News

For the purpose of promoting the development of local cultural and creative industries, the Cultural Affairs Bureau is now launching the fifth phase of the “Cultural and Creative Industries Information Collection Project”. This database aims to collect information on all professional companies and institutions in the local film & video, as well as anime & comic industries, respectively. In addition, the current phase also seeks information on all professional companies or institutions that tender cultural and creative products, project planning, technical support, provision of activities venues, or any other related services. From now until 31 March 2011, all relevant parties are invited to submit information to the Cultural Affairs Bureau. Information collection forms can be downloaded from the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc). The establishment of this Database will facilitate the government’s enactment of favourable policies towards the development and promotion of Macao’s cultural and creative industries. Furthermore, the Cultural Affairs Bureau also envisions the creation of a dedicated website, and the publication of a magazine. These information platforms will allow users to freely access and exchange information related to the cultural and creative industries of Macao. Interested parties should complete and submit the form, along with supporting electronic files, to the Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, located at Praça do Tap Seac. For enquiries, please call 8399 6919 (Ms. Lam or Ms. Lao) during office hours or email us at info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo.
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The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was informed by the Consulate General of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Hong Kong that holders of the Macao SAR Passports with a passport of at least 6 months validity and 2 recent photos can obtain visa-on-arrival at any designated international port of entry in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for a stay not exceeding 30 days. At present, a total of 87 countries and territories have agreed to grant visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the Macao SAR passport holders, while 9 countries have agreed to grant the visa-free access to the Macao SAR Travel Permit holders.
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Owing to a tropical cyclone in Northern Territory and flooding in Queensland, Macao Post announced that all mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to the areas bearing the following postal codes are subject to delay until further notice. Affected Region Postal Codes
Northern Territory 0800 – 0999
Queensland 4000 – 4999 Thank you for your kind attention.
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Consumer Council’s latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey Report’ was conducted on 17th February. In comparison with last month’s data, over 40% surveyed samples, mainly canned foods and milk products, recorded increase in their prices; around 35% surveyed samples recorded decrease in prices while other 52 samples remained unchanged. In comparison with last month’s data, prices of 11 out of 18 surveyed canned foods had risen from less than 0.5% to 6.5%; prices of over 10 milk products had also risen from 1% to 3%. Average price of “Bak Fok Beancurd for Steaming (390ml)” had risen by 14% since last month, “Imperial Banquet Premium Thai Fragrant Rice (5kg)” also recorded an increase of 13%. In the current survey, stability in prices was shown in categories like cooking oil and rice. Over half of the surveyed cooking oil samples recorded unchanged data or slight decrease since last month. Stability in the prices of rice was also shown in another specific price survey report on rice conducted by the Council, only a few samples recorded price increases. Prices of 23 sanitary and hygienic products surveyed had also dropped since last month. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey Report’ and the specific price survey report on rice are now accessible on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo). Reports are also available free of charge at the two offices of the Consumer Council, local markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources online at the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) or through WAP channels on their mobile phones. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315
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The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the credit card statistics for the fourth quarter of 2010. The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 426,976 at the end of December 2010, representing an increase of 6.02% from a quarter ago. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 337,536, 59,944 and 29,496 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective increases of 5.04%, 2.44% and 29.00% quarter-to-quarter. On an annual basis, RMB cards soared 83.56% while MOP cards and HKD cards rose 17.56% and 6.92% respectively. As at the end of December 2010, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao reached MOP7.65 billion, up 4.75% from end-September 2010. Credit card receivables amounted to MOP1.30 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP0.44 billion, accounting for 33.90% 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 0.72%. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the credit card turnover grew by 23.99% quarter-to-quarter to MOP2.48 billion. The cash advance turnover was MOP0.13 billion, accounting for 5.07% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, went up 17.30% from the previous quarter to MOP2.39 billion.
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A memorandum concerning strategic cooperative relations in the field of record management was signed between the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the People’s University of China. Under the agreement, both parties will cooperate on a mutually beneficial and complementary basis in planning and implementing joint projects focusing on technical and theoretical issues, capacity building and other aspects in the field of archival and records management. The signing ceremony took place in the auditorium of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at 4pm on February 17th. On behalf of their institutions, President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Dr. Ung Vai Meng signed a MOU with Vice Rector of the People’s University of China, Professor Feng Huiling. The agreement comes following negotiations between the two institutions, after contacts between the Historical Archives of Macao, a unit of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and the School of Information Resource Management of People’s University of China with the goal of establishing comprehensive and intensive strategic and cooperative relations in the field of record management. In the spirit of "mutually beneficial cooperation, complementary advantages, shared achievements, progressive development and an emphasis on effectiveness", both parties will cooperate in planning and implementing joint projects focusing on technical and theoretical issues, strengthening of capacity building, policy formulation and the development of systems and standards, all in the field of archival and records management. Dr. Ung Vai Meng noted that the Historical Archives of Macao will make full use of its resources and advantages to actively provide opportunities to the School of Information Resource Management of the People’s University of China in terms of teachers’ research and study and student internship, while the School of Information Resource Management of the People’s University of China will provide the Historical Archives of Macao with services in the areas of theoretical guidance, technical support, capacity building, plan and policy formulation and system and standard establishment. The School of Information Resource Management of the People’s University of China is a specialist institution for teaching and research activities in the field of information resource management, information systems, and archival studies in China. It has played a key role in the development and implementation of China’s national strategies for electronic records management.
