News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI for February 2008 rose by 9.47% over February 2007 to 122.64, with significant increase in the price indices of Food & non-alcoholic beverages (+17.44%), Housing & fuels (+14.70%) and Health (+13.07%). As a consequence of the Lunar New Year and the bad weather in the Mainland, food prices surged markedly, among the subgroups, notable increase was observed in the prices of fresh pork (+59.17%), vegetable (+41.45%), edible oil (+30.49%), chilled or frozen poultry (+28.39%), salt-water fish (+22.43%) and charges for the meals bought away from home (+13.06%). For the subgroups of Housing & fuels and Health, significant price increase was noted in LP Gas (+32.81%), charges of maintenance and repair services of dwelling (+26.21%), rental for housing (+15.60%) and medical consultation service (+24.42%) However, the price indices of Communication and Education registered year-on-year decrease of 8.60% and 5.84% respectively. The CPI-A and CPI-B for February 2008 rose by 10.40% and 9.30% year-on-year. The Composite CPI for January to February went up by 8.89% over the same period of 2007; for the 12 months ended February 2008, the average Composite CPI rose by 6.33% over the preceding period. On account of the Lunar New Year, the Composite CPI increased by 2.53% over January 2008, with rising charges of outbound package tours and hairdressing services, dearer prices of fresh flower. Besides, prices of fresh food soared significantly as a result of the snowstorm in the Mainland, along with higher rental of housing and rising prices of LP gas, marked increase was recorded in the price indices of Recreation & culture (+6.03%), Food & non-alcoholic beverages (+4.73%), Miscellaneous goods and services (+3.15%) and Housing & fuels (+1.99%). On the other hand, the indices of Clothing & footwear; and Communication dropped by 2.02% and 0.04% respectively due to the discount sale of men and women’s clothing and footwear, as well as price reduction of mobil phones. In addition, the CPI-A and CPI-B for February 2008 increased by 2.85% and 2.45% respectively month-to-month. The Composite CPI reflects the impacts of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 49% of households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP 3,000 to MOP 9,999. The CPI-B relates to about 31% of households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP 10,000 to MOP 19,999.
…

Every year, on 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), its 188 Members, as well as the worldwide meteorological communities, celebrate World Meteorological Day. This Day commemorates the entry into force, in 1950, of the Convention that created this specialized agency of the United Nations System, after the meeting of Meteorological Services Directors in September 1949. The International Meteorological Organization is the forerunner of the present-day World Meteorological Organization founded in 1873 in Vienna. For the year 2008 was chosen the theme “Observing our Planet for a Better Future”, in recognition of the scientific and socio-economic benefits derived by WMO Members, their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and by the Organization as a whole, from the expanded, wide-ranging and authoritative observations made in the context of WMO’s mandate in weather, climate and water. Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) organized a set of activities in order to inform the population about the different areas of human activities in which the meteorology plays an important role, in general, and, in particular, about the activities undertaken by SMG which contribute for the sustainable development of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The first commemoration activity of the “World Meteorological Day 2008”, is “Safe Energy Reduce Emission start from me” talk in primary and secondary schools, with objective for the students understand in deep the climate change, its impacts on our life and the response from us. This activity is related to the formal extension to Macao of the Kyoto Protocol on 14 of January 2008. Other activity is a new service call “e-ME Electronic Mail Dissemination of Weather Report” after registration by the population, SMG will sent to his e-mail address the weather report chosen thought SMG website. A celebration ceremony will be held at SMG headquarters, on 20 of March at 10:00 a.m. in the Taipa Grande. It will also included on this occasion the beginning of the Typhoon Committee logo contest by the Typhoon Committee Secretary which is an activity take place in collaboration with SMG followed by a press conference. Looking at the history, in 23 March 1950, the WMO Convention created the World Meteorological Organization. This Organization has taken the responsibility of her predecessor, the International Meteorological Organization, for which has tasked to coordinate international cooperation in meteorology since 1873. In 1951, one year after it’s created, WMO was designated a specialized agency of the United Nations System. From there, it is celebrated annually the World Meteorological Day. In the last five years, it was defined the following themes for the WMD celebrations by all international meteorological community: “Polar Meteorology: Understanding Global Impacts (2007); “Preventing and Mitigating Natural Disasters” (2006); “Weather, Climate, Water and Sustainable Development” (2005); “Weather, Climate and Water in the Information Age” (2004); and “Our Future Climate” (2003).
…

