News

In response to the travel notice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Embassy in Thailand directed towards Chinese citizens, and in light of recent news stories referring that some local organizations will engage in large scale protest activities in Thailand from 12 March, and also on 9 March, the Cabinet Meeting of the Thai Government authorized the enforcement of Internal Security Act (ISA) in Bangkok and 7 neighbouring provinces (Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya and Chachoengsao) from 11 March to 23 March, the Tourism Crisis Management Office would like to remind the Macao residents who are planning to travel to Thailand should monitor the situation there or adjust travel itineraries if necessary. As for those who are currently travelling in Thailand, please avoid visiting protest locations and do not participate in any political activity, and remain cautious for personal safety. In case of any emergency, please report to the local police and contact the Chinese Embassy in Thailand for assistance – Chinese Embassy in Bangkok: (66) 2-2457044. Macao residents may also call the Macau Tourism Hotline: (853) 28333000 for assistance.
According to notice of the Ministry for foreign affairs, the Centre for Consular Assistance and Protection also available for public enquiries, Mainland residents and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan may contact the Centre for Consular Assistance and Protection for assistance（8610-65964086）.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released results of the Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages for the fourth quarter of 2009. Survey coverage comprised Wholesale & Retail Trade; Transport, Storage & Communications; Security Activities and Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities, excluding own-account workers. Survey results were extrapolated according to the information collected from 889 statistical units successfully interviewed. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2009, Wholesale & Retail Trade had 29,211 paid employees, up by 12.3% year-on-year, with 17,754 working in Retail trade. In December 2009, the average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) for full-time employees rose by 5.7% year-on-year to MOP9,090, with Sales representatives and Salespersons earning MOP12,070 and MOP7,510 respectively in average. The Transport, Storage & Communications sector took on 7,658 paid employees, down by 2.0% year-on-year. In December 2009, the average earnings for full-time employees increased by 1.1% year-on-year to MOP15,090. Drivers of passenger/cargo transport by land earned an average of MOP12,540. Security Activities had 3,749 paid employees, down by 4.1% year-on-year. The average earnings for full-time employees in December 2009 went up by 4.7% year-on-year to MOP7,830, with Security guards earning MOP7,410 in average. Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities had 623 paid employees, down by 5.3% year-on-year. The average earnings for full-time employees in December 2009 decreased by 6.4% year-on-year to MOP10,520. At the end of December 2009, Wholesale & Retail Trade reported 3,380 vacancies, up substantially by 95.6% year-on-year; Security Activities had 590 vacancies, a year-on-year increase of 23.9%, while the Transport, Storage & Communications sector had 284 vacancies, down by 9.3% year-on-year. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 57.3% of the vacancies in Wholesale & Retail Trade and 55.8% of those in the Transport, Storage & Communications sector required working experience. As regards educational attainment, 73.8% of the vacancies in Wholesale & Retail Trade and 67.7% in the Transport, Storage & Communications sector required junior secondary education or higher, while 90.5% of those in Security Activities required primary education only. In addition, DSEC introduced the employee turnover rate, recruitment rate and job vacancy rate of the respective sectors to reflect the inflow and outflow of manpower and staffing needs in the various economic activities. In the fourth quarter of 2009, a high level of employee turnover was observed in Security Activities, where the employee turnover rate, recruitment rate and job vacancy rate were 10.6%, 10.4% and 13.6% respectively, higher than those in the other sectors. Employee turnover rate: The percentage of full-time employees leaving employment in the average total number of full-time employees in the reference quarter. Employee recruitment rate: The percentage of newly hired full-time employees in the average total number of full-time employees in the reference quarter. Job vacancy rate: The percentage of vacant posts in the total number of full-time employees and vacant posts at the end of the reference quarter.
