News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 2,210 establishments were operating in the Transport, Storage & Communications Sector in 2009, an increase of 16 from 2008; number of persons engaged totalled 14,748, down by 1%. Total Receipts and Total Expenditure amounted to MOP 14.21 billion and MOP 12.96 billion, down by 9% each year-on-year. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy rose by 6% over 2008 to MOP 4.30 billion; meanwhile, Gross Fixed Capital Formation went down by 6% year-on-year to MOP 1.17 billion. In 2009, there were 2,175 establishments operating in the Transport & Storage Sector, an increase of 16 year-on-year; number of persons engaged decreased by 1% to 12,869. There were 1,739 establishments operating in Land Transport (80% of the Transport & Storage Sector); besides, 409 were engaging in Supporting & Auxiliary Transport Activities, with 169 being travel agencies. Attributable to the sluggish world economy in 2009, Total Receipts of the Transport & Storage Sector decreased by 11% over 2008 to MOP 10.56 billion, with those from Passenger Transport (MOP 4.57 billion) and Cargo Transport (MOP 1.12 billion) dropping by 12% and 44% respectively. Meanwhile, Total Expenditure also decreased by 11% year-on-year to MOP 10.56 billion, of which Operating Expenses (MOP 5.36 billion) and Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid (MOP 2.97 billion) fell by 20% and 1% respectively, while Compensation of Employees (MOP 1.92 billion) went up by 5%. However, Gross Value Added (MOP 2.24 billion) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (MOP 821 million) increased by 3% and 2% respectively over 2008. In 2009, a total of 35 establishments were operating in the Communications Sector, same as that in 2008, and number of persons engaged dropped by 2% to 1,879. Total Receipts of the Communications Sector amounted to MOP 3.64 billion, down by 2% over 2008, of which Receipts from the provision of services and sales of goods stood at MOP 3.15 billion (86% of total), down slightly by 1%. Total Expenditure decreased by 2% year-on-year to MOP 2.40 billion, with Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid (MOP 1.00 billion) and Operating Expenses (MOP 555 million) decreasing by 10% and 16% respectively. Gross Value Added rose by 9% over 2008 to MOP 2.06 billion, while Gross Fixed Capital Formation decreased by 21% to MOP 350 million.
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Consumer Council’s latest specific price survey report on rice, compared to the previous report, reflects stability in prices of most surveyed items. Only 2 out of 16 surveyed items record increases in prices of less than 9 per cent and 1 per cent respectively. Prices of other items remain unchanged. In the current price survey on rice, ‘Red Lotus (5kg)’ and ‘Golden Rabbit (10kg)’ record increases in price of less than 9 per cent and 1 per cent respectively. The Council started this specific price survey report on rice from January and will continue to keep an eye on the market price trend. Consumers are advised to check with the report for the most updated prices. The specific price survey report on rice is now available online at the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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The Macao SAR Government has officially joined the Public Key Directory (PKD) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) since 28 September 2010, becoming the 19th participant in the name of “Macao, China”. This participation not only helps the promotion of Macao SAR electronic travel documents to other countries, but also enhances the international recognition of Macao SAR electronic travel documents. Public Key Infrastructure is a significant component of electronic travel documents. It creates an electronic signature (which is created by computing the information mathematically, and acts as if a hand-written signature on an electronic document) for the information stored in the chip embedded in the electronic travel document with an electronic certificate (a digital document for authenticating the identity of the issuing authority.), ensuring that the chip information of the travel document has not been altered. The “Country Signing Certificate Authority Certificate”, the “Document Signer Certificate” and the “Certificate Revocation List” have to be used in the process. The Public Key Directory is a platform where the abovementioned “Document Signer Certificate” and “Certificate Revocation List” are stored. It provides a reliable, secure and efficient method for each member country and region to exchange the abovementioned certificates, facilitating the authentication of the chip information of travel documents for the immigration control department of every country and region.
