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Received with enthusiastic response, Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2010 has five cooperation agreements signed today A huge increase in admission to the Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2010 co-hosted by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province was recorded on the second day of the event. More than 14,000 visitors were recorded as at 5:30pm today (23 July). Trade visitors and buyers, particularly buyers, continued to be drawn in by the product presentations and programmes of the Fair. A total of 160 business matching sessions were completed and 5 cooperation agreements signed. 160 business matching sessions held and five cooperation agreements signed
Participating exhibitors and buyers continued to be encouraged by the organizer to have face-to-face business negotiations and to match business intentions; over 160 business matching sessions were conducted. Five cooperation agreements were successfully inked. The US MART Chain Supermarket Co Ltd had signed three cooperation agreements respectively with Zhuhai Lung Nong Feng Import and Export Co Ltd on their ‘Sales Intention on Agency of Branded Organic Rice and Healthy Products in Macao’, with Guangzhou Bai Xin Animal Farms Co Ltd on their ‘Sales Intention on Agency on High Quality Frozen Meat in Macao”, and with Guangdong Yong Yan Xian Gin Li Da Development Co Ltd (HK) on their “Sales Intention on Agency of Fruits and Soft-Shelled Turtles in Macao”, whereas two other agreements were signed by Goldland MCO Ltd respectively with Multivalued International Trade Limited on their “Sales Intention on Bicycle Equipments”, and with Heshan Guoji Nanlian Motorcycle Industry Co Ltd on their ‘Sales Intention on Branded Motor-cycle’. The US MART Chain Supermarket Co. Ltd is among those enterprises which had agreements signed at both the 2009 and 2010 Fair. According to its Director William Cheung, its controlling company City Mall Shopping Center Ltd had already executed all three cooperation agreements concluded in the previous edition of the Fair. Three more agreements will be tabled for signature tomorrow (24 July). He said that the cooperation agreements concluded this year were facilitated by the strong support from the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Department of Agriculture of Guangdong Province. Seminars and product presentations as magnets to trade visitors and residents
Six product presentations were arranged, namely, “Natural cleaner” by Guangzhou Asia Urdan Co. Ltd, “Environment Protection concept for kitchen” by Guangdong Elecpro Electric Appliance Holding Co. Ltd., “New Concepts on Environmental protection” by Agencia Comercial Chan Wai, “Appreciation on Crystal” by Bella Ornaments Gift Shop, “How to choose effective anti-aging products’ by Salao de Beleza Chun Ieng, and “Introducing Da Hong Pao Tea” by Cultural Club. The presentations were not only well received by many professionals and trade visitors from Macao and Guangdong Province, but also attracted plenty of Macao residents who showed interests in the business opportunities brought along by the presentations of the quality products. Buyers and resident visitors showed great interest in the additives-free ‘Natural Cleaner’ demonstrated by the Guangzhou Asia Urdan Co. Ltd and were eager to try out the products instantly. Residents fuel the buying and selling frenzy at the venue
Favourable weather on the second day of the Fair brought in crowds of residents who joined the shopping frenzy at the weekend. Admission soared to 14,000 as at 5:30pm on 23 July. Many exhibition booths began to run out of stock. The majority of the exhibitors said the buying power of Macao residents is very strong. For repeat exhibitors, having learned from previous experience, they have stocked up many more items for sale on site this year. For instance, the Longhai Jellyfish Group Co., Ltd, from Dianbai County of Maoming city, had in the Fair 2009 sold out their 40 boxes of goods long before the last day of the event. With this wonderfully positive response, they brought in 80 boxes of goods this year, and still the demand was far greater than supply. They had to stop selling the items and change their strategies to product tasting only. The AGHG aloe products exhibition booths of the American Global Health Group, LLC’s Taishan AGHG Aloe Products Co. Ltd and Global Health (Taishan) Plantation Co.,Ltd. were very popular among visitors. The booths gathered crowds of visitors for product tasting, which reflected the new concept of health living of the public. Although this is the debut appearance of AGHG at the Fair in Macao, AGHG is full of confidence to introduce to Macao their much sought after items from the US and Europe and their concept of healthy living to Macao. Cultural performances and lucky draw continued to be held today (23 July) at the Fair to build up a carnival atmosphere in the event. Activities for tomorrow (24 July)
The Fair will continue to be open to the public tomorrow. Opening hours are: 11am to 10pm for 24 July (tomorrow), 11am to 8pm for 25 July (Sunday). Eight product presentations and agreement signing ceremonies will be held tomorrow. The Cultural shows will be on from 1pm-9pm, whereas the lucky draw will be conducted from 5.30pm-6pm with prizes including air tickets and a television. All are welcomed to join in. The organizer welcomes trade visitors/exhibitors/Macao residents/tourists to take part in this year’s event between Guangdong and Macao to enjoy the pleasure of the Carnival. For more information about the Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2010, please call our hotline at: +853-87989788 or visit our website at http://www.guangdongmacaofair.com