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The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was informed by the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia in Beijing that, holders of the Macao SAR Passport have been exempted from visa requirements when entering the Republic of Macedonia for a stay of maximum 90 days since 1 October 2009. On the basis of reciprocity, nationals of the Republic of Macedonia are also exempted from visa requirements when entering the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) for a stay of maximum 90 days. At present, a total of 79 countries and territories have agreed to grant visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the Macao SAR passport holders, while 9 countries have agreed to grant the visa-free access to the Macao SAR Travel Permit holders.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, on an annual basis, new mortgage lending approved increased notably in the fourth quarter. The outstanding balance of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) rose at a faster pace than commercial real estate loans (CRELs), while their delinquency ratios continued to decline. New Lending Approved For the fourth quarter of 2009, new RMLs approved by Macao banks increased by 6.2% quarter-to-quarter to MOP6.6 billion. Of which, 85.5% was extended to residents. In terms of approved value, new RMLs to residents grew 11.5% whereas those to non-residents fell 17.0%. When compared with the same period last year, new approvals of RMLs surged 297.5%. Meanwhile, new CRELs approved increased considerably by 88.0% from the previous quarter to MOP6.3 billion. Of which, 91.5% was granted to residents. In terms of approved value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents grew at respective rates of 75.4% and 728.8%. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs surged 387.2%. Outstanding Balances As at end-December 2009, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP44.2 billion, an increase of 8.5% from three months earlier or 28.7% from a year ago. The resident component made up 86.2% of the total. Outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents grew at respective rates of 7.9% and 12.7% during the fourth quarter of 2009. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs rose 1.1% from end-September 2009 or 8.3% from end-2008 to MOP37.0 billion. Residents accounted for 86.4% of the loans. Outstanding CRELs to residents and to non-residents rose 1.2% and 0.5% respectively in the last quarter of 2009. Delinquency Ratios At the end of 2009, the delinquency ratio for RMLs stood at 0.19%, down 0.04 percentage points from three months earlier or 0.01 percentage point from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs also fell 0.10 percentage point from end-September 2009 or 0.33 percentage points from end-2008 to 0.23%.
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Macau Government Tourist Office launches a joint destination promotion in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore last week to boost multi-destination itineraries covering Macau, Zhuhai and Zhongshan in the Southeast Asian markets. A delegation of over 20 tourism officials and travel trade representatives from Macau, Zhongshan and Zhuhai presented tourist products of the three destinations to 240 local trade and media at the tourism product seminars, followed by travel marts and dinners held in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Singapore respectively from March 8 to 12. This is the first ever joint event featuring Macau, Zhongshan and Zhuhai tourism in Southeast Asia. The promotional activities of MGTO held in the three markets aim to highlight Macau as Asia’s popular business and leisure destination as well as the gateway to the Mainland, while joining force with Pearl River Delta cities to promote multi-destination tourism which boost themed itineraries of Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau. In the meeting earlier this year, tourism authorities of the three cities discussed about overseas joint promotional activities and designated Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand as this year’s target markets. Tourism authorities of Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau held work meeting in 2008 to set promotional and marketing objectives for the three cities and agreed to join forces to organize overseas promotional activities to enhance profile of tourist products in the region. In 2006, the three cities signed the "Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau Tourism Cooperation Memorandum" in which contents have been well implemented. A number of themed promotional materials on Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau, referred to as Greater Xiangshan, have been developed in 2007 including tourist map, guide book and golf guide.
Promotional activities at Kuala Lumpur Travel trade of Singapore at mini martSingapore travel trade at luncheon
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The Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao has been invited by the Administration Bureau of Mount Lusan Scenic Spot - Mount Lushan World Heritage Office, Jiangxi China to provide a train-the-trainers workshop on the Cultural Heritage Specialist Guides Programme for UNESCO heritage sites. The three-day workshop, facilitated by IFT instructors, took place on 11-13 March, 2010 at IFT. IFT cements its position as leader of heritage management education by providing specialised UNESCO World Heritage training to curriculum developers, managers and trainers of Mount Lushan World Heritage Office. Appointed the Knowledge Management Hub of the Asian Academy of Heritage Management (AAHM) by UNESCO and ICCROM in 2009, IFT is committed to the development of heritage management education in Asia. This customised three-day training aims at building the capacity of heritage professionals from the Administrative Bureau of Mount Lushan Scenic and Historic Spots to bring about the professionalisation of World Heritage guiding and interpretation at the Mount Lushan World Heritage site. In timely response to concerns of high-impact tourism at World Heritage sites in Asia, AAHM launched the Cultural Heritage Specialist Guides Programme in 2005. This rigorous, practical and internationally-recognised training and certification programme is being implemented through active partnerships between members of AAHM, training institutions from the UNESCAP Asia Pacific Education and Training Institutes in Tourism (APETIT) network and National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), with the Institute for Tourism Studies serving as the Knowledge Management Hub and UNESCO providing technical advisory.
