News

Following the success of the Macao Heritage Net in 2004 and the Macao World Heritage Information Kit launched last year, Cultural Affairs Bureau takes great pleasure in introducing ‘Exploring the Historic Centre of Macao’ PDA route guide through network technology. The system presents comprehensive introduction and information on the sites situated in the Historic Centre of Macao in digital format with visuals and text descriptions that can be downloaded by PDA for the convenient use of residents and tourists. Since the Historic Centre of Macao was listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List last year, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has enthusiastically undertaken the protection of these World Heritage sites and promoted them accordingly. The promotion leaflet of the Historic Centre of Macao and the Macao World Heritage Information Kit are popular with both local citizens and tourists, to the extent that it has become an important tool in raising tourists and residents’ awareness of the Historic Centre of Macao. The compact, portable PDA has become an instant technology hit. For facilitating enquiries about the Historic Centre of Macao, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has harnessed modern technology in the specially designed PDA route guide system. People who have access to PDA will have one more channel to get the background information and location of each site in the Historical Centre of Macao. The system is very convenient to use and is like a portable tourist book. ‘Exploring the Historic Centre of Macao’ PDA route guide system is available in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Portuguese and English formats. The content comprises user interface directions, description on the universal value of the Historic Centre. of Macao, route guide, maps, albums, introduction and opening hours of each site, and relevant activities. The interfaces of the system are vivid, and its clear instructions make it simple to use. It is also equipped with a virtual mode for exploring the Historic Centre of Macao, which enables users to have a clear picture about the location of the sites. In addition, each site has an individual interface. Surrounding streets and areas are mapped out and the map can be magnified and reduced according to user’s needs for easy reference. Cultural Affairs Bureau encourages PDA users to make full use of the system to plan their most enjoyable and convenient route to explore the Historic Centre of Macao. At less than 5MB, the system can easily be downloaded and used via PDA. Download the ‘Exploring the Historic Centre of Macao’ PDA route guide for free either at www.macauheritage.net or at www.icm.gov.mo. Users are advised to register their e-mail addresses when downloading so that they can be informed of the latest information through their mailbox. Beside, there is a link for downloading the system on the website of Macao Government Tourist Office. Effective immediately, Cultural Affairs Bureau will continuously collect ideas and feedback to enrich the functions of the system
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service shows that in the second quarter of 2006, a total of 771 companies were newly incorporated, with MOP98.40 million in registered capital. Compared with the same quarter of 2005, the number of newly incorporated companies and their registered capital decreased 8.0% and 56.7% respectively. These newly incorporated companies engaged mostly in Wholesale and Retail (250), followed by Business Services (147), Construction (134) and Real Estate (94). On the other hand, 54 companies were dissolved in the second quarter of 2006, with MOP18.66 million in registered capital. Among them, most had engaged in Wholesale and Retail (13), followed by Real Estate (12). Among the stockholders of the newly incorporated companies, 58.9% were Macao residents. In addition, the newly incorporated companies with capital of MOP50 thousand or less accounted for 67.1% (517 companies) of the total number, whereas their capital only made up 14.8% of the total. Meanwhile, 677 of the newly incorporated companies were limited companies. Based on the residence of the stockholders, the capital of the newly incorporated companies in the second quarter of 2006 mostly came from Macao (MOP39.19 million), followed by Mainland China (MOP34.75 million) and Hong Kong (MOP13.54 million). Guangdong Province (MOP5.29 million) topped the list of the capital coming from the Pan-Pearl River Delta provinces. According to the combination of the residence of stockholders, 629 of the newly incorporated companies were established by stockholders from a single country/region, the majority of which (386 companies) were established solely by Macao stockholders, followed by those from Hong Kong (147 companies). The number of the newly incorporated companies with stockholders from Macao and other countries/regions was 116, of which 46 were joint ventures of Macao and Mainland China stockholders and 45 were of Macao and Hong Kong stockholders. The newly incorporated companies with stockholders solely from countries/regions other than Macao totalled 26, of which 8 were joint ventures of Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands and 5 were of Hong Kong and Mainland China.
