News

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, is scheduled to leave for Beijing on Tuesday to attend the opening of the First Plenary Session of the Eleventh National People's Congress on the following day. During Mr Ho’s absence, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will act as Chief Executive.
…

Collective global effort planned to address major issues on
“Water, Energy and Sustainable Development” Macao will play host to a multitude of government leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals including environmentalists, climatologists, scientists, researchers, experts, financial institutions and investors and representatives of non-government organizations in April this year to actively participate in the collective effort to promote environmental protection and sustainable development. This innovative platform is the 2008 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2008 MIECF), focusing on “Water, Energy and Sustainable Development”, hosted by the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region. 2008 MIECF will be held from 23 to 25, April 2008 at the Cotai Strip Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Venetian Macao. The 2008 MIECF aims to support sustainable economic and social development in the region through promotion of green enterprises and to establish Macao as a bridge connecting the Mainland and other countries for technology exchange and co-operation in environmental protection. This gathering of key leaders and experts concerned with environment issues and its relationship to business are also to contribute to the global awareness of the imperative to find efficient solutions to environmental issues while promoting sustainable development. The three-day event will also gather leaders of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Provinces and Regions of China, official guests and delegates from countries across the Asia-Pacific region. With rapid social and economic development, the PPRD regions and Asia Pacific regions are in high demands of environmental technologies, The 2008 MIECF provides an opportunity for Governments and enterprises in the regions to exchange ideas and forge co-operation with their counterparts all over the world. An exhibition is planned in conjunction with the 2008 MIECF to showcase advanced environmental technology, techniques and methodologies from the PPRD region and abroad, matching up suppliers and end users to forge business ventures and co-operation. The 2008 MIECF will cover sectors such as alternative energy, air quality management, water supply and waste water, climate change, energy efficient vehicles, fuel cell, green building products, energy efficiency, pollution prevention, waste management and recycling, sustainable construction and urban environmental management. This event, with the slogan, “Thinking Green, Going Clean and Living Cool” is a realization of the Macao SAR’s initiative to take a proactive lead in promoting environmental protection, in line with the environmental goals of all governments, that is, to develop a green economy and a healthy lifestyle in harmony with the ecology. 2008 MIECF Organising Committee About the Organising Committee
2008 MIECF Organising Committee is co-ordinated by The Office of the Chief Executive and consisted of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Environment Council (EC), Macao Economic Services (DSE) and Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO). Further information: www.macaomiecf.com
…

