News

To further strengthen enterprises’ business co-operation in the area of environmental protection, the “Green Business Co-operation Day” and a series of activities will be held on the first day of the 2010 MIECF. The Green Business Co-operation Day is aimed at further enhancing Macao’s business networking with international companies for green business co-operation, assisting enterprises to grasp the opportunities to be found by pursuing green economic development strategies. The activities during the Green Business Co-operation Day will include “The Green Economic Business Summit” and “Green Business Networking Cocktail Reception and Signing Ceremony” The event is organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Macao Chamber of Commerce, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the European Union Business Information Programme, with The Economic Information Department, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade as co-ordinator. The theme of the Green Business Co-operation Day is “Promoting Regional Co-operation Creating Green Business Opportunities”. Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR will officiate over and deliver the opening address at the event. Mr. Zhang Wei, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Mr. Hoi Sai Iun, President of Board of Directors of Macao Chamber of Commerce will also deliver speeches at the opening ceremony. Representatives of Chambers of Commerce from the Mainland, Europe and Portuguese speaking countries, as well as business leaders of listed companies and large international environmental enterprises will present market overviews and development opportunities in the environmental industry. As one of the highlights of the Green Business Co-operation Day, the Green Economic Business Summit will be held at 14:30 on 8 April (Thursday) in the Venetian Macao-Resort- Hotel. Speakers include Mr. Hélio Neves, Chief of Staff, Secretariat for Environment, Municipality of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mr. Loo Fong Boon, Representative of PRD Environment Working Group, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Mr. Pan Wentang, President of China Environment Service Industry Association of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Juan Aguilar, Representative of the President of Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. António Trindade, President of Macao Association of Environmental Protection Industry, Mr. Daniel Cheng, President of Hong Kong Environmental Industry Association, Mr. Massimo Bagnasco, Chair of Beijing Construction Working Group, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. Moreover, senior management from listed companies and large enterprises will also conduct in-depth studies and discussions on the environmental development projects and future development of the environmental market. Participants will include Mr. Hu Xiaoyong, Executive Director and CEO of Beijing Enterprises Water Group Limited, Mr. Denis Leung, President and CEO of Siemens Limited - Hong Kong, Mr. João Marques da Cruz, Board Member of EDP Internacional and Mr. Pekka Tyllilä, Sales Director of Asia Pacific Region of Lamor Group. The Green Business Networking Cocktail Reception and Signing Ceremony is scheduled to be held at 5:30pm on 8 April in Exhibition Hall A at the 2010 MIECF venue. The activities aim to provide business communication and exchange opportunities to further promote interactive co-operation among participating international enterprises and environmental sectors (especially co-operation between EU countries and Pan Pearl River Delta Regions). A number of environmental co-operation projects will also be signed during the event. - End -
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With regard to the difficulties facing by VIVA Macau in their operations, at the beginning of this year, VIVA Macau claimed to the SAR Government that they were looking for potential interested investors and requested the SAR Government to render a continuing financial aid to them until the agreement was made between VIVA Macau and the potential interested investors. The SAR Government requested VIVA Macau to provide the information for any progression. However, VIVA Macau had only provided the information in brief and had not mentioned the arrangement of investment specifically; therefore it did not provide any further help in analyzing the investment plan. The SAR Government reiterates that all decisions and actions taken comply with laws. According to the Laws and Regulations of Macao, any entity or person being granted the right to provide public services, the person or entity should guarantee that it is suitable, having appropriate technical quantification and financial capability. At this present moment, VIVA Macau is no longer compliant with the requirements of the regulations and does not have any condition to provide public air transport services. In the meantime, AACM received a notification on 29 March from the Macao legal representative of the leasing company of VIVA Macau which stated that due to the non-compliance with the provisions of the leasing contract by VIVA Macau, the leasing company requested AACM to de-register the aircrafts. According to the documents provided by the Macao legal representative of the leasing company of VIVA Macau, they have already sent an official letter on 23 and 24 March to notify VIVA Macau that all the aircrafts would be withdrawn on 25 and 26 March due to VIVA Macau’s failure in settling the leasing payment and not complying with the provisions of the leasing contract. From 26 March, VIVA Macau’s suspension and delay of flight services causing a large number of affected passengers stranded at the airport without assistance. In order to provide proper arrangements to the affected passenger, The SAR Government immediately contacted with VIVA Macau and requested for the relevant information, however, VIVA Macau did not provide the information and assistance to the SAR Government in time, which caused difficulties to assist the affected passengers. Until 28 March, The SAR Government had intermittently received the information of the affected passengers from VIVA Macau.
