News

In response to the travel notice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and National Tourism Administration of the People’s Republic of China directed towards Chinese citizens and in light of recent news stories referring that some local organizations will likely engage in protest activities in Thailand, the Tourism Crisis Management Office would like to remind the Macao residents who are planning to travel to Thailand to monitor the situation there or adjust travel itineraries if necessary. As for those who are currently travelling in Thailand, please avoid visiting protest locations and remain cautious for personal safety. In case of any emergency, please contact the Chinese Embassies in Thailand for assistance – Chinese Embassy in Bangkok: (66) 2-2457044, Chinese Consulate-General in Ching Mai: (66) 53-276125 and Chinese Consulate-General in Songkhla: (66) 1-7665560. Macao residents may also call the Macau Tourism Hotline: (853) 28333000 for assistance.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released results of the Employment Survey for the fourth quarter of 2009, of which principal indicators such as the overall unemployment rate (3.1%), unemployment rate of local residents (3.7 %), etc. have been published in January. Total labour force was 322,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009, comprising 312,000 employed and 9,900 unemployed. Compared with the third quarter, total labour force registered a decrease of 5,800, with number of the employed and the unemployed decreasing by 3,400 and 2,400 respectively. Analyzed by industry, the majority of the employed were engaging in Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services (23.4%) and Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities (14.2%). In terms of occupation, most of the employed were Clerks (including casino dealers, floorpersons, betting service operators, etc.) and Service & Sales Workers, accounting for 26.0% and 23.0% respectively. Median monthly employment earnings of the employed amounted to MOP9,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009, up by 5.9% quarter-to-quarter; meanwhile, median monthly employment earnings of the employed residents held stable as the previous quarter, at MOP10,000. Number of the underemployed totalled 6,000, with 68.8% engaging in Construction and 13.6% in Transport, Storage & Communications sectors. Within the unemployed, 89.3% were searching for a new job and 10.7% were fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job. With regard to educational attainment, 31.3% had primary education or lower, 30.9% had junior secondary education and 24.8% had senior secondary education. For the unemployed that were searching for a new job, analyzed by industry previously engaged, 36.0% had worked in Construction and 13.4% in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities. Analyzed by previous occupation, 27.6% were Craftsmen & Similar Workers and 24.5% were Unskilled Workers. For the whole year of 2009, median monthly employment earnings of the employed (MOP8,500) and the local residents (MOP10,000) rose by 6.3% and 5.3% respectively over 2008. Starting 2009, DSEC releases annual employment indicators of households. In 2009, average number of employed per household was 1.7 and the median monthly employment earnings per household amounted to MOP15,800.
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O Boletim Oficial da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau (RAEM) publicou hoje (22 de Fevereiro) o despacho nº 41/2010 do Chefe do Executivo, o qual cria o Gabinete de Porta-voz do Governo
Segundo o despacho, a comunicação com os cidadãos constitui uma das prioridades do Governo. O diálogo com os cidadãos, sociedade civil e os meios de comunicação social bem como o reforço da transparência justificam a necessária institucionalização de um mecanismo que assegure uma comunicação efectiva e objectiva. O Gabinete do Porta-voz do Governo adiante designado Gabinete do Porta-voz, com a natureza de equipa de projecto. Ao Gabinete do Porta-voz incumbe, designadamente: Definir, coordenar e concertar a execução da estratégia informativa do Governo; Assegurar de forma coerente, eficaz e integrada a comunicação do Governo; Fomentar as relações com os meios de comunicação social e com a população em tudo o que respeite às políticas, medidas e actividades do Governo.
O Gabinete do Porta-voz funciona na directa dependência e sob orientação do Chefe do Executivo e desenvolve a sua actividade em articulação com o Gabinete de Comunicação Social. Este é orientado pelo Porta-voz do Governo, coadjuvado pelo Porta-voz adjunto, nomeado por despacho do Chefe do Executivo, o qual pode exercer o cargo em regime de acumulação. É dever de todos os serviços e entidades públicas cooperarem com o Gabinete do Porta-voz, nomeadamente prestando apoio técnico e disponibilizando informação tempestiva no âmbito das suas actividades, sempre que tal lhes seja solicitado.