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David Wong, Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage Department of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), has been selected as Judge, the only one from Macao in the competition of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (Hong Kong IWSC), the truly Asian wine competition, held on 30 October – 2 November, 2010. David, on top of his managerial role in the Institute’s F&B Department, also lectures on theory of culinary, food and beverage management and wine studies of the Bachelor Degree Programme. He has released a second edition of his cookbook titled “The Art of Modern Portuguese Cuisine” and is one of the founding members of the Macau Culinary Association, the Secretary General for Disciples of Escoffier in Macao and also the Conseiller Gastronomie for the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Macau. David has many years of experience in the industry, having worked with the late Jean Bordier (M.O.F and Chairman of the Master Chefs of France) at the L’Aubergade in France, Anton Mosimann, London, UK, Raymond Blanc, “Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons” in Oxford, UK and Rick Stein (OBE) in Padstow, UK follow by working in Asia at the Mandarin Oriental in Macao, Westin and Sheraton properties in Thailand. A regular food and wine judge on the International circuit, David also writes restaurant reviews and wine columns for South China Morning Post, Macau Closer, Macau Daily Times and Fine Drinks Magazine. He is an honourary advisor for the Association of Bartenders & Sommeliers in Macao and is an approved tutor for the Wine and Institution Trust, UK (WSET). The Hong Kong IWSC saw a top class panel of Asia’s most esteemed wine judges from Mainland China, Chinese Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and India – including the competition’s director and Master of Wine, Debra Meiburg together with Simon Tam. The guest judge this year was Mr. Tim Atkins. Mr. Atkins is an award–winning wine writer and Master of Wine with 25 Years’ experience. He is not only one of Britain’s leading wine writers, but also the wine critic of The Times' The Table supplement, and Wine Editor at Large of Off Licence News. Independence and impartiality are the fundamental concerns for the judging process of the Hong Kong IWSC. Key procedures including blind tasting, anonymously-poured samples and a judging panel selected from outside of the wine trade community (including wine journalists, commentators, educators, food and beverage professionals, wine buyers and private collectors) have been implemented to ensure the absolute integrity of the competition’s results. IFT is gratified by the appointment of David Wong as the Judge of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition. This is an acknowledgement of the standard of IFT’s faculty and by actively participating in internationally organised events, teaching experience can be further enhanced through knowledge and experience sharing among participants.
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The 2010 “Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System” (MORS) Gold Pin Competition Award Presentation Ceremony was held today at the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT). Eng. Joao Antunes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, Ms. Noémia Lameiras, Deputy Director of Labour Affairs Bureau, Mr. Johnson Chan, Chairman of Macau Hotel Association and Mr. Lei Pou Loi, President of Macao Hotelier Association, presented awards to the winners. This year, there are 10 sessions of competitions altogether, including Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen), Bartender, Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level), Chinese Cook - Dim Sum (Intermediate Level), Concierge and Bell Attendant, Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer, Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry, Room Attendant, Waiter/Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service) and Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service). The final round of the competitions was held on 28 and 29 October at Grand Lisboa Hotel and Venetian Exhibition Hall A, respectively. The competition adapts a process of elimination, with 3 rounds of contests for each competition. The first 2 rounds of contests were held in forms of written examination and skill evaluation according to the fundamental knowledge covered in the MORS training manuals. Participants without MORS certificate will need to go through the first round. In order to be admitted to the second round, the contestants must reach a minimum score of 75%, and compete with those who possess the certificate. Contestants with excellent performances in the second round from each competition will be invited to join the final and given the certificates. Contestants aim at the 2 winning positions in each competition. Juries formed by over 30 respectful executives from the industry will observe closely and assess the contestants for the final winners, who will receive a MORS Gold Pin, MOP6,000 cash award and a scholarship of MOP2,000 for PACES training courses. Launched in 2001, Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS) is a joint effort of the Tourism Industry of Macao and IFT with the main objective to upgrade human resources in the industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions. At this moment, skills standards are introduced for the following occupations: - Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen)
- Bartender
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Elementary)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Elementary)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Intermediate)
- Concierge and Bell Attendant
- Customer Relations Officer
- Front Desk Agent
