News

Consumer Council's latest specific price survey (September) on tissue and toilet papers has been released. In comparison with data of the same period in last month, most surveyed brands reflected stability in their average price this month. Significant price discrepancy was shown in both 'C & S (Toilet Paper, Orange) 10pcs' and 'Aus & New Golden Soft Tissue 10pcs' sold in different retail spots. Consumer Council conducted the latest survey on 28th September, surveying 13 samples of tissue and toilet papers from 25 local retail outlets. In comparison with last month's data, most surveyed samples recorded no change in price. However, significant price discrepancy was observed in two brands sold in different retail shops. The greatest price increase and decrease of 'C & S (Toilet Paper, Orange) 10pcs' observed were 17.4% and 15.8% while those of 'Aus & New Golden Soft Tissue 10pcs' observed were 20.4% and 13.8% respectively. Consumers are therefore suggested to check with the prices available on the Council's website. Consumer Council indicated that prices of tissue and toilet papers had been stable since May of this year and cooking oil will be surveyed in October to replace tissue and toilet papers. The specific price survey on tissue and toilet papers is now available online on the Council's official website. For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Respond to the Universal Postal Union for the celebration of the World Post Day, the Postal Administration achieves various activities relative to this event. Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters and the Communications Museum on 9th October 2011 providing the commemorative cancellation service for the "World Post Day – UPU". Opening hours as following: Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters: 9:00 – 17:30 Philatelic Shop of
Communications Museum: 9:30 – 17:30 A commemorative envelope will be distributed to public, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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The splendid 23rd Macau International Fireworks Display Contest comes to a fruitful end as Panda Fireworks Group Co., Ltd., from China netted the top prize, while Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks Co., Ltd., from Japan and Brezac Artifices from France took second and third places at a ceremony held at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center on October 1. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government Cheong U, Macau Government Tourist Office Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, Deputy Directors Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Pires attended the prize giving ceremony. A performance of traditional "Nanping Music" from Sichuan Jiujiagou Valley, part of China National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, as part of the prize giving ceremony. 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 organizer purposely invited teams with distinguished performances in international contests. Over the years, there were internationally known fireworks companies participated in the contest and this year, MGTO invited 10 companies from various countries and regions to Macau. This edition featured ten teams from Canada, Korea, Japan, UK, Austria, Chinese Taiwan, the Philippines, Portugal, France and Mainland China, with Canadian team being a debut in the contest. During the ceremony MGTO Director said that, "among the ten participating teams, nine have previously participated at the Contest, some of them have won the event, and its talent is unanimously recognized. I truly believe that the displayed fireworks shows presented very colorful and offered lasting memories to visitors and residents." The organizer arranged China's Panda Fireworks Group Co. Ltd. to present the last fireworks show to celebrate the 62nd 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 MGTO and Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L. (CTM) jointly launch "SMS Game" to promote citizen participation in the event. Organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has a history of 23 years and receives wide accolades and recognitions. The annual glamorous fireworks display contest, together with the colorful activities, has 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 Government would spare no efforts in driving economic development and maintaining social stability. The was stated by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, when he addressed more than 1,000 guests at the National Day reception hosted by the Government at the Macau Tower this morning. Reviewing the motherland's achievement, Mr Chui said it now boasted the second largest overall Gross Domestic Product in the world and had been making contributions to the world economy amid global economic uncertainties. The launch of the Tiangong-1 space station module marked another breakthrough in the nation's aerospace technology and its prosperity ensured Macao's advances, he said. The stronger economic and trading links with the mainland enabled Macao to better co-ordinate with the nation's development, he said. Macao was making full use of its advantages in tourism and trading in promoting the business platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. On Macao, Mr Chui said the Government attached much importance in monitoring the rising inflation rate, which had been causing difficulties to the general public, especially the disadvantaged groups. The Government had introduced a string of relief measures, such as lowering the rent for public housing tenants, establishing food banks and providing a one-off cash allowance. It would continue to monitor the fluctuating inflation rate and introduce new measures when necessary, he said. The Government would closely monitor the global economy, continue to boost the people's livelihood, and strive for a stable and co-ordinated development of Macao's economy. On behalf of the Government, Mr Chui extended gratitude to the Central Government for its all-out effort in supporting Macao, as well as the Liaison Office, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army. The reception was also attended by the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the MSAR, Mr Bai Zhijian; Vice Chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the MSAR, Mr Hu Zhengyue; Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army, Senior Colonel Zhu Qingsheng; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Lau Cheok Va; the President of Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai, and Macao's principal officials and community leaders.