O Gabinete do Porta-voz, enquanto equipa de projecto, tem a duração previsível de 2 anos, renováveis.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP147.5 billion (USD18.43 billion) at the end of January 2010. The reserves rose by 0.7% from the revised value of MOP146.6 billion (USD18.35 billion) for the previous month. When compared with the same period last year, the reserves increased by MOP18.3 billion or 14.2%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-January 2010 represented 30 times the currency in circulation or 246.9% of Pataca M2 at end-December 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, rose by 0.19 points month-to-month but fell by 2.71 points year-on-year to 89.42 in January 2010.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Sale and Purchase of building units saw quarter-to-quarter increase in the fourth quarter of 2009, with 6,588 units being purchased and sold at MOP10.62 billion. The majority (4,548 units) were residential units amounting to MOP8.83 billion, up by 23.6% and 15.3% respectively over the previous quarter. The average transaction price of residential units rose by 6.1% quarter-to-quarter to MOP25,631 per square metre of usable area, with the average price of those in the Macao Peninsula increasing by 5.2% to MOP25,415 per square metre, and the average price of those in Taipa rising by 10.6% to MOP26,432 per square metre. With regard to transaction of residential units under Intermediate Transfer of Title, the average price stood at MOP44,935 per square metre, up by 30.8% from the previous quarter. A total of 17,310 building units valued at MOP26.30 billion were purchased and sold in 2009, down by 19.5% and 24.9% respectively year-on-year, of which 11,307 were residential units amounting to MOP21.52 billion, down by 17.4% and 27.7% respectively. Among the residential units, 9,031 were situated in the Macao Peninsula and 2,242 in Taipa. As regards the price of transaction, a total of 4,318 residential units were sold for MOP1,000,000 or less, and 3,481 units for over MOP1,000,000 to MOP2,000,000. Analyzed by year of completion of the building, 3,597 residential units were completed in 2000 and after, 4,728 units in 1990-1999 and 2,982 units in 1989 and before. As regards the size of unit, 5,595 units (49.5% of total) had an area of 50 to 99.9 square metres. For the whole year of 2009, the average transaction price of residential units fell marginally by 0.3% year-on-year to MOP23,235 per square metre, and the average price of those purchased and sold under Intermediate Transfer of Title was MOP36,708, down slightly by 0.2%. The average price of office units rose by 1.6% over 2008 to MOP21,650 per square metre, and that of industrial units went up by 4.9% to MOP6,079 per square metre. For 2009 as a whole, a total of 9,111 cases of real estate sale and purchase contracts were made, a year-on-year decrease of 6.2%; the number of units transacted dropped by 10.4% over 2008 to 11,546 whereas the total value went up by 4.1% to MOP14.95 billion. In addition, total value of mortgage loans fell by 9.6% year-on-year to MOP52.01 billion. Gross floor area of buildings and the number of units completed in 2009 registered notable increase from 2008, reaching 1.41 million square metres and 3,251 units (of which 3,096 are residential units), up by 1.4 times and 1.8 times respectively. In addition, number of parking spaces for cars and motorcycles surged by 3.3 times and 2.7 times respectively year-on-year, at 6,291 and 1,750 respectively.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, on a monthly basis, money supply M2 grew slightly in December. Total loans continued to rise while non-resident deposits grew at a fast pace. The loan-to-deposit ratio thus fell from a month ago. Money supply
