News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that in the third quarter of 2007, consumption of Electricity registered the largest growth among various forms of energy, up by 25.9% from the previous quarter and 30.0% year-on-year. This was followed by the consumption of Unleaded gasoline, up by 7.3% from the previous quarter and 17.9%
year-on-year. Meanwhile, consumption of Gas oil & diesel and Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dropped by 7.6% and 7.4% respectively in comparison with the previous quarter. On the other hand, the list prices of all types of fuels in the third quarter registered increases from the previous quarter as a result of the continous surge of international crude oil prices. The prices of Fuel oil (200 litres) and Common kerosene rose notably by 6.4% and 6.2% respectively. Compared with the same quarter of last year, the list prices of bottled LPG and centralised LPG rose by 13.1% and 11.0% respectively. In terms of imports of fuels, imports of Gas oil & diesel in the third quarter grew by 31.3% compared with the previous quarter. Imports of Unleaded gasoline and Gas oil & diesel registered marked increase of 33.2% and 19.0% respectively year-on-year.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, presided over the first meeting of the Economic Development Council this afternoon, where more than 40 business leaders and academics gathered and discussed a host of issues concerning the economy. The Council would focus on devising measures to help boost Macao's small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, told the press after the meeting. Mr Tam said the Government has introduced a number of measures to tackle the difficulties faced by the SMEs, in particular the shortage of human resources. He disclosed that in the last six months more than 1,000 SMEs employed imported workers and that the number of SMEs that applied for the loan schemes supported by the Government had increased by 300. Issues being discussed in the Council included diversification of industrial portfolio, development of MICE industry and shortage of human resources. Mr Tam said the Government would transform results of the discussions into different measures and policies to boost Macao's economy.
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To celebrate the 8th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at the Macao Post Headquarters at 9H00 to 17H30 on 20th December 2007 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “8th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region”. A commemorative envelope priced at MOP2.00 will be issued, together with the various philatelic products available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, the unemployment rate for August-October 2007 was 3.0%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period (July-September 2007) or 0.6 percentage point year-on-year. The underemployment rate went up by 0.1 and 0.3 percentage point over the previous period and the same period of 2006 respectively to 1.2%. Total labour force was estimated at 318,400, with a labour force participation rate of 70.3%, which decreased by 0.1 percentage point from the previous period but increased by 3.7 percentage points year-on-year. The employed population increased by 1,100 over the previous period to 308,800. The number of persons engaged in Hotels, restaurants & similar activities continued to rise, but that in the Construction sector decreased slightly. The unemployed population was estimated at 9,600, a decrease of 200 compared with the previous period. Among the unemployed, about 1,900 were searching for their first job, down by 1.5 percentage points over the preceding period to take up 19.3% of the total unemployed.
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The MSAR Government would resolutely devote all of its efforts to bring even better quality of life to its residents, and to ensure the long-term stability of the SAR. These pledges were asserted today by the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, when he spoke to the press after meeting President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao on his annual duty visit to Beijing. Mr Ho said that the Government would continue to put the interest of the residents first and share with the people the benefits reaped from Macao's rapid economic expansion. The Chief Executive said he had briefed the state leaders on the latest developments and the problems that emerged in the course of development, in particular some profound ones. Analysing these problems, Mr Ho said that Macao is now in a better position to tackle them. As regards to the rising demand for enhanced governance, Mr Ho said that it is a healthy phenomenon for Macao to hear its residents voice different opinions. Mr Ho returned to Macao this evening.
