News

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) organized for the first time a Macau destination presentation in the Middle East to promote the tourism of the city among travel operators and media in the region, aiming to attract more visitors from this part of the world, stimulating the diversification of the source of visitors to Macau. MGTO has been striving to explore opportunities to expand the tourism market from the Middle East, a market with huge potential. Macau is participating for the forth consecutive year at the most important tourism fair in the region, the Arabian Travel Market, held in Dubai from 4 to 7 of May, and this year, for the first time, on the eve of the event, MGTO hosted a Macau destination presentation. During the presentation, MGTO’s Market Division chief Betty Fok introduced to dozens of Middle East travel trade and media, the Macau World Heritage, its leisure tourism products, infrastructures for business tourism and entertainment, among others, presenting Macau tourism situation and helping to expand the market in this part of the world. On its 17th edition, ATM was held the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Macau booth at the event was dedicated to the theme “Experience Macau”, and the five senses, “See, Taste, Feel, Hear, Touch”, showcasing the unique difference of Macau. The number of visitors from the Middle East to Macau more than tripled from 2,000 in 2004 to 7,700 in 2009, revealing that Macau is an increasing popular destination among Middle East visitors. On the first quarter of the year, the number of visitors from the Middle East increased by 21.88 percent compared to the same period last year. ATM is the leading travel and tourism exhibition in the Arabic world and the Middle East. According to organizers, the event attracted last year 2,180 exhibitors, 15,000 visitors and 1000 media representatives.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the population of Macao was estimated at 542,400 as at 31 March 2010, similar to 542,200 at end-2009. In the first quarter of 2010, there were 1,191 live births, down by 13.9% quarter-to-quarter. Gender ratio of the newborn was 103.2, with 605 male babies. Number of mortality cases totalled 459 and the major underlying causes of death were Neoplasms and Diseases of the Circulatory System. Meanwhile, 4 cases of fetal mortality were recorded. There were 1,106 cases of Notifiable diseases reported in this quarter, consisting mainly of Influenza (276 cases), Enterovirus Infection (255 cases) and Acute Norovirus gastroenteropathy (143 cases). In addition, 867 cases of marriage registration were recorded, up by 3.1% over the fourth quarter of 2009. In the first quarter of 2010, there were 758 Chinese immigrants moving to Macao with One-way Exit Permit, a decrease of 22 quarter-to-quarter; meanwhile, 250 illegal immigrants were repatriated. Moreover, a total of 1,948 individuals were authorized to reside in Macao, down by 1,018 quarter-to-quarter. Total number of non-resident workers stood at 72,843 at the end of the first quarter, down by 2,062 quarter-to-quarter.
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The Offshore Group of Insurance Supervisors will hold its 17th Annual Working Meeting in Macau from the 10th to the 13th of May 2010 under the auspices of the Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM). There will be 15 overseas delegates from offshore insurance regulatory authorities attending this meeting from the following jurisdictions: Bahamas; Bermuda; British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands: Curacao; Gibraltar; Guernsey; Isle of Man; Jersey and Samoa. According to the agenda of the meeting, the main focus on the first day will be on discussions relating to “Achieving Solvency II Equivalence”. On the second day, reports from various jurisdictions will be reviewed, including the reports from the Education Committee and from the Committee set up to deal with various projects of the OGIS. On the final day, the Group will debate on the recent developments of the IAIS (International Association of Insurance Supervisors), including other international issues in the area of insurance. The meeting will take place at the World Trade Center, “Macau Room” – 17th Floor, on the 10th, 11th and 12th of May starting at 09:00 a.m. The Opening Ceremony will be presided by the Chairman of the AMCM, Mr. Anselmo Teng.