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The Macao SAR Government continues to assist the passengers affected by the Viva Macau incident. As of 18:00 today the Government had: - helped 457 visitors book tickets of return flights (0 were assisted in the past 24 hours) - helped 360 Macao residents returned home (0 were assisted in the past 24 hours) - received 1034 inquiries and requests for assistance (11 were received in the past 24 hours) The Consumer Council had also received 460 inquiries and requests for assistance, of which 8 were received in the past 24 hours. As the number of VIVA Macao passengers requesting assistance is decreasing, Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will adjust the operating hours of the counters and hotlines to 9am to 6pm from April 3 to 6. Counters:
▪ GGCT’s designated counter at a hotel next to the Macao International Airport has been moved to MGTO’s information counter at the airport
▪ Consumer Council’s help desk at MGTO’s information counter at the airport Hotlines:
▪ Designated hotline: 28333088 (in-coming calls from 6pm to 9am the following day will be automatically transferred to the Tourism Hotline: 28333000)
▪ Overseas hotlines (in English): Japan: 09032205564 (dialing from Japan) and 81-9032205564 (dialing from Macao); Jakarta: 62-21 83705913; Australia: 61-2 82677212 (dialing from Macao), 02-82677212 (dialing from Melbourne) and 82677212 (dialing from Sydney); Ho Chi Minh: (84) 903935134; Hanoi: (84) 913320993 Passengers affected by the Viva Macao incident could call the hotlines set up by Viva Macao at 853-28718880 or 853-28718883 for refunds registrations. Address of Viva Macao office: 12/F., AIA Tower, No 251A-301 Avenida Comercial de Macau, Macau
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The SAR Government has always been rendering support and providing assistance to the operation of the airlines. The SAR Government is regrets to see that VIVA Macau cannot overcome its operational problems and cannot maintain its normal operation, causing an impact to the passengers. The SAR Government has tried their very best to make a coordination and provided assistance to the affected passengers in this incident. In consideration of public interest and to protect Macao’s image as a tourism city, The SAR Government has no way but to request Air Macao to terminate the sub-concession contract with VIVA Macau and revoke its Air Operator Certificate. The SAR Government takes this opportunity to reiterate that such decision and all actions taken comply with laws.
