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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, today expressed gratitude to the State Council for its approval of a plan to reclaim 361.65 hectares of land from the sea. A statement released by the Office of the Chief Executive quoted Mr Ho as having said that the approval demonstrated the Central Government’s support to the long-term stability and sustainable development of Macao, as well as the superiority and vitality of the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems.’ The reclaimed land will become the new urban areas of Macao, with many public facilities and green areas. The Government will reserve some of the reclaimed land for public housing and projects that would benefit the diversification of Macao’s economy. The Central Government had requested Macao pay attention to the protection of the environment in the course of reclamation. Mr Ho said the Government would take into consideration the views of the public and experts during the urban planning process for the usage of the land, the statement said. Under the present system, Macao has to apply for permission for reclamation as the Central Government has jurisdiction over the waters surrounding the MSAR.
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Macau Government Tourist Office held “Celebrate Macau!” in Jakarta on November 27, its first roadshow in Indonesia, bringing a “Mini Macau” to Indonesian citizens who came face to face with the world heritage sites of Macau and other iconic attractions. MGTO Marketing Division head Betty Fok joined representative of MGTO in Indonesia, Elly Hutabarat and David Harsamto, to unveil the event held at the Pluit Junction Shopping Center from November 27 to 29. In addition to displays of the UNESCO listed world heritage and tourism products, a series of performances and activities including Portuguese folk dances, short dance courses, street magic shows and games hosted by Indonesian artists and DJ bring a mixture of Macau's Eastern and Western cultures to the city. Viva Macau and six travel agents also set up booths at the roadshow, where MGTO gives out tourism information to the visitors. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Macau SAR, citizens in Indonesia who celebrate their 10th birthday or 10th wedding anniversary on December 20, 2009 will have the opportunity to win round trip tickets to Macau and hotel accommodations. To further expand its market portfolio, MGTO appointed its representative in Indonesia this year to tap this potential market. Statistics showed arrivals from Indonesia to Macau in the first 10 months were close to 150,000 and Indonesia has become one of the top ten source markets of Macau. There are currently 10 flights between Macau and Jakarta every week.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP142.2 billion (USD17.82 billion) at the end of October 2009, virtually unchanged from the revised value for the previous month. When compared with the same period last year, the reserves increased by MOP18.5 billion or 14.9%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-October 2009 represented 29 times the currency in circulation or 242.4% of Pataca M2 at end-September 2009. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency’s exchange rates against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners, fell by 0.49 points month-to-month and 2.47 points year-on-year to 89.10 in October 2009. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the consumption of Electricity in the third quarter of 2009 reached 1.10 billion kWh upon rising demand during the Summer heat, up by 24.1% quarter-to-quarter and 7.8% year-on-year. The available supply of Electricity went up by 27.8% over the previous quarter, with the imports of Electricity surging substantially by 82.4% to 847 million kWh to account for 72.4% of the available supply. However, local generation of Electricity decreased by 27.6% quarter-to-quarter to 339 million kWh. In the third quarter of 2009, imports of Gasoline rose by 11.8% over the preceding
quarter to 18.86 million litres; the average price of Gasoline imports rose by 10.3% and the respective consumption increased by 9.9% to 18.65 million litres. Imports of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) totalled 7,973 tonnes, down by 7.1%
quarter-to-quarter; the average price of LPG imports went up by 8.6% and the respective consumption decreased by 10.7% to 8,355 tonnes. On account of higher prices of imports, the average selling price of Bottled LPG and Centralized LPG went up by 11.6% and 10.4% respectively from the previous quarter, when that of other fuels rose slightly between 0.9% and 1.3%. Compared with the third quarter of 2008, the average price of all type of fuels registered two-digit decreases. At the end of the third quarter, stock of LPG was 2,214 tonnes, down by 14.5%
quarter-to-quarter, while stock of Gasoline increased by 21.7% to 2.67 million litres.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for August-October 2009 was 3.5%, down further by 0.2 percentage point over the previous period (July-September). Year-on-year, the unemployment rate went up by 0.4 percentage point, moderating from the 0.6 percentage point increase in the previous period. Total labour force was 326,000 in August-October 2009, with number of both the employed and the unemployed decreasing by about 1,000 from the previous period to 315,000 and 11,000 respectively. Among the unemployed, 15.0% (1,700) were fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 2.6 percentage points over the previous period. Analyzed by industry, the unemployment situation improved in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities and Wholesale & Retail Trade. The labour force participation rate for August-October 2009 (71.7%) fell by 0.3 percentage point from the previous period and 1.2 percentage points year-on-year. The underemployment rate was 1.9%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the preceding period, but up by 0.4 percentage point year-on-year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the