News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the total value of exports of goods amounted to MOP1.35 billion in April 2008, down by 14.2% year-on-year; domestic exports decreased by 11.6% to MOP830 million, and re-exports dropped by 18.1% to MOP523 million. Total value of imports of goods amounted to MOP3.78 billion, up by 4.4% year-on-year. A trade deficit of MOP2.43 billion was recorded for April 2008. During the period of January-April 2008, the total exports fell by 9.0% year-on-year to MOP5.36 billion, of which domestic exports and re-exports declined by 8.4% and 10.1% respectively. Meanwhile, the imports grew by 10.8% to MOP14.15 billion, bringing about a trade deficit of MOP8.79 billion. The exports/imports ratio decreased from 46.1% in the first four months of 2007 to 37.9% in the same period of 2008. Exports of Textile & garment, accounting for 59.5% of the total exports in the first four months of 2008, declined by 12.9% over the same period of 2007; moreover, exports of Non-textile fell by 2.7%, of which Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof and Footwear dropped by 49.2% and 45.9% respectively. In the first four months of 2008, exports to the USA, Mainland China and the EU decreased by 5.0%, 38.6% and 35.6% respectively year-on-year, while that to Hong Kong rose by 21.9%. The main suppliers of imported goods to Macao concentrated in the Asian region, imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong, comprising 51.6% of the total imports in the first four months of 2008, rose by 6.6% and 20.3% respectively year-on-year. In terms of broad economic categories, imports of Fuels & lubricants and Consumer goods in the first four months of 2008 expanded by 32.7% and 28.7% respectively year-on-year, but imports of Raw materials & semi-manufactures and Capital goods decreased by 10.6% and 1.4% respectively.
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Macao today sent 20 medical staff to Sichuan to help provide medical treatments to victims of the catastrophic earthquake, after getting the Central Government’s approval. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, saw the team off at the airport this morning. He told the press that Macao had made donations and sent food and other supplies to the affected area earlier. Soon after the earthquake, the Macao SAR Government contacted the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Macao and expressed its intention to send medical staff to Sichuan to help the victims. He said that more than 300 medical staff from the Health Bureau and Kiang Wu Hospital voluntarily registered for this medical team. The medical team will work at the Chengdu Third Peoples Hospital for two weeks.
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In relation to the article released by the magazine “East Week” on 28th May stating that UNESCO has suspended all promotional activities on world heritage of Macau, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) denies any refusal of UNESCO in Paris to promote Macau’s world heritage. MGTO has issued a clarification on 14th May stating that UNESCO in Paris has not refused to promote Macau’s world heritage and there is no reference at all by UNESCO about any change of status of Macau Heritage Sites. Last year MGTO acknowledged a proposal from her French Representative Office to launch an exhibition around the theme of Macau heritage in cooperation with artist Mr. Charles Chauderlot with UNESCO headquarters as a venue proposed by the artist. However, considering a relatively lengthy procedure to get the permission for any exhibition at UNESCO headquarters, MGTO Head Office instructed the French Representative Office to seek another venue for this exhibition. At present, MGTO’s preparations to promote Macau’s world heritage in Paris are still in progress.
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According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, the unemployment rate for February-April 2008 stood at 2.9%, same as that in the previous period (January-March 2008), but down by 0.3 percentage point year-on-year. The underemployment rate went up by 0.1 percentage point from the previous period to 1.6% in February-April 2008, up by 0.8 percentage point year-on-year. Total labour force was 328,000 and the labour force participation rate was 70.5%, which decreased by 0.2 percentage point from the previous period, but increased by 3.2 percentage points year-on-year. The employed population increased by about 1,100 over the previous period to 318,000, with increase in the number of persons working in Restaurants & similar activities and Real estate & business activities. The unemployed population held stable at around 9,600, with 5.0% of the total (500) searching for their first job, down by 2.4 percentage points over the previous period.