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The Macao SAR Government continues to assist the passengers affected by the Viva Macau incident. As of 18:00 today the Government had: - helped 457 visitors book tickets of return flights (13 were assisted in the past 24 hours) - helped 360 Macao residents returned home (6 were assisted in the past 24 hours) - received 1023 inquiries and requests for assistance (17 were received in the past 24 hours) The Consumer Council had also received 452 inquiries and requests for assistance, of which 7 were received in the past 24 hours. As the number of VIVA Macao passengers requesting assistance is decreasing, Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will adjust the operating hours of the counters and hotlines to 9am to 6pm from April 2 to 6. Counters:
▪ GGCT’s designated counter at a hotel next to the Macao International Airport
▪ Consumer Council’s help desk at MGTO’s information counter at the airport Hotlines:
▪ Designated hotline: 28333088 (in-coming calls from 6pm to 9am the following day will be automatically transferred to the Tourism Hotline: 28333000)
▪ Overseas hotlines (in English): Japan: 09032205564 (dialing from Japan) and 81-9032205564 (dialing from Macao); Jakarta: 62-21 83705913; Australia: 61-2 82677212 (dialing from Macao), 02-82677212 (dialing from Melbourne) and 82677212 (dialing from Sydney); Ho Chi Minh: (84) 903935134; Hanoi: (84) 913320993 Passengers affected by the Viva Macao incident could call the hotlines set up by Viva Macao at 853-28718880 or 853-28718883 for refunds registrations. Address of Viva Macao office: 12/F., AIA Tower, No 251A-301 Avenida Comercial de Macau, Macau
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As the number of VIVA Macao passengers requesting assistance is decreasing, Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will adjust the operating hours of the counters and hotlines to 9am to 6pm from April 2 to 6. Counters:
▪ GGCT’s designated counter at a hotel next to the Macao International Airport
▪ Consumer Council’s help desk at MGTO’s information counter at the airport Hotlines:
▪ Designated hotline: 28333088 (in-coming calls from 6pm to 9am the following day will be automatically transferred to the Tourism Hotline: 28333000)
▪ Overseas hotlines (in English): Japan: 09032205564 (dialing from Japan) and 81-9032205564 (dialing from Macao); Jakarta: 62-21 83705913; Australia: 61-2 82677212 (dialing from Macao), 02-82677212 (dialing from Melbourne) and 82677212 (dialing from Sydney); Ho Chi Minh: (84) 903935134; Hanoi: (84) 913320993 Passengers affected by the Viva Macao incident could call the hotlines set up by Viva Macao at 853-28718880 or 853-28718883 for refunds registrations. Address of Viva Macao office: 12/F., AIA Tower, No 251A-301 Avenida Comercial de Macau, Macau The Macao SAR Government continues to assist the passengers affected by the Viva Macau incident. As of 18:00 today the Government had: - helped 444 visitors book tickets of return flights (17 were assisted in the past 24 hours) - helped 354 Macao residents returned home (37 were assisted in the past 24 hours) - received 1006 inquiries and requests for assistance (25 were received in the past 24 hours) The Consumer Council had also received 445 inquiries and requests for assistance, of which 26 were received in the past 24 hours.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the total number of visitor arrivals decreased by 5% year-on-year to 21,752,751, with 4,648,188 arriving in package tours (21% of total), down by 5% year-on-year. The majority were coming from Mainland China (10,989,533), Hong Kong (6,727,822), Taiwan, China (1,292,551), Japan (379,241) and Malaysia (332,529). Besides, number of Mainland visitors travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme dropped 27% year-on-year to 4,809,878 that took up 44% of the total visitor arrivals from China. Same-day visitors (11,350,852) accounted for 52% of the total visitor arrivals. In 2009, number of Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours decreased by 10% year-on-year to 206,292; however, those travelling under individual arrangements using services of travel agencies increased notably by 23% to 464,302. At the end of 2009, there were 90 hotels and guest-houses, and the total number of available guest rooms rose by 10% year-on-year to 19,259. Total number of guests (6,714,413) increased by 3% from 2008 with an average length of stay of 1.5 nights (+0.1 night). While the number of available guest rooms grew faster than the increase of guests, the average occupancy rate of the hotel sector dropped by 2.9 percentage points year-on-year to 71.4%. The average occupancy rate of the 59 hotels stood at 72.1%, down by 2.9 percentage points compared with 2008. Per-capita spending of visitors dropped by 7% year-on-year to MOP 1,616 in 2009, with per-capita spending of tourists and same-day visitors amounting to MOP 2,328 and MOP 601 respectively. Meanwhile, per-capita spending of Mainland visitors was MOP 3,040. Per-capita non-shopping spending (excluding gaming expenses) of visitors was MOP 983, down by 4% year-on-year, with expenses on Accommodation and Food & Beverage accounting for 45% and 34% respectively of the per-capita non-shopping spending. In addition, per-capita shopping spending decreased by 10% year-on-year to MOP 633, with expenses on Local Food Products and Clothing sharing of 30% and 20% respectively of the per-capita shopping spending. Moreover, the per-capita non-shopping spending and shopping spending of Mainland visitors amounted to MOP 1,122 and MOP 1,918 respectively. Per-diem spending of visitors was similar to that of 2008, at MOP 1,507; the average length of stay of visitors remained unchanged at 1.1 days, with tourists staying an average of 1.6 days and same-day visitors staying 0.3 day. Analyzed by mode of transport, per-capita spending of visitors arriving by sea, by land and by air stood at MOP 1,363, MOP 2,025 and MOP 2,986 respectively in 2009.