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Featuring over 70 performances by 25 acts from 20 different countries, including Portugal, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Finland, Peru, Cuba, the USA, Canada and Australia, this Festival season is wonderfully diverse, but would not be complete without the ever-present spirit of performers from Macao on the calendar, as well. In a clear show of support for local talent, Macao artists are given the opportunity to début works reflecting the region’s own performing arts scene, while on the international front, the Festival reaffirms itself as a window to the latest creative trends to emerge on stages the world over. The programme brings together theatre, dance, music, circus, multimedia and visual arts, in a selection extending as well to Cantonese opera, officially inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009 through the joint efforts of the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Governments. In honour of this achievement, the 21st Macao Arts Festival opens with the Cantonese Opera The Red Silk Romance, by the Macao General Association of Chinese Opera and Music (1 May, Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium). With parallel versions in several other Chinese operatic styles, The Red Silk Romance has become a permanent attraction, charming many an audience with its poignant love theme and myriad hilarious episodes bound to fill the theatre with laughter. The Macao Kaifong Chinese Opera Children’s Troupe also contributes to the celebration of the inscription of Cantonese Opera on the UNESCO List of Intangible Heritage with The Double-Spear of Luk Man Long (16/5, Alegria Cinema). A stirring tale of bravery and loyalty, this classic of the Cantonese Opera repertoire never fails to move the hearts of the audience. The Festival proceeds with Akram Khan Company’s bahok (2 May, Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium), a recent dance work drawing inspiration from our genetic and cultural inheritance, our experiences, and our dreams and aspirations. In his exploration, world-class choreographer Akram Khan is accompanied by celebrated composer Nitin Sawhney, who put music to the stories these bodies on stage carry with them. On 20 May, famous German breakdancer Storm and Brazilian hip hop dance group Discípulos do Ritmo present Geometronomics (Clementina Leitão Ho Brito Theatre). Geometronomics shows what life would look like if we sped it up and created abstractions from the everyday movements of normal people. Music makes a substantial contribution to the programme, beginning on 8 May with a concert by The Macao Chinese Orchestra (MCCGA) featuring three Macao premieres. The talent of the most outstanding Chinese contemporary composers is rivalled only by the genius of Maestro Pang Ka Pang in a showcase of rare and highly complex symphonic pieces. The Macao Orchestra Goes Jazz on 9 May (Macao Tower Auditorium), a concert dedicated to George Gershwin with renowned Japanese pianist Makoto Ozone under the baton of young conductor Joshua Tan Kangming. The Kransky Sisters are packing up their Morris Major and heading to the Macao Arts Festival (14, 15 May, Dom Pedro V Theatre). After sell-out seasons in Australia, New Zealand, London and all through Europe, the oddball sisters Mourne, Eve and Dawn Kransky are once again venturing out, far from the dusty-curtained private world of their old family home in Esk, rural Queensland, Australia, with their darkly funny stories, lilting harmonies and off-beat versions of the popular songs they’ve heard on their wireless. Also from Australia comes the Spaghetti Western Orchestra (15 May, Clementina Leitão Ho Brito Theatre), with their Classic Ennio Morricone Music. Armed with over 100 instruments, these brilliant musicians perform music from the movies that made Clint Eastwood a star. This ingenious gang of comic maestros underscore these classic compositions with hilarious sound effects! On 22 and 23 May, American multi-awarded entertainer and tap dancer Movin’ Melvin Brown, widely known as “the last of the great song and dance men”, explores the lives, times, hardships and triumphs of two of the greatest black entertainers, Ray Charles and Sammy Davis Jr., along with his own in the show Me, Ray Charles and Sammy Davis Jr. (Dom Pedro V Theatre). On the classical music front, Portuguese group Musicalmente presents Concerts for Babies (21~23 May, Dom Pedro V Theatre Lobby). With lots of smiles, dancing and clapping of hands, this is a light-hearted introduction to the world of classical music for the tiniest ears. On 27 and 28 May (Macao Cultural Centre Small Auditorium) Spanish group Yllana presents Pagagnini, a performance that combines classical music and Yllana’s slapstick humour all in one show. The result is an amusing and surprising “Des-Concierto” (a Dis-Concert), which reviews some of the pinnacle moments in the history of classical music by ingeniously combing them with more popular tunes. The Macanese Patois theatre group Dóci Papiaçám di Macau delivers yet another instalment in their now legendary series of caricatures of local society with the premiere of Sabroso Nunca! (Yummy, It’s Good) at the Macao Cultural Centre's Grand Auditorium from 21 to 23 May. This is the latest work by Miguel de Senna Fernandes, who for more than ten years has gathered Macanese friends to stage these hilarious stories about Macao. This time, the peaceful and tranquil community suddenly does a complete about-face, the day the Mainland