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With the objective of testing and assessing the efficiency of the Airport Emergency Plan, the government bodies and the aviation operators involved in airport security jointly conducted the “Bomb Threat Exercise 2010” which simulated the activation of the Airport Emergency Plan and the security contingency procedures in response to a bomb threat that occurred in the passenger terminal of the airport. About 100 people participated in the exercise which was deemed smooth. The exercise took place from 02:00 to 05:30 this morning. The scenario simulated a suspect baggage being found in the departures hall of the passenger terminal of Macau International Airport. Upon being notified of the incident, the police on duty and the airport security guards reported it to their superior. After the police forces have assessed the incident, an emergency was declared. The Airport Emergency Operations Centre and the security contingency procedures of the police forces were immediately activated. The site was cordoned off; a thorough inspection was done on the whole airport area where the police and the airport security guards found another suspect bomb in the car park. The special police were called in to inspect the two objects who confirmed that one of them was a genuine bomb. The bomb was then detonated. Conducted in accordance with the work schedule approved in the beginning of this year by the Facilitation and Security Committee, the exercise was coordinated by Public Security Police Force, Unitary Police Force, Macao Customs Services, Judiciary Police, Fire Services Bureau, Security Coordination Office, Health Bureau, Maritime Administration, Civil Aviation Authority, CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd, Administration of Airports, Ltd., Macau Security Company Ltd. (airport security), Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd and Air Macau Company Ltd. Exercises are carried out every year in Macau International Airport with the objective of testing and assessing the effectiveness of the Airport Emergency Plan and the capacity of the participating entities on command and control, coordination, communication, resource allocation and so on when facing contingencies, so that the participants can further improve themselves in recognizing and dealing with aviation security emergencies, therefore ensuring the compliance of our security services with the Standards and Recommended Practices of International Civil Aviation Organization and guaranteeing Macao as a safe and secure air hub in the world.
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The tourism industry of Macao has been developing rapidly in recent years, while hotel industry is one of the key elements, management team of hotel industry must equip with strategic thinking and advance vision, thus IFT and CNI co-organised the “CNI-IFT Advanced Certification in Strategic Hospitality Management” with the aim to provide industry executives an all-rounded training in Strategic Hospitality Management. This certification programme consists of four modules to be offered in 2010 and 2011. Individuals can attend one of the following modules:
Module 1 - Strategic Hospitality Operations (conducted in January 2010)
Module 2 - Strategic Hospitality Marketing (conducted during 22 – 23 July 2010)
Module 3 - Strategic Thinking
Module 4 - Strategic Financial Management
and earn a certificate of “CNI-IFT Executive Development Programme”, OR accomplish all four to receive the “CNI-IFT Advanced Certification in Strategic Hospitality Management”. The “Strategic Hospitality Marketing Executive Development Programme” is one of the four modules of the “CNI-IFT Advanced Certification in Strategic Hospitality Management”, exposing participants to innovative, practical and profitable approaches of addressing key strategic hospitality marketing challenges. Participants will learn the latest applications of strategic thinking and analysis in hospitality marketing: from upstream marketing and strategic analysis to value innovation, managing brand equity and marketing metrics. IFT gladly invited Prof. Gerard Gonzales, Adjunct Associate Professor, Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management as the speaker. Prof. Gonzales has accumulated 30 years of international hotel and resort management experience. Prior to setting up his management consulting practice in 1989, he held positions as general manager, financial controller, consultant, administrator and internal auditor with various hotels, resorts and restaurant organisations in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the USA. As principal consultant of Gonzales & Associates, he consults for several independent and chain hospitality organisations in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, France and the United Kingdom in the area of strategic planning and marketing, asset management, organizational development and customer value management. The 2-day “Strategic Hospitality Marketing Executive Development Programme” includes the following topics:
I. Strategizing Marketing
- Marketing’s Business Purpose
- Strategic Planning
- Strategic Marketing System
- Strategic Marketing Planning
2. Strategic Analysis
- Environmental Scanning
