News

The total number of Influenza A (H1N1) cases reached 167 today as Macao confirmed two more cases. The two patients, a man and a woman, were aged between 19 and 22. They both lived with a confirmed H1N1 patient and all the three members of that family were infected. To date Macao had reported 167 Influenza A (H1N1) cases, with 12 patients receiving treatment. Three patients had recovered and were discharged from hospital today, taking the total number of discharged patients to 141. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.
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Under the joint supervision of the Macao Administrative Region and the People's Government of Guangdong Province and jointly co-organized by the Macao Trade and Investment Institute (IPIM) and the Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, the "Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2009" (GMBPF 2009) will be held at the Macau Fisherman's Wharf's Convention and Exhibition Centre from 30 July to 2 August, 2009. Following the "Western Guangdong Famous Products Fair", jointly held by the two territories in April 2003, the GMBPF 2009 is another grand economic and trade event for the further implementation of the "Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement" signed between IPIM and the Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation in early March this year, to correspond with the "Reform of the Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation Framework". The Fair will bring together Macao's advantage as a tourist destination and develop its function as a trade and economic service platform. Designed for both local residents and tourist, GMBPF 2009 aim to foster the local economy, speed up the entrance of the Mainland and Macao's branded products to the local and overseas markets and assist the enterprises from both territories to grasp more business opportunities at the current financial crisis. In addition to the great support rendered by various entities in Guangdong and Macau, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China have been invited as supporting organizations. Furthermore, over forty government bureaus, trade promotion organizations, chambers of commerce and business associations will act as co-organizers. GMBPF 2009 is organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). The Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, the Vice Governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Mr. Wan Qingliang, and the Secretary for Economy and Finance Macau SAR, Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, have been invited to preside over at the inauguration ceremony. Besides, one of the co-organizers, the Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, will organize a government and business delegation comprising of over 150 members, lead by Director Lian Yaowen, to attend the opening ceremony and participate in the business negotiation activities. In view of the current financial crisis, the Organizers expect that the organization of the GMBPF 2009 will enhance the brand-name recognition of Guangdong's branded products not only in the consumer markets of Macao but in the Portuguese-speaking countries as well, and further straighten and diversify the economic and trade cooperation between Guangdong and Macao. PARTICIPATION OF OVER 200 GUANGDONG AND MACAO ENTERPRISES
LARGE AND DIVERSIFIED PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY AND FOR SALE There will be a large and diversified range of products on display and for sale during the Fair. At the Exhibition and Sale Zone, there will be 259 booths, including exhibition and sale booths for several of Guangdong's ten largest branded enterprises and over ten of Macao's branded enterprises. The 6.000 square metres Exhibition Hall will comprise the "Guangdong Branded Products Exhibition and Sale Area", where branded products of Guangdong's enterprises, arranged by municipality, will be on display and for sale. Branded enterprises from Guangdong and Macao strongly support the Fair: 121 branded products from 18 municipalities in Guangdong Province, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, Foshan, Shaoguan, Meizhou, Huizhou, Donguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Yangjiang, Zhanjiang, Maoming, Zhaoqing, Qinyuan, Chaozhou and Yunfu, including some of China's 100 or 500 largest or leading enterprises in their respective fields, namely "Yangjiang Shibazi", "Landbond Furniture" and other China's national famous trade marks, as well as "Double Happiness" and "Linkfair", which are famous trade marks in Guangdong Province, And Yangjiang Shibazi Group, Limited, Double Happiness Cooker Company Limited, Guangdong Xiyan Xiyan Group Company, Limited, Guangdong Linkfair Group Company, Limited, and Guangdong Zhanjiang Household Electrical Appliances Company, Limited, among others, will be present. Products on display include those with regional characteristics, embracing, essentially. food, daily necessities, electrical appliances, handicrafts and tourist souvenirs, among others. In the Exhibition Hall, there is a Macao Branded Products Area, with over sixty stands for the local enterprises, a major part of which are Macao's branded products, "Made in Macao" products or products with agents in Macao, to showcase to the visiting merchants the image of Macao's branded products and to correspond and cooperate with participating enterprises from Guangdong Province. On the other hand, the bureaus of foreign trade and economic cooperation of the participating municipalities will also have their own special zones, to promote the investment environment, development status of the various industries and business opportunities of their respective municipalities. MULTI-DIMENSIONAL COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES (BUSINESS MATCHINGS, SOURCING NEGOTIATIONS, PROFESSIONAL BUYERS) FOR CLOSER COOPERATION BETWEEN GUANGDONG AND MACAO During the Fair, more than ten trade and economic promotion seminars will be held, where several famous branded enterprises from different business sectors will be invited to discuss about business opportunities and market information in their respective fields, including world-famous e-trade brand "Alibaba.com" and on-line auction and shopping website "eBay Inc.", which will talk about the latest development and trends in the electronic business, so as to further assist local enterprises to develop business opportunities in electronic trade. At the same time, IPIM and Macao Chamber of Commerce will hold a Seminar on the Participation in the "Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises' Expo" during the forthcoming 14th Macao International Fair, to attract participants to and promote the "SME's Expo" in the 14th MIF. To promote the cooperation between Guangdong and Macao buyers with international buyers, the Organizers have invited several well-known brands from Mainland China and abroad to participate in the Fair along with the local retailers of general merchandises, to jointly promote the development of the Guangdong and Macao economic and trade platform through economic ties. In this connection, world-famous retail brand, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and Guangzhou Grandbuy Company, Limited, (a Guangdong Province's famous department store) will be present at the Fair for sourcing negotiations and establishment of business relationship with local enterprises to promote the economic and trade cooperation of Guangdong and Macau branded products with the international branded enterprises. To facilitate business negotiations between the participating enterprises and the specialized buyers, the Organizers have specially set-up a business matching and sourcing area at the Exhibition Hall. ACTIVE JOINT PROMOTION OF THE FAIR'S BENEFITS In order to enhance the benefits of the Fair, the Organizers, in cooperation with various Macau government bureaus, chambers of commerce and business associations, started preparatory works in various fronts, namely in promotion and advertisement, tourist attraction, Fair participation, performances and business negotiations, among others, including inviting Macao's Travel Industry Council of Macau and travel agencies to organize tours to visit the GMBPF 2009. In conjunction with the local co-organizers of the GMBFP 2009, IPIM have organized specialized buyers for business matching so as to further promote a more efficient tie between the manufacturing, sale and agency enterprises. Up to the present, the Organizers have arranged, at this preliminary stage, nearly 130 sessions of pre-business matching and commercial negotiations, principally in the following areas: food, consumer products, daily necessities, trendy clothes and cosmetic products from over 200 branded Guangdong and Macao products. Up to the present, nearly 70 participating trade and sourcing delegations have already registered their participation in the GMBPF 2009. SPECTACULAR ARTISTIC AND CULTURE SHOWS TO CREATE A CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE As this year's large-scale business activity, "Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2009" have designed lots of promotion activities, including: "Big Discount for Branded Products", "Consumer Coupons Entitling to Big Prizes" and "Lucky Draw", among others. Up to the present, 43 Guangdong and Macao enterprises have already provided 90 different types of merchandises, including electrical appliances, bedding, food, leather articles, clothes and electronic locks for promotional activities, as a reward to the Macao, Mainland China and overseas merchants and the public. Branded products of these enterprises will be available for sale at discounted price, for promotion during the Fair. In order to stress the carnival-atmosphere of the Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2009, the Government of Macao SAR and related Macao and travel associations have given their great support to the Fair and organized specialized performances with Macao's characteristics, such as the Portuguese Folk Dance, during the Fair. In addition, there will be cultural and artistic performances, including dancing and singing by Hong Kong artist Nancy Wu, Johnny Yip, Alice Lau, LiXia Li, Lee Loon Ki, Matthew Ko and Grace Wong. Macao singers include Solar, Miro and YanYan Yong. A troupe from Zhongshan will perform non-musical instrument vocal accompaniment, while Bro 5 will present hot dances and songs. Macau Children Arts Troupe will present dancing, guqin instrumental ensemble to bring life to the Fair, enhance the promotional effect and the cultural exchange among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. During the Fair, there will be different performances at the Roman Amphitheatre every day and at different time intervals. Entrance is free for visitors to the Fair. COMPREHENSIVE LAUNCHING OF THE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES. In order to promote the various aspects of the "Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2009", press conferences were held in Guangzhou and Macao. Promotion of the GMBPF 2009 started at full speed since July this year. Apart from reports and advertisement in the mainstream media of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the Organizers have also arranged outdoor advertisements at the ports, tourist spots, public transport of Macao, supplemented by moving vehicles and street banner advertisements to promote this great event. Furthermore, the Organizers will