number of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) events held in various venues in Macao totalled 310 in the third quarter of 2009, down by 11% quarter-to-quarter, with 289 meetings & conferences (93% of total) and 21 exhibitions. Total number of participants and attendees soared by 2.8 times from the second quarter to 217,241, on account of a 659% surge of the attendees (192,642) to several large-scale exhibitions in the third quarter. The average duration of the MICE events increased from 1.8 days in the previous quarter to 2.0 days, with an average of 1.9 days for meetings & conferences and 3.5 days for exhibitions. As regards subject of MICE events, the majority focused on Commerce, Trade & Management (122), Tourism & Culture (48) and Education & Training (40). Analyzed by type, most of the events were Corporate Meetings (160) and Association Meetings (54). There were 216 MICE events held in hotels, of which 210 were meetings & conferences and 6 were exhibitions, drawing a total of 23,878 participants and attendees. Participants to meetings & conferences totalled 16,728 (70% of total) and attendees to the 6 exhibitions were 7,150. Meanwhile, 94 MICE events were held in convention & exhibition centres and other conference venues, bringing in 193,363 participants and attendees, of which 15 exhibitions attracted 185,492 attendees. In the first three quarters of 2009, a total of 1,040 MICE events were held in Macao, with an average duration of 2.0 days, attracting 428,528 participants and attendees.
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At the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) organised a delegation of Macao entrepreneurs to take part in the 2009 China Trade in Services Congress in Beijing from 22 to 25 November. IPIM representatives took the opportunity to visit various government departments as well as trade and economic organizationss, such as the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), CCPIT, and the European Union Delegation of the European Commission to China, to introduce the organization work of the 2010 International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition (2010 MIECF). On 24 November, the Macao delegation led by IPIM attended the 2009 China Trade in Services Congress which was co-organised by MOFCOM and CCPIT. The International Seminar on Trade in Services, held on the first day of the Congress with IPIM as one of the co-organisers, aimed to focus on environmental services and financial services under the theme of “China Services, Globally Shared”. Participating representatives from local and overseas governments, chambers of commerce, environmental and financial institutions and entrepreneurs discussed and exchanged views on the development of trade in environmental services. In addition, the China International Cooperation Forum on Environmental Services, China International Cooperation Forum on Financial Services, and the First China International Environmental And Financial Services Forum were also held on the same day. Mr. Lee Peng Hong, IPIM’s President, gave a speech at the China International Environmental Services Cooperation Forum and said that, “the Environmental industry is a sunrise industry being the focus of the world’s attention, and also an important component in Macao’s moderate economic diversification. Environmental products and technology are not only beneficial to Macao’s convention and exhibition, tourism, food and beverages industries in terms of cost reduction and enhancing overall efficiency, the promotion of green exhibitions and green hotels can further enhance Macao’s international reputation which will help to establish Macao as a tourism and leisure centre and a regional business service platform. In the same token, Macao service industry can also provide financial, marketing and development backup support to the environmental industry”. In addition, Mr. Lee invited the participants to take part in the 2010 MIECF and visit Macao to gain first-hand experience on the development of Macao SAR over the past decade and Macao’s strength as a business and trade cooperation service platform. Visits to NDRC and MOFCOM and Introduce Organization Work of 2010 MIECF Apart from the participation in the 2009 China Trade in Services Congress, the IPIM delegation also visited NDRC, MOFCOM, CCPIT, European Union Delegation of the European Commission to China, China Association of Environmental Protection Industry, China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association, Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency Beijing Representative Office and the Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region in Beijing, to introduce the organization of 2010 MIECF and invited leaders of the afore-mentioned government departments and organizations to take part in the event. Friendly discussions were made on topics such as speakers recommendation, delegation organization and exhibition participation etc. MIECF, hosted by the Macao SAR Government with IPIM as one of the official co-ordinating organizations, has been organized in Macao annually since 2008. The 2010 MIECF will be held from 8 to10 April next year. The event aims at utilizing Macao’s strength in the region to promote cooperation between China and the international community, particularly European countries, and introduce international environmental technology to local enterprises, to achieve the goal of diversification of development in convention and exhibition as well as the environmental industries. Members of the Macao delegation include Mr. Lee Peng Hong, IPIIM’s President, Ms. Echo Chan, IPIM’s Executive Director, Mr. Sam Lei, Senior Manager of Promotional Activities Department, Ms. Gloria Ung, Senior Manager of External Cooperation Department, Mr. Lou Kuok Keong, Member of Standing Committee of Directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Jennie M.F. Kong, President of MIGOU, Mr. John Ramos, Chairman of Macao Energy Saving Association and Mr. Jeffery S. O. Lok, Executive Director of the Association of Macao Environmental Protection Industry etc.