- Competitor Analysis
- Customer Analysis
- SWOT Analysis
3. Managing Brand Equity
- Brand & Brand Equity
- Lessons in Brand Equity Management
4. Value Innovation
- Competitive Methods: Then & Now
- The 4 Lenses of Innovation
- Blue Ocean Strategy
5. Measuring Value
- Marketing Metrics Audit Process
6. Case Study Discussion
- Pearl River Garden Hotel, Sanya
- Banyan Tree: Development A Powerful Service Brand Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), Macao and Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management (CNI), Singapore started co-organising executive development programmes and public lectures since 2007, providing advancement opportunities for industry professionals. The Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management (CNI) is a partnership between world-renowned Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and Nanyang Technological University (NTU)’s Business School (NBS). This alliance brings together the world’s leading hotel management school and one of Asia’s elite business schools. Singapore-based Nanyang Business School was ranked the top 24th school worldwide in the Financial Times’ business school rating this year. Please visit www.cni.ntu.edu.sg for more information. IFT has always strived to seek diversified development and expansion of international network. Collaboration with many overseas organisations and universities helps ensure that its programmes meet international standards. The executive development programmes and public lectures provide opportunities for senior executives to probe into the development of Macao’s tourism industry and challenges it has to face.
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Support Centre for Wealth Partaking Disbursement The Wealth Partaking Scheme 2010 was launched in 13th July by virtue of the Administrative Regulation no. 14/2010 published on 12th July 2010. With an effort to cope with the implementation of the Scheme, the Support Centre for Wealth Partaking Disbursement was set up in Avenida da Praia Grande, n.º 762-804, China Plaza, shop O and P and in operation starting from 13th July. The Centre provides enquiry service and assistance in solving problems associated with the Scheme, which is opened on Monday to Friday (except public holiday), from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. straight. The service hotline number and facsimile are 2822 5000 and 2822 3000 respectively. The public can visit the official website of Wealth Partaking Scheme http://www.planocp.gov.mo for related information. The disbursement of the SAR government is carried out by means of bank transfer in July and August to beneficiaries of financial assistance from the Social Welfare Bureau, teaching staffs receiving direct subsidy as well as students in tertiary education receiving student aid from the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (Student Benefits Fund), retired civil servants receiving retirement pension and individuals receiving survivor pension, elderly receiving subsidy for senior citizens as well as civil servants. The remaining others will have the crossed cheque received by post during ten weeks from 26 July to 30 September, in accordance with the age group. In case any resident fails to receive his/her cheque ten days after the receipt date as indicated, he or she may visit the Support Centre for Wealth Partaking Disbursement for enquiries. As what we have been doing in previous years, various public departments, namely, the Financial Services Bureau, the Identification Services Bureau, the Social Welfare Bureau and the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau maintain close contact with each other to serve the community. In 2009 the Support Centre handled a total number of 46,158 enquiries, of which 25,589 brought forward in person. Most of the reception enquiries, i.e, 7,321 of them were for reissuance of cheques whereas the second most were applications for alteration of correspondence address which accounted for 458 cases, representing respectively 29% and 2% of total number received at the reception, equivalent to a reduction of 50% compared with the number of enquiry using the same via in 2008. On the whole, the Wealth Partaking Scheme 2009 recorded about 10,000 requests for reissuance of cheques. Returned cheques due to incomplete correspondence address or non-deliverable post summed up to 18,867 cases, accounting for merely 4% of the total number of cheques posted, a reduction of 60% compared with 2008. The satisfactory results have been attributed to the cooperation of the citizens as well as the continuous improvement of the convenient measures. With two years experience, it is expected that the Wealth Partaking Scheme 2010 will be implemented in a more efficient manner.
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The Macao Historical Archives operates under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and is responsible for the preservation of records of historic value. Given Macao’s geographical location in a sub-tropical zone, it is essential to actively protect paper records in order to avoid deterioration and ensure their correct preservation. Such measures include regular pest control. The next scheduled pest control in the Macao Historical Archives will take place on 6th and 7th of August. The Reading Room will be closed to the public from 2.30pm on Friday 6th August, and throughout the day on Saturday 7th August. It will re-open to the public on Monday 9th August.