also publish a booklet to actively promote the investment environment of the participating municipalities of Guangdong Province and Macao as well as the branded enterprises and products of Guangdong and Macao showcased at the Fair. FREE SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE AND PARKING TO FACILITATE LOCAL RESIDENTS, TRADE VISITORS AND TOURISTS During the Fair, the Organizers will arrange free shuttle bus service between Macao and Taipa urban areas, including: Avenida Dr. Mário Soares, Macau Square, Avenida Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, Parklane bus stop near Rua Coutinho, Avenida de Cantão, at Taipa Island – next to Hung Fat Garden, as well at all ports (Border Gate and all maritime terminals) and all designated hotels to transport citizens to the Fair. Furthermore, 2-hour free parking will be provided at the Convention and Exhibition Centre of Macau Fisherman's Wharf. Preparatory works for the Guangdong & Macao Branded Products 2009 are coming to an end. Exhibitors from Guangdong and Macao will start the construction and decoration works at the site tomorrow (July 29). After 100 days of attentive preparation, the GMBPF 2009 will begin soon. The Organizers sincerely invite merchants from Mainland China and abroad, local citizens and tourists from all over the world to participate in this grand occasion for the economic and trade cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, to visit, shop, discuss business, watch the performances, all in all, to enjoy the 2009 Summer shopping carnival. Opening hours: 2 July (Thursday): 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m., 31 July to 1 August (Friday and Saturday): 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m; 2 August (Sunday): 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. GMBPF 2009's Administrative and Service Centre is located at Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, no. 263, China Civil Plaza, 20th Floor, Macau Business Support Centre (MBSC). For further information about GMBPF 2009, please call our hotline (853) 8798 9707 or visit the following website: http://www.guangdongmacaofair.com
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Prologue
2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the return of Macao to the Motherland and the 20th anniversary of the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM). In the past 20 years, especially after the founding of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), the economy has emerged from recession to recovery and proceeded to rapid growth. Under the leadership of the MSAR Government and support of the financial sector and other sectors of the community, AMCM has maintained the stability of the Macao financial system, reinforced the foundation for Macao financial industry for continuing to develop in a sustainable and stable manner. Development of Financial System
The financial industry has made full use of the opportunity rendered by economic development to sprout and grow. In 1999, there were 23 banks operating in Macao with aggregate assets of MOP 139 billion, deposits of MOP 100.6 billion and loans of MOP 53 billion in addition to 25 insurance companies earning annual premiums of MOP 1 billion. As at the end of May 2009, banks operating in Macao increased to 28 with aggregate assets of MOP 399.8 billion, deposits of MOP 281.9 billion and loans of MOP 151 billion. Insurance companies numbered 24 earning annual premiums of MOP 3.46 billion. At the same time, there has been an increase in the variety of financial products offered. Personal RMB business started to become available in November 2004. We have witnessed continued enhancement in the network, channel and quality of services, risk management, control and resistance which has been vindicated by the fact that our financial system remained intact in the recent unprecedented global financial crisis while its overall operating results remained buoyant. Financial Supervision
In the course of financial development, the bedrock is financial stability. Regular, appropriate and timely supervision is the key to maintaining financial stability. In the past 10 years, financial supervision has been enhanced and reinforced. AMCM has been keeping an watchful eye on the development and morph of Macao financial industry. Based on international standards and the practical local market conditions, AMCM relentlessly perfects all supervisory regulations and directives, continues to improve supervisory practices, proactively open channel of dialogue with market participants, guard market entrance sternly, bash money-laundering, actively enhance comprehensive supervision and assiduously develop cooperation between external and internal supervision. As a result, Macao financial supervision secured a positive assessment on its ability to align with international standards and best practices in the 2008 appraisal conducted by the IMF. Besides, AMCM has along been bashing illicit financial activities. It cooperates with neighboring and the regional financial supervisory authorities in this respect and has scored expected results which have suppressed illicit financial activities. Order of financial markets has further improved. Monetary Policy
A stable macro-economic scenario is secured by an orderly circulation of currency and a stable exchange rate. All along, AMCM implements strictly a currency board system, guards the policy of linking the Pataca with Hong Kong Dollar. It actively promotes the circulation of the Pataca in peripheral regions, especially the Guangdong Province. In 2004, the State Council sanctioned the conduction of RMB business in Macao while the Pataca was allowed to be quoted in forex transaction centre in the PRC which no doubt has promoted the circulation and reputation of the Pataca. Past experience has vindicated that maintaining a pegged rate between the Pataca and Hong Kong Dollar facilitates economic development of Macao and is beneficial to stability of the Macao financial system, economy and community. Financial Infrastructure