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The Chinese and Portuguese editions of Macao Yearbook 2009, an annual publication compiled and edited by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of the Macao SAR, will hit the shelf on 27 November 2009. The Macao Yearbook outlines major events, progress and changes made in the course of Macao’s political, economic, social and cultural development on a yearly and systematic basis. It provides detailed and up-to-date information for all who wish to study and understand the territory. The Macao Yearbook has been published since 2002, and it is available in three languages, namely Chinese, Portuguese and English. It is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government; Calendar of Events; Review of the MSAR; Overview of the MSAR; and Appendices. The Chinese edition of Macao Yearbook 2009 comprises 589 pages, while the Portuguese edition contains 717 pages. Both are enriched by some 178 photographs. Consisting of 16 chapters, the Overview of the MSAR presents information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. Meanwhile in order to trace Macao’s changes in a visual manner, the GCS co-organised a photographic competition entitled “New Faces of Macao” with eight local photography organisations and four media groups in the first half of 2009. The Macao Yearbook 2009 has been enriched by 10 winning entries from the competition. The Macao Yearbook 2009, together with a complimentary CD-ROM containing the PDF version of the yearbook, can be purchased at the following places at 120 patacas or 120 Hong Kong dollars per copy: major local bookstores and Government’s Public Information Centre at Rua do Campo (starting from 27 November); and the Macao Post Office (Macao Post)’s Philatelic Division, Rua do Campo Branch, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Branch, Macau International Airport Branch, and Nova Taipa Branch (starting from 3 Decenber). The English edition of Macao Yearbook 2009 is in the process of printing, and will be available for sale in due course.
During the promotional period lasting until 31 March 2010, a 20-percent discount will be offered to any purchase of Macao Yearbook 2009.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, on a monthly basis, money supply M2 grew slightly in September. As total deposits with banks dropped and total loans rose, the loan-to-deposit ratio witnessed continuous increase. Money supply
Currency in circulation increased 2.7% whereas demand deposits decreased 3.9%. M1 thus dropped 2.9% compared with the previous month. Meanwhile, quasi-monetary liabilities went up by 0.8%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, grew slightly by 0.3% to MOP208.4 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 22.3% and 9.0% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 28.2%, down 0.2 percentage points over a month ago and up 0.4 percentage points a year earlier. Concurrently, the share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 53.4%, down 0.1 percentage point month-to-month and up 1.6 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits
Resident deposits rose slightly by 0.2% from the previous month to MOP203.5 billion. Of which, MOP deposits edged down 0.5%, HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits grew at respective rates of 0.04% and 1.8%. Concurrently, non-resident deposits slid 1.8% (to MOP72.6 billion) while public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 0.7% (to MOP13.4 billion). As a result, total deposits with the banking sector contracted 0.3% from the previous month to MOP289.6 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 22.1% and 45.4% respectively. Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector expanded 1.1% month-to-month to MOP96.4 billion. Among which, MOP22.0 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP68.0 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 22.8% and 70.6% of the total respectively. Loans to sectors of “transport, warehouse and communications”, “construction and public works”, “individuals for house purchases” and “restaurants, hotels and related activities” increased quarter-to-quarter at respective rates of 49.8%, 8.2%, 8.1% and 7.5% whereas those to “wholesale and retail trade” dropped 0.8%. Meanwhile, external loans rose by 11.9% to MOP74.0 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.4% and 50.4% respectively of the total, at values of MOP1.0 billion and MOP37.2 billion. Loan-to-deposit ratios
As domestic loans to the private sector rose at a faster pace than resident deposits, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-September 2009 increased by 0.4 percentage points month-to-month to 44.4%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors stood at 58.8%, up 3.2 percentage points.