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The Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2010 commences today (22 July) at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre. Officiating at the Opening Ceremony of the Fair were Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR, Lu Shumin, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the Macao SAR, Zhou Zhi Kui, Director General of Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Liang Yaowen, Director General of Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, Jackson Chang, President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Chui Sai Cheong, Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce, Cao Xiang Nong, Deputy Mayor of Huizhou Municipality, Feng Yu Rong, Deputy Mayor of Zhongshan Municipality, Zhao Zhi Hui, Deputy Mayor of Zhanjiang Municipality, Chen Jia Lin, Deputy-Mayor of Jiangmen Municipality, Chen Jian Shen, Deputy-Mayor of Chaozhou Municipality, Ho Teng Iat, Vice President of Macao Chamber of Commerce. After the ceremony, the officiating guests graced the enterprises exhibition area of the Fair. To complement the efforts of the governments of Guangdong and Macao SAR on the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta Region and the subsequent Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement between Guangdong and Macao signed in March last year, the 2010 Fair, following the footsteps of the 2009 edition of the event, comes again as a joint effort between Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province. Promoting the ‘cooperative advantages’ of Guangdong and Macao to the world Liang Yaowen, Director General of Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, said at the Opening Ceremony, “Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair is another important platform jointly built by us, aiming to give full play to the advantages of Macao as a platform for conventions & exhibitions and Guangdong as a manufacturing base, to jointly promote branded products of Guangdong and Macao to the world”. He added, “This is the third running of the Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair, and this time, it is enriched in contents and features.” Taking Guangdong and Macao cooperation to a new level
President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Jackson Chang spoke at the Opening Ceremony, “To complement the implementation of the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta and to expedite the building of the most vibrant and internationally competitive metropolis in the Asia Pacific Region, the trade and economic departments of Guangdong Province and Macao once again join hands to organize the Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2010.” Mr Chang said, “The 2010 Fair also provides Macao residents and tourists with a comprehensive and colourful event which combines shopping, cultural exchanges, leisure and entertainment, product presentations, business matching and negotiations. Jiangmen Consultancy Office in Macao avails overseas market expansion through the Macao platform After the opening ceremony of the Fair, the Jiangmen Consultancy Office in Macao, the contact point in Macao for business enquiries for the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau of the Jiangmen Municipality, was officially launched under the witness of officiating guests, namely, Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Liang Yaowen, Director General of Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Chen Jialin, Deputy-mayor of Jiangmen Municipality. Jiangmen is the second city in the Pearl River Delta after Zhuhai to set up a contact point in Macao for business enquiries. This marks another stage of deepening the cooperation of Macao with the Pearl River Delta cities, facilitating Macao and Jiangmen in the mutual exploration of markets in the coming round of economic and trade cooperation, benefiting Jiangmen enterprises to make use of Macao’s regional services platform to expand overseas. The Deputy Mayor of Jiangmen Municipality, Chen Jia Lin expressed in his speech that with the official launch of the Jiangmen Consultancy Office in Macao, the link with the various government departments of Macao SAR, business associations and chambers of commerce in Macao would be strengthened. The Consultancy Office is expected to actively collect the trade and investment information of Macao and various countries, promote the investment environment of Jiangmen, encourage Macao and overseas investors to invest in Jiangmen, and to encourage Jiangmen entrepreneurs to make full use of Macao as a close contact and highly efficient trade and services platform to explore international markets. Services industry and Trade in Services Forum briefs small and medium enterprises on current development trends in services industry of Guangdong and Macao The Services industry and Trade in Services Forum at Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2010 was held at the Seminars & Presentation Zone of Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Convention & Exhibition Centre on 22 July. The forum aims at promoting the exchange and cooperation of services industry and trade in services between Guangdong and Macao for mutual exploration of business opportunities. The Services industry and Trade in Services forum, co-hosted by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, was held in the afternoon of the same day as the opening ceremony of the Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair. At the Forum, Zhong Jianhui, Deputy Director-General of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangzhou Province, and Irene Va Kuan Lau, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute delivered their speeches. The Forum was moderated by the Chairman of General Assembly, Association of Advertising Agents, Edmund Wong, with speakers, namely, Division Chief, Division of Trade in Services, Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province