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The Olympic Flame has arrived in Macao tonight, for tomorrow’s Torch Relay in the afternoon. The Executive Vice-President of the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), Mr Yang Shuan, presented the tinder lamp to the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, who welcomed the Olympic Flame at the airport. In a speech at the welcoming ceremony, Mr Chui said all residents were excited for the first visit of the Olympic Flame to Macao, and he thanked the efforts of the Central Government, the International Olympic Committee and BOCOG. He said that the Olympic Flame belonged to the people of the world and it signified the aspirations and pursuit of the Olympic Spirit by all people. The Torch Relay would spread the blessing to people from all over the world and it also would also bring people’s best wishes to the Beijing Olympics. The Olympic Flame finally arrived in Macao, he said, and so all the people in Macao could do their part in the event and to pursue the Olympic dream. The people in Macao have all along been longing for the Beijing Olympics, which opens in August, he said. The Macao SAR Government, the Macao Olympic Committee, schools, organisations and all residents are well prepared for the Torch Relay, he said. Mr Chu wished the run tomorrow a success, and wished the best for the Beijing Olympic Games.
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Following on from the 2006 publication of The Canton-Macao Dagregisters relating to 1762, the Cultural Affairs Bureau announces the publication of the 1763 volume in this series, translated and annotated by Paul Van Dyke. The daily record, written up by the supercargoes of the United Dutch East India Chartered Company, recounts all issues relating to Dutch trade in China. The records also throw light on the links between Canton and Macao, where the merchants sojourned during the off-season, Macao’s role in international trade, and how current cooperation in the along the banks of Pearl River delta emerged. Publication of this series has been made possible through cooperation between the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leiden University and the National Archives of The Hague. The volume is available (Price: MOP 150.00) at the following sales counters: Macao Central Library, Macao Historical Archives, Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre, Seng Kwong Bookstore, Plaza Cultural Macau Lda. and Portuguese Bookstore.
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The 2010 Shanghai World Expo (the “Shanghai Expo”) will be held from 1 May to 31 October 2010 in Shanghai, China. It is another international event that focuses world attention, after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. So far, 205 countries and international organizations have confirmed to participate in the Expo; and it is expected to generate as many as 70 million visitors. Theme of Macao Pavilion: Macao – Spirit of Cultures, Essence of Harmony
Echoing the main theme of the Expo “Better City, Better Life”, the theme of Macao Pavilion is “Macao – Spirit of Cultures, Essence of Harmony”. Through showcasing the development and new physiognomy of Macao’s diverse economy and cultures, Macao will reveal the social “Spirit of Cultures, Essence of Harmony” inherited from Macao’s tradition of east and west cultural exchanges. Macao Pavilion is a self-built pavilion in the China Pavilion. Besides Macao Pavilion, China National Pavilion, Regional Government Pavilion, Hong Kong Pavilion and Taiwan Pavilion will also be constructed under China Pavilion. Macao Pavilion is located southwest of the China National Pavilion, next to the Hong Kong Pavilion. Macao Pavilion will cover a total construction area of 1,100 meter square; surface area of 600 meter square; and showroom area of 800 meter square. It is a temporary construction that will be demolished thereafter. Organization
The Competition is organized by several governmental departments and professional organizations. Hosted by the Office for Preparation of Macao’s Participation in the Shanghai World Expo, the Competition is organized jointly by Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Macao Association of Architects, Macao Institute of Engineers, Macao Designers Association; supported by Government Information Bureau, Economic Services, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Cultural Affairs Bureau, Macao Government Tourist Office; and funded by the Industrial and Commercial Development Fund. The Competition seeks innovative, unique and excellent workable proposals from the local talents for the construction of Macao Pavilion. Fairness and Justice Chaired by Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance, the Jury is seated by 11 jurors from government departments and