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 694 new companies were incorporated in the first quarter of 2010, up by 26.9% year-on-year; the total value of registered capital surged by 99.2% to MOP88 million. Among these new companies, 251 were operating in Wholesale and Retail, with the registered capital amounting to MOP25 million; meanwhile, 133 were operating in Business Services and 97 in Construction. Furthermore, 444 new companies (64.0% of total) were incorporated with registered capital under MOP50,000 and the value of capital (MOP12 million) made up merely 13.2% of the total. Meanwhile, there were 13 new companies incorporated with registered capital of MOP1,000,000 or over, and the value of capital (MOP47 million) accounted for 53.6% of the total. In addition, more than 80% of the new incorporations were limited companies. Capital of the new companies came mainly from Macao (MOP66 million), Mainland China (MOP7 million) and Hong Kong (MOP4 million). Capital from Guangdong Province (MOP4 million) took the lead among the Pan-Pearl River Delta provinces. Analyzed by place of residence of the shareholders, 457 new companies were established solely by Macao shareholders, 84 were joint ventures between shareholders from Macao and other countries or regions. In the first quarter of 2010, number of companies in dissolution totalled 128 and the value of registered capital amounted to MOP21 million, of which the registered capital of 39 Wholesale and Retail companies in dissolution accounted for 31.1%.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today continued with his series of visit to nine neighhouring cities with a tour to Guangzhou and Zhongshan. Mr Chui and his delegation of Government officials arrived in Guangzhou in the morning and met the Secretary of Guangzhou Municipal Committee of the CPC, Mr Zhang Guangning, and the Mayor of Guangzhou, Mr Wan Qingliang. Mr Zhang emphasised the importance of the relationship between Macao and Guangdong and urged for more bilateral co-operation. Mr Chui responded that Guangzhou had all along been supporting Macao in different areas and he hoped that the city could facilitate Macao in its drive to diversify its economy. After the meeting, Mr Chui visited the Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center and Guangzhou South Railway Station at the accompany of Mr Wan. In the afternoon, the delegation left for Zhongshan where members visited a textile factory set up by a Macao businessman and a business district in the city, before meeting with the Secretary of Zhongshan Municipal Committee of the CPC, Mr Chen Genkai. Mr Chen said that the Government and business sector of Macao had made important contributions to the development of Macao and he hoped that Macao would continue to support and help develop Zhongshan. In response, Mr Chui said that Macao and Zhongshan may further co-operate in services industry and finance industry. The delegation included the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary-General of Executive Council, Ms O Lam, the Director of Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Fung Sio Weng and Mr Kou Chin Hung, and Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive, Ms Tam Ka Wa.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government will organize an Academic Research Lecture in the Cultural Affairs Bureau Auditorium (Edifício do Instituto Cultural, Tap Seac Square, Macao) at 6:30pm on Friday 14 May. Chan Wei Ming, professor at the College of History of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, will give a lecture on “Issues Relating to the Standard of Living and Consumption in Macao during the Qing Dynasty”. The lecture will discuss the development of consumption pattern of Macao people in the Qing Dynasty and the implications of economic and cultural evolution for such development. It will make a historical interpretation of the means of livelihood, the level, fashion, type, structure and characteristics of the consumption of Macao people back in the Qing Dynasty. Based on his in-depth analysis, the speaker will share his social consumption research approaches and his views on aspects related to consumption and culture. Chen Wei Ming, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts in Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, a professor at the university's College of History and a Ph.D. supervisor at the university, received his Ph.D. in studies of history of Ming and Qing Dynasties from the University of Hong Kong's School of Chinese in 1990 and M.A. in studies of ancient Chinese history from the University of Jinan University's College of History. He has successfully led projects in the Mainland, Macao and Hong Kong, including research projects for National Social Science Foundation of China, planning projects for the Ministry of Education, planning projects for Guangdong Province, projects for National Commission for Classics Editing & Research by Institutions of Higher Learning and science research projects for Macao and Hong Kong institutions. He is the author of over ten specialized teaching materials and over 140 academic research papers in the Mainland, Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In 2007, he was awarded a research grant by the Cultural Affairs Bureau to study the standard of living and consumption of Macao during the Qing Dynasty.
The lecture will be given in Mandarin with Cantonese, Portuguese and English simultaneous interpretation.
Entrance is free. For further details, please contact Ms. Chu of the Macao Historical Archives of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at 85986537.