Bi Huiyang, Chairman of Board of Directors, Macau Importers & Exporters Association, Tsui Wai Kwan, Deputy Director of Foreign Investment Administration Department, Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, Ye Hua, Standing Director of Industrial Association of Macau, Lei Si Tai, Executive Director of Neko Sports and Casual Wear, Catherine Ng presenting their views on trade and economic cooperation, services industry and trade in services between Guangdong and Macao. Also at the Forum, the speakers shared their views on how to make use of the ‘cooperative’ edge of Guangdong and Macao to explore the market of Guangdong and other domestic markets, successful experience in finding business opportunities, information exchange and in-depth discussions on the trade and economic cooperation of services industry between Guangdong and Macao. Bi Huiyang presented the outlook of cooperation in Trade in Services between Guangdong and Macao, while Tsui Wai Kwan delivered a thematic speech on the formation of the Macao platform for trade and its room for development in mainland China. Then, Ye Hua talked about the attraction of foreign investment in the services industry of Guangdong Province, Lei Si Tai explained how to make good use of CEPA policies to promote economic and trade cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, and finally Catherine Ng shared her experience of business success in running a brand. The Forum has attracted more than 90 representatives from the trade and economic departments of Guangdong and Macao, corporate leaders and executives from enterprises and business associations. Two cooperation agreements signed and 156 business matching sessions held On the first day of the 2010 Fair, 156 business matching sessions were held and two cooperation agreements signed. The agreements were, Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement between Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangzhou Municipality, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promote Overseas Investment and Trade, Strengthen Trade Service Platform and Foster Convention and Exhibition Cooperation between Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Zhongshan Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. The agreement signing was witnessed by Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Chen Xiang, Deputy Director of the Economics Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR, Chen Ling, Consular Department, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao SAR, Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Zhong Jianhui, Deputy Director-General of Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province. Although the first day of the Fair was affected by the unstable weather brought along by the rainband of typhoon Chanthu, the enthusiasm of visitors were not diminished by the weather. More than 13,000 visitors were recorded up to 6pm on the first day, representing an increase compared to the recorded 8,000 visitors last year. A carnival of multi-colours The Fair will continue to be open to the public tomorrow. Opening hours are: 11am to 10pm for 23 July and 24 July (Friday and Saturday), 11am to 8pm for 25 July (Sunday). A wide selection of activities will be staged: product presentations and seminars, jumbo discount for branded products purchase, consumption coupons, lucky draws (prizes include air tickets and television) and cultural performances. The organizer welcomes trade visitors/exhibitors/Macao residents/tourists to take part in this year’s event between Guangdong and Macao to enjoy the pleasure of the Carnival. For more information about the Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2010, please call us at 853-87989788 or browse our website at http://www.guangdongmacaofair.com
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the number of visitor and non-resident arrivals totalled 2,415,181 in June 2010. Total visitor arrivals surged by 30.6% year-on-year to 1,904,395 as visitor arrivals for June 2009 were still adversely affected by the human swine influenza pandemic. Same-day visitors (984,916) accounted for 51.7% of the total visitor arrivals, with 514,827 coming from Mainland China. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased by 44.7% year-on-year to 985,127 (51.7% of total visitor arrivals), with 377,491 travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme, up notably by 62.6% from June 2009 (232,161). Visitors from Hong Kong (569,353) and Taiwan, China (107,204) rose by 15.7% and 19.9% respectively; meanwhile, visitors from Japan (32,126), India (25,192) and the Republic of Korea (21,332) also registered remarkable increases. Total visitor arrivals reached 12,229,446 in the first half year of 2010, up by 17.9% year-on-year. The majority of visitors were from Mainland China (6,507,542); Hong Kong (3,580,411); Taiwan, China (653,153); Japan (201,275); Malaysia (170,388) and the Republic of Korea (155,094). Same-day visitors accounted for 51.9% of the total visitor arrivals, at 6,349,408 in the first six months of 2010. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea totalled 5,035,731 in the first half year of 2010, up by 20.3% year-on-year. Visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour increased by 10.1% to 3,164,941, with the majority coming from Hong Kong (51.5%) and Mainland China (24.4%); meanwhile, those arriving at the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa rose by 44.8% to 1,693,338. Visitor arrivals by land increased by 17.2% year-on-year to 6,362,255 in the first half year of 2010; those arriving through the Border Gate totalled 5,820,154 and the majority were visitors from Mainland China (78.7%) and Hong Kong (13.9%). Visitor arrivals by air rose by 9.9% year-on-year to 831,460 in the first six months of 2010. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport went up by 10.5% to 821,000, with the majority coming from Taiwan, China (37.1%); Mainland China (29.6%) and Malaysia (7.8%).