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government presents the 19th Macao Arts Festival (MAF) to be held between 1 and 30 May, 2008. Featuring more than 30 performances by artists from Israel, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada and South Korea, the Festival season would not be complete without the ever-present spirit of performers from Macao and Mainland China, 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, multimedia arts, dance and music in a selection extending as well to lesser-known Asian traditions like Indian classical dance. The Aluminum Show, a unique performance from Israel combining movement, dance and visual theatre, opens the Festival on 1 May at the Macao Cultural Centre's Grand Auditorium. Through the use of special effects, creative mechanics and acrobatic dance, inanimate objects come to life with energy, emotion and even personality, as silver-coloured industrial materials create a luminous and reflective world. This year The Macao Orchestra makes a substantial contribution to the programme, beginning on 5 May with Pictorial England, a musical snapshot of early 20th century England. The concert of British masterworks for small ensemble, belonging to the orchestra’s Chamber Music Series, takes place in the intimacy of the Dom Pedro V Theatre. The orchestra then invites renowned violin phenomenon Pinchas Zukerman to its Great Master Series on 16 May for a concert in the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. Zukerman and the Macao Orchestra bring us the music of two of the most famous and influential composers in Western classical music: Bach and Beethoven. Members of the orchestra then provide audiences with another gem from the Chamber Music Series on 17 May, sharing the Dom Pedro V Theatre stage with Zukerman in Deutsche Selektion. The Macao Chinese Orchestra, in turn, offers Macao a pair of world premieres by famous Chinese composers, along with two of the most exquisite classics of the Chinese repertoire, in a concert titled The Yellow River Piano Concerto to be held on 3 May at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. Joining forces with the orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Pang Ka Pang, are the young violin prodigy Li Chuan Yun, performing the Butterfly Lovers' Concerto, and the celebrated pianist Yin Chengzong, who once again interprets the Yellow River Piano Concerto he himself premiered and helped create. The Macanese Patois theatre group Dóci Papiáçam di Macau creates their now legendary caricature of local society with the premiere of Sórti Dóci? (Sweet Luck), a play about Macao amidst the casino fever, at the Macao Cultural Centre's Small Auditorium on 10 and 11 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. The Macao General Association of Cantonese Opera and Music presents The Crossing on 24 and 25 May at the popular Alegria Cinema, maintaining the Chinese opera tradition that has increasingly become a hallmark of the MAF season. This year the Zhejiang Province Wu Opera Troupe brings an operatic style from the Mainland with The Legend of the White Snake. The mythological story, a popular theme in various genres of Chinese art and literature, is brought to life at the Alegria Cinema on 18 May. The showcase of local talent continues on 29 and 30 May with a children's play that will charm audiences at the Macao Cultural Centre Small Auditorium. Macao's own Little Mountain Arts Association presents The Magic Stone, transporting both children and grown-ups to an entrancing universe where Imagination rules over the Real – eventually becoming Reality itself. The Festival also offers multidisciplinary performances. South Korean group Noridan presents PingPangPong: Noridan Episode 5 on 3 and 4 May at the Clementina Leitão Ho Brito Theatre. This non-verbal performance and surrealist fantasy mixes live music, dynamic body movement, dance and circus arts. Canadian theatre company 4D art returns to the Macao Arts Festival with a modern version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest on 23 and 24 May at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. Thanks to the virtual technology at their disposal, spells, visions and poetry create a previously unimaginable storm that appeals not only to the senses but also to the mind and conveys the dreamy opulence of Shakespeare’s work. After the Canadians' thrilling performance, Mexico's Sensorama will surprise the public at Lou Kau Mansion on 16-18 and 20-25 May. Sensorama – The Four Elements – Native Chants is a voyage to the depths of emotions in which a blindfolded audience is led by the guiding hand of sensory perception to a place where time ceases to exist. Dance rivals music as one of the main highlights of the Festival. Between 9 and 12 May, the Lou Kau Mansion hosts Pallavi Krishnan, one of the very few exponents of Mohiniyattam Indian Classical Dance and a trend-setter for many young dancers the world over. She has developed a performing style marked by creativity and is known for her tremendous efforts to promote and preserve this style of dance as a living tradition. The human form continues in motion with an exciting classical and modern dance showcase by choreographers and students of the Macao Conservatory Dance School. A Garden in the Heart is presented on 11 May at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. On the other extreme of the dance galaxy, the MAF presents the provocative Nederlands Dans Theatre II, one of the season's most anticipated performances and an event not to be missed on 27 May at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. A true pioneer in its field, the ensemble is constantly striving to provide a platform for brave, new initiatives and aims particularly at getting young audiences interested in the dance of today. Last but not least, the spectacle bringing the 19th edition of this festival to a close is Sangre Flamenca from the Nuevo Ballet Español. The company, at the vanguard of modern Spanish dance, embodies the combination of contemporary choreography with flamenco traditions. This passionate end to the Festival takes place at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium on 29 and 30 May. The performing arts contribute further to the MAF itinerary with a series of shows to take place in the north of Macao between 16 and 18 and 24 and 25 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. 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 19th 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 19th Macao Arts Festival will be available after 10am on 9 March 2008 at all Kong Seng Ticketing outlets. Telephone and online bookings will be available from 2pm on 9 March. There will be a variety of discount plans (up to 40%). 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
…

