News

Eight pacts to enhance co-operation between Macao and Guangdong were signed today at the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2008 this afternoon. These pacts would boost co-operation in urban planning, education, tourism, traditional Chinese medicine, sports, culture and emergency management. According to a memorandum, Macao and Zhuhai would set up a joint task force to discuss projects of mutual benefits. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua, led a number of officials to attend the conference. During the conference, Mr Ho said that with the Central Government’s support, Macao and Guangdong have made much progress in their co-operation, especially in lifting people’s livelihood and enhancing economy, culture and education. Mr Ho said that Guangdong’s support to Macao could most notably be seen in solving the shortage of rice earlier this year, and in guaranteeing water supply to Macao. He thanked Mr Huang for the province’s extensive support. Guangdong’s support to the Zhuyin water project and the third water supply pipeline to Macao would safeguard water supply to Macao in the future, he said. Given the ensuing effect of global financial turmoil, Macao and Guangdong should work together in developing their economies. Both sides agreed to deepen co-operation in economy, transportation network and other infrastructure, as well as areas that would benefit their people, such as food safety, water and electricity and environmental protection. He also said that Macao would give its full support to Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 and Shenzhen World Student Games 2011. Macao’s representatives to the conference included the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, and the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io. It was also attended by the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Zhou Bo, and the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao, Ms Gao Yan.
…

Work had commenced this morning on the Zhuyin water project, which would guarantee a stable water supply for Macao. The start of construction was marked by a ceremony officiated by the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua, before the opening of Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2008 today. The Macao SAR Government has paid 450 million RMB in advance as future water charges for the construction of the project. The ceremony also marked the circulation of the third water pipeline to Macao, a project that cost Macao 54 million RMB. This pipeline would significantly enhance the capacity of water supply to Macao and the overall capacity would meet Macao’s demand until 2020, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, said during the ceremony. He said Macao and Guangdong had made much progress in co-operation of water supply following the signing of a framework agreement last year. He especially thanked the Central Government and the authorities in Guangdong and Zhuhai for their support in tackling salinity in Macao’s water supply.
…

Three Macao residents are still Thailand after the Macao Government brought 173 residents home on a chartered flight last Saturday. Two of the three Macao residents were looking to return to Macao. The third was waiting for the reopening of airports in Bangkok. The Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) would keep close contact with airlines and look for seats for the Macao residents that are still in Thailand. Those who know of any Macao residents still stranded in Thailand or need assistance may call GGCTE’s hotlines: 081-8041788 or 081-7925107 (calling in Thailand), or (66) 81-8041788 or (66) 81-7925107 (overseas calls), from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Thai local time). Residents may also call the round-the-clock hotline (2833 3000) operated by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) for help. To date GGCTE received 151 enquiries. GGCTE would continue to monitor the situation in Thailand and provide necessary assistance to Macao’s residents in Thailand.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today Macao would grasp opportunities that have emerged in the current global financial turmoil. Mr Ho made this remark when he paid a courtesy call on the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Yang, in Guangzhou this afternoon. Mr Ho said Macao had not suffered much during the crisis, and that Macao should grasp the opportunities that emerged during this time. Mr Wang, who was also a Politburo member of CPC Central Committee, said that Guangdong and Macao should work together amid the financial crisis and try to expand their economies. He also thanked Macao’s support to the motherland when it suffered after a massive snowstorm last January. Mr Wang hosted a reception for Mr Ho and some members of Mr Ho’s delegation, including the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, and the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io. Before the courtesy call, Mr Ho visited Ancient Nanfeng Kiln and Zumiao in Foshan and met the city’s officials. Mr Ho is scheduled to attend Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2008 in Zhuhai tomorrow.
…