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News in connection with property mortgage related credits granted by banks has had the attention of the Monetary Authority of Macao (“AMCM”) recently. All along, property mortgage related credits have accounted for a significant portion in Macao banking business. As the financial regulatory body, AMCM has been keeping a close watch on the development of property mortgage business, maintaining surveillance on the quality of underlying assets, requiring or reminding banks to stay vigilant and remain prudent, on a timely basis. At times, AMCM reviews the methodology of credit risk management to avert undesirable market competition, prevent over expansion of mortgage related credits, and reinforce relevant risk management. Back in February 2008, AMCM rolled out a consultation paper relating to guideline on risk management of property mortgage business. Based on the bedrock of the same paper, AMCM is conducting consultations with banking practitioners regarding supervisory requirements. Reference will be made to a series of events happened in the past in the mortgage market which have caused concern, such as low interest rates, 90% or above loan-to-value ratio. New supervisory guideline will be formulated to set lower loan-to-value ratio and other more prudent requirements. It will help banks in the upkeep of continued stability in the face of market competition.
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Commissioner for Tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Philip Yung led a delegation to Macau for the third annual meeting between the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and Macau SARs today (May 5). Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U hosted a luncheon for the delegation.
The 9-member delegation comprising the Tourism Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong Tourism Board and Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong held the third annual meeting with the Macau Government Tourist Office. Members of the delegation included Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Anthony Lau and Executive Director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong Joseph Tung, among others. The delegation met with Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Deputy Directors Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Pires and heads of relevant departments to review the tourism performance in 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, to exchange information on the major tourism initiatives and events launched in 2009 to counter the effects of the global financial crisis, to discuss the outlook of tourism development in 2010, to report on progress of “honest and quality tourism” initiatives and also exchange crisis management framework and experience. The officials also discussed tourism cooperation issues such as promotion of “multi-destination” itineraries, MICE market development and tourism quality enhancement. Speaking at the luncheon, Secretary Cheong U expressed that Macau and Hong Kong are popular destinations for the Mainland and overseas visitors, who are attracted by each of the cities’ distinctive tourism features that, when complemented with each other in developing “multi-destination” itineraries, can achieve a win-win situation for the tourism industry of the two places. At the same time, he believed the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and Macau can further strengthen cooperation through experience exchange and joint promotion. With their joint efforts and dedication, the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and Macau have achieved effective results in promoting quality tourism practices, enhancing service quality and improving the handling of tourist complaints.
Chief of Cabinet of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cecilia Cheung, President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Ung Vai Meng, President of the Institute for Tourism Studies Fanny Vong, President of the Consumer Council Wong Hong Neng, Secretary General of the Tourism Development Committee Nadia Leong and members the Tourism Development Committee also attended the luncheon. Some members of the Hong Kong delegation joined a site inspection to the Mandarin’s House and the Science Center in the afternoon. MGTO and the relevant tourism authorities of Hong Kong held the first annual tourism meeting between the Hong Kong and Macau SARs in 2008, which set a framework for the tourism authorities of the two places to meet and exchange regularly.
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Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), João Manuel Costa Antunes was elected Vice Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) for the year 2010-2012, and at the same time, Chairman-Elect of PATA for the next term. This year, PATA’s Annual Meeting was held between April 22 to 26 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. On April 24, the council elected João Manuel Costa Antunes Vice Chairman of PATA for the year 2010-2012. Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. MGTO has been a member of PATA for over half a century since 1958. PATA is recognized as a leading tourism organization in the Asia Pacific Region. It has currently over 800 full members and 7,474 chapter members around the globe. PATA's membership boasts about 104 government, state and city tourism bodies, 51 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. PATA Chapter is the foundation of the Association with 39 chapters all over the world, of which PATA Macau Chapter was set up in 1983 and it has over 70 members at present. There has been a close tie between Macau and PATA. MGTO has participated in different tourism events and activities organized by PATA. Between 1980 and 2002, PATA conducted 5 task force projects to provide guidelines and recommendations of tourism development in Macau. These projects include “Macau – A study of Tourism Development” in 1980 regarding the balance between preservation and tourism development; “Macau Education Task Force” in 1990 that concerning overall education and training framework to meet short and long term manpower needs; “Macau tourism in Transition” in 1994 which is about development of a MICE destination; “Macau Tourism Marketing – A new Focus for the Millennium” in 1996 which talked about setting up overseas representation office; “A study of the Future of Macau’s Tourism and its International Airport in the Context of the Pearl River Delta Region” in 2002 regarding market diversification and interrelationship between aviation network and marketing promotion. Since 1996, MGTO has been supporting the PATA Gold Awards Luncheon, so as to promote Macau tourism. In 2005, the 54th PATA Annual Conference was successfully held in Macau and its MICE industry then entered a new era.