According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, the unemployment rate for November 2007 - January 2008 remained unchanged from October-December 2007, at 2.9%. The underemployment rate stood at 1.4%, up by 0.1 percentage point over the preceding period. The employed population rose by about 800 over the previous period to 314,000, with increase in the number of persons working in Recreational, cultural, gaming & other services; and Transport, storage & communications, while that in Hotels, restaurants & similar activities decreased. The unemployed population was held stable at around 9,500 from the previous period. Among the unemployed, 1,100 were searching for their first job, down by 1.9 percentage points over the preceding period to take up 12.0% of the total unemployed. Total labour force was estimated at 324,000, with the labour force participation rate of 70.3%, down by 0.2 percentage point from the preceding period. The unemployment rate for November 2007 - January 2008 fell by 0.5 percentage point compared with the same period a year ago, while the underemployment rate and the labour force participation rate went up by 0.6 and 3.3 percentage points respectively.
…

The Government today released public consultation documents for the proposed revision of the Chief Executive Election Law, the Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly, and the Voter Registration Law. The purpose of the proposed revisions is to facilitate the electoral systems, wipe out election bribery and lay a sound foundation for the continuance of the development of democracy in Macao, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, disclosed at a press conference this afternoon. Major proposed changes included strengthening the power of the Electoral Affairs Committee, raising the requirements for associations and organisations to become eligible voters, and the abolition of voter registration cards. By cancelling these cards, people who try to buy votes would not be able to collect registration cards and meddle in the elections. The Government believed that the purpose of voters' registration card could be served by the citizens' identity smart cards, she said. It is also proposed that 17-year-olds could register so that they could vote the following year. Moreover, the Government also proposed increasing the penalties for bribery and other violations of electoral laws, and the tightening of regulations for campaign donations. These proposed changes are based on experience drawn from the previous elections, suggestions by the Commission Against Corruption and public opinion, and electoral regulations of different regions. Ms Chan said it would be a major issue for Macao to gradually develop its political system and it would require broad consensus from the public to do so. Taking into account the actual situation and the aim to maintain the long-term stability of Macao, the Government would continue to study the issue and listen to opinions from different sectors, so as to set up a related mechanism to work on the matters on this issue at an appropriate time. According to the Basic Law, Macao is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China and only the Central Government could make the final decision on affairs regarding Macao’s constitutional development. The Macao SAR Government maintains close contact with the Central Government on the issue of constitutional development. The Government will hold a series of consultative sessions next month to collect opinion from various sectors and members of the public. Public consultation will continue till the end of March.
…

With the aim to cope with the development of the Macao economy, to increase Macao’s external link, to facilitate trade and people’s interaction, as well as to further strengthen the already well-established co-operation between Macao and Korea, after series of preparatory and communication works between the two aeronautical authorities, a new round of air services talks was held successfully in Macao on 26-27 February. At present, the air links between Macao and Korea include: Air Macau’s daily scheduled services between Macao and Seoul, Viva Macau’s regular charter flights between Pusan and Macao as well as between Macao and Muan Airport in Gwangju. According to the tourism statistics, number of visitors arrivals to Macao from Korea in 2007 was 225,417, an increase of 39% compared to the previous year. For this consultation, under the premise of ensuring aviation safety, both sides aim to improve and expand the present co-operation arrangement. Both sides exchanged their views in a friendly and cordial atmosphere and have achieved consensus in several aspects. The new document mainly covers the following contents: - Expansion of route schedule - Under the previous arrangement, designated airlines of the Macao side may only operate scheduled services to one point in Korea, but under the new arrangement, designated airlines of Macao are allowed to operate scheduled services to any point in Korea. The beyond points in the Route Schedule are increased from only 2 points to any point. This greatly increases the operation scope for the air carriers. - Liberalization of all-cargo operations - This aims to encourage air carriers with freight transportation ability to join the market. From Macao’s perspective, we hope to attract the world renowned Korean air freight transporter to enter the Macao-Korea routes. - Code share arrangement - This establishes the frame system for bilateral aviation enterprise's commercial co-operation, in order to cover a bigger market. - Incorporation of the Aviation Safety Clause - Ensuring aviation safety is always the priority for aviation authorities, in accordance with the ICAO recommendations, both sides plan to incorporate the aviation afety clause into the Agreement that was signed on 4 April 1997. Since this involves an amendment to the Agreement, Macao will have to obtain the appropriate authorization from the central government. During the stay of the Korean delegation, they also visited the Macao International Airport and some of the hotel and convention facilities in Macao. Both sides agreed to have a new round of talk in the near future so as to further increase the present capacity entitlement and to amend the Air Services Agreement.
…

To celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of Communications Museum, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philately Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters and the Communications Museum on 1st March 2008 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “2nd Anniversary of Communications Museum”. Opening hours as following: Philately Shop of Macao Post Headquarters: 9H00 – 17H30 Philately Shop of
Communications Museum: 9H30 – 17H30 Various philatelic products are available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service showed that the value of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2007 was estimated at MOP4.2 billion. Retail sales of watches, clocks & jewellery took the largest share of 17% of the total, which was followed by sales of motor vehicles (13%), goods in department stores (12%), goods in supermarkets (9%) and adults' clothing (9%). The value of retail sales in the fourth quarter of 2007 registered an increase of 16% compared with the MOP3.6 billion in the preceding quarter. As against the MOP3.0 billion sales in the fourth quarter of 2006, the value of retail sales in this quarter grew remarkably by 40%. Total value of retail sales for the whole year of 2007 reached MOP14.2 billion, up by 33% over 2006, with notable increase in the sales of watches, clocks & jewellery (+54%), adults' clothing (+39%), goods in department stores (+30%), and motor vehicles (+30%). In the fourth quarter of 2007, about 44% of the interviewed retailers reported decrease in the sales volume from the third quarter, up by 10 percentage points over the findings in the previous quarter; 56% reported that the sales volume remained stable or increased. In terms of retail prices, about 57% and 27% reported the prices were stable and showed increase whereas 16% reported the prices decreased. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2006, about 68% said that the stock level was normal in this quarter, while 21% indicated that the stock level was low. Regarding the business prospect for the first quarter of 2008, about 69% expected the sales volume to increase or remain stable compared with the fourth quarter of 2007, and 31% expected it to decrease. Meanwhile, about 86% expected the retail prices in the first quarter of 2008 to remain stable or increase, while 14% expected them to decrease.
…

Macau welcomed almost 720,000 visitors during the Chinese New Year “Golden Week” holiday (Lunar New Year Eve to 6th day of Lunar Year), a slight growth of 0.45% over the same period in 2007. More than 390,000 or 54% of the arrivals were from Mainland China, a growth of 1.03%. During the period, an average of over 13,000 hotel rooms were rented out per day, a surge of 23%. From February 6 to 14, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Provincial Tourism Administrations of Guangdong and Fujian have jointly operated the “Chinese New Year Tourism Notifying System” to ensure enjoyable holidays for visitors. Starting from this year, the 7-day Chinese New Year “Golden Week” holiday begins on New Year’s Eve instead of the 1st day of Lunar Year. According to traditions, Chinese stay home for family dinners on New Year’s Eve and seldom go traveling, which might affect the number of arrivals to Macau this year aside from the cold weather and traffic woes that put off tourists. Despites the hitches, there was a slight increase in arrivals to Macau and the number of occupied hotel rooms soared 23%, showing an increase in overnight guests in Macau.
From February 6 (Lunar New Year’s Eve) to February 12 (6th day of Lunar Year), visitor arrivals grew 0.45% over the Chinese New Year “Golden Week” holiday period of last year to 717,183. A total of 390,311, or 54.4% of the arrivals were from Mainland China, a growth of 1.03%. Since the last Chinese New Year, the number of 3 to 5 star hotel rooms has increased from 11,907 to 15,184, an addition of 3,277 rooms. The significant increase in supply of hotel rooms has resulted in a slight drop in the average occupancy rate during the Chinese New Year “Golden Week” holiday, where 3 to 5-star hotels registered a decrease of 3.75 percentage points. Average room rate for 3 to 5-star hotels was MOP$1322.07, a rise of 17.71% over the Chinese New Year “Golden Week” holiday period of last year. Average room rate of guesthouses was MOP292, an increase of 4.94%, while that of 2-star hotels was MOP540.7, a rise of 5.1% During Lunar New Year, MGTO has reinforced supervision at various tourist attractions and entry checkpoints. MGTO’s information counters and tourist hotline operated as usual to provide visitors with tourist information. As of February 6, MGTO’s tourist hotline has been extended to 24-hour operator service. MGTO has also published a leaflet providing travel tips for Mainland visitors to ensure a smooth and trouble-free visit to Macau. Close collaboration among various departments and the support of tourism and related entities helped to enhance the hospitality of the city to welcome visitors. In addition to the new tourism and entertainment facilities, a series of celebrations and cultural activities took place during Lunar New Year to give a colorful and multi-dimensional experience to both visitors and citizens.
…