The 34th National Congress of the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies (APAVT) continued today in Macau with a debate on the new image campaign “Portugal, Europe’s West Coast” in the morning and the afternoon was reserved to discuss the challenges faced by the air transportation industry. Former President of Portugal, Dr. Jorge Sampaio, the invited keynote speaker for the morning panel, opened the session under the topic of Portugal’s new image branding. Sampaio gave his opinion on what it takes to build a successful country branding. He highlighted how important image building is to correct misperceptions and convey values of a country or region. Sampaio also pointed out the need fOR coordination of efforts between the public and private sectors for a successful result. Sampaio’s keynote was followed by a presentation on Portugal’s new image promotional campaign “Portugal, Europe’s West Coast”, by BBDO Portugal vice-president, Pedro Bidarra, the company which created the campaign. A debate on Portugal’s branding as a tourism destination followed the presentations. The discussion was joined by the Chairman of Turismo de Portugal, Luís Patrão, administrator of MM&Company, David Marks, chief executive officer of TUI Event Management Portugal, Duarte Correia, former Portugal Minister for Tourism, Telmo Correia, and former Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism, Vítor Neto. Well-known Portuguese journalist Sérgio Figueiredo moderated the debate. The working session in the afternoon discussed the topic “Air Transportation: Realities and Challenges”. Former Portuguese Secretary of State and TAP representative in Air Macau Luís Correia da Silva was the key speaker of the session. He spoke in detail about the challenges that airlines face in the leisure travel segment under the current recession scenery. Afterwards, Correia da Silva joined a debate which had among its participants Aer Lingus sales manager, Aisling Lyons, Galileo Portugal chief executive officer, António Loureiro, SATA chief executive officer, António Menezes, ANA chief executive officer, Guilhermino Rodrigues and TAP vice-president, Luiz Mór. The discussion was moderated by Top Atlântico Madeira administrator, João Welsh. The five-day long event, which opened on Sunday, closes this coming Thursday. The hosting of the APAVT Congress in Macau reinforces MGTO’s promotional strategy to show the new Macau to Portuguese tour operators, and attract more visitors from Portugal to Macau, especially for the celebrations next year of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR. Macau has also been invited to be the “International Guest Destination” at the Lisbon Travel Market 2009 to be held next January. The National Congress of APAVT is a main highlight in the annual agenda of the Portuguese tourism industry. APAVT is the most representative association of Portuguese tourism, and since its foundation in 1950, has played a fundamental role in the development of tourism in Portugal. This is the fourth time that APAVT has chosen Macau to host its annual national congress, after 1982, 1990 and 1996, and the first after the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, will lead an official delegation to attend the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2008 in Zhuhai on Thursday. Mr Ho will pay a courtesy call on the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Yang, in Guangzhou tomorrow afternoon, after visiting sites of cultural industry in Foshan. Mr Ho’s delegation will include the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, and the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Veng On. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Ho is away.
…

Three Macao residents are still stranded in Thailand after the Macao Government brought 173 residents home on a chartered flight last Saturday. The Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) would keep close contact with airlines and look for seats for the Macao residents still in Thailand. To date the Office received 151 enquiries, two of which were new cases and the others follow-up cases. Those who know of any Macao residents still stranded in Thailand or need assistance may call GGCTE’s hotlines: 081-8041788 or 081-7925107 (calling in Thailand), or (66) 81-8041788 or (66) 81-7925107 (overseas calls), from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Thai local time). Residents may also call the round-the-clock hotline (2833 3000) operated by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) for help. GGCTE would continue to monitor the situation in Thailand and provide necessary assistance to Macao’s residents in Thailand.
…

The Macao SAR Government today confirmed that there were five Macao residents still stranded in Thailand, Two of them will be flying off Thailand this evening. The Outbound Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCTE) is inquiring if other airlines have seats available for them to leave Thailand. GGCTE will continue to follow up on their situation in Thailand and provide all practical assistance. Up to 19:30, 1 December, GGCTE received 147 inquiries, mainly follow up inquiries. The hotlines under GGCTE are available for those in need of assistance. Those who know any Macao residents who are still stranded in Thailand and need assistance can call 081-8041788 or 081-7925107 in Thailand or (66) 81-8041788 or (66) 81-7925107 from overseas from 10 am to 10 pm (Thai local time); or MGTO’s 24-hour hotline at 2833 3000.
…