The perfection of fundamental financial facilities will promote capital flow which stimulates economic activities. The cross border clearing systems of Hong Kong and Macao in respect of cheques denominated in HKD and USD started to become functional in 2007 and 2008. At the moment, the Macao real time payment system under construction is expected to interface with the real time clearing systems of the Mainland and Hong Kong, which will facilitate cross border cash clearing efficiency between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. It will further promote cooperation and integration of economic and financial scenario of the three regions. Financial Data
Financial statistics are of help in facilitating appraisal of performance of financial industry and formulation of relevant policies. High quality research can further enhance credibility of policy, as well as capability in risks supervision. To further perfect financial research and statistics, AMCM, in coordination with the Financial Services Bureau and Statistics and Census Bureau, joined the “General Data Dissemination System” of the IMF in the name of the MSAR. The move not only raises the quality of financial market information of Macao, it also increases its degree of transparency, steering Macao financial research and statistics to converge with international standards. Management of Reserves
Benefitting from continued economic growth and exports of services, foreign exchange reserves of the MSAR Government increased from MOP 22.9 billion when Macao reverted to China in 1999 to MOP 140.6 billion as the end of May 2009. All along, AMCM has been formulating an investment strategy based on the principle of prudence and stability and in accordance with the change in international financial markets. To a certain degree, returns realized over the years have contributed to the enlargement of the foreign exchange reserves. Cross Border Communication and Cooperation
The expansion and deepening of cross border financial communication and cooperation will promote economic diversification. AMCM has been endeavoring in promoting regional financial communication and cooperation, with special emphasis on the function as platform for cooperation between the Mainland and Portuguese speaking countries. 10 years since the return of Macao, AMCM has been organizing representatives of financial sector to visit Portuguese speaking countries and the Mainland, hosting conferences of financial regulators of Portuguese speaking countries. These moves have greatly promoted regional financial cooperation and integration. It has signed memoranda of understanding with the regulatory authorities of the Mainland, Hong Kong, Portugal and major Portuguese speaking countries, established regular meeting and communication mechanisms and staff training programmes. On the other hand, Macao has joined a number of authoritative international and regional organizations which helps to promote the international status of Macao and imparts a better understanding of Macao to international community. Work Review
The financial system has had a smooth transition in the process of the return of Macao and grasped new development opportunity during the initial stage of the formation of the SAR. The supervisory authority has played a part in coordinating market expansion, as well as market practice and order. AMCM will continue to build up experience, identify deficiencies, and make the necessary supplement in a timely manner. In this way, it is able to facilitate the sustainable growth and enhancement of the financial system which is conducive to achieving better results in the future.
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Macao reported six new Influenza A (H1N1) cases today, bringing the total number of such cases to 149. The six patients are all females, aged between 17 and 41. Three of them visited Hong Kong between 16 and 22 July. They showed flu symptoms on 18 July and were all tested positive for the virus today. To date Macao had reported 149 Influenza A (H1N1) cases, with 15 patients receiving treatment. Nine patients had recovered and were discharged from hospital today, taking the total number of discharged patients to 113. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for April-June 2009 was 3.6% and the underemployment rate was 1.8%, both up slightly by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period (March-May 2009). Total labour force held stable from the previous period, at 333,000 in April-June 2009, and the labour force participation rate stayed at 72.6%. The employed population totalled 321,000 and the number of the unemployed was 12,000, of which 9.4% (1,100) were fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 0.5 percentage point over the previous period. Analysed by industry, the number of persons working in Construction and the Gaming Sector decreased from the preceding period, while that in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities registered an increase. In comparison with April-June 2008, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate went up by 0.8 and 0.2 percentage point respectively, while the labour force participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage point. In the second quarter of 2009, the unemployment rate of local residents stood at 4.5%, down by 0.3 percentage point over the first quarter of 2009; the labour force participation rate of local residents rose by 0.3 percentage point to 67.3%.
