News

To combat the activities of human trafficking, the Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures Concern Committee organizes the “Workshop on Combating Human Trafficking” from October 7 to 8 in World Trade Center Macau. Expert trainers from the United States Department of Justice, and also from the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who are both very experienced dealing with human trafficking cases, are invited to share with the participants their experience in combating trafficking in persons. Participants are from different areas including Macao Customs, Public Security Police and Judiciary Police.
Over the past year, the Macao government has devoted a lot of effort in fighting against human trafficking, in areas including prevention, victim protection and prosecution. The anti human trafficking law has come effective since June 2008, in which the applicable area of human trafficking crimes has been enlarged, and the penalty of committing such crimes has also been increased. Given such solid foundation, the work on combating trafficking in persons is largely facilitated.
Training for frontline officers is an important focus of the Macao Government. Everyday at work they encounter people who may be potential human trafficking victims, or human traffickers. Looking more into the techniques of identifying victims, investigation and prosecution of such cases can certainly help strengthen the effort in combating human trafficking.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, today appointed the seven members for the fourth-term Legislative Assembly. The Government Gazette today published an administrative order signed by the Chief Executive, which announced the names of the legislators he appointed. They are Ms Ho Sio Kam, Mr Tsui Wai Kwan, Mr Tong Io Cheng, Mr Chui Sai Peng, Mr Vong Hin Fai, Mr Lau Veng Seng and Mr Sio Chi Wai. In accordance with Annex II of the Basic Law, the Assembly consist of 29 members, 12 of whom are directly elected, 10 indirectly elected and seven appointed by the Chief Executive. Meanwhile, the Court of Final Appeal issued a proclamation today to confirm the result of the direct and indirect elections of the fourth-term Legislative Assembly. The 12 directly elected legislators are Ms Kwan Tsui Hang, Mr Chan Meng Kam, Mr Ng Kuok Cheong, Ms Leong On Kei, Mr Ho Ion Sang, Mr José Maria Pereira Coutinho, Mr Au Kam San, Mr Lee Chong Cheng, Mr Mak Soi Kun, Mr Ung Choi Kun, Mr Chan Wai Chi and Ms Melinda Chan Mei Yi. The indirectly elected legislators from industrial, commercial and financial sectors are Mr Ho Iat Seng, Mr Kou Hoi In, Mr Cheang Chi Keong and Mr Fong Chi Keong. The indirectly elected legislators from labour sector are Mr Lau Cheok Va and Mr Lam Keong Sang. The indirectly elected legislators from professional sector are Chui Sai Cheong and Leonel Alberto Alves. The indirectly elected legislators from social, cultural, educational and sport sectors are Mr Vitor Cheung Lup Kwan and Mr Chan Chak Mo.
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Tamaya Art Pyro Technics from Japan netted the top prize, while Italy’s La Tirrena Fireworks and Philippines’s Platinum Fireworks, Inc. took second and third places in the 21st Macau International Fireworks Display Contest at a ceremony held at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center on October 1. Macau Government Tourist Director João Manuel Costa Antunes presented the trophy and prize to the winner. Cash prize to the winner is US$8,000, while prizes to the first and second runners-up are US$4,000 and US$2,500 respectively. The contest this year featured ten teams from Spain, Korea, Chinese Taiwan, France, Italy, the Philippines, Japan, Portugal, Austria and China. To celebrate this 21st edition, MGTO has purposely invited teams with distinguished performances in international contests. Teams from France, Italy and Austria who joined the event for the first time matched their fireworks skills with veterans from Chinese Taiwan, Japan and Korean. Mr. Antunes noted in his speech that MGTO will continue to enhance the quality and attractiveness of the contest to boost its charm as a must-see annual event in Macau. The organizer arranged China's Hunan Jixiu Fireworks Manufacturing & Display Company to present the last fireworks show to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. Crowds of residents and visitors enjoyed the fireworks during the National Day holiday at various spots of Macau and Taipa, adding festive and joyful atmosphere to the city. This year again, each participating team is requested to complement their display with music. Each team used different kinds of music, ranging from classical or folk music to contemporary music, coupled with special themes and features to enthrall the audience. Organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has a history of 21 years and receives wide accolades and recognitions. The annual glamorous fireworks displays, together with the colorful activities, have become a signature event that brings splendid experience to the public and visitors in Macau. To add festive atmosphere to the fireworks display contest, MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau jointly presented the Fireworks Carnival on the shorefront beside the Macau Tower on each of the fireworks display nights, offering an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, left for Beijing today to attend the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Speaking to the press before leaving for the capital, Mr Ho said that he felt very happy and excited to attend the ceremonies. About 100 people from Macao also left this morning for the celebrations in Beijing. They included the Chief Executive-designate, Mr Chui Sai On, principal officials, members of the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly, and representatives from the community. While Mr Ho is away, the Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, will be Acting Chief Executive.