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President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao said today that they have positively appraised the past achievement of Macao and believe that Macao would continue to prosper under the leadership of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government. The Central Government appraised positively the achievement of the Macao SAR, which saw rapid economic expansion and advancement since the SAR's was established eight years ago, the President told the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, who was in Beijing for his annual duty visit to the capital. The President said he believed that the SAR Government would strive, and continue to govern in accordance to the law and adamantly build an even better Macao. President Hu said the new leadership elected at the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) last month would resolutely adhere to the principles of ''One Country, Two Systems'' and ''Macao People Governing Macao'' and a high degree of autonomy. He said that the Central Government would, as usual, give full support to the governance according to the law of the MSAR by the Chief Executive and the SAR Government. ''We have every confidence in the future of Macao,'' said President Hu. Mr Ho briefed the President on the latest developments in the Special Administrative Region (SAR). President Hu and Mr Ho last met in Shanghai in early October during the opening ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Also at today's meeting were Member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo Bureau, Mr Xi Jinping; State Councilor of State Council, Mr Tang Jiaxuan; Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Mr Ling Jihua; Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Liao Hui; and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian. Premier Wen Jiabao met Mr Ho prior to Mr Ho’s meeting with the President. Premier Wen said he had read Macao's Policy Address that was published last week, which outlined the SAR Government’s policy blueprint for next year. He said that the Central Government was more than pleased with the substantial economic achievement in Macao and believed that the SAR Government could surmount new problems and address new issues, which have emerged in the course of economic expansion. Also attending the meeting were Vice Premier, Ms Wu Yi; State Councilor of State Council, Mr Tang Jiaxuan; State Councilor of State Council and the Secretary-General of State Council, Mr Hua Jianmin; Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Liao Hui; and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that inward foreign direct investment to Macao reached MOP 12.96 billion in 2006, up by MOP 3.02 billion over 2005. Analyzed by investors’ place of usual residence, investment mainly came from Hong Kong, the United States and Mainland China, at MOP 5.47 billion, MOP 3.16 billion, and MOP 750 million respectively. In addition, outward direct investment made by Macao enterprises registered MOP 5.09 billion, resulting in a net inflow of foreign direct investment to Macao, at MOP 7.87 billion. In 2006, income earned by investors from inward foreign direct investment totalled MOP 19.74 billion, a significant increase of MOP 8.46 billion over 2005. Meanwhile, income earned by Macao enterprises from outward direct investment rose by MOP 170 million to MOP 450 million. At the end of 2006, stock of inward foreign direct investment to Macao amounted to MOP 51.94 billion, which soared by MOP 11.70 billion from 2005. Stock of outward direct investment made by Macao enterprises increased by MOP 4.64 billion over 2005 to MOP 8.53 billion. In terms of industry, stock of foreign direct investment to Macao was mainly concentrated in Gaming sector, at MOP 32.77 billion, an increase of MOP 8.42 billion over 2005, which was followed by the Financial sector (MOP 10.25 billion), Industrial Production (MOP 2.93 billion) and Hotels & Restaurants (MOP 2.59 billion), up by MOP 1.95 billion, MOP 67 million and MOP 89 million respectively compared with 2005. Stock of inward foreign direct investment from Hong Kong amounted to MOP 29.69 billion in 2006, an increment of MOP 4.22 billion year-on-year. This was followed by investment from the United States and Mainland China, at MOP 9.60 billion and MOP 4.70 billion, up by MOP 3.21 billion and MOP 830 million respectively over 2005. Direct Investment Statistics covers the major industries of Macao, namely Industrial Production; Construction; Wholesale & Retail; Hotels & Restaurants; Transport, Storage & Communications; Financial Services; Gaming; and Cultural, Recreational & Other Services. Altogether, there were 1,698 foreign direct investment enterprises in 2006, among which 1,650 engaged in the Non-financial sector and 48 enterprises were in the Financial sector.
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According to the information released by the Statistics and Census Service, the resident population of Macao was estimated at 531,000 as at 30 September 2007, an increase of about 25,000 compared with the same period of 2006. In the third quarter of 2007, there were 1,200 live births, up by 20.8% over the second quarter. Among the live births, 51.4% were male. The number of mortality cases reported was 346 and the major underlying causes of death were “Malignant neoplasms” and “Diseases of the circulatory system”. Meanwhile, 3 cases of fetal mortality were recorded. The Health Bureau received 311 cases of Notifiable diseases in this quarter, including 119 cases of “Varicella (chickenpox)”, 93 cases of “Tuberculosis of lung” and 37 cases of “Enterovirus infection”. In addition, 505 marriages were registered, down by 4.7% over the second quarter of 2007. Regarding the migratory flow, the number of legal immigrants from Mainland China totalled 637 in the third quarter of 2007, an increase of 146 over the preceding quarter; meanwhile, 418 illegal immigrants were repatriated. The quarter-end balance of persons that were authorized to reside in Macao went up by 1,306 over the second quarter to 40,374. The quarter-end balance of non-resident workers in Macao totalled 79,753, an increase of 4,362 over the second quarter of 2007.