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The Macao SAR Government continues to assist the passengers affected by the Viva Macau incident. The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) set up a designated counter at a hotel next to the Macau International Airport to register the personal information of the affected passengers. Staff of the Travel Industry Council of Macau would help visitors book tickets of return flights (and ferry tickets to Hong Kong if needed). The opening hours of the counter are from 09:00 to 18:00. Viva Macau passengers may call GGCT’s round-the-clock hotline (Tel: 853-28333088) for inquiries. Residents may also call the Tourism Hotline (Tel: 853-28333000) for assistance. GGCT will also post the latest information on its website: www.ggct.gov.mo. As of 18:00 today the Government had: - helped 427 visitors book tickets of return flights (37 were assisted in the past 24 hours) - helped 317 Macao residents returned home (56 were assisted in the past 24 hours) - received 981 inquiries and requests for assistance (79 were received in the past 24 hours) The Consumer Council had also received 419 inquiries and requests for assistance, of which 32 were received in the past 24 hours. GGCT had also set up hotlines (English) in the destinations of Viva Macau: Japan: 09032205564 (dialing from Japan) 81-9032205564 (dialing from Macao) Jakarta: 62-21 83705913 Australia: 61-2 82677212 (dialing from Macao) 02-82677212 (dialing from Melbourne) 82677212 (dialing from Sydney)
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Following the request made by the leasing company to the Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) to de-register the aircraft of VIVA Macau, AACM has started the de-registration process after having examined the legal documents according to the respective procedures. AACM will try to cope with the request of the leasing company to expedite the work. AACM reiterates that VIVA Macau does not have conditions to provide air services now. AACM received a notification on 29 March from the Macao legal representative of the leasing company of VIVA Macau which stated that due to the non-compliance with the provisions of the leasing contract by VIVA Macau, the leasing company has already terminated the contract with VIVA Macau and requested AACM to de-register the aircraft. In accordance with the contract, the leasing company has the full power to take such action. The SAR Government has always been providing assistance to the operation of the local airlines. The SAR Government is therefore disappointed at the fact and regrets to see that VIVA Macau cannot overcome its operational problems after the continuous support and aid rendered to them. In addition, the SAR Government emphasizes that the termination of the sub-concession contract and the revocation of the Air Operator Certificate comply with laws.
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Another 109 Macao residents who were stranded overseas by the suspension of Viva Macau flights, have returned home today through alternative arrangements made by the Government, making a total of 236. At the same time, six foreign visitors stranded in Macao have also returned home. The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) has set up a special counter in a hotel next to the Macao International Airport, to register the personal information of affected passengers and helped them find alternative flights. The counter is open from 9 am to 6 pm. Up to noon today, another: - 109 Macao residents returned home, a total of 236 since the suspension, six visitors left, making a total of 237; 117 enquiries and requests for assistance were received, making a total of 543. The Executive Committee of the Consumer Council received another 30 requests for information and assistance, making a total of 368. A 24-hour hotline (28333088) has been activated to answer enquiries and offer update information to passengers. Details are also posted on the www.ggct.gov.mo website. GGCT had also set up English-speaking hotlines in the following countries:- Japan: 09032205564 (from Japan) 81-9032205564 (from Macao) Jakarta: 62-2183705913 Australia: 61-282677212 (from Macao) 02-82677212 (from Melbourne) 82677212 (from Sydney)
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