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Due to the relocation of the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card Production System from 19 October 2009 to 8 November 2009, the issuance of the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card will be suspended during the aforesaid period. For the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card applications received 10 working days before or during the relocation of the production system, the collection date will be postponed accordingly. Besides, the request for modifying marital status will also be unavailable during the relocation period. Furthermore, please be advised that the “Express Service” and the “Special Express Service” for identity card applications will not be available from 12 October 2009 to 27 October 2009 and from 15 October 2009 to 8 November 2009 respectively. For any inquiries, please contact us at 2837-0777 or 2837-0888. Thank you for your kind attention and sorry for any inconvenience caused.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the value of total exports of goods amounted to MOP582 million in August 2009, down by 55.7% year-on-year, with the value of domestic exports falling by 70.0% to MOP224 million and that of re-exports dropping by 37.0% to MOP358 million. The value of total imports of goods amounted to MOP3.09 billion, down by 13.9% year-on-year. A trade deficit of MOP2.50 billion was recorded for August 2009. From January to August 2009, total value of merchandise exports fell by 55.3% year-on-year to MOP5.11 billion, of which the value of domestic exports and re-exports declined by 69.5% and 32.1% respectively; meanwhile, total value of merchandise imports slid by 20.9% to MOP23.10 billion. The trade deficit for the first eight months of 2009 widened by 1.4% year-on-year to MOP17.98 billion; the exports/imports ratio went down markedly by 17.1 percentage points to 22.1%. Analyzed by destination of Macao’s exports, in the first eight months of 2009, the value of merchandise exports to the USA, the EU and Mainland China decreased by 79.2%, 60.1% and 45.7% respectively year-on-year. The value of Textile & garment exports declined by 72.4% year-on-year to account for 36.8% of the total exports of goods; meanwhile, the value of Non-textile exports dropped by 30.3%. Regarding the country of origin of imported goods, value of merchandise imports from Mainland China dropped by 40.0% year-on-year, but that from the EU rose by 3.8%. The value of imports by Broad Economic Category registered year-on-year decrease, of which Raw materials & semi-manufactures and Fuels & lubricants fell by 41.6% and 26.8% respectively; meanwhile, the value of imports of Consumer goods recorded a mild decrease of 8.2%, with that of Food & beverages rising by 16.5%.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the number of operating travel agencies totalled 155 in 2008, a decrease of 2 establishments over 2007. Sales & Other Receipts totalled MOP3.58 billion, up by 6.6% year-on-year and Gross Fixed Capital Formation increased by 20.0% to MOP70.18 million. However, Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy dropped by 5.5% to MOP473 million on account of rising cost of Purchase of Goods & Services and higher Operating Expenses. At the end of 2008, a total of 2,806 persons were engaged in the travel agencies, up by 23.0% year-on-year. Expenditure of the travel agencies amounted to MOP3.43 billion, an increase of 11.2% over 2007. In terms of expenditure items, Purchase of Goods & Services for Sale (including tickets, package tours and room reservation) reached MOP2.87 billion (83.6% of the total), up by 8.7% year-on-year; Operating Expenses rose by 6.8% to MOP238 million. In addition, Compensation of Employees soared by 45.6% from 2007 to MOP321 million on account of a notable increase of 552 paid employees in 2008.
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The Government have full respects to the ruling by the Court of Final Appeal yesterday over void ballots of the Legislative Assembly Election, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today. Speaking to the press after attending the National Day reception, Mr Ho said that apart from the disputes over the definition of void ballots, the entire election process was smooth. We had to draw a lesson from the election, especially from the aspects of election guidelines and promotion, as some voters were not familiar with marking ballot papers with a stamp, he said. The Government will review on the entire procedures, study the necessity of revising the Legislative Assembly Election Law and give precise guidelines to the staff of polling stations. As for the seven appointed legislators, Mr Ho said the Government would announce their names early next week. He had exchanged ideas with the Chief Executive-designate Mr Chui Sai On over these members. Mr Ho is to visit Beijing tomorrow to attend the National Day celebrations. He said that he would be very proud to attend the celebrations as the Chief Executive of the Macao SAR.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, will lead a delegation comprising Macao celebrities to Beijing tomorrow to attend the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). On the National Day, the delegation will join the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC celebrations and attend a cultural performance at night. On 2nd October, Mr Ho will visit the exhibition showcasing the achievements of China since its founding in 1949 at the Beijing Exhibition Centre. Members of the delegation are from different sectors, including business, education, labour and academy. They will will return to Macao on in the afternoon of 2nd ctober
The Secretary for Security will be the acting Chief Executive during Mr Ho’s absence.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP141.1 billion (USD17.68 billion) at the end of August 2009. The reserves rose by 0.3% from the revised value of MOP140.8 billion (USD17.63 billion) for the previous month. When compared with the same period last year, the reserves increased by MOP18.8 billion or 15.3%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-August 2009 represented 30 times the currency in circulation or 243.9% of Pataca M2 at end-July 2009. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency’s exchange rates against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners, fell by 0.38 points month-to-month but rose by 2.15 points year-on-year to 90.06 in August 2009.
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