professional associations. They are (1) Ms Ieong Pou Yee, Director of the Office for Preparation of Macao’s Participation in the Shanghai World Expo; (2) Mr Lo Veng Tak, Member of the Administration Committee of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau; (3) Mr Nuno Maria Roque Jorge, President of Macao Association of Architects; (4) Mr Leong Man Io, President of Macao Institute of Engineers; (5) Mr Dirco Fong, Chairman of Macao Designers Association; (6) Mr Chan Chi Ping, Director of Government Information Bureau; (7) Mr Sou Tim Peng, Director of Economic Services; (8) Mr Chang Chou Weng, Acting President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; (9) Ms Tse Heng Sai, Head of Promotion & Marketing Department; and (10) Mr Cheong Cheok Kio, Chief of Cultural Heritage Department, Cultural Affairs Bureau. A technical team of architects, engineers, designers and technology specialists has been set up to provide technical consultation to the Jury. The Competition will award first prize, second prize, third prize, 5 excellence entries and 10 selected entries. The prizes for the first three winning entries are MOP180,000, MOP60,000 and MOP30,000 accordingly; prize for excellence entry is MOP10,000 each; and prize for selected entry is MOP3,000 each. All winning and selected entries will be displayed at a documentary exhibition on World Expo and 2010 Shanghai World Expo to be held in coming October. Self-built Macao Pavilion
Macao Pavilion symbolizes and represents Macao. To realize the conception of a self-built Macao Pavilion, the production of the Pavilion will employ basically Macao people. Likewise, the prerequisite of participants in the Competition is Macao permanent residency. Individual or group participation is admissible. For individual participant, he/she must be a holder of Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card qualified to register as listed architect with the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau. For group participants, member participants can be holders of Macao SAR Resident Identity Card as long as the group leader meets requirements for individual participant.
The threshold of professional qualification for this Competition is just qualification to register as listed architect with the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau, relatively low as compared to other parallel competitions (that may require participants to be registered architect). Also, as long as one is Macao resident, he/she can still participant in the Competition as a group. This requirement is to provide opportunities to both famous architects and high fliers to prove their talents. Requirements of Macao Pavilion design
The design of Macao Pavilion must incarnate its theme so as to feature Macao’s image as a city of tourism, entertainment and leisure; and its cultures, new infrastructure and economic achievements after the Handover. The design must be in tune with that of China Pavilion and be attractive visually through applications of advanced multimedia technology and recognition of environmental protection concepts and materials. The concrete design contents should demonstrate, through the three aspects of cultural diversity, economic development and new physiognomy of Macao, the economic prosperity created by the harmonious blending of Macao’s multi-business and multi-cultures, with the intention to present Macao as a metropolis that is good for residing, traveling and business. Intellectual property rights
In consideration of the complexity of work involved and in view of successful construction of Macao Pavilion, and to adopt top technology in architecture and multimedia presentation, the intellectual property rights of the three winning entries shall be vested in the MSAR Government. The MSAR Government shall have the right to recommend any or all of the winning or selected entries, or after modifications, for adoption as the final plan of Macao Pavilion. The “Right of indication of authorship” shall remain with the respective winners. The MSAR Government will quote the names of winning participants should it publicize or duplicate their winning entries. Announcement of results in July
Entries should be submitted to Rua Dr. Pedro José Lobo, 1-3, Luso International Bank Building, 24/F, MACAO by post or by delivery before the submission deadline of 4 July 2008. Entries should be submitted during office hours, except weekends and public holidays. Results will be announced in July 2008. General information and application form can be downloaded from the MSAR Governmental Portal http://www.gov.mo/egi/Portal/index.htm and IACM homepage http://www.iacm.gov.mo. For technical enquiries, please email to info@2010expomacao.gov.mo. The organizer will reply within 7 days by email. For general information, please call Ms Ng at 85972245 or Mr Chan at 85972247.