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At the invitation of the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region, the 40th Session of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee will be jointly organized by Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau and Typhoon Committee Secretariat, with the support of Macao Foundation, on 21 to 26 November 2007. This international meeting will take place in World Trade Center in Friendship Avenue. Delegations of 14 Country and Territory Members in Asia Pacific Region will participate in this Session, as well as representatives of the Commission for Economic and Social for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other international organizations, with a total of approximately 80 delegates. Delegates are generally directors of their respective Meteorological and Hydrological Authorities plus specialists in different components and Typhoon Committee Working Groups. Among the participants in the 40th Session are the representative of the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Mr. Le Huu Ti, and the representative of Secretary-General of WMO and also Director of Regional Office II & V for Asia and Southwest Pacific of the WMO, Dr. Tokiyoshi Toya. The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific and World Meteorological Organization jointly established the Typhoon Committee in 1968 with the aim to promote and coordinates efforts to reduce damages caused by the typhoons. The Committee Program included meteorological and hydrological component, natural disaster preparedness and prevention, as well as training and research. Macao has started participating in Typhoon Committee’s works in the beginning of the 90’s and became a full Member in 1992 and hosted the 27th and 33rd Sessions of this Committee respectively in 1994 and 2000 in Macao. Macao has been very active participating in the programs and integrating technicians in their working groups, seminars and training activities promoted by the Typhoon Committee, and has been nominating Macao representatives in different components of the activities of the Committee: meteorology, hydrology, natural disaster preparedness and prevention, training and research. The very active involvement of Macao in the work of the Committee and the strong support of the Central Government succeeded in moving officially the Typhoon Committee Secretariat to Macao on 13 February 2007. It is the first international organization to have its headquarters located here since the handover of the sovereignty to the People’s Republic of China. The realization of this Session in Macao is a recognition, by ESCAP, WMO and Members of the Typhoon Committee of the involvement and contribution of Macao in regional and international affairs in the areas of meteorology as well as in other programs and activities that affect the population covered by this Organization. The opening ceremony will take place on 9:30am of 21 November 2007 in Outer Harbor, at Lotus Room of World Trade Center and will be presided by His Excellency the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Dr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Eng. Lau Si Io will officiate the open Session.
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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 November 23 (Friday). Dr. Lin Guangzhi from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences will give a lecture on “Lou Kau's Family History”.
Lou Kau (1848-1908), born as Lou Wa Sio in the Xinhui region of Guangdong Province, was one of the most influential Chinese merchants in late 19th century Macao’s political, economic and social affairs, and was regarded as a “Casino King” in his day.
Dr. Lin Guangzhi will present an in-depth analysis of Lou Kau’s background, including an introduction to his family lineage, personality, major business interests and values, as well as the circumstances surrounding his death.
Lin Guangzhi obtained an MA in Literature from South China Normal University and a Ph.D in History from Jinan University. He is currently conducting postdoctoral research at the Institute of Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Dr. Lin is vice-chairman of the Guangdong Province Conference and Exhibition Industry Association, a professor at the Asia School of Business, Singapore, and vice-chairman of the Guangdong Province Cultural Industry Development Association.
His Ph.D thesis, A Study of Chinese Society and Merchants in Macao during Late Qing Dynasty, will be published by Guangdong People’s Publishing House in the Aomen Congshu (Macao Series). Published articles include: “Four Categories of Information on Lou Kau’s Family”, “The Zhao Family of Mong-Ha, Macao during the Qing Dynasty”, “The Rise and Development of Modern Industries in Macao” and “A Study on Macao Merchant Prince Lou Kau’s Family during the Late Qing Dynasty”. His research topic “The Lou Kau Family” was awarded a grant in the Academic Research Grant programme organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government.
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 5986544.
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