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The Macao SAR Government will hold a variety of events to commemorate the 62nd National Day tomorrow. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will officiate the flag-raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square at 8 am, to be attended by representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, the Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army, heads of the legislature, judiciary, principal officials, community leaders and members of the public. This will be followed by a reception at Macau Tower at 9:30 am, to be attended by government officials, representatives of Central Government agencies in Macao and community leaders. A number of government departments will also hold celebratory events, including the National Day Fun Run starting at Golden Lotus Square after the flag-raising ceremony, and a variety performance organised by the Macao Sport Development Board at Macao East Asian Games Dome, at 2 pm. Commemorative covers will be on sale and a stamping service will be offered at the Post Office from 9 am to 5.30 pm. The Acrobatic Group of Wuhan will present a performance, "The dreamlike world of Chu culture", at 8 pm tonight and tomorrow at Macao Forum. This performance is co-organised by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and Liaison Office. Pyrotechnics displays of the 23rd Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, by teams from France and China, will take place on the waterfront near Macau Tower at 9 pm and 10 pm tomorrow.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for August 2011 amounted to MOP546 million, down slightly by 0.2% year-on-year, with exports of Textile & garment declining by 17.8%; value of domestic exports (MOP202 million) increased by 3.2%, but that of re-exports (MOP344 million) decreased by 2.1%. Increase in total merchandise import continued and rose notably by 51.5% year-on-year to MOP5.72 billion. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.17 billion in August 2011. In the first eight months of 2011, total value of merchandise export decreased by 5.4% year-on-year to MOP4.53 billion, of which value of re-exports declined by 8.0%; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 39.8% to MOP39.02 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first eight months of 2011 widened by 49.2% year-on-year to MOP34.48 billion; the exports/imports ratio dropped by 5.6 percentage points year-on-year to 11.6%. Merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.94 billion), Mainland China (MOP740 million) and the USA (MOP393 million) in the first eight months of 2011 decreased by 6.4%, 2.4% and 30.3% respectively year-on-year. Exports of Textile & garment declined by 13.8% to MOP956 million; meanwhile, exports of Jewellery (MOP208 million) and Clocks & watches (MOP185 million) decreased by 65.2% and 33.7% respectively, but that of Tobacco & wine (MOP420 million) grew by 72.0%. In the first eight months of 2011, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP11.99 billion) and the EU (MOP9.73 billion) expanded by 37.6% and 59.8% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 42.1% to MOP23.50 billion, with imports of Food & beverages (MOP5.54 billion), Gold jewellery (MOP3.73 billion) and Handbags & wallets (MOP2.03 billion) increasing by 37.1%, 83.5% and 119.3% respectively. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP7.13 billion) registered year-on-year increase of 71.5%. In the first eight months of 2011, total value of external merchandise trade amounted to MOP43.55 billion, up by 33.2% compared with MOP32.70 billion a year earlier.
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Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to Mainland China are subject to delay during the Mainland's National Day holidays from 1 to 7 October. Thank you for your kind attention.
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Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U, joined by members of the travel trade and Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), attended a dinner banquet to celebrate "World Tourism Day". Speaking at the dinner, MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes expressed, "Last year Macau welcomed about 25 million visitors and in the first eight months of this year, over 18 million visitors traveled to Macau. The rapid development of Macau's tourism industry comes with many changes and challenges. To cope with the new development, MGTO has started to operate under a new structure and we have six department and division heads assume office today. The new departments and divisions will strengthen the whole organization and MGTO will embrace the future development of the tourism industry with a new status while moving towards the goal as a World Center of Tourism and Leisure." Autunes also announced the launch of MGTO's new promotional theme "Touching Moments, Experience Macau" and the corresponding promotional video. Earlier today, MGTO distributed souvenirs to the lucky tourists and organized an exciting Tray Race to celebrate World Tourism Day 2011.
Director of MGTO, João Manuel Costa Antunes and Deputy Directors Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Pires presented welcome gifts to lucky tourists at the Macau Ferry Terminal in the morning. Souvenirs were also distributed to visitors at MGTO Information Counters throughout the day. The lucky tourists of this year's World Tourism Day were from India. Mr Jayabalan and his eight family members will stay in Macau for one day.