- Retail Sales Officer
- Room Attendant
- Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry
- Travel Consultant
- Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)
- Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) To reward and demonstrate outstanding MORS recognised professionals, IFT has been organising the Gold Pin Competition since 2002. Precipitants can be Entry-level Professionals sent by each training centre or they can be entering individually. There are 31 organisations, 342 participants taking part in the competitions this year. Gold Pin Competition final round contests examine contestants on their practical skills and details are as follows: Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen) Contestants have to bring in their own ingredients to create a menu consisting of a starter, a main course and a dessert; the time frame for preparation was two hours. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Bartender Within a time frame, contestants have to choose at least one ingredient from the provided list and bring in their own ingredients and glassware to create a cocktail for two persons. The jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, presentation, flavour, speed and consistency of the drink. Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level)
Contestants have to bring in their own ingredients to prepare two dishes (one assigned by IFT and the other one was created by the contestant), the time frame for preparation was 90 minutes. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Chinese Cook – Dim Sum (Intermediate level)
Contestants have to bring in their own ingredients to prepare two types of dumping and create one dessert, the time frame for preparation was two hours. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Concierge and Bell Attendant
Quiz Bee was adopted in the final round. Questions are designed to test the contestants’ job knowledge, information about Macao, tourist attractions, current events, language competence, etc. Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer
Each contestant will compete with each other in individual Quiz Bee on Front Desk / Customer Relations knowledge and skills as well as assigned questions, questions in this round go deep into each category. The jury team assessed the contestants on their selling techniques, product knowledge, communication skills, language competence, body gesture, timing and overall presentation. Room Attendant
The participants will be given a maximum of 15 minutes to make up beds. The jury team assessed the contestants on speed and quality of work. Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry
Quiz Bee was adopted in the final round. Questions are designed to test the contestants’ job knowledge, skill, guest relations, language and listening competence, etc. Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)
Contestants will be asked to share/spilt a special dish of food equally on trolley and to serve afterwards in 20 minutes. Assessment was based on technical skills, knowledge, speed and service quality. Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service)
Contestants are requested to perform a Gueridon Fruit Service, which include peeling, cutting, plating and serving various types of fresh fruit in 12 minutes. Juries based on the skill, standard of hygiene, posture, method, courtesy and speed to assess the contestants. IFT is a public institution of higher education that offers tourism, hospitality, heritage and events management degree programmes, as well as professional training courses. The main objective of MORS is to upgrade human resources in the Macao tourism industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions, to the general public, so as to benefit Macao in a more competitive future.
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From October 26 until 5p.m. today (1) the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed three premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has waged a total of 84 sanctions, among which one sanction proceeding has been completed and an operator who provided accommodation illegally was fined 200 000 patacas. Other cases are in different stages of sanction proceedings. Since the Cross-departmental Working Team started operations, to date, 1028 premise-checks were conducted, involving 720 premises, of which 84 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 111 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found 17 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 857 occupants, among whom 374 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 16 overstayers and 14 illegal immigrants. 12 operators, 12 touts, 12 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (managing staff) and six occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were seized on site. MGTO has begun sanction proceedings on offenders according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation". If the operator who provided accommodation illegally, who was fined 200 000 patacas, does not pay within the statutory period, the Financial Services Bureau will enforce the collection of fine. Meanwhile, the six occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation where fined 3 000 patacas each, among which three have paid the fine. For those who fail to pay the fine within the statutory period, MGTO has notified the Financial Services Bureau to enforce the collection of fine and informed PSP that the involved persons should pay the fine or their reentry into Macau will be denied. According to the law, operators and persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas, persons who fail to cooperate can be fined up to 20 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 12,439 Wholesale & Retail establishments, market stalls and fixed stalls on the street were operating in 2009, an increase