The Chief Executive Edmund Ho has said that the SAR Government would use different policies and measures to regulate the tourism industry, in particular the development of the gaming industry, to boost Macao’s sustainable development. Mr Ho said told reporters this after he was received by the President Hu Jintao this afternoon after he attended the closing ceremony of the 11th National People’s Congress in Beijing. During the meeting, the Chief Executive also updated the President on Macao’s latest development. Mr Ho said Mr Hu encouraged Macao citizens to dedicate their efforts to supporting “One Country Two Systems” and to face new challenges with one mind and one heart. The President was pleased with Macao’s achievement, particularly in social and economic development. After Macao’s return to the motherland for almost nine years, Mr Ho said it was time to review regulations on the gaming industry, study methods to diversify the economy and to formulate appropriate policies for Macao’s sustainable development. Mr Ho said cultural tourism was one way to diversify the economy, by enhancing co-operations with Guangdong and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the SAR Government would continue to implement the “One Country, Two Systems” in Macao, and stabilise the society with harmony for the two important elections – the Chief Executive election and the Legislative Assembly election to be held in next year.
…

The business world is everchanging. To maximise the profit with limited resource, the techniques of Revenue Management is essential to any corporate. With this reason, IFT has co-organised a two-day Executive Development Programmes on “Revenue Management” on 17 & 18 March, jointly with Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management. The programme has attracted over 30 senior executives from various major hotels and tourism organisations. IFT has the honour of inviting Dr. Sheryl E. Kimes, professor of operations management at the School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University. Professor Kimes earned her doctorate in Operations Management in 1987 from the University of Texas at Austin. She previously served as the interim dean and the Director of Graduate Studies of the School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University. Dr. Kimes mainly teaches restaurant revenue management, yield management and food and beverage management. She has been named the school’s graduate teacher of the year three times. She has published over 50 articles in leading journals and her research interests include revenue management and forecasting in the restaurant, hotel and golf industries. She has served as a consultant to many hospitality enterprises around the globe. The focus of the programme is on professional knowledge in revenue management. Topics covered include: - Strategic Revenue Management
- Pricing and Distribution Channels
- Non-Traditional Revenue Management As the tourism industry is glowing swiftly in Macao, so will the demand for knowledgeable professionals. Through this programme, participants learned frontier knowledge and skills of revenue management, such as managing time and price, forecasting and demand control charts, distribution channels, etc. They were also updated with the concepts of non-traditional revenue management through case discussions and hands-on assignments, which help them to improve their strategies to effectively maximise the profit for their corporations. IFT always advance the research level as to contribute to the industry and the society. By organising various seminars and workshops, IFT is devoted to constantly share with the industry the most updated information and research findings, in order to foresee the future of Macao’s tourism industry and to enhance its development.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, has arrived in Beijing for tomorrow's closing ceremony of the 11th National People’s Congress. Mr Ho told reporters at Macao International Airport as he left this morning that he hoped he might have the chance to meet with State leaders during his visit. Asked about the recently announced string of measures to help the public tackle rising inflation, Mr Ho said the SAR Government would continue to introduce relief measures at the appropriate time. He stressed that the Government would closely monitor the economic development and inflation in Macao. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, is acting Chief Executive during Mr Ho’s absence.
…