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The drive by Macau to stage more major international events beyond 2011 stepped into top gear this week through its presence at Australia’s vital 19th annual AIME, the premier meetings and incentives gathering in the Asia-Pacific region. Leading industry delegates converged on the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to learn more about Macau’s established and ever-increasing number of sophisticated and, in some quarters, unique venues, hotels, attractions, restaurants, activities and industry programs. On the Macau Government Tourist Office/Macau Business Tourism Centre stand were representatives from such leading hotels as the Mandarin Oriental Macau, The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, Grand Hyatt Macau and Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16. Off-Site Connections Event Management (Macau) Ltd. was also represented at the two-day exhibition/workshops along with DOC DMC Macau and Macau Able Tours Ltd, “AIME is vital for taking enquiries and bookings for future events in Macau,” said Helen Wong, Representative of the Macau Government Tourist Office in Australia and New Zealand. “Much important business took place throughout the event. It’s an exciting meeting point for those wanting to know more about Macau and its credentials to host quality events beyond 2011.” In addition to its presence at AIME, Macau hosted a gala luncheon for industry figures and media at Crown Hotel as well as organise an exclusive press conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. “During the media conference, attendees learn about the exciting new developments as well as those established – and unique – projects, UNESCO World Heritage-protected sites, contemporary attractions and shows, and activities,” said Ms Wong. ”It truly is an ideal time for us to showcase Macau to the expanding MICE market. Exciting times are ahead for Macau and its unique features.” Among the highlights for visitors to AIME were the forums involving keynote speakers, seminars and networking opportunities.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that per-capita spending of visitors amounted to MOP 1,812 in the fourth quarter of 2010, similar to the same quarter of 2009. Analyzed by place of residence, per-capita spending of Mainland visitors topped at MOP 2,902; per-capita spending of those from Southeast Asia; Taiwan, China; and Hong Kong amounted to MOP 1,864, MOP 1,414 and MOP 1,001 respectively. Per-capita spending of tourists (MOP 3,307) and same-day visitors (MOP 682) went up by 24% and 8% respectively year-on-year. In the fourth quarter of 2010, per-capita non-shopping spending (excluding gaming expenses) of visitors decreased by 21% year-on-year to MOP 866, of which expenses on Accommodation and Food & Beverage accounted for 46% and 33% respectively. Meanwhile, per-capita shopping spending increased by 33% to MOP 947, with Local Food Products (21%), Clothing (21%) and Jewellery/Watches (20%) being the more popular shopping items. Per-diem spending of visitors amounted to MOP 1,812 in the fourth quarter of 2010, an increase of 8% year-on-year. Mainland visitors had the highest per-diem spending of MOP 2,902 and the respective spending of visitors from Southeast Asia; Taiwan, China; and Hong Kong was MOP 1,707, MOP 1,414 and MOP 1,001. The average length of stay of visitors stood at 0.9 day, down by 0.2 day from the fourth quarter of 2009, with Mainland visitors staying an average of 0.9 day. Average length of stay of tourists and same-day visitors held stable at 1.7 days and 0.3 day respectively.
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Macao Post announced that the mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) previously affected by the strike action taken by postal workers in Sierra Leone have resumed as normal. Thank you for your kind attention.
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From 26 February to 8 May 2011, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will present Written in Water – Works by Erik A. Frandsen This exhibition, housed at the Tap Seac Pavilion will showcase some twenty pieces of art, including stainless steel engravings, mosaics, and installation works. Erik A. Frandsen is a self-taught artist from Denmark. His creative method favours the ingenious combination of different media and materials. By combining multiple layers of resources with an assortment of images, Frandsen creates new and innovative visual effects. Throughout his creative career, he has continued to explore the application of new and novel materials, and searched for fresh and creative working methodologies. The stainless steel engravings featured in the forthcoming exhibition highlight the unique properties and characteristics of the material. Icy cold colours and tranquil motifs combine with the reflections of the viewing audience to create a variety of illusory moving images. In the series of mosaics, Frandsen explores themes from everyday life. His careful observations, and the exploration of distinct lines create a unique perspective, which is central to his artistic expression. With his series of stainless steel works painted without brushes, colour or canvas, Frandsen offers a highly original take on contemporary painting.
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