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Chinese culinary art has a long history and cuisines of Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong and Jiangsu form the four major streams. Macanese cuisine is a hybrid of culinary flavours from China, Portugal as well as places like Africa and South-east Asia. It is indeed a cultural product under the east-meets-west influence. Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), Macao, and Tourism College of Zhejiang (TCZJ), China, both being members of the Network of Asia-Pacific Education and Training Institutes in Tourism (APETIT), jointly organised the Summer International Exchange Programme 2010 - “Chinese Gastronomy and Culture”, which is one of the celebration activities for IFT’s 15th anniversary. IFT had sponsored programme fee to 5 students from local institutions (3 from IFT and 2 from University of Macau) for sharing the joy of our anniversary. The Programme was held from 7 to 12 July in Hangzhou, with 14 participants coming from Mainland China, Macao, Japan and Finland. During the programme, participants attended seminars, field trips and workshops. Speakers from TCZJ and IFT took the opportunity to introduce Chinese gastronomy and culture as well as its history. Participants were amazed by the seminar topics and they hands-on production was an eye-opener for them. The programme was well concluded by student groups summarising what they had learnt and certificate presentation. Since 1998, this Summer Programme has been launched with different annual themes. It brought students from various places to Macao for cultural exchange. Starting from last year, IFT collaborated with an overseas partner in India through APETIT, which was an eye-opener for students. With our rich cultural heritage in Macao, the opportunity to experience other cultures is certainly beneficial to those who will step into the tourism industry in the future. This is the second year that IFT had the programme partnered with an institution beyond Macao. IFT strives to elevate and globalise its tourism education in the region through organising different types of exchange programmes to broaden the horizon of the students. The cultural diversity thus acquired can definitely help prepare them for their career in the tourism industry.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (104.39) for June 2010 increased by 2.68% year-on-year, attributable to the price increases of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Miscellaneous Goods & Services and Transport. Analyzed by section of goods and services, Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+5.94%); Transport (+5.62%); Clothing & Footwear (+5.36%), Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+4.49%) and Recreation & Culture (+3.87%) recorded notable increases on account of dearer prices of gold jewellery, airfare, gasoline, men’s clothing, fresh fish and seafood, and vegetables together with rising charges for meals bought away from home and outbound package tours. As for other sections, apart from the 9.81% decrease of the price index of Education, lower charges for mobile phone services drove the price index of Communication down by 3.48%. The CPI-A (103.85) and CPI-B (104.60) for June 2010 increased by 2.03% and 2.91% year-on-year respectively. The Composite CPI for June 2010 increased by 0.32% month-to-month, of which the price indices of Transport and Miscellaneous Goods & Services rose by 1.64% and 0.52% respectively, attributable to rising prices of gasoline and gold jewellery. However, price index of Recreation & Culture fell slightly by 0.01% due to lower prices of audio-visual equipment. The Composite CPI for the second quarter of 2010 increased by 2.67% over the same quarter of 2009, with marked increase in the price indices of Transport (+7.09%), Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+5.62%) and Clothing & Footwear (+5.25%). The average Composite CPI for the first half year of 2010 increased by 2.09% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended June 2010, the average Composite CPI rose by 0.97% from the preceding period. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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Jointly organized by Macao Trade & Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Department of Foreign Trade & Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, the “Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2010” (the Fair) will be held during July 22-25, at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre. According to the spirit of “Reform of the Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation Framework” and “Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement” signed in last March, Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2010 demonstrates the specific action taken by Macao Trade & Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, to enhance cooperation between Guangdong and Macao on economic and trade. It is also another large-scale exhibition between Guangdong and Macao right after “Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2009”. As in the previous edition of the Fair, the Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2010 won the wondrous support of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and Trade Development Bureau of Ministry of Commerce, PRC as specially invited supporting organisations, and more than 40 government departments, chamber of commerce, business associations from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau as co-organisers, and the Macau Fairs and Trade Association as the coordinator. The 2010 Branded Products Fair is a comprehensive showcase for trade, culture, shopping, leisure and entertainment goers. The carnival-style