News

The Monetary Authority of Macao released today, for the first time, statistics of bank credit to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Macao. New Lending Approved In the first six months of 2009, new SME credit limit approved by Macao banks increased by 19.7% from the second half of 2008 to MOP6.2 billion. The collaterialised ratio, that is the part of credit limit with tangible assets pledged, stood at 39.3%, down 22.0 percentage points compared with the last survey period. Credit Utilisation As at end-June 2009, the outstanding value of total SME loans reached MOP19.5 billion, with a decrease of 1.4% compared with the end of 2008. By economic sector, “construction and public works”, “wholesale and retail trade” and “manufacturing” posted the largest shares of 41.2%, 17.9% and 11.2% respectively. The share of SME loans outstanding in domestic loans to the private sector dropped slightly by 0.7 percentage points from six months ago to 21.0%. Concurrently, the utilisation rate, that is the proportion of outstanding credit balance to the credit limit granted, declined 4.7 percentage points to 61.1%. Delinquent Loans At the end of June 2009, the outstanding balance of SME delinquent loans rose slightly by 1.06% from six months earlier to MOP0.43 billion. The delinquency ratio was 2.22%, up by 0.05 percentage points. Starting this year, the Monetary Authority of Macao conducts a comprehensive survey of SME credit and disseminates the results on a semi-annual basis.
…

The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the credit card statistics for the second quarter of 2009. The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 336,995 at the end of June 2009, up 1.89% from the previous quarter. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 272,889, 55,265 and 8,841 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective increases of 2.22%, 0.46% and 0.95% quarter-to-quarter. Compared with the same period last year, RMB cards grew 10.64% whereas MOP cards and HKD cards dropped 0.74% and 15.55% respectively.
As at the end of June 2009, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao amounted to MOP6.16 billion, down 1.95% from end-March 2009. Credit card receivables reached MOP1.05 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP0.46 billion, accounting for 43.61% of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, was 1.17%. In the second quarter of 2009, the credit card turnover edged up slightly by 0.26% from the last quarter to MOP1.53 billion. The cash advance turnover amounted to MOP0.12 billion, accounting for 8.03% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, dropped 12.03% from last quarter to MOP1.48 billion.
…

Organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the “Celebrate Macau!” Roadshow 2009 is held on 11-12 September at Elements in Tsim Sha Tsui, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Macau SAR and promote the 56th Macau Grand Prix. Engineer João Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of MGTO and Coordinator of Macau Grand Prix Committee (MGPC) led the delegation of MGTO and MGPC to join the carnival on 12 September and officiated the opening ceremony with Mr. Liu Tiesen, Deputy Director of Asia Tourism Exchange Centre. The “Celebrate Macau!” Roadshow 2009 was kicked off by an upbeat crossover music performance of Pipa and Saxophone which impressed every audience and reflected Macau as a unique city where Eastern and Western cultures converge. The performance was followed by the chit-chat between guests model Vanessa Yeung, artist Suki Tsui and racing hero Kenneth Chung to share their travel experience in Macau and introduce the newest gourmet and entertainment in Macau. Aiming to showcase Macau’s diversified cultural developments and tourism elements, MGTO arranged a 4-themed performance that consisted of Portuguese dance, Samba dance and modern dance. Apart from the Grand Dance performance, the Queen of flair tender in China, Zheng Wen was invited to perform an eye-catching flair tender show. Her performance was followed by the Sensational Macau Runway, which applied the promotional theme of MGTO – using the 5 senses of “see, hear, taste, touch, feel” to inspire the audience to a sensational exploration of Macau through fashionable costumes. The on-stage performances ended with a toasting ceremony hosted by the MGTO Director and officials to count down the 56th Macau Grand Prix and the 10th Anniversary of Macau SAR Establishment Day. In addition to the stage performance, there are four exhibition areas at the “Celebrate Macau!” Roadshow including: (1) Macau Grand Prix – exhibition of F3 racing car and motor racing simulating game for audience to experience the exciting races on the Guia Circuit; (2) Macau World Heritage – introduction of the Historic Centre of Macau which was recognized by the UNESCO in 2005; (3) Star Trek – display of selected movies which are shot in Macau; (4) Celebrate Macau Photo Exhibition – selected photos from Hong Kong residents to record Macau’s contemporary establishment and their sweet memory of Macau. The 56th Macau Grand Prix will be held from 19-22 November. Competition schedule and ticketing details can be downloaded from www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in package tourssaw continuous decrease, down notably by 35.7% year-on-year to 261,349 in July 2009. Visitors in package tours from Mainland China (163,255); Taiwan, China (19,887) and Japan (14,618) decreased by 42.2%, 20.4% and 7.1% respectively, while those from Hong Kong (26,146) increased by 7.1%. In the first seven months of 2009, visitor arrivals in package tours fell by 10.1% year-on-year to 2,535,849. In July 2009, the number of Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours dropped by 25.1% year-on-year to 14,826. Mainland China (62.9%); Taiwan, China (8.8%); and Singapore & Malaysia (7.2%) were the most popular tour itineraries. In the first seven months of 2009, residents travelling outbound in package tours decreased by 15.8% year-on-year to 106,464. Meanwhile, 43,303 residents travelled outbound under own arrangements with services of travel agencies, up by 24.6% over July 2008. Mainland China (49.6%); Hong Kong (20.3%) and Taiwan, China (16.7%) were the main destinations. In the first seven months of 2009, outbound residents travelling under such arrangements rose by 10.2% year-on-year to 239,930. At the end of July 2009, total number of guest rooms available in the hotel sector increased by 1,879 (+11.5%) from a year earlier to 18,152 rooms. In July 2009, a total of 525,731 guests checked into hotels and similar establishments, down by 10.5% year-on-year, with the majority of guests coming from Mainland China (43.3%) and Hong Kong (29.3%). The average occupancy rate fell by 10.8 percentage points year-on-year to 68.1%, with 4-star hotels leading at 71.7%. The average length of stay of hotel guests increased by 0.13 night year-on-year to 1.49 nights. The cumulative number of hotel guests decreased by 4.3% in the first seven months of 2009 to 3,630,454. In the first seven months of 2009, visitor-guests of hotels accounted for 61.4% of the total number of tourists, up from 56.9% in the corresponding period of 2008.
…

The three-day "China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM) ", which is one of China's leading MICE tradeshow, ended in Beijing yesterday (10th September). In order to strengthen exchange and cooperation opportunities between our industry partners and their counterparts in the China, as well as to promote Macau as a new MICE destination in Asia, the Macau Business Tourism Centre (MBTC) of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) lead a group of industry partners to Beijing to exhibits at the CIBTM 2009. The Macau pavilion is the second largest in terms of exhibiting space in this trade show, with 23 co-exhibitors coming from the industry , almost three times as much as the previous edition, including event organisers and planners, hotels, travel agencies and association, etc. The design of the pavilion celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau SAR and it was so eye-catching that many buyers from the Mainland and overseas were attracted to stop at the pavilion, to learn more about the city, its MICE industry development and the newly extended "Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Program" launched by MGTO. The business tourism industry is considered by the Macau SAR Government as a key focus in its strategy to diversify tourism and the economy, while China is an important tourist and business market of Macau, therefore, we believe that through the network of CIBTM, we can source more potential and high quality buyers in the mainland and even around the world, which in turn will help strengthen Macau’s position as one of Asia’s premier MICE destinations. In addition, greater support will be extended to the local MICE industry to help strengthen promotional efforts around the world, especially in the Asia Pacific region. For instance, the Macau Business Tourism Centre of MGTO will continue to lead our industry partners to participate in major MICE trade shows, e.g. the Incentive Travel & Convention Meetings of Asia (IT&CMA) in Bangkok in October and the European Incentive & Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM) in Barcelona in December. To support the travel trade in tackling the current adversity and to be in line with the celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau SAR, MGTO has launched the "Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Program" on May 18, which has started to deliver results. MGTO extended the program on August 1 and it consists of three main categories: Conventions and Meetings, Exhibitions and Incentives. Any event organizers or planners able to secure their events in Macau before 31 December 2009 are entitled to apply for the support. More information is available at: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo/cn/index.php
…