sends over the order to organise a cooking contest… Macao's own professional theatre company Hiu Kok Drama Association stages Stories of the Rose Alley (20, 21 May, Macao Cultural Centre Small Auditorium), a play describing the life of joys and sorrows lived by the people of Rose Alley from the 1920s to the 1990s. Its various characters embody the tolerance, kindness and open-mindedness of the typical residents of Macao. The Macao Conservatory Youth Repertory Theatre Group presents the drama In a Grove by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (16 May, MCCGA). Directed by local prominent dramaturge Lawrence Lei, In a Grove is an early modernist short story that brings into question humanity's ability or willingness to perceive and transmit objective truth. This story is often praised as being among the greatest in Japanese literature. International theatre is also present in the festival. Dulcinea Langfelder and Company returns to the MAF with Dulcinea’s Lament (24, 25 May, MCCSA). Inspired by Don Quixote’s famous muse, Dulcinea del Toboso, Dulcinea Langfelder sallies forth to take on Miguel Cervantes’ “absent heroine”, giving voice to her namesake to express her vision of the world and its history. From Portugal, renowned theatre group A Barraca brings August: Tales of Emigration – A Musical Show (27 and 28 May, Dom Pedro V Theatre). August speaks of the aspirations, the sacrifices, the life changes, the frustrations and of the triumphs and joys of the Portuguese émigrés, a social group that brought much economic wealth to Portugal. From scorn to compassion, the actors and audience journey by bus, by boat, by train, even flat-bed truck, tasting emotions that no doubt will aid in better understanding these people, who today continue to be thought of as the “other” Portuguese. Bootworks Theatre Collective from the UK presents The Black Box: Little Box of Horrors/ Une Boîte Andalouse (21 to 23 May, Lou Kau Mansion). This playful and artfully choreographed five-minute peep show uses light, imagery and puppets, exploiting the unique ability of film to use different angles, close-ups, long-shots, cuts and special effects, and is performed with mask, sound and music. A family favourite, puppet theatre was not forgotten on this Festival programme. Gaia Teatro from Peru presents The World of Fingerman (8, 9 May, Macao Conservatory Auditorium), an intimate work of non-verbal puppet theatre for audiences of all ages. On the other hand, the younger ones will also be delighted with Visual Poems, a puppet show by Companyia Jordi Bertran from Spain (15, 16 May, Macao Conservatory Auditorium) in which foam rubber letters come to life and create a world filled with characters, humour, movement and dramatic action. Last but not least, the Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company from Taiwan with Compagnie des Zonzons from France present The Box (11 May, MCCGA), an ingenious mechanism suggesting infinite emotions, where comedians, puppets, shadows and filmed or projected images cross, are superimposed and respond to one another. In Mandarin, Taiwanese and French the puppeteers offer a show of rediscovered humanity, where emotion transcends reason. The Festival also offers multidisciplinary performances. Finnish artists Ville Walo and Kalle Kakkarainen present Odotustila: Waiting Room/ A State of Waiting (20, 21 May, Dom Pedro V Theatre). A large part of human life is spent waiting around. There are even specific rooms and spaces built for waiting. And waiting is what Odotustila, a contemporary circus performance, is about. Last but not least, the performance bringing the 21st edition of this Festival to a close is Havana Rakatan by Cuban Ballet Rakatan (28 and 29 May at the MCCGA). Jazz, mambo, bolero, son, cha-cha-chá, rumba and salsa all come alive in a dazzling dance display of Cuban passion in a production from Sadler's Wells London and Congas Productions. Originally the dream of Cuban choreographer Nilda Guerra, this show has now toured around the world and has been enjoyed by thousands. The performing arts contribute further to the MAF itinerary with a series of shows to take place in the north of Macao between 21 and 23 May. The Outdoor Performing Arts Showcase, to be held at Iao Hon Garden, brings together international and Chinese artists who present a marathon of performances falling just outside the mainstream. The festival also features the art exhibition Traveller’s Home: Master Works by George Chinnery, hosted by the Macao Museum (29 May~29 August 2010). Famous English painter George Chinnery (1774-1852) is regarded as the Western artist who most influenced India and Southern China in the 19th century. He moved to Macao in 1825, and his vivid and lively sketches of local street scenes have become precious records for the study of the region’s history. The exhibition displays 150 of Chinnery’s oil paintings, watercolours, drawings and sketches. The works on exhibit come from collections owned by HSBC, Jardine Matheson Limited, the Macao Museum of Art, the Macao Museum and individual collectors. The 21st Macao Arts Festival programme would not be complete without the 2010 Macao Arts Exhibition (15 May~8 August 2010, Tap Seac Gallery). Each year this annual show lends flair to the Macao Arts Festival, encouraging open-minded thinking and creative techniques within the local visual arts scene. Macao's artists present more than a hundred works in genres including traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal-engraving, photography, sculpture, poster