The Statistics and Census Service released the results of the Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages for the fourth quarter of 2007. The survey coverage includes Wholesale & retail trade; Transport, storage & communications; Security activities; and Public sewage & refuse disposal activities, but excludes the own-account workers engaging in these industries. The survey results were extrapolated from the data obtained from 990 statistical units successfully interviewed, given as follows: At the end of the fourth quarter of 2007, a total of 24,079 paid employees were working in Wholesale & retail trade, up by 13.2% over the same period of 2006, with 13,503 engaging in Retail trade. The average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) for full-time employees in December 2007 was MOP 8,045, representing a year-on-year increase of 10.5%. Sales representatives and Salespersons earned MOP 9,852 and MOP 6,965 respectively in average. Transport, storage & communications took on 7,346 paid employees, which rose by 3.4% compared with the fourth quarter of 2006. In December 2007, the average earnings for full-time employees in this sector increased by 8.3% year-on-year to MOP 14,186. The average earnings for Passenger vehicle/truck drivers in Land transport was MOP 13,126. Security activities had 3,704 paid employees, up by 5.6% year-on-year. The average earnings for full-time employees in December 2007 was MOP 6,362, up by 12.4% year-on-year, with Security guards earning MOP 5,966 in average. There were 620 paid employees working in Public sewage & refuse disposal activities, up by 8.4% compared with the fourth quarter of 2006; the average earnings for full-time employees in December 2007 increased by 4.7% year-on-year to MOP 10,975. At the end of December 2007, Wholesale & retail trade reported to have 4,078 vacancies, of which 2,333 were in Retail trade. Meanwhile, Transport, storage & communications and Security activities had 1,142 and 707 vacancies respectively. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 55.3% of the vacancies in Wholesale & retail trade and 36.0% in Transport, storage & communications required working experience; 61.0% and 27.4% of the vacancies in the above-mentioned industries required junior secondary or lower in educational attainment, while 87.6% of those in Security activities required primary education only; moreover, 48.5% of the vacancies in Wholesale & retail trade required, besides Cantonese, knowledge of Mandarin.
…

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has organized another series of seminar for professionals interested in convention and exhibitions organization. The speakers were MGTO’s consultants on business tourism development, Gary Grimmer and Mike Williams. Certificates would be awarded to the seminar participants. The seminars were divided into two main topics, “Meetings Business: Getting Your Share” and “Building Your Business: Developing the Convention and Incentive Market for Macau”, each involving a several day training program. “Meetings Business: Getting Your Share” was a three day training series held on January 15, March 4 and 11. The seminars targeted sales and marketing executives that have an involvement or interest in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry. The “Building Your Business: Developing the Convention and Incentive Market for Macau” training series, held on January 17 and March 6, were tailored for industry leaders to the MICE industry. The training series aim to help participants understand the MICE market, how it is changing, how customers think, how to be more successful in their sales and customer service, the sales opportunities that are being created and how to get involved. MGTO has been giving its full support to the development of the business tourism industry in Macau, actively contributing to the implementation of the government policies for this area. In this regard, MGTO organized again these training programs on business tourism which were held successfully held last October and December to enhance performance of the Macau convention and exhibitions industry. Two distinguished experts with rich experience in the conventions industry were invited to conduct the seminars to provide fresh information and ideas. Gary Grimmer is the CEO of the international consultant company on business tourism Gary Grimmer & Company. Prior to starting is own company, he was CEO of the Convention Bureau in Melbourne, Australia, and bureaux of Portland and Albuquerque, in the US. He also serves as chairman of ConventionWorks, a global convention industry consulting network. Born in the US, he lives in Australia. Mike Williams joined Gary Grimmer & Company as senior consultant in February, 2007. Prior to that he served as general manager sales of the Melbourne Convention Bureau where he led the community’s bid teams to secure major international and national business events to the city. He also oversaw strategic planning and marketing programs within the Bureau.
…