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The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the Government would introduce the policy of 15-year free education in an orderly manner. Mr Chui said this today during a plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly to propose a Bill on the framework of Macao's non-tertiary education. According to the Bill, which was approved unanimously, free education would be extended to the first and second year of kindergarten, retroactive to the academic year 2005/2006. The Chief Executive had earlier announced in his Policy Address that Macao students would enjoy free education in senior high school no later than the academic year 2009/2010, which would in turn extend the free education system to 15 years, covering tuition fees for Macao students from kindergarten to senior high school. Under the proposed Bill, the Government would set up a foundation for the development of non-tertiary education system, with a start-up budget of MOP1.5 billion for the first four years. The Bill, to promote the modernisation of Macao's education system, has also categorised non-tertiary education into 'regular' education and 'continuing' education. For regular education, the Bill proposed a framework consisting of a three-year programme for pre-school, six-year programme for primary education, three-year for junior high school education and three-year programme for senior high school education. According to the Bill, the Chief Executive through an order would regulate the timetable for the introduction of the framework. It also proposed a transition period of no less than five years. Moreover, it would regulate the objectives of education, methods of funding, qualifications and training of teachers, curriculum, development of schools and other related areas. Regulations would be introduced in the future to regulate the qualifications, types, workload, benefits and evaluation of teachers. The proposed Bill amends Law No. 11/91/M, currently in effect and regulated Macao's education system since 1991. The Government started a review of Macao's education system in 2002 and later published a consultative document and a draft of the law to gather opinions from all the sectors of the public. The First Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly would discuss the Bill before returning it to the plenary for an article-by-article vote.
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Jointly organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau and Association of Traders and Operators of Commercial Vehicles, the “Taxi Ambassador” scheme aims to provide assistance to visitors using taxis in Macau. The 2-month pilot program has been launched today (August 4) at the Macau Ferry Terminal and will be extended according to public response. From 9am to 9pm everyday, “Taxi Ambassadors” donning uniforms and working badges will assist visitors at the taxi station outside the Macau Ferry Terminal by helping non Chinese speaking visitors in communication with taxi drivers about taxi fares, destinations and writing down the number of the license plate on an information card with useful phone numbers. The “Taxi Ambassadors” are fluent in Cantonese and have good command of English and Putonghua. Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Autunes expressed that MGTO has been working closely with the local associations to enhance the service quality of the tourism industry. As taxi service is a crucial component of the tourism industry, the cooperation with General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau and Association of Traders and Operators of Commercial Vehicles will further reinforce the image of Macau as a tourist destination. Vice Chairman of Association of Traders and Operators of Commercial Vehicles, Leng Sai Hou said that the “Taxi Ambassadors” are mainly college students and the training courses provided by the association equip them with knowledge, technique and skills to assist visitors at the taxi station. He also added that with this scheme, in line with the summer holidays when mass visitors travel to Macau, the “Taxi Ambassadors” can also help facilitate the traffic at the taxi station. If the scheme works satisfactorily, Leng hopes that the service can be extended to other entry checkpoints in Macau during major holidays. One of the “Taxi Ambassadors” Lam Wa Chong said that as the youth of Macau, he hopes that he can contribute to Macau’s tourism industry and looks forward to helping visitors with other “Taxi Ambassadors”.
