News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the stagnant property market of Macao continued in the first quarter of 2009. Based on Stamp Duty records, 1,664 building units amounted to MOP2.13 billion were sold and purchased, down by 16.9% and 20.5% respectively over the previous quarter, with 28.0% (466 units valued at MOP931 million) being new units within the property tax exemption period, down by 37.8% and 39.2% respectively over the previous quarter. The majority (801 units) of these transactions were residential units and the corresponding value amounted to MOP1.27 billion, down by 37.7% and 41.0% respectively quarter-to-quarter. Among the residential units, 592 were situated in the Macao Peninsula and 204 in Taipa. In terms of the transaction price, 55.4% (444 units) were sold for MOP1,000,000 or less and 21.5% (172 units) for over MOP2,000,000 to MOP4,000,000. Analysed by year of building completion, sale and purchase of 263 residential units were completed in 2000 and after, 289 units in 1990-1999 and 249 units in 1989 and before. As regards the floor area of the units, 41.9% (336 units) had an area of 50 to 99.9 square metres, and 31.3% (251 units) had an area smaller than 50 square metres. In the first quarter of 2009, the average transaction price of residential units dropped by 5.3% quarter-to-quarter to MOP17,112 per square metre of usable area, of which the average price of those in the Macao Peninsula decreased by 7.0% to MOP14,436 per square metre, while the average of those in Taipa stayed at similar level as the preceding quarter, at MOP24,871 per square metre. Meanwhile, the average price of residential units purchased and sold under Intermediate Transfer of Title was MOP29,123 per square metre, down by 1.3% quarter-to-quarter. The average price of office units stood at MOP22,228 per square metre, up by 16.8% quarter-to-quarter; the average transaction price of industrial units rose by 21.5% to MOP6,421 per square metre. There were 1,118 cases of real estate sale and purchase contracts made in the first quarter of 2009, involving 1,291 units valued at MOP1.39 billion, down by 24.9% and 34.9% respectively quarter-to-quarter. In the first quarter of 2009, approvals were granted to the construction of 8 buildings with a gross floor area of 106,000 square metres, which will provide a total of 59 units, 16 parking spaces for cars and 30 parking spaces for motorcycles upon completion. Meanwhile, construction of 8 new buildings with a gross floor area of 22,000 square metres has been started, upon completion, will provide 28 units (18 were residential units). In addition, a total of 14 buildings with a gross floor area of 178,000 square metres were completed, altogether providing 768 units (722 were residential units), 1,180 parking spaces for cars and 353 parking spaces for motorcycles.
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The Health Bureau today urged residents going abroad to take precautions against the Influenza A (H1N1) virus and keep good personal hygiene. This followed reports of more imported cases in Beijing and Hong Kong, and possible community outbreaks in Kobe and Osaka, Japan. China’s Ministry of Health last night notified Macao of an imported case and Hong Hong’s Department of Health this evening informed Macao of its third imported case. The latter took CX831/AA6091 in New York on 15 May and arrived n Hong Kong yesterday. He was detected for having fever at the airport and was sent to hospital, where he was tested positive for the virus. Hong Kong authorities were trying to locate the passengers of the plane and it is believed no Macao residents were on the flight. However the Health Bureau urged anyone with information on the passengers to call its hotline 28561122. Japan reported eight local confirmed cases in Kobe on Saturday and 13 cases in Osaka the next day, suggesting the country could be the first in Asia with an outbreak. The Health Bureau would continue to pay attention to the situation in Japan and reports from the Japanese health authorities and the World Health Organization. The Bureau was also aware of the first confirmed case in India. It urged residents travelling abroad to immediately seek medical treatment should they develop symptoms of influenza. Meanwhile, the Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 97 children and 35 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 148,000 people entering Macao. They also dealt with 53 enquiries Three Macao residents, all family members, were tested negative for the virus. They developed fever and respiratory illness symptoms after returning from the USA and sought treatment at the hospital. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said in Jilin today that the province was one of the most important old industry bases that brought enormous business opportunities for Macao businessmen. On his five-day visit to the northeast of the country, Mr Ho met with the Secretary of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Min, and the Governor, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee, Mr Hang Changfu. During the meeting in the afternoon, Mr Ho praised the province, with rich natural resources and good ecological environment, for having perfected the business and investing condition that boosted boundless trading opportunities. Moreover, under the framework of Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the two places would re-inforce co-operation in the area of trading, investment and tourism, among other areas, said Mr Ho. Mr Wang briefly introduced the latest development of Jilin Province. He said there was a strong complementary relationship between these two places. He also said that he hoped to maintain a good bilateral relationship to cope with financial crises jointly.
Mr Han introduced to Mr Ho the concepts and directions for the future co-operation between Jilin and Macao. He said the two places might strengthen co-operation in trading, tourism, food processing, medical treatment and other areas. Mr Ho attended a trade and investment seminar where the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Francis Tam, delivered a keynote speech. The delegation will continue on to Liaoning in Shenyang tomorrow.
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The Chief Executive Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah and the Macao business delegation continued their visit in Heilongjiang today and attended a trade and investment seminar. Speaking at the seminar, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said he saw a surge in business exchanges between the two places after the establishment of the SAR a decade ago, thanks to the contribution of the business and industrial sectors. Macao would continue to bolster trade between the two places using the favourable terms offered in the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), Mr Tam said. The SAR would make use of its advantages as a service platform to boost the trade of Heilongjiang, especially with the Portuguese-speaking countries, and continue to support the co-operation and trade between Macao and Heilongjiang. Mr Tam said the Government would continue to adopt proactive measures to gradually turn Macao into an international leisure and tourist hub and regional trade and services platform. Prior to the trade seminar, Chief Executive Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah and his delegation visited an aircraft company and a food company. The Chief Executive and his delegation hosted a banquet for the Heilongjiang officials to thank them for their hospitality, before leaving for Changchun, Jilin Province, to continue his five-day visit in northeast China.