The “Catalogue Show of Malaysian Products and Services”, jointly organized by the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), will be held from 10 to 16 September 2009 at IPIM’s Macao Business Support Centre (Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpçao No. 263, Edif. China Civil Plaza, 19 Andar, Macau). The Show is going to be fourth ASEAN country to hold a catalogue show in Macau since May 2008, after Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Malaysia relies heavily on the industrial and services sector, which include the electrical and electronics, engineering support, food products, and the rubber-based industries. According to statistics, imports from Malaysia reached a 62% increase from 330 million Macao Patacas in 2005 to 530 million Macao Patacas in 2008. Until June this year, Macao main imports from Malaysia include tobacco, air-conditioners, slot machines, televisions, electronic parts for computers, ceramics tiles, evaporated milk and biscuits, etc, totaling 226 million Macao Patacas. Furthermore, the Malaysian and Macao governments have striven to promote bilateral tourism sectors during the recent years. Through the joint efforts of MATRADE and MIDA, over 30 types of catalogues will be on display, which include MICE information, branded jewellery, innovative houseware products, ICT services, testing & certification services, franchising, quality & HALAL food, giftware, investment and travel guides. Moreover, Representatives from MATRADE Hong Kong and MIDA will present on business environment and investment opportunities in Malaysia at Macao Business Support Centre, at 3 pm, 10 September 2009. There will also be a matching session and interested parties are cordially invited to sign up. IPIM now cordially invites interested parties and local SMEs in search for partners or distribution rights from Malaysia to visit the Show and join the above activities. For detailed information about the Show, please contact Mr. Ho or Ms. Leong of Small and Medium Enterprise Service Centre (Tel: 28728212) or visit IPIM’s website www.ipim.gov.mo and Macao Trade and Invest Kiosk.
…

Macao reported 85 new Influenza A (H1N1) cases today, taking the total number of such cases to 1,352. In the 24 hours prior to noon, 41 males and 44 females were tested positive for the virus. They were between nine months and 53 years old. Clusters of H1N1 cases were found in five classes of four primary and secondary schools, while clusters of seasonal flu cases were found in three schools. Students from these classes are required to stay home and not go to school. Four patients had recovered and were discharged from hospital today, with 14 still in hospital for treatment. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that the spread of the virus was moderate.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, arrived in Xiamen, Fujian, today for tomorrow’s opening ceremony of the 13th China International Fair for Investment & Trade. He was welcomed by the Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Zhang Zhinan, at the airport and later met the Secretary of CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, Mr Lu Zhangong, and the Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Huang Xiaojing. Speaking to the press before leaving Macao, Mr Ho said it was expected that Macao’s economy would develop steadily in the second half of the year, despite the challenges and uncertainties brought about by the global financial turmoil. Mr Ho said the Government would make good use of the favourable policies of the Central Government and continue to boost the economy, promote employment and ensure the people’s livelihood.
…