Fair is enriched with exhibition and products demonstrations, ‘Forum on Services Industry and Services Trade”, business matching, products and services presentations, purchasing and business negotiations, cultural performances, and lucky draws. More than 200 Guangdong and Macao enterprises took part and a wide selection of products is available The Fair is both for exhibition and purchase. The 249 exhibition booths cover a total of 6,000 square metres of exhibition floor, displaying famous brands and products from Guangdong province and Macao, namely, foodstuffs, tea leaves, small household appliances, daily necessities, electronic products, arts and crafts, tourist souvenirs, etc. Participating cities from the Guangdong Province include, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Swatow, Foshan, Shaoguan, Meizhou, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jianmen, Yangguang, Zhanjiang, Mouming, Zhaoqing, Jingyuan, Chaozhou, Yunfu, all together 18-prefecture level cities and 142 enterprises of branded products. With the tremendous efforts of encouragement from the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, 192 enterprises represented by 295 exhibition booths were registered for the Fair. Selecting from the best among the good ones, 142 enterprises were chosen by the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province. Overall quality of the participating enterprises is improved. Among them, 95 of the enterprises possess the rights for imports and exports, representing 65.5%; 76 of them (52.4%) had their trademarks registered outside mainland China, 94 of them (63%) are awarded national level or provincial level branded products; 24 of them (16%) are enterprises of branded products selected by the Ministry of Commerce or the Province as pilot products for developments; 92 of them (61%) are leading enterprises in their own fields, including the five enterprises of famous brands such as Guangdong Silk-Tex Group Co. Ltd, and the Zhuhai Double Happiness Electric Appliance Co., Ltd awarded as ‘Well-known Brands in China’; the 13 enterprises awarded ‘Well-known Trademark in China” such as Yangjiang Shi ba zi, Double Happiness, Lankfair; 41 enterprises awarded “Guangdong Top Brand Products”; 28 enterprises awarded “Guangdong Famous Trademark” and some other leading enterprises as well. The Exhibition and Purchasing Zone are arranged according to their own cities. The branded products are demonstrated in their respective cities ones. To show the spirit of Guangzhou Asian Games, through inviting 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, souvenirs franchisee of Guangzhou Asian Games will offer Asian Games souvenirs during the Fair as another highlight of the Fair. A special exhibition zone is dedicated to the branded Macao products from 67 participating Macao enterprises, showing an array of featured Macao products either manufactured by Macao enterprises or business products from Macao, covering foodstuffs, consumer products, daily necessities, home decorations, electronic products, clothings, leather goods, and products using Macau enterprises as agents. “Services Industry and Services Trade Forum” and the signing of cooperation agreement with Guangdong & Zhongshan cities respectively The Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2010 and the Services Industry and Services Trade Forum is co-host by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province and to be held from 3-5pm on 22 July at the Business Matching Zone of the venue. The forum is one of the key activities of the 2010 Fair, targeted mainly at the services industry of Guangdong and Macao, as well as the small and medium-sized enterprises. Representatives of the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province will conduct a presentation on the current development and policies of the services industry and its development in the Guangdong Province, whereas the chamber of commerce of Macau and representatives from the business sector will be presenting the development and cooperation opportunities for the services sector of Guangdong and Macau. The forum is aimed to assist enterprises and trade visitors to obtain business information and to facilitate cooperation. During the forum, a signing ceremony will be conducted on the “Strengthening of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement” between Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau of Guangzhou city, as well as the Cooperation Agreement between Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the People’s Government of the Zhongshan City on the “Lighting metropolis of China – Guzhen Lights Exposition’ Products and Services Promotion activities to create cooperation platform on purchasing and negotiations During the Fair, several products presentations will be conducted, namely “New Green Concepts”, “Green and Intelligent Kitchen”, “Quality Lingzhi types and health products and their functions and effectiveness”, “Coffee”, “How to select effective anti-ageing products”, “King of teas – Dahongpao – from the Wuyi Mountain”, “How to appreciate crystals?”, “Traditional arts and crafts of Thailand – inlay of jewels in paintings’, “Duomu – new cleaning agent without additives – to make your life more healthy”, etc. To promote cooperation of Guangdong and Macau procurors with branded products enterprises, the organizer has arranged business matching session, and mutual promotional activities for the building of trade platform development for Guangdong and Macau, as well as well-known purchasing enterprises and retail business groups such as: the world famous retail brand TESCO, renowned mainland Chinese department stores group – Grandbuy Co.Ltd, will have purchasing negotiation session at the Fair with participating