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After the visit to Zhejiang by the Macao SAR government delegation headed by Chief Executive Edmund Ho in April 2004, the Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee led over 300 entrepreneurs to visit Macao and organised the 2005 Macao-Zhejiang Week in 2005, while the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has set up the Mainland Liaison Office in Hangzhou in 2006, Zhejiang and Macao have established multi-faceted co-operation relations covering a wide spectrum of areas. To further expand trade and economic co-operation between Zhejiang and Macao, strengthen business communication and enhance collaboration in culture and tourism between the regions, the Zhejiang’s China Time-honoured Brands and Zhejiang Macao Branded Products Fair 2010 (the Fair), supported by the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province and the Macao SAR Government and co-organised by the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province and IPIM, will be held from 15 to 17 January 2010 at the Macao Venetian-Resort-Hotel. The aim of which is to assist Zhejiang branded products to promote their brand names in Macao and overseas markets, through Macao’s trade and economic platform, as a mean to strengthen the trade and economic cooperation between Zhejiang and Macao. Utitlise the Advantage of Macao’s Platform, Pragmatically Foster Trade and economic Co-operation between Zhejiang and Macao During the Fair, a number of trade and economic activities will be held including products exhibition and sales, business matching sessions as well as trade and economic negotiations, to provide communication platform for participants of the Fair. On top of these, business matching sessions and special projects discussions will be arranged by the Organiser, inviting exhibiting enterprises to conduct business matching session and special project discussion, as a mean to foster trade and economic exchanges and co-operation between enterprises in the two regions. Keen responses from Zhejiang enterprises and actively participated by well-known enterprises Up-to-dateconfirmed participating Zhejiang’s China Time-honoured Brands and Branded Products of the Fair include Hu Qingyu Tang Chinese Traditional Medicine also known as the Leader of Medicine in the southern bank of Yangtze River, the 360 years old Fanghuichun Tang Chinese Traditional Medicine, Wangxingji Chinese Fans specialised in Chinese arts and crafts, Zhangxiaoquan Scissors, Dujinsheng Brocade, Louwailou Chinese restaurant, Zhiweiguan Restaurant and the Xilengyinshe Seal Society. Subsidies for Macao exhibiting enterprises To encourage Macao enterprises to participate in the Fair, the Organiser will provide subsidies to eligible Macao enterprises engaged in products manufactured in Macao, Macao brands or the agent of overseas products in Macao. Sixty percentage of the exhibiting fee will be covered by the Organiser and qualified enterprises only need to pay MOP2,500 to become an exhibitor at the Fair. Exhibitor Recruitment in Macao will start from 24 November until 11 December. We hope Macao enterprises will actively participate in the Fair to expand their business through the Macao service platform. Recruitment centre is located at IPIM’s Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC), 19/F, China Civil Plaza, No. 263 Alameda Dr. Carlos d’Assumpção, Macao. For further information on the Zhejiang’s China Time-honoured Brands and Zhejiang Macao Branded Products Fair 2010, please contact the enquiry hotline on 853-9798 9152/267/295 (Ms. Wong/Mr. Chang). - End - Remarks:
Products “manufactured in Macao”
- For products “manufactured in Macao” and exported from Macao, exhibitors have to provide the Certificate of Origin issued by Macao Economic Services
- For products “manufactured in Macao” and sold in Macao, exhibitors have to provide the Approval of Industry issued by Macao Economic Services Products of “Macao brand”
- For products of “Macao brand”, exhibitors have to provide the Trademark Registration issued by Macao Economic Services or other valid documents. Products “with agent in Macao”
- For products “with agent in Macao”, Exhibitors have to provide the Agent Authorisation of the products or other valid documents.
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