Antunes was awarded PATA Life Membership in 2005. Previous to the appointment as the Chairman-Elect, he played a role as the member of Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Audi & Finance Committee, Honours Committee, as well as Chair in the Nominating Committee and Government/Destination Committee. According to the bylaws of PATA, the Chairman-Elect will serve for a two-year term with immediate effect, and shall succeed to the Office of Chairman upon expiration of the preceding Chairman’s term, for another two years. Macau SAR Government extends her warmest congratulations to Director Antunes for the appointment and believes his role can further strengthen cooperation between PATA and MGTO, boosting the multi-diversification development of Macau, consolidating Macau’s position as an international leisure and business tourism destination. PATA Travel Mart 2010 – one of the largest travel fair in Asia will be held in September in Macau, and the Macau SAR Government will take an active role for the preparatory work for the success of this prestigious event.
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Organizada pelo “Trade Development Council” de Hong Kong, realizou-se nos passados dias 20 a 23 de Abril, no Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, a 25.ª edição da “Hong Kong Houseware Fair”. Trata-se do maior certame deste género na Ásia, para a mostra dos últimos produtos de lar e têxteis, em que participaram mais de 2400 expositores provenientes de 32 países e regiões. A entidade organizadora apoiou na constituição de 122 delegações comerciais, compostas por mais de 5500 compradores internacionais, que se deslocaram a Hong Kong especificamente para visitar a referida feira. O recinto estava dividido em várias zonas temáticas. Na “Galeria de Essência”, estavam expostas marcas e designs de elevada qualidade de 42 empresas internacionais, provenientes da Austrália, Canadá, Itália, Japão, Holanda, Hong Kong, Espanha, Suíça, Taiwan e Tailândia. A área de produtos para animais de estimação foi um dos principais pontos de atracção da Feira, dado que se encontravam aí reunidos vários produtos e serviços destinados a animais de estimação, além de produtos aquários, artigos de pet care, equipamentos para decoração de lojas e materiais para embalagem, tudo isto tendo em mira satisfazer à procura cada vez mais crescente do mercado. Conjuntamente com o referido evento, foi realizada a “Hong Kong International Homes Textiles Fair”, onde estavam patentes diversos tipos de tecidos de moda, tanto para uso doméstico como comercial, incluindo artigos para casas de banho e quartos de dormir, tapetes e revestimentos para pavimentos, acessórios para decoração do lar, mesas, cadeiras e artigos têxteis para refeições, visando oferecer mais oportunidades de negócio aos expositores. Ao longo dos anos, o Instituto de Promoção do Comércio e do Investimento de Macau (IPIM) tem apoiado a “Hong Kong Houseware Fair”, nomeadamente, através da organização de delegações comerciais para visitar a mesma, com o objectivo de oferecer às empresas de Macau oportunidades para explorar novos negócios e expandir a sua esfera comercial para o exterior, agarrando nas oportunidades que lhe são deparadas. A referida iniciativa do IPIM foi acolhida com bastante entusiasmo por parte das empresas. Assim, para a presente edição, 10 empresas locais, representando vários ramos de negócios, nomeadamente, móveis, decorações para o lar, artigos para casas de banho e tesouras, além de outros, participaram no evento com inscrição feita através do IPIM. De acordo com os membros da delegação, através da presente exposição, tiveram oportunidades para manter contactos com os seus actuais parceiros comerciais e estabelecer parceria com novos clientes. Durante o período da feira, os empresários de Macau negociaram encomendas da ordem dos seis milhões de patacas, tendo ficado satisfeitos com os resultados obtidos. O Pavilhão de Macau estava situado no Salão de Exposições 3 e contou com uma área de 108 metros quadrados. Pretendeu-se, através do referido pavilhão, promover o ambiente do investimento em Macau e dos serviços prestados pelo IPIM. Foi também aproveitada a oportunidade para promover a Feira de Franchisising de Macau 2010 e a 15.ª Feira Internacional de Macau (MIF). O IPIM irá organizar mais uma delegação de empresários de Macau para participar na próxima edição do “Hong Kong Houseware Fair”, a realizar-se de 20 a 23 de Abril de 2011. As empresas locais interessadas em participar no referido evento são bem-vindas a contactar a Sra. Wong do Departamento de Actividades Promocionais do IPIM, através do telefone número (853) 8798 9295.
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