Currency in circulation increased 1.6% whereas demand deposits decreased 5.0%. M1 thus dropped 4.0% compared with the previous month. Meanwhile, quasi-monetary liabilities went up by 1.1%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, grew slightly by 0.4% to MOP212.2 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 23.8% and 11.8% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 28.2%, up 0.1 percentage point over a month ago or down 0.3 percentage points from a year earlier. Concurrently, the share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 53.6%, down 0.8 percentage points month-to-month and up 1.3 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits
Resident deposits rose slightly by 0.3% from the previous month to MOP207.2 billion. Of which, HKD deposits fell 1.2% but MOP deposits and other foreign currency deposits grew at respective rates of 0.6% and 4.5%. Concurrently, non-resident deposits grew notably by 12.8% to MOP83.2 billion while public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 22.3% to MOP16.3 billion due to treasury operations. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector expanded 4.5% from the previous month to MOP306.8 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 22.1% and 46.4% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector expanded 2.1% month-to-month to MOP100.8 billion. Among which, MOP26.3 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP67.9 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 26.1% and 67.3% of the total respectively. Loans to “wholesale and retail trade”, “individuals for house purchases” and “manufacturing industries” increased quarter-to-quarter at respective rates of 14.2%, 11.3% and 8.4% whereas those to “non-monetary financial institutions” and “restaurants, hotels and related activities” dropped 15.9% and 5.2%. Meanwhile, external loans rose by 4.8% to MOP85.8 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.0% and 47.5% respectively of the total, at values of MOP0.9 billion and MOP40.8 billion. Loan-to-deposit ratios
As domestic loans to the private sector rose at a faster pace than resident deposits, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-December 2009 increased slightly by 0.2 percentage points month-to-month to 45.1%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors stood at 60.8%, down 0.7 percentage points.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that per-capita spending of visitors increased by 1% year-on-year to MOP 1,807 in the fourth quarter of 2009. Analysed by place of residence, per-capita spending of Mainland visitors took the lead, at MOP 3,563; per-capita spending of those from Southeast Asia; Taiwan, China; and Hong Kong amounted to MOP 1,814, MOP 1,606 and MOP 1,212 respectively. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2008, per-capita spending of tourists rose by 7% to MOP 2,659 and that of same-day visitors went up by 26% to MOP 631. In the fourth quarter of 2009, per-capita non-shopping spending (excluding gaming expenses) of visitors increased by 1% year-on-year to MOP 1,093, of which expenses on Accommodation and Food & Beverage accounted for 47% and 34% respectively. Meanwhile, per-capita shopping spending rose by 1% to MOP 714, with expenses on Local Food Products and Clothing sharing 28% and 22% respectively. Per-diem spending of visitors amounted to MOP 1,679 in the fourth quarter of 2009, a year-on-year increase of 8%. Mainland visitors had the highest per-diem spending of MOP 2,837 and the respective spending of visitors from Taiwan, China; Southeast Asia and Hong Kong was MOP 1,600, MOP 1,493 and MOP 1,209. The average length of stay of visitors held stable at 1.1 days, same as the fourth quarter of 2008, with Mainland visitors staying an average of 1.3 days. The average length of stay of both tourists and same-day visitors extended by 0.1 day to 1.7 days and 0.3 days respectively.