enterprises. The organizer has set aside business matching and purchase negotiation zone, to provide all rounded services for the buyers and sellers, to facilitate trade results. Contact point in Macau for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau of Jiangmen City established The launching ceremony for the contact point in Macau for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau of Jiangmen City will be officiated after the opening ceremony of the 2010 Fair. This is the second city from the Pearl River Delta to set up a contact point in Macau. The first to establish such is Zhuhai. The set up of a contact point from a second city of PRD marks the entry of another phase of deepening the cooperation of Macau and the cities of Pearl River Delta, and will facilitate mutual exploration of markets in the new round of economic and trade cooperation between Macao and Jiangmen, as well as to benefit enterprises of Jiangmen to explore overseas market through Macau as the regional services platform. The ceremony will be officiated by the Secretary of Economy and Finance, Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Department Head of the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province Liang Yaowen, Deputy Mayor of the People’s Government of the Jiangmen City Chen Jialin. Functioning at the new round of economic and trade cooperation between Guangdong and Macao Against the backdrop of the global financial impact on the world in the second half of the year 2008, and the various impact posed onto the Guangdong and Macau enterprises, the Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair 2009 was an event formed under the essence of the “Outline Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta Region” and the “Strengthening of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement” signed in March last year, to ensure a stable, sustainable and faster pace of development for enterprises of both places. The Fair encapsulates the competitive advantage of Macau’s tourism industry and Macao as a business services platform, and targets at Macau residents and tourists, for the promotion of local economy and facilitation of branded products of Guangdong and Macau to speed up their entry to mainland China market and overseas markets. The Fair also seeks to help enterprises of Macau and from the region to make use of the business opportunities presented by the financial crisis. The Fair 2010 is a continual activity between Guangdong and Macao after the 2003 edition of the Fair. With the mutual endeavour of the governments of the two places, the Fair is expected to reach the targeted results and great success. The 2009 Fair has attracted more than 100,000 visitors and tourists. Most of the items are short of demand, during and after the Fair. 589 business matching sessions were conducted and 8 agreements were signed. Exhibitors had received continuously purchase orders after the Fair which had to a certain extent helped them walk out of the doldrums of the financial crisis, realizing Macao’s role as a regional economics and trade services platform. Exhibitors and Professional visitors were generally satisfied with the Fair 2009. Many of them expressed their willingness to come for the 2010 edition is due to the great business opportunities brought down by their experience of the Fair in 2009. Therefore, they will stock up more products to satisfy the needs of Macau citizens and tourists this year. With the success gained last year, coupled with the new cooperation situation of Guangdong and Macau, and the deepening of solid measures on the cooperation of trade and economic activities between both places, as well as having the aim to achieve greater success, the 2010 Fair begins its preparations right after the 2009 Fair concluded. Various promotional activities started as early as June this year. A Carnival for all The Fair 2010 is characterized by its carnival-style with activities such as Jumbo Discount for branded products, consumption coupons, lucky draws, and cultural performances. The lucky draw will be conducted daily for visitors on site. Lucky draw times are daily at 5.30pm on 22, 23 and 24 July. The Grand lucky draw will be held at 7.45pm on 25 July. Cultural performances will be staged at the Fair 2010 with famous singers and artists from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, star-studding the event with their songs, dances and other programmes, different everyday. The show times are: 1-1.30pm, 2-2.30pm, 3-3.30pm, 4-4.30pm, 5-5.30pm, 7-8pm daily. Famous singers from Hong Kong will reveal their talents on 22, 24, 25 July from 7-8pm. All programmes are admission free. Local and overseas trade visitors and residents are welcomed to take part at the Fair Free shuttle buses are arranged to take visitors at the following spots. The bus routes are: Avenida de Dr Soares – Macau Square – Estrada de Almeida – Pak Wai Bus Stop – Avenida de Hipodromo – Royal Supermarket at Areia Preta, and from different border checkpoints (Border Gate & Ferry Terminals) and from different major hotels to and from the venue. Free parking for 3 hours will be provided at the Macau Fishermen’s Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Fair 2010 will be open for four consecutive days and welcome local and overseas trade visitors/visitors/Macau residents/tourists to take part in this trade and economic festivity between Guangdong and Macau. Opening hours are: 22 July (Thursday) 12noon to 10pm, 23 and 24 July (Friday and Saturday) 11am to 10pm, 25 July (Sunday) 11am to 8pm. For more information, please visit the website http://www.guangongmacaofair.com or through hotline at 853-87989788 for the Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair 2010.
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