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Medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 134,000 people entering Macao today, with two people sent to hospital for treatment. They also dealt with 287 enquiries, with most of them at Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. The Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 82 children and 30 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao.
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The Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 73 children and 29 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 134,000 people entering Macao. Two people were sent to hospital for treatment. The medical teams also dealt with 141 enquiries, most of them at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao. To promote public awareness enhance precautions, the Health Bureau has scheduled two talks in English and Portuguese next week. The first session is to be held at Taipa Health Centre on 21 May from 12:00 to 13:00 and the second at Areia Preta Health Centre on 22 May from 12:00 to 13:00. For reservation, please call 85041437.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, arrived in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang, today at the start of his five-day visit to three Northeast provinces. Upon arrival, Mr Ho and his delegation, including the Secretary for Economy and Finance Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, were welcomed by the Vice Governor of Heilongjiang, Mr Sun Yao. They then met the Secretary of Heilongjiang CPC Committee, Mr Ji Bingxuan, and the Governor of Heilongjiang, Mr Li Zhanshu. More than 100 Macao business people were in the delegation with Mr Ho, who told the Heilongjiang officials that he was looking forward to an even brighter future for the co-operation between the two places by their private sectors and government bodies. The advantages of the province included its enormous resources, special location and the size of its market, Mr Ho said. He also introduced Macao’s latest development to the Heilongjiang officials, and said that with the backing of the Central Government and the concerted efforts of all the residents, the overall economic and social situation of Macao remained stable despite the impacts of the global financial turmoil. He said he looked forward to the Governor’s scheduled visit to Macao, which would certainly enhance bilateral co-operation. The Secretary of Heilongjiang CPC Committee, Mr Ji Bingxuan, praised the achievement of Mr Ho and his team for the economic performance and social stability in Macao. Mr Ji said he also looked forward to enhancing trade and investment between the two places. The Heilongjiang leaders hosted a reception for Mr Ho and his delegation. Tomorrow Mr Ho is scheduled to visit an aircraft company and a food company and attend a Heilongjiang-Macao trade and investment promotion session, before leaving for Changchun, Jilin Province, in the evening.
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Two visitors from Korea and Taiwan who arrived in Macao with fever were tested negative for Influenza A (H1N1) today. The Korean female visitor, aged 29, had visited Canada and the 35-year-old man from Taiwan had visited the United States of America. They arrived by air today and body temperature checks showed they had fever. But tests ruled out the virus. Meanwhile, the Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 78 children and 37 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 127,000 people entering Macao. The medical teams also dealt with three enquiries. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao. To promote awareness of the virus among the public and enhance precautions, the Health Bureau has scheduled two talks in English and Portuguese next week. The first session is to be held at Taipa Health Centre on 21 May from 12:00 to 13:00 and the second at Areia Preta Health Centre on 22 May from 12:00 to 13:00. For reservation, please call 85041437.
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The Government would adhere to the Chief Executive Election Law and strive for a fair, just, open and clean third-term Chief Executive election, the Chief Executive Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah said today. Speaking to the press before leaving on a visit to Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces, Mr Ho said the Government would maintain a neutral stance towards all candidates of the election and would not comment on any candidates or potential candidates. Yesterday the State Council approved the resignation of Mr Chui Sai On from his post as the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, who said he would run in the election. Mr Ho said the Macao SAR Government appreciated Mr Chui’s contributions during his term of office. Mr Ho told the press that he would not share his experience with any candidate to avoid intervening in the election and making room for speculation. It was announced that bureau-level officials and department heads under the supervision of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture should report directly to the Chief Executive. Mr Ho said even this would increase his workload, with the concerted efforts of the civil service, there would not be difficulties.
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The Macau Business Tourism Centre (MBTC) of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) led a delegation of 9 Macau Trade representatives from the hotels, convention and exhibition venues, travel agencies, event and destination management to participate in the “Meet in Macau” business session in Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia and Singapore on 13th and 14th May. A mini mart followed by a luncheon was organized on the first day (13th May) in Kuala Lumpur, which attracted more than 70 representatives from the Malaysian travel agencies. According to Tunku Iskandar, MGTO Representative in Malaysia, the main objective of the event is to gather the tourism industry representatives from Macau to meet, discuss, and to further strengthen the business ties and to exchange ideas with travel agents, tour operators and MICE planners in Malaysia. “I feel confident that Macau is a viable destination to offer clients who are selecting venues for conferences and incentives. While Macau is still very new in terms of the MICE industry, its impressive array of diverse and multi-dimensional tourism products, state-of-the-art MICE facilities, and with the themed hotels, entertainment and great cuisine has made it become a truly unique world-class MICE destination,” added Tunku Iskandar in his opening speech. In Singapore, around 60 representatives from the travel agencies and corporate had participated in the mini mart and the Corporate Rapport Night (14th May). Charles Leong, MGTO Representative in Singapore, remarked in the corporate reception, “Macau’s tourism industry has witnessed tremendous development in the last few years. With extensive developments of luxury hotels, resorts and MICE facilities, we are now well suited to host various kinds of MICE activities.” The “Meet in Macau” business session is the third consecutive year MGTO is organizing the annual event for MICE planners and corporate travel agencies in Malaysia and Singapore. The purpose of the event is to provide a platform for our industry partners to update potential customers the new development of Macau and its upcoming projects, as well as to help foster better communication and business relationships between Macau, Malaysia and Singapore.
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