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In his Lunar New Year message today, the Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On repeated his pledge to continue with efforts to enhance various areas of governance and to build Macao into a joyful home for the people. He said the Government would keep itself up to date with new trends of the society, learn more of the expectations of the people and strive for a sustainable future for Macao. But in these festive moments we must not forget those who were in need and share our joy and warmth with them, he said. Mr Chui also thanked civil servants and people who had to work over the holidays: he wished everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
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As a new year comes around and everything looks fresh and cheerful, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) wishes all citizens and visitors good health and prosperity, and that the tourism industry of Macau would excel in diversification in the Year of the Tiger. MGTO and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) join hands to organize celebratory activities on the first day of Lunar New Year (Feb 14) at the Ruins of St. Paul's and Senado Square to mark the spring festival and add a festive atmosphere to the city. The number of visitor arrivals to Macau has experienced substantial growth in past ten years, from 7.5 million in 1999 to over 21.7 million in 2009. The "Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta" consolidates Macau's position as an international tourism and leisure destination and the SAR Government will advance with the objective of moderate economic diversification. MGTO has also been striving to showcase the unique multi-cultural characteristics through various tourism activities and products. Lunar New Year is an important festival in the Chinese society and also a peak season for visitors to experience the traditional celebrations in Macau. MGTO and IACM take this opportunity to express New Year greetings to the citizens and hospitality to the visitors. On the first morning of Lunar New Year, Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, President of IACM, Raymond Tam, Deputy Directors of MGTO Helena Fernandes and Manuel Pires, joined by other guests, hosted the eye-dotting ceremony of the golden dragon and lions at the Ruins of St. Paul's and lit firecrackers at Senado Square to mark the celebrations. Guests and officials from MGTO, teamed up with the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, the God of Fortune and the Gods of Happiness, Prosperity, and Longevity, greeted the public and distributed "Lai Si" (red packets with lucky money) and souvenirs to residents and visitors. "Lai Si" distributed by the God of Fortune bestow good luck and fortune for the Year of the Tiger. The crowd also enjoyed lively performance by the folkloric art troupe from the Yunan province. During Lunar New Year, MGTO’s 24-hour "Tourism Hotline 2833 3000" will be attended by operators to strengthen the services for tourists' enquiries. MGTO advises the visitors to stay at hotels and guesthouses with license for a pleasant journey. The vibrant dragon and lion dances signal Macau to be as energetic and spirited as these noble creatures in the Year of the Tiger, and as Tiger shows the characteristics of intrepid and dignified, Macau people who boast these qualities and stand fast at their post would be promised with fruitful results. 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. In keeping with tradition, lucky "Lai Si" will be distributed at MGTO counters during Lunar New Year while stock lasts. Each packet contains a 10-cent coin as a symbol of MGTO's wishes for good luck and prosperity throughout the year. On Lunar New Year's Eve, MGTO staged a splendid fireworks display extravaganza set off from barges anchored in waters just off the Macau Tower to usher in the Year of the Tiger. Thousands of citizens and visitors gathered at the waterfront for the magnificent spectacle.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours decreased by 3.0% year-on-year to 486,382 in December 2009. Visitors from Japan (25,159) increased by 24.9%, while those from Mainland China (332,550); Hong Kong (25,931); and Taiwan, China (25,439) dropped by 4.0%, 20.3% and 31.4% respectively. For the whole year of 2009, visitor arrivals in package tours fell by 5.2% year-on-year to 4,648,186. In December 2009, the number of Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours rose by 11.2% year-on-year to 25,202, with Mainland China (73.3% of total) and Japan (7.6%) being the most popular tour itineraries. For 2009 as a whole, residents travelling outbound in package tours decreased by 10.0% year-on-year to 206,292. Meanwhile, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies totalled 45,648, up notably by 38.0% year-on-year; the main destinations were Mainland China (34.1% of total); Hong Kong (33.5%); and Taiwan, China (15.2%). For the whole year of 2009, outbound residents travelling under such arrangements rose by 23.1% year-on-year to 464,300. At the end of December 2009, total number of available guest rooms of the hotel sector increased by 1,726 (+9.9%) year-on-year to 19,216 rooms. A total of 697,469 guests checked into hotels and guest-houses in December 2009, up by 13.0% year-on-year, with the majority coming from Mainland China (47.9% of total) and Hong Kong (22.8%). The average hotel occupancy rate increased by 3.5 percentage points year-on-year to 82.4%, with 4-star hotels leading at 88.3%. The average length of stay of hotel guests increased by 0.1 night to 1.5 nights. For the whole year of 2009, total number of hotel guests increased by 2.7% to 6,714,413; the average hotel occupancy rate decreased by 2.9 percentage points from 2008 to 71.6%, while the average length of stay of hotel guests increased by 0.1 night to 1.5 nights. For the whole year of 2009, visitor-guests of hotels accounted for 61.5% of the total number of tourists, up from 58.4% in 2008.
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