.8% (MOP0.9 billion) and 40.3% (MOP44.1 billion) of the total respectively. Loan-to-deposit ratios
Due to the decline in resident deposits and increase in domestic loans to the private sector, the loan-to deposit ratio for the resident sector grew 1.0 percentage point in a month to 47.8% at end-May 2010. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors was 73.1%, up 1.7 percentage points.
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Macao will step up business, cultural and tourism co-operation with Huizhou, Shenzhen and Dongguan, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said when he met with the leaders of these three places. Mr Chui visited Dongguang, Shenzhen and Huizhou with a high ranking official delegation on 6-7 July. On 6 July, Mr Chui met with the Mayor of Dongguan, Mr Li Yuchuan. Mr Li introduced the successful experience of transforming the economic structure of the city. Mr Chui said that it was a good example for Macao to learn from and a regular mutual visit would definitely strengthen co-operation. He also said the draft of the “Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement” would be finished soon, and the Macao and Guangdong governments would jointly present the proposal to the Central Government. Mr Chui and the delegation visited a high technology industrial park during their stay in Dongguan. Mr Chui visited Shenzhen and met with the Secretary of CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee Wang Rong. During the meeting, Mr Chui said Macao and Shenzhen have built a good co-operation mechanism since 2006, based on the past foundation, both parties would open up new areas for further co-operation. Mr Wang thanked Macao’s dedication to Shenzhen during its development. He said Macao has rich experience in internationalisation that it would be a good learning target for Shenzhen. He also said that Shenzhen was planning to extend its transportation network to Macao and this policy would facilitate Macao and Shenzhen’s co-operation. On 7 July, Mr Chui visited Huizhou and met with the Mayor, Mr Li Ruziu where they discussed tourism, cultural industry co-operation. In the meeting, Mr Li introduced the future development blueprint to the Macao delegates. Mr Chui said Macao would learn from the experience of upgrading industries from Huizhou. Mr Li said based on the close relationship with Macao, both sides could joint hands in tourism and property development. During the stay in Huizhou, the Macao delegation visited a local LED module factory and the Feng Zhu Garden of West Lake. Mr Chui spoke to the media when he returned to Macao and said that he found this trip was fruitful and satisfactory. He said the visits to nine cities in Guangdong enabled Macao to work closely with these cities. According to the “Reform of the Pearl River Delta Development (2008-2020)”, enhancing co-operations with the nine cities is an important plan of the future development of the entire region. Macao, in the future, will work closely with these nine cities aimed at diversifying Macao’s economy and finally boosting Macao to develop as a world-class tourism and leisure destination.
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The Macao Franchise Expo 2010 (2010 MFE) will be opened tomorrow morning. Support staffs are currently busy with the construction of the podium for the opening ceremony. In order to make the best use of every minute, nearly a hundred workers are actively engaging in booth decoration at the Macao Tower Conference and Entertainment Centre. This year, the newly introduced Premium booths have become the focus of attention. The exhibitors have tried their utmost to design their booths in a way that represents the image they wish to promote, with the objective of attracting as many customers as possible within the 3-day exhibition. Premium booths with unique designs aiming to attract customers
The exclusive apparel brand, Azona, rents the largest exhibition area at the venue. The booths is a 3D natural landscape design made of special advertising and reaches up to 4 metres high. Along with the fashion model figures, it can fully demonstrate the features and image of the brand. Although the setup is still in progress, the primary image of the glamourous design has been revealed. It’s believed that the completed work will definitely impressed all visitors. Another franchise coffee shop, Mr. Bean Cafe, featuring film characters, has turned its booth into a its branded coffee shop by displaying portraits of film characters on the walls. The setting up of a relaxing café outside the booth can help to create an enjoyable atmosphere for visitors and attract potential partners interested to take part in this food and beverage industry. All in all, every exhibitor and other well-known brands in the Premium Booth area has applied different gimmicks and advertising materials in their designs, including the most popular graffiti, plastic three-dimensional characters and light billboards, etc. With the combination of spotlights to enhance visual effects, it’s not surprising that the Premium Booth area will become the highlight of this year’s MFE. Some designers at the site said they have used a diversity of materials in the booth design. With exhibitors’ abundant budget in booth design, the PremiumBooth area is really worth visiting. “Macao Franchise Zone” with food tasting section
The Macao Franchise Zone is another new element this year. There are twenty-one exhibitors from the food and beverage industry, including the Macao original fried chicken, Macao clay pot rice. Free food tasting section is offered to visitors at most of the booths. The exhibitors are now at the final stage of testing the cooking appliances and get prepared for the event. Some exhibitors at the site said that they are glad to work with the food tasting ideas proposed by the organiser. They believe that by offering the chance for a personal experience, it will help to strengthen the confidence of potential franchisees in the brand. Other than the Premium Booth area, exhibitors of this year’s MFE also include various well known brands in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, such as the Mcdull & Mcmug & Friends and Come Buy; some internationally renowned brands such as Fatburger from USA, NEC from Japan, as well as Mainland brands like Seven Days Hotel, Jin Jiang Inn and Little Sheep. Support staffs are preparing application articles on the site, including small-scale activities rack, leaflets and posters. It’s believed that these well-known brands’ participation will help to increase the attractiveness of this year’s MFE. 2010 MFE will be organised for three days. After the officially opening held tomorrow (8 July), the exhibition is open exclusively to trade visitors from 11:00am to 8:00pm. It is open to the public from 11:00am to 8:00pm on 9 July, and 11:00am to 6:00pm on 10 July. Please visit the official website (www.mfe.mo) for more information, or contact the Convention Secretariats at Tel: 621208811.
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Organized by the Institute of European Studies of Macau and by the International Law Office, begins tomorrow Thursday, July 8, at 6:00pm, in the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (Luso-International Bank Building, 18th floor), a Course on International Trade and Investment Law and Policy. As part of the 2nd EU-Macao Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field, this course will have as its guest speakers Prof. Dr. Peter Malanczuk, from the Peking University School of Transnational Law, and Mr. Pierre Sauvé, from the World Trade Institute in Berne, Switzerland. This course will be conducted in English and will take place until July 19. The program is divided into three components and will approach the following subjects: “International Trade and Investment Law: The General Legal Framework of International Trade and Investment Law” (6 hours); “Investment and Labour Mobility: The Treatment of Factor Movement under GATS” (6 hours) and “Investment Protection and Environmental Protection: Contradictory or Reconcilable” (6 hours). The 2nd EU-Macao Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field, extending until December 2012, which embodies the said course, has the “Consolidation of the Macao Legal System” as its main objective. The total budget for the programme is 1.500.000 euros (approximately 15.000.000 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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