of 107 compared with 2008. At the end of 2009, number of persons engaged went up by 9% year-on-year to 41,153. Total Receipts and Total Expenditure amounted to MOP44.40 billion and MOP40.84 billion, up by 17% and 14% respectively over 2008. In addition, Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy increased by 28% to MOP7.16 billion; Gross Fixed Capital Formation rose by 33% to MOP1.20 billion. There were 10,632 Wholesale & Retail establishments operating in 2009, an increase of 184 from 2008, of which 827 (+41 establishments) were engaging in the Sales of Motor Vehicles & Automotive Fuel, 4,446 (-66) in Wholesale Trade and 5,359 (+209) in Retail Trade. Number of persons engaged totalled 38,125, up by 11% year-on-year. Sales and Other Receipts of Wholesale & Retail establishments reached MOP43.31 billion, up by 17% from 2008. Analyzed by industry, receipts of Retail establishments soared by 48% to MOP23.29 billion (54% of total), and those of Sales of Motor Vehicles & Automotive Fuel stood at MOP3.18 billion (+1%); however, receipts of Wholesale establishments dropped by 6% to MOP16.84 billion. Total Expenditure of Wholesale & Retail establishments rose by 14% over 2008 to MOP39.93 billion, of which Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid amounted to MOP31.45 billion, up by 10%; Operating Expenses (MOP5.22 billion) and Compensation of Employees (MOP3.26 billion) increased by 35% and 25% respectively. In addition, there were 1,807 market stalls and fixed street stalls operating in 2009, down by 77 year-on-year, with 775 market stalls and 1,032 fixed stalls on the street. Total number of persons engaged went down by 5% year-on-year to 3,028. Receipts and Expenditure of these stalls amounted to MOP1.09 billion and MOP912 million, up by 1% and 2% respectively over 2008.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average daily wage of construction workers was MOP544 in the third quarter of 2010, up by 7.3% quarter-to-quarter. The average daily wage of skilled & semi-skilled workers (MOP583) rose by 8.6%, and that of unskilled workers (MOP351) went up by 3.2%. Among the skilled & semi-skilled workers, the average daily wage of painters (MOP636) and carpenters (MOP590) registered the largest increase of 22.8% and 21.4% respectively, attributable to rising demand of painters and carpenters during the completion stage of some tourism and gaming facilities and hotel projects. After discounting the effect of inflation, the wage index of construction workers for the third quarter of 2010 was 96.7 in real terms, up by 3.8% over the previous quarter. As regards construction materials, the average price of spiral and round reinforcing steel bars decreased by 7.6% quarter-to-quarter to MOP4,511 per tonne, and that of Portland cement dropped by 1.5% to MOP643 per tonne; however, the average price of sand registered an increase of 3.1%, at MOP82 per cubic metre. In the third quarter of 2010, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings fell by 2.3% quarter-to-quarter to 135.1; in particular, the price indices of electric wires and steel decreased by 8.5% and 3.3% respectively, while the price indices of concrete pipe piles and timber increased by 1.7% and 0.5%. Compared with the same quarter of 2009, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings registered an increase of 7.5%.
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In line with the tourism policy guidelines in enhancing tourism service quality, Macau Government Tourist Office will launch a mobile version of its website and add Italian version to the website from next month. To utilize technological means for better service, MGTO will launch a mobile version of its website on November 1 to offer a more user-friendly interface for citizens and visitors to obtain tourism information from the MGTO website. With the growing popularity of using mobile phones to go online, many tourists will utilize this technological means when traveling aboard. In line with the free wireless internet access service “Wi-Fi Go” launched by the Bureau of Telecommunication Regulation (DSRT) earlier this year, MGTO has been working on the development of a mobile version of its website. The web layout of the mobile version is customized for the small screen on a handset to give browsers a more user-friendly interface. The mobile version is available in Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), English and Portuguese. As the access points of “Wi-Fi Go” are mainly located in tourist spots, the launch of the mobile version of MGTO’s website will further enhance the accessibility of visitors to tourism information and provide another channel to promote Macau extensively to uplift the international image of Macau. Meanwhile, MGTO is discussing with DSRT to set MGTO’s mobile version website as the default page at tourist hotspots covered by “Wi-Fi Go” for visitors to access tourism information in a more convenient manner. MGTO is also studying the feasibility of introducing some mobile applications tailor-made for certain smartphones in the near future which will enable visitors to access information offline outside the “Wi-Fi Go” access points. In addition, MGTO will add Italian-language information to its marketing website as of November 1, which increases the language options to 14, to keep pace with its effort to diversify the development of the tourism industry. Currently, MGTO’s website (www.macautourism.gov.mo) is available in Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Portuguese, English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, German, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic, covering all the languages used by visitors from Macau’s top ten source markets. International visitor arrivals to Macau from January to September were close to 2.2 million, a growth of 12% over the same period of last year.