The traditional tray race was held in the afternoon, where waiters and waitresses ran down the stoned-path from the Ruins of St Paul's to Senado Square carrying a tray with a bottle of beer on it. The race attracted a total of more than 250 waiters and waitresses from 37 hotels and restaurants in Macau this year. Crowds of visitors and locals cheered for the participants.
The winner of the men's division was Raymond Rubares from The Venetian Macao, and the winner of the women's division was Li Fu Ling, The Venetian Macao. The Best Costume Awards went to Christopher John Estremos of Hard Rock Hotel and Zhao Jin Yu of Holiday Inn Macau.
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in the third session of its General Assembly in Spain (September 1979), decided to designate September 27 as the annual "World Tourism Day". This is the 32nd year since the celebrations commenced in 1980. The main purpose of "World Tourism Day" is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic values. Each year, World Tourism Organization selects a different theme for "World Tourism Day". This year is the 32nd anniversary of World Tourism Day and the theme is "Tourism – Linking Cultures", representing an opportunity to address how tourism can serve as a catalyst for communication and exchange between the different cultures of the world. The official celebrations of World Tourism Day 2011 are launched on September 27th in Egypt, with more than a hundred countries and regions also carrying out activities to celebrate the day. For more details check http://wtd.unwto.org/en
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Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U presided over the opening ceremony of the Macau Tourism and Cultural Activities Center (CATC) this afternoon (Sept 27). The Center will provide a variety of services to the Macau residents and visitors to further enrich Macau's tourism resources. Secretary Cheong U, Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Deputy Directors Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Pires, travel trade representatives and other guests participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony and visited the facility. Situated near the Ruins of St Paul's, CATC has 5 floors. The ground floor of CATC is a multi-service floor houses counters of MGTO and the tourism sector that provide information on tourism, hotels, restaurants and transportation to the visitors. Foreign exchange services and "Made-in-Macau" brand products display and sales are also available. Visitors can enjoy Portuguese snacks and tasting activities at the Portuguese style café, LUSITANUS on the 1st floor. Tables on the corridor offer a wonderful view of the Ruins of St Paul's to the visitors tasting Portuguese egg tarts. Special menu is available at weekends accompanied by traditional Portuguese music. A selection of arts and crafts, wine, coffee and food products showing Portuguese culture are also on display and for sale. Located on the 2nd floor, Macau Tea Story showcases the art of tea through tea tasting, tea products promotion and exchange. Handicrafts of tea are also available for sale. Basement 2 features a multi-function hall exhibiting Macau's world heritage, latest city development and hotels to the Macau residents and visitors. Named Virtual Macau Experience, the facility shows the latest promotional video of MGTO from which visitors can obtain update tourism information. In the near future, a 3D model of Macau will be installed to show the Historic Center of Macau, famous tourist attractions and major regional infrastructures. Macau Creative Pavilion situated on Basement 1 is jointly operated by Cultural Affairs Bureau and Macau local creative entities to promote creative and cultural industry by displaying locally developed creative products.
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To increase exchange and co-operation within Macao's cultural and creative industries, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has extended the scope of the Macao Database for Culture and Creative Industries to include information on businesses and legal institutions linked to the cultural and creative industries, as well as non-local cultural and creative professionals. Since the gathering of information for the Database began, the Bureau has received submissions from more than 200 local companies, organisations and professionals active in the cultural and creative industries. Having assisted in the development of several local promotional and sales initiatives, including the launch of a Culture and Creativity Network, the Database is now actively streamlining the circulation of information, promoting further co-operation and providing additional exposure for the talent and capacity of local cultural and creative entities. To strengthen the unity among primary and secondary industries, promote their mutual growth and to avoid excluding any sector of Macao's cultural and creative community, the Cultural Affairs Bureau is now broadening the scope of its database to include businesses and legal institutions that provide services related to the cultural and creative industries. In addition, the collection of data on individual professionals in Macao's cultural and creative industries has been expanded to include established non-locals. Entities belonging to the above new categories are invited to submit their information to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, as of today. In addition, local companies, organisations and professionals that have not yet submitted data are encouraged to do so. Data collection remains open for entities active in cultural and creative fields including visual arts, design, performing arts, fashion, publishing, popular music, film, video, animation and comics. The Information Collection Form can be downloaded from the websites of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc) or the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries (www.macaucci.com). Interested parties should print and fill out the Information Collection Form and submit it, along with supporting electronic files and attachments, to the Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (located at Praça do Tap Seac). For more information, please call Ms. Lam or Ms. Lao at 8399 6919, during office hours, or email info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo.
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