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Macao today reported five new local and two imported Influenza A (H1N1) cases, taking the total number of such cases to 165. The seven patients, five males and two females, were aged between six and 45. One of the local cases was summer chess class student of a middle and primary school, with four other student of that class having been confirmed to have the virus previously. One of the patients confirmed today had contacted with an infected students of that class. A nurse who worked for Kiang Wu Hospital was also infected, but preliminary investigation showed that she did not contract the virus at work. To date Macao had reported 165 Influenza A (H1N1) cases, with 13 patients receiving treatment. One patient had recovered and was discharged from hospital today, taking the total number of discharged patients to 138. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.
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Three local and one imported new Influenza A (H1N1) cases were found in Macao, taking the total number of such cases to 158. The four patients, two males and two females, were aged between ten and 19. The three local cases were summer chess class students of a middle and primary school. One other student of that class had been confirmed to have the virus on Friday and the Health Bureau had ordered the class to be suspended. To date Macao had reported 158 Influenza A (H1N1) cases, with 10 patients receiving treatment. Four patients had recovered and were discharged from hospital today, taking the total number of discharged patients to 124. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.
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Five new Influenza A (H1N1) cases were found in Macao, taking the total number of such cases to 154. The five patients, three female and two males, were aged between four and 16. Two of the confirmed patients had visited Hong Kong for exchanges with five other classmates last week, three of which had been confirmed to have the virus yesterday. To date Macao had reported 154 Influenza A (H1N1) cases, with 13 patients receiving treatment. Seven patients had recovered and were discharged from hospital today, taking the total number of discharged patients to 120. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.
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Four new Influenza A (H1N1) cases were found in Macao, taking the total number of such cases to 143. The four patients, one male and three females, were aged between seven and 56. One of the infected patients was a medical assistant who worked for the emergency room division of Hospital Conde S. Januário. The assistant had worked at the special emergency room on Sunday and escorted confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) patients to quarantine wards. The assistant developed flu symptoms on Monday and was tested positive for the virus yesterday evening. To date Macao had reported 143 Influenza A (H1N1) cases, with 22 patients receiving treatment. Four patients had recovered and were discharged from hospital today, taking the total number of discharged patients to 104. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.
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Mr Chui Sai On was elected Third-term Chief Executive after getting 282 votes today, or 94 per cent of the votes from the 300-member Election Committee. The Third-term Chief Executive Election was held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome at 10 am and lasted two hours. A total of 297 members of the Election Committee attended with 296 members casting their votes. There were 14 blank votes. After the general counting of votes by the General Counting Committee, the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Committee for the Election of the Chief Executive (EACCE), Mr Chu Kin, announced that Mr Chui Sai On had won more than 50 per cent of the votes of the total number of members of Election Committee, and accordingly announced that Mr Chui had been elected as the Third-term Chief Executive. The election result will be gazetted after confirmation by the Court of Final Appeal. At a press conference after the election, Mr Chui extended his gratitude to all members of the Election Committee for their support and encouragement, and to all the citizens for the care and concern extended to him. “I promise again that I shall unswervingly execute the principle of ‘Macao people governing Macao’ with ‘a high degree of autonomy’ under ‘One country two systems’, comprehensively implement the Basic Law of Macao and do my best to put my political platform into practice,” Mr Chui said. “I shall draw on the suggestions from various sectors of the community and the citizens on my political platform during the election campaign, continue to consult extensively the views of the general public and stay closely connected with the life of the people. “Together with my fellow citizens, we shall enhance the quality of life for the people and make Macao a great place to live and work,” he said. Mr Chui will assume office on 20 December following appointment by the Central Government.
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