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After almost 20 years living and doing research about Macau’s history, Celina Veiga de Oliveira is back in town, this time to be a special guide for the author of a book with Macau and Mainland China as background. With the support of Macau Government Tourist Office, until 9th of August, the historian will show the charm of Macau to the author of the book, journalist Ana Paula Cabral. From this trip to Macau will result the second book of a trilogy called “The Treaty of the Magicians”, about the magic universe targeting young readers. After “Igor from Harmeling – The Chosen one”, to be published this coming October, “Clepsydra” will be published in 2007. During the next few days, Celina Veiga de Oliveira will tell Macau’s stories to Ana Paula Cabral and, more importantly, she will try to convey to the author the magic of this land. “The enchantment I felt about Macau happened as soon as I arrived in the 1980s and that enchantment never relented. It is almost like a magical enchantment”, says Celina Veiga de Oliveira, now based in Portugal, were she is an History teacher and runs Editorial Tágide, publisher of Ana Paula Cabral’s trilogy. While living in Macau, Celina Veiga de Oliveira was the cultural adviser to the last Portuguese governor of Macau. She was also director of the Environment Council, a Macau History teacher, author of many books and television programs about Macau. Already dreaming with the success of the book, the author of the trilogy plans an English version and a movie about the second volume, taking place in the East. “If this book will have the same success of other similar books of the magic universe, this book could easily be made into a movie directed by a Chinese director”, points out the author. “Actually, I am writing it in a way that the book can be a movie script”, she adds. Prior to venturing into writing, the former news anchor from the Portuguese television RTP took part in many investigation journalism programs and presented the successful program Bombordo, about the sea, which had taken her to Macau before. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) supports many familiarization visits from opinion makers, including journalists, travel trade operators, scholars and other areas of activity, as a way to promote Macau to the world. Last year, MGTO invited close to five thousand people in fam tours.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicates that, in June 2006, Macao’s total value of exports amounted to MOP2.08 billion, up 42.6% over the same month of 2005. Among this, the value of domestic exports surged 51.2% to MOP1.54 billion and the value of re-exports rose 23.0% to MOP546 million. Value of imports amounted to MOP3.30 billion, up 27.5% over the same period of 2005. A trade deficit of MOP1.22 billion was recorded this month. During the period of January – June 2006, the value of total exports increased 40.0% year-on-year to MOP10.34 billion. In addition, the values of domestic exports and re-exports increased 55.3% and 10.8% respectively. Moreover, the value of imports amounted to MOP17.38 billion, up 29.4% over the same period of 2005. In the first six months of 2006, Macao’s trade balance registered a deficit of MOP7.04 billion. During this period, the exports/imports ratio increased from 55.0% in the corresponding period of 2005 to 59.5%. In the first six months of 2006, the value of Textile & garment exports, which accounted for 74.9% of the total exports, grew 44.4% over the same period of 2005. In addition, the value of Non-textile exports also rose 28.4%. As the major components of non-textile exports, Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof and Footwear both expanded 13.6% and 252.9% respectively year-on-year. The USA and the EU remained as Macao’s major export markets, together making up 66.9% of the total value of exports. Among this, exports to the USA, which made up 48.2% of the total value of exports, increased 47.0% over the same period of 2005; exports to the EU, which made up 18.7% of the total value of exports, also increased 136.7% over the same period of 2005. During the period of January – June 2006, Macao’s total value of imports grew 29.4% year-on-year, mainly due to the increase in the value of imports by broad economic categories, namely Fuels & lubricants (37.1%), Consumer goods (33.8%), Raw materials & semi-manufactures (27.8%) and Capital goods (19.9%). Meanwhile, Macao’s main suppliers of imported goods still concentrated in the Asian region. Imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong together constituted 55.1% of the total value of imports. Compared with the same period of 2005, the value of imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong rose 42.9% and 33.5% respectively.
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A visitor from Hong Kong won a golden miniature of the Ruins of St Paul’s at the first monthly lucky draw of the “Macau Heritage Passport” campaign held this afternoon at the lobby of Macau Business Tourism Centre (MBTC). The “Macau Heritage Passport” campaign is organized by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and sponsored by the Macau Foundation. Officiating the draw were MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, Deputy Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Administration Council Member of Macao Foundation Lei Song Fan. “Macau Heritage Passport” campaign features instant lucky draws, monthly lucky draws and a year end Mega Lucky Draw offering fabulous prizes worth a total of MOP$8 million. 