design, video and installation. The “ten best works” of the exhibition are announced at the opening ceremony. Also provided are workshops and conferences supporting the events, with the objective of stimulating public interest in the arts. In accordance with a long-standing MAF tradition, rehearsals for some of the performances will be open to the public. The Macao Government Tourist Office kindly supports promotion of the 21st Macao Arts Festival in Mainland China and overseas. The performances held at the Macao Cultural Centre are supported by the Macao Cultural Centre’s rental subsidy scheme. Tickets for the 21st Macao Arts Festival will be available after 10am on 21 March 2010 at all Kong Seng Ticketing outlets. Telephone and online bookings will be available from 1pm on 21 March. There will be a variety of discount plans (up to 40%) and a special promotion package for performances held at Dom Pedro V Theatre. Detailed publicity materials are available at ticket counters. For more information please check the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at www.icm.gov.mo/fam. Information: (853) 2855 5555 in Macao; (852) 2380 5083 in Hong Kong
Online Reservations: www.macauticket.com
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The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the credit card statistics for the fourth quarter of 2009. The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 359,241 at the end of December 2009, up 2.23% from the previous quarter. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 287,106, 56,066 and 16,069 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective increases of 1.95%, 0.91% and 12.82% quarter-to-quarter. Compared with a year earlier, RMB cards surged 88.98% while MOP cards and HKD cards grew 5.79% and 2.36% respectively. The recent introduction of MOP/RMB dual currency credit cards by local banks largely accounted for the marked increase of RMB cards. As at the end of December 2009, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao amounted to MOP6.49 billion, up 1.27% from end-September 2009. Credit card receivables reached MOP1.14 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP0.44 billion, accounting for 38.42% of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, was 1.18%. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the credit card turnover rose by 14.24% quarter-to-quarter to MOP1.84 billion. The cash advance turnover amounted to MOP0.12 billion, accounting for 6.60% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, grew 5.21% from last quarter to MOP1.77 billion.
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In response to the travel notice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Embassy in Thailand directed towards Chinese citizens, and in light of recent news stories referring that some local organizations will engage in large scale protest activities in Thailand from 12 March, and also on 9 March, the Cabinet Meeting of the Thai Government authorized the enforcement of Internal Security Act (ISA) in Bangkok and 7 neighbouring provinces (Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya and Chachoengsao) from 11 March to 23 March, the Tourism Crisis Management Office would like to remind the Macao residents who are planning to travel to Thailand should monitor the situation there or adjust travel itineraries if necessary. As for those who are currently travelling in Thailand, please avoid visiting protest locations and do not participate in any political activity, and remain cautious for personal safety. In case of any emergency, please report to the local police and contact the Chinese Embassy in Thailand for assistance – Chinese Embassy in Bangkok: (66) 2-2457044. Macao residents may also call the Macau Tourism Hotline: (853) 28333000 for assistance.
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To assist enterprises in brand building, brand management and related concepts on quality certification, SME Service Centre of Macao Trade and Investment and Promotion Institute (IPIM) will join hands with Macao Consumer Council, Hong Kong Q-Mark Council of Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center – Quality Management Department and Industrial Association of Macau to organize a seminar on “Brand Management Expert Series - How to Establish a Strong Quality Brand for Market Competitiveness” on 12 March, 3 p.m. at Macao Business Support Centre. The seminar comprises of two sections: Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center will present on prevailing trends of quality management in Macao business environment; while Hong Kong Q-Mark Council will introduce its service scopes and Q-Mark Schemes. In the sharing session, representatives from “Made in Macao” Choi Heong Yuen Bakery, Hong Kong A-Fontane Group, Laurel Group (Catering Services and Management) are invited to share their experience on brand development and product/service certification. Through keynote presentations and experience sharing, the seminar aims to enrich SMEs’ understanding on quality certification standards, thus enhance brand competitiveness. The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese (with simultaneous interpretation in English). Registration is now open to interested parties (especially enterprises from food and beverage, retail and services sector). To sign up, please contact Mr. Ho or Ms. Leong of SME Service Centre (Tel：28728212; Fax:28 728213；Email: smec@ipim.gov.mo )。
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