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The Blood Donor Award Ceremony 2010 was successfully held on 29th October at 4/F Grand Hall of Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. Dr. Cheong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Dr. Lei Chin Ion, Director of Health Bureau, Dr. Cheang Seng Ip and Dr. Chan Wai Sin, Deputy Directors of Health Bureau, and Mr. Leong Weng Pan, Acting Deputy Director of Health Bureau attended the ceremony and presented awards to blood donors and supporting organizations. Other attending guests included: Senior-Colonel Li Huizhong, Director of Logistics Department of the Macao Garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army; Mr. Li Zhengqiao, Vice Director of the Department of Culture and Education, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Cheong Iok Kuan, Acting Principal of Academy of Public Security Forces; Mr. José Tavares, Deputy Director of Macao Sports Development Board; Ms. Isabel Celeste Jorge, member of the Administration Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau; Ms. Van Iat Kio, Director of Kiang Wu Nursing College; Mr. Chan Kam Meng, President of Macau Federation of Trade Unions; and Mr. Pang Chap Chong, Coordinator of Academic Affairs Office, University of Macau. A total of 1,299 blood donors who have accumulated five donations or multiples of five donations throughout the year of 2009 were invited to the ceremony. Aside from the blood donors, representatives from 43 supporting organizations were also invited, the number of participants totaled 624. The blood donors who have accumulated the highest number of donations this year are Mr. Paulo Rosa Rodrigues with 104 donations and Ms. Wan Wai Wun with 65 donations. In 2009, a number of governmental entities, schools, organizations and associations have organized blood drives; to thank and commend them for their enthusiasm and support towards blood donation activities, the Blood Transfusion Service of the Health Bureau presented awards to the supporting organizations: PLA Macao Garrison with “Special Donation Award”; Macau University of Science and Technology and Institute for Tourism Studies with “Tertiary Institution Blood Donation Motivation Award”; University of Macau with “Tertiary Institution with the Highest Number of Blood Donors Award”; Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College with champion, Pui Ching Middle School with second place and Kao Ip Middle School with third place of “Secondary School with the Greatest Percentage of Blood Donors Award”; Hou Kong Middle School with “Secondary School with the Highest Number of Blood Donors Award”; The Workers’ Children High School, Ling Nam Secondary School, Yuet Wah College, Instituto Salesaino, Macau Baptist College and Kwong Tai Middle School with “School Blood Motivation Award”; Academy of Public Security Forces with champion, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau with second place and Macao Customs with third place of “Government Department with the Highest Number of Blood Donors Award”; MGM Macau with champion, Kiang Wu Hospital with second place and Macao SLOT Co. Ltd with third place of “Organization with the Highest Number of Blood Donors Award”; PLA Macao Garrison and Pui Ching Middle School were awarded with “10 Year of Collaboration Award” and “20 Years of Collaboration Award” respectively. During the ceremony, “Excellent Volunteer Service Award” and “Best Volunteer Service Award” were also presented to volunteers of the Blood Donor Volunteer Corps who have contributed more than 100 and 150 service hours respectively to commend them for their effort dedicated to the Blood Transfusion Service and their assistance in promoting blood drives.
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