As a new year comes around and everything looks fresh and cheerful, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) wishes all citizens and visitors good health and prosperity, and that the tourism industry of Macau would scale new heights in the Year of the Rat. MGTO and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) join hands to organize celebratory activities on the first day of Lunar New Year (Feb 7) at the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Senado Square to mark the spring festival and add a festive atmosphere to the city. MGTO launched the 24-hour “Macau Tourist Hotline 2833 3000” on 6 February in which the in-coming calls will be attended by the operator. To be in line with the trend and development of the tourism industry, MGTO especially prolongs the service hours of the “Hotline” to strengthen the services for tourists’ enquiries which used to operate from 08:00 till 24:00 since 2003. MGTO has also published pamphlets providing travel tips for visitors to Macau to be distributed at MGTO’s Information Counters, Immigration Counters at the Checkpoints as well as Macau Consumer Council. Aside from that, Association of Macau Tourist Agents, Macau Travel Agency Association, Travel Industry Council of Macau, Macau Tourist Guide Association and Air Macau also help to deliver the pamphlets to their members for distribution. Macau’s tourism industry achieved a rapid growth in 2007, and total visitor arrivals scored a new high of almost 27 million, an increase of 22% compared with 2006. MGTO has been promoting Macau’s unique multi-cultural characteristics through various activities. Lunar New Year is an important festival in the Chinese society and also a peak season for visitors to experience the traditional celebrations in Macau. MGTO and IACM take this opportunity to express New Year greetings to the citizens and hospitality to the visitors. On the first morning of Lunar New Year, Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, President of IACM, Mr. Raymond Tam Deputy Directors of MGTO Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Gonçalves Pires Júnior hosted the eye-dotting ceremony of the golden dragon and lions at the Ruins of St. Paul’s and lit firecrackers at Senado Square to mark the celebrations. Guests and officials from MGTO, teamed up with the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, the Gold of Fortune and the Gods of Happiness, Prosperity, and Longevity, greeted the public and distributed “Lai Si” (red packets with lucky money) and souvenirs to residents and visitors. The crowd also enjoyed lively performance by the folkloric art troupe from the Guizhou province The vibrant dragon and lion dances signal Macau to be as energetic and spirited as these noble beasts and “Lai Si” distributed by the God of Fortune bestow good luck and fortune for the Year of Rat. The Lunar New Year celebrations are held on the first and second day of the Lunar New Year. Details of the activities are available on the website of MGTO http://www.macautourism.gov.mo In keeping with tradition, lucky “Lai Si” will be distributed at MGTO counters during Lunar New Year. Each packet contains a 20-cent coin as a symbol of MGTO’s wishes for good luck and prosperity throughout the year. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, MGTO staged a splendid “fireworks display duet” set off from barges anchored in waters just off the Macau Tower to usher in the Year of Rat. Thousands of citizens and visitors gathered at the waterfront for the magnificent spectacle. The above press release can be viewed or down-loaded from the MGTO webstie: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/index.php
…