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Permanent and non-permanent residents of Macao who will get a cash subsidy of 5,000 patacas and 3,000 patacas respectively, will start getting their money from July. Considering the buoyant economy and satisfactory fiscal income in recent years, the Government decided to introduce the programme in order to share economic gains with the residents, said the Spokesperson of the Executive Council, Mr Tong Chi Kin, at a press conference today. Residents with Macao Identification Cards on 1 July 2008 or before are entitled to the cash subsidy. The programme is expected to cost 2.6 billion patacas. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, told the press that the subsidy will be delivered in two ways -- bank transfer or crossed cheques. People on government payroll, pension or welfare, teachers receiving teaching subsidy, students receiving scholarship or on government loan, and the elderly receiving old-age allowance, will receive the subsidy by bank transfer in July. About 80,000 people will receive the money in this way. Other residents, estimated at some 460,000, will receive a crossed cheque by mail between July and September and they could deposit it into their accounts, up to June 2011. Residents with new addresses are required to declare it to the Identification Bureau or renew the record on the Bureau’s website from 2 June. The Government will also set up an office and a hotline for inquiries concerning the distribution of this subsidy. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, last month announced the granting of the cash subsidies when he attended a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, met with the management of six casino concessionaires today to exchange views on the development of the industry. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mr Tam disclosed that the discussions were focused on the commission rate on VIP chips and the number of tables. He said the operators had basically concurred that 1.25% is a reasonable rate for a commission cap. He said the Government would continue to review this matter and, if necessary, give operators some guidelines in line with the consensus they have reached, for their self-regulation, and would introduce measures to enforce the guidelines if necessary. The operators had offered different opinions on the number of gaming tables, Mr Tam said. He said that recently the Government has become concerned with the industry’s competition for the VIP business. The Government is responsible for the healthy and sustainable development of the industry and the balance between the interest of the industry and the society as a whole, said Mr Tam. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said at the Legislative Assembly last month that the Government was reviewing the future direction of the industry. Mr Tam said the Government believed that now is the appropriate time for the Government to play a more active role in directing the scale of the industry and maintaining its healthy development, four years after the first new operator entered the market. He reiterated the remarks of the Chief Executive – that the Government would strictly control the scale of the industry and co-ordinate with the industry for its healthy and sustainable development. Representatives of the six companies who attended today’s meeting included Mr Francis Lui of Galaxy Casino, S.A.; Mr Lawrence Ho of Melco PBL Jogos (Macau), S.A.; Ms Pansy Ho of MGM Grand Paradise, S.A.; Mr Stanley Ho of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A.; Mr Stephen Weaver of Venetian Macau, S.A. and Ms Linda Chan of Wynn Resorts (Macau), S.A.
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The Statistics and Census Service released the results of the Employment Survey for the first quarter of 2008. Principal indicators such as the labour force participation rate and unemployment rate have been published in April. In the first quarter of 2008, total labour force was estimated at 327,000, including 317,000 employed and 9,600 unemployed. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2007, the labour force registered an increase of 3,800, with the employed and the unemployed populations increasing by 3,700 and 100 respectively. Analysed by industry, the majority of the employed population were engaging in Recreational, cultural, gaming & other services (25.2%) and Hotels, restaurants & similar activities (12.8%). In terms of occupation, most of the employed population were Clerks (including casino dealers, floorpersons, betting service operators, etc.) and Service & sales workers, accounting for 26.0% and 21.7% respectively. The overall median monthly employment earnings was MOP8,200, with the median of those working in Recreational, cultural, gaming & other services amounting to MOP12,000. Median monthly employment earnings of the employed residents stood at MOP 9,500. Within the unemployed, 7.4% had never worked and were searching for their first job, with 92.6% had worked previously and were searching for a new job. With regard to the educational attainment, 43.1% of the unemployed had primary or lower education; 28.0% had junior secondary education and 22.0% had senior secondary education. For the unemployed that were searching for a new job, analyzed by the previous industry engaged, 33.5% were in Construction and 16.6% in Hotels, restaurants & similar activities. In terms of the previous occupation, 25.5% were Service & sales workers and 24.9% were Unskilled workers.
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