The Government today announced a 814 million patacas package to help the public tackle rising inflation, ranging from a 1,800 pacatas electricity subsidy for all households to cash payment for the financially-challenged. A spokesman said it is hoped that these measures would help those whose buying power have been diminished by rising inflation and help enhance their living standard. All 180,000 households in Macao will see a 150 patacas payment into their electricity bill account for 12 months, effective April. Households who use less than 150 patacas electricity a month will see their balance carried forward. This subsidy will cost the Government 324 million patacas. Another payout, which is not means-tested, will be a 1,800 patacas one-off payment to recipients of the Old-Age Allowance. This will cost the Government 72.5 million. Other measures, with certain criteria to prevent abuse, are: - ensuring that low-paid Macao workers aged 40 and above get at least 4,000 pacatas per month, with the Government paying the difference if their salaries fall short of 4,000. The Executive Council will study the plan and unveil its details by a by-law shortly. This is expected to benefit 16,000 workers and will cost the Government 350 million patacas. Other measures include: - giving financially-challenged households that are on welfare, a one-off payment equivalent to three monthly payments, in April. In addition, three types of families that are especially in difficulties will get another three monthly payments, as well as extra subsidies in May and August. These measures will cost the Government 67.5 million patacas. Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said at a press conference as the Government could not control the prices of commodities in a free society, it is hoped that these measures would help the people alleviate some of their hardship. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, said on another occasion, that the Government would continue to monitor the effects of inflation and study other possible solutions to help the public. He added that in view of these new measures, the Social Services Committee would further discuss a possible adjustment to the Old-Age Allowance.
…

To ensure that visitors to Macau enjoy their experience to the fullest, Macau Government Tourist Office has published a pamphlet with useful information about traveling to Macau. The pamphlet is available to the public at major entry checkpoints as well as MGTO’s information counters. Visitors can also download the pamphlet from MGTO’s website. With the support of Public Security Police, Port Authority and ADA - Administration of Airports Ltd, the pamphlets listed with travel tips reminding visitors to consider details of their itineraries, travel insurance, accommodation, sightseeing, meals and shopping arrangement are distributed at immigration counters at the Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal, Border Gate Checkpoint Building, Macau International Airport and COTAI Checkpoint as well as MGTO’s Information Counters around the city. In addition, Association of Macau Tourist Agents, Macau Travel Agency Association, Travel Industry Council of Macau, Macau Tourist Guide Association and Macau Consumer Council also help to deliver the pamphlets to their members for distribution. 350,000 copies of the pamphlets in traditional and simplified Chinese are ready for distribution, while English and Portuguese versions will be available later. Pamphlets in simplified Chinese can also be downloaded from MGTO’s website http://www.macautourism.gov.mo
…

IFT Educational Restaurant is newly renovated and is proud to present the tropical Sri Lankan Food Promotion on 10-14 March. Two young chefs, Chef Dhanuska Kumara and Chef Romuald Machado from Sri Lanka are invited to be guest chefs during the week. Sri Lanka is south of India and has been a colony of Portugal, the Netherlands and UK. Its cuisine was highly affected by these countries, yet, it carries a unique taste of the Indian Ocean. The chefs will bring us a variety of traditional Sri Lankan delights, including Karawila Salad, Devilled Seafood, Yellow Rice with Sultanas, Chicken Coriander Curry and much more. A wide selection of Sri Lankan teas and mocktails will also be offered during lunch. In addition, a Sri Lankan tea demonstration will be held on 13 March, featuring new crowned Asia Pacific Tea Sommelier Champion, Ms. Jiwanthi Adhikari. She will demonstrate her award winning tea cocktails and mocktails, as well as traditional teas using the famous Sri Lankan Dilmah Tea. This is a great chance to taste the best of Sri Lankan tea which tea lovers must not miss. Business Hours:
Buffet Lunch: 1230 – 1500 (MOP140/person, half price for aged under 12)
Buffet Dinner: 1900 – 2230 (MOP160/person, half price for aged under 12) Enquiries & reservations:
IFT Educational Restaurant (Tel.: 85983 123 / 077 / 168) IFT has always been dedicating to organise gourmet promotions of different ethnic cuisines for the public. At the same time, it arouses the interests of food services industry in Macao as to explore more ideas in cooking. Along with the Sri Lankan Food Promotion, Chefs Kumara and Machado will host a Culinary Workshop on 12 & 13 March at IFT, which local chefs and IFT students will have valuable opportunity to experience the Sri Lankan cuisine. It aims to inspire the participants to create innovative gourmets, which contribute to the development of tourism in Macao.
…