This month was cooler and drier than normal. The monthly mean air temperature, monthly mean minimum air temperature and monthly mean maximum air temperature were 28.1, 25.6 and 31.3 degree Celsius respectively, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.2 degree Celsius lower than the normals respectively. The monthly mean minimum air temperature was also the lowest of July since 2001. The monthly minimum air temperature was 22.3 degree Celsius and the second lowest of July in the record, just higher than 22.1 degree Celsius recorded on 15th July 1961. The monthly mean relative humidity was 72%, 10.2% lower than the normal. The monthly minimum relative humidity was 35%. Both were the lowest values of July in the record. The total insolation was 238 hours, 11.8 hours more than the normal. The monthly total evaporation was 75.8 mm, 17.1 mm less than the normal. The monthly precipitation and accumulated precipitation since January were 229.4 mm and 1125.6 mm respectively, 70.6 mm and 267.3 mm less than the normals respectively. Six Thunderstorm Warnings and one Rainstorm Warning were issued during this month. Furthermore, the Tropical Cyclones Signals were hoisted from 22:00 on day 10 to 07:00 on day 12 as well as 23:00 on day 17 to 12:30 on day 19 respectively because of the approaching of Tropical Storm "Soudelor" and Typhoon "Molave". The Region was under the influence of a southerly airstream on day 1 and was under the influence of a southwesterly airstream on day 2 and day 3. Meanwhile, it was cloudy with sunny periods and also with some isolated showers in the morning of day 3. On day 4 and day 5, a trough of low pressure made the local weather to be mainly cloudy with thundery showers. Furthermore, the Rainstorm Warning was issued from 22:05 to 23:10 on day 4 because of the heavy showers. The monthly minimum air temperature, 22.3 degree Celsius, was also recorded on day 4. Lightning also occurred on day 5. It was cloudy with sunny periods, isolated showers and lightning under the influence of a southerly airstream on day 6. A ridge of high pressure brought the hot and mainly fine weather to the Region in the following two days. Since day 9, it became fine, dry and very hot under the influence of the hot airmass. The Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 1 was hoisted at 22:00 on day 10 due to the approaching of a tropical depression. On day 11, the tropical depression intensified into a tropical storm and was named "Soudelor". It crossed the northern part of South China Sea. The local weather was very hot and fine, apart from cloudy periods and occasional showers. As "Soudelor" was further approaching to Macao, the Signal No. 3 was hoisted at 19:00. On day 12, as "Soudelor" was weakening and departing from Macao as well as a ridge of high pressure came into effect, all signals were lowered at 07:00. It was mainly fine with some showers in the early morning. On day 13, it remained mainly fine. On day 14, it was hot and cloudy with sunny periods. On day 15, a ridge of high pressure and a low pressure area over South China Sea affected the local weather together. It was very hot and cloudy with sunny periods and some thundery showers in the morning. From day 16 to the beginning of day 18, it was very hot and fine apart from cloudy periods and isolated showers under the influence of a ridge of high pressure. The monthly maximum air temperature, 36.2 degree Celsius, was recorded on day 18. On the other hand, a tropical depression was intensifying and approaching to the Region. It intensified into a tropical storm on day 16 and was named "Molave". It further intensified into a severe tropical storm on day 17. The Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 1 was hoisted at 23:00 on the same day. On day 18, "Molave" intensified into a typhoon. As "Molave" approached to Macao towards the end of the day, Signal No. 3 substituted Signal No. 1 at 18:30. The local weather became showery with thunderstorms and lightning. On day 19, all signals were lowered at 12:30 because of the weakening and departure of "Molave". It was cloudy with showers, heavy at times in the beginning of the day. The monthly highest daily precipitation, 68.6mm, was recorded on that day. On day 20, it was cloudy with sunny periods and occasional showers under the influence of a southerly airstream. In the following three days, a ridge of high pressure made the local weather to be fine, apart from cloudy periods and isolated showers. The Region became to be affected by a southwesterly airstream since day 24. It was cloudy with sunny periods and isolated showers. Furthermore, lightning also occurred on day 26. It was cloudy with sunny periods and showers, thundery at times on day 28. The local weather was under the influence of a southerly airstream on day 29 and under the influence of a maritime airstream on day 30 and day 31. It was cloudy with sunny intervals and isolated showers. Some meteorological elements and their deviation from the 30-year mean ( 1971 - 2000 ) * Please find the attachment.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, today met the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mr Jan Fischer. Mr Fischer arrived in Macao from Hong Kong about noontime and paid a courtesy call on Mr Ho at Santa Sancha. During the meeting, they exchanged ideas on tourism and trade. Mr Fischer attended a luncheon hosted by Mr Ho, and visited some attractions in Macao before returning to Hong Kong on the same day. Also attended the meeting were the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Veng On, the Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, Mr João Manuel Costa Antunes, and the President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Lee Peng Hong.
…