Forum and Workshop of the 34th National Congress of The Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies (APAVT) held today (Dec 1) at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center. The Forum of the Congress, under the theme “Tourism: New Markets, New Opportunities”, has invited President of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Jean-Claude Baumgarten as keynote speaker and former CNN presenter Lorraine Hahn as moderator. Other speakers included Peter Villax , Managing Director of Hovione, Yao Yuecan, Chairman of the Board of CITS Limited, Head Office and Pansy Ho, Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited and MGM Grand Paradise Limited. The panel of the Forum discussed new market opportunities, and Baumgarten referred the potential of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and added that the Gulf is another potential region to watch. He also highlighted the need for a close partnership between public and private sector. Both Yao Yuecan and Pansy Ho pointed out that Macau can be a platform to help showcase Portugal to attract more Chinese visitors to Portugal. Pansy Ho also suggested the Portuguese travel industry to create a presence in Macau. Yao put forward the idea of multi-destination itineraries associating Portugal with other European countries, as well as the need to build a destination brand for Portugal among Chinese consumers. Peter Villax offered some insights as to how to work with the Chinese market, highlighting that the effort has to be sustained to achieve results in the medium term. He also added that a well thought out strategy is necessary before entering a new market. The Workshop for tourism presentations of Mainland China, Portugal and Macau was also held this afternoon. Chairman of the Board of CITS Limited, Yao Yuecan, General Director, Tourism Promotion Division of Turismo de Portugal, António Padeira and Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Antunes introduced the tourism situation and products of each destination respectively. The workshop was followed by a travel mart between Portuguese tour operators and their Macau and Mainland China counterparts. About 100 travel trade from over 70 toursim related entities took part in the travel mart. The hosting of the APAVT Congress in Macau reinforces MGTO’s promotional strategy to show the new Macau to Portuguese tour operators, and attract more visitors from Portugal to Macau, especially for the celebrations next year of the tenth anniversary of the establisment of the Macau SAR. Macau has also been invited to be the “International Guest Destination” at the Lisbon Travel Market 2009 to be held next January to promote Macau. The National Congress of APAVT is a main highlight in the annual agenda of the Portuguese tourism industry. APAVT is the most representative association of Portuguese tourism, and since its foundation in 1950, has played a fundamental role in the development of tourism in Portugal. This is the fourth time that APAVT has chosen Macau to host its annual national congress, after 1982, 1990 and 1996, and the first after the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region.
…

The Portuguese-language edition of Macao Yearbook 2008, an annual publication compiled and edited by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of the Macao SAR, will hit the shelf on 2 December 2008. The Macao Yearbook outlines major events, progress and changes made in the course of Macao’s political, economic, social and cultural development on a yearly and systematic basis. It provides detailed and up-to-date information for all who wish to study and understand the territory. The Macao Yearbook has been published since 2002, and it is available in three languages, namely Chinese, Portuguese and English. Comprising 178 photographs, the Macao Yearbook 2008 is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government; Calendar of Events; Review of the MSAR; Overview of the MSAR; and Appendices. Consisting of 16 chapters, the Overview of the MSAR presents information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. Meanwhile in order to trace Macao’s changes in a visual manner, the GCS co-organised a photographic competition entitled “New Faces of Macao” with eight local photography organisations and four media groups in early 2008. The Macao Yearbook 2008 has been enriched by more than 10 winning entries from the competition. A photo entitled “Flags Flying on a Joyful Occasion” taken by Lou Ka Wai, which has won “Yearbook Cover Award” in the competition, has been selected as yearbook cover picture. This is the first time this award is presented in the photographic competition. The 702-page Portuguese-language edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008, together with a complimentary CD-ROM, can be purchased at the following places at 120 patacas or 120 Hong Kong dollars per copy: major local bookstores; the Macao Post Office (Macao Post)’s Philatelic Division, Rua do Campo Branch, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Branch, Macau International Airport Branch, and Nova Taipa Branch; Government Printing Bureau; and the Government’s Public Information Centre at Rua do Campo. The English edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008 is in the process of printing, and will be available for sale shortly.
During the promotion period lasting until 31 March 2009, a 20-percent discount will be offered to any purchase of the Portuguese-language edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008.
Those who have bought the Chinese-language edition of the Macao Yearbook 2008 may redeem a complimentary CD-ROM with their receipts at their place of purchase starting from 2 December.
…