480 instant lucky draws were held from July 1 to July 30, giving out key chains, magnets, coasters, postcards and paper fans designed with Macau heritage images. A total of 698 entries were collected for the first monthly lucky draw. 9 winners, entitled to 8 Special Prizes and 1 Grand Prize, will be drawn at each of the 6 monthly lucky draws. The Grand Prize is a 500g golden miniature of the Ruins of St Paul’s worth MOP$100,000, while the 8 Special Prizes featuring an 8 oz golden coin, 3 nights at a 5-star hotel and “Macau World Heritage Highlight Tour” for 2 persons, are worth a total of MOP$400,000. MGTO will notify the winners who have to collect and consume the prizes within 6 months from the day of the lucky draw. Director Antunes expressed that “Macau Heritage Passport” is a core campaign of ‘Macau World Heritage Year”. Visitors’ response to the campaign has been encouraging and over 6,400 “Passports” have been distributed. He pointed out that the objective of the “Macau Heritage Passport” was to enhance visitors’ knowledge of “The Historic Centre of Macau” while driving the length of stay and spending of visitors to new heights. There will be a Mega Lucky Draw after the 6 monthly lucky draws, wherein 28 lucky visitors will be drawn. The winner of the Mega Prize will receive a 1kg golden miniature of the Ruins of St Paul’s worth MOP$200,000 and each of the 5 Grand Prize winners will receive a 500g golden miniature of the Ruins of St Paul’s worth MOP$100,000. In addition, there will be 22 Special Prizes worth over MOP$1.54 million in total, including 8 oz golden coins, 5-star hotel accommodation, Macau World Heritage Highlight Tours and Mainland China Heritage Tours. Participating visitors have to collect 4 stamps on their “Macau Heritage Passport” which can be obtained at MGTO Information Counters and participating hotels in Macau. One of the stamps can be obtained from the participating hotel where the “Passport” holder is staying; the second can be obtained from any of the participating merchants with a single purchase of MOP$300 or above. The last two stamps are to be obtained from MGTO’s Information Counters at the Macau Business Tourism Centre, Macau Tourism & Cultural Activities Centre and Guia Lighthouse located near a number of world heritage sites after the “Passport” holder has visited these sites. Participating visitors can enter an instant lucky draw by presenting the 4 stamps and the completed lucky draw slip to any of the designated MGTO Information Counters. In addition to the instant lucky draw, participating visitors can also enter the monthly and year end Mega Lucky Draws by dropping the stamped and completed lucky draw slip into the lucky draw box located at any of the MGTO Information Counters or participating hotels.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service shows that in the second quarter of 2006, the average daily nominal wage of construction workers continued to rise. The overall average daily nominal wage was MOP491, of which skilled workers & semi-skilled workers was MOP525 and unskilled workers MOP364. Among the various occupations of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers, the average daily nominal wage of structural iron erectors was the highest, reaching MOP623. The overall nominal wage index increased 6.5% from the previous quarter. The nominal wage index of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers rose 5.2%, and that of unskilled workers went up 15.6%. In view of the fact that a number of large-scale construction projects started decoration works, the nominal wage indices of the skilled workers & semi-skilled workers related to these occupations rose more; for example, plumbers registered the largest increase of 13.2%, followed by bricklayers & plasterers (up 9.4%) and carpenters (up 8.5%). However, the nominal wage index of concreters and drain layers registered the largest decline, down 6.9%. On the other hand, the overall real wage index increased 5.0% compared with the first quarter of 2006. The real wage index of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers rose 3.7%, and that of unskilled workers went up 13.9%. Compared with the second quarter of 2005, the overall real wage index increased 20.5%, of which the index of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers rose 17.4%, and that of unskilled workers went up 44.1%.
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The Port Authority said in a statement today that the reported new ferry route between Tuen Mun and Macau has not yet received government approval. The statement was issued in the wake of media reports that Hong Kong North West Express would launch ferry services between Tuen Mun and Macao in September. The statement said the company has applied for permission to introduce the route: the Macao Government had asked for and was waiting for further information to enable it to study and evaluate the application. The Macao Government is still awaiting such information and until such time, the application could not be evaluated, the statement said.
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The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Ao Man Long, said today that regular flights between Macao and Japan could be operating in the near future. Mr Ao, who led a delegation from the civil aviation sector, tourism sector and cultural sector on a visit to Tokyo and Osaka from 26-30 July, disclosed this on his return. During the visit, the delegation paid visited the Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Katsutoshi Kaneda, and to the Senior Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Mr Ryuji Matsunura. In the meetings, Mr Ao updated his Japanese counterparts on the latest economic development in Macao, such as launching of complete of large-scale hotels and theme parks. The Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Katsutoshi Kaneda, said Macao could become one of the hottest destinations for Japanese travellers with the conclusion of an aviation treaty that would allow direct flights between the two places. The Senior Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Mr Ryuji Matsunura, said the aviation treaty would not only promote tourism between Macao and Japan, but also facilitating trade as well. Mr Ao said Macao has always been attracting travelers from mainland and Taiwan: these travelers could also make Macao a transit point from which they could travel on to Japan. Mr Ao said the Japanese government supported an aviation treaty. Moreover, the delegation also visited Osaka Airport and paid a courtesy call to the Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, Mr Wang Yi. Mr Ao and the delegation returned to Macao on 30 July.
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