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The Central Government will launch nine new supportive measures to sustain Macao in tackling the economic challenges that emerged in the global financial crisis. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, announced this after he met the President, Mr Hu Jintao and the Premier Mr Wen Jiabao, individually in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, on the second day of his annual duty visit. Mr Hu said in the meeting that the Central Government was highly concerned with the impacts caused by the global financial crisis to Macao, and would fully support Macao in facing the challenges by moderately diversifying economic developments. He said he has noticed the SAR Government had implemented a string of measures earlier to cope with the difficulties, and the outcome was positive. He also praised Mr Ho’s dedication in governing Macao over the past nine years, and the principle of “one country two systems” has been fully implemented in Macao. Mr Ho expressed his thankfulness to the Central Government on behalf of the Macao people for the continuous supports, especially the nine new measures to help Macao. In the meeting with Mr Wen Jiabao, Mr Wen said the Central Government has faith that Macao that would have a stable economic development despite the global financial crisis. He said the Central Government would offer full support so that Macao would maintain a prosperous economic development, and that a concrete study had been carried out, nine new supportive measures have been conducted. Basically the supporting policies and measures to be implemented in Hong Kong could be applied to Macao, he said. Mr Wen said he hoped Macao could strengthen communication with the Central Government, and that he believed the Macao Government could lead all sectors in Macao to overcome difficult times. Mr Ho said he highly appreciated for the Central Government’s never-ending supports, especially under the severe impacts came from the global economic crisis. He also reported to the Premier that the SAR Government has already adopted appropriate policies to cope with difficulties, though some challenges were still unpredictable. Those who attended the meeting included the Vice President Xi Jinping, the Vice-Premier, Mr Wang Qishan, the State Councilors, Ms Liu Yandong, the State Councilors and the Secretary-General, Mr Ma Kai, the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, State Council, Mr Liao Hui and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, Mr Bai Zhijian.
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The Central Government will introduce measures to support Macao in six areas, namely finance, infrastructure, economic integration with Guangdong, SME, services industry and safety supply of daily necessities. The Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao, disclosed this to the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, when they met in Beijing this morning. The nine measures in these six areas will include: - expanding the scope of Renminbi businesses in Macao; - launching the construction work of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge by the end of 2009; - study on infrastructure and transport network connecting Macao; - implementing a development plan for the Pearl River Delta Region (2008-2020), which would facilitate the economic integration of Macao into the region; - encouraging Macao’s participation in the development of Hengqin Island; - adopting direct and effective measures to support Macao funded SMEs; - facilitating Macao businesses’ participation in China’s services industry, and - safeguarding the supply and safety of food and other necessities to Macao. Concluding his annual duty visit, Mr Ho told reporters that these measures would better equip Macao in confronting the impacts of the global financial turmoil and facilitate its sustainable development in the future. He quoted the state leaders as acknowledging the work of the SAR Government and urging the community to strive for the development of Macao. Mr Ho also quoted Premier Mr Wen Jiabao as saying that in principle supporting measures for Hong Kong are applicable to Macao too. Speaking on the Facilitated Individual Travel Scheme, Mr Ho said that the Central Government would study expanding the number of cities in the scheme. Regarding the tentative fixed-destination travel programme for Hong Kong, Mr Ho said he hoped that Mainland authorities could study similar programmes to boost Macao’s MICE industries and increase the number of tourists to Macao’s cultural heritage. He also disclosed that the Central Government and Guangdong authorities were studying a reclamation project along Macao’s coastline and he said he expected the plan would be implemented by the next Government.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, has accorded honours and awards to 40 people and organisations in the 2008 Honours List, it was announced today. This year's recipients are from all walk of life. They were picked for the recognition of their significant contribution to Macao or for their dedicated public and community service. The Medal of Honour was awarded to outstanding individuals and organisations for their contribution to the image, reputation and development of the MSAR. The recipients are:
Medal of Honour: Pun Hon Veng (Silver Lotus); The Medal of Merit, in seven categories including Profession, Industry and Commerce, Tourism, Education, Culture, Altruism and Sport are given to the outstanding individual and organisation that have distinguished service in promoting the development of the relevant sectors in Macao. Medal of Merit: Leong Man Io (Profession); Lok Wai Kin (Profession); Chang Chi Fai (Industry and Commerce); Lao Ngai Leong (Industry and Commerce); Lai Chan Keong (Industry and Commerce); Lei Sok Ieng (Tourism);
Institute for Tourism Studies (Tourism);
Louisa Lui (Education); Maria Edith da Silva (Education); Chan Tat Ming (Education);
Lam Fong Ngo (Culture); Lai Seng Ieng (Culture); Dóci Papiaçam di Macau (Culture);
Pedro Ho (Altuism); Chan Meng Kam (Altuism); Chiang Sao Meng (Altuism);
Kong Tat Choi (Altuism);
Chang Chin Nam (Sport); Ieong Cheong Seng (Sport); Distinguish Service Medal is given to outstanding individual and organisation for their fulfillment in duty. Medal of Distinguish Service: Hospital Centre S. Januario Medical Rescue Team to Sichuan disaster area (Bravery);
Hospital Kiang Wu Medical Rescue Team to Sichuan disaster area (Bravery);
Gloria Batalha Ung (Dedication); Iu Vai Pan (Dedication);
Liu Pan In (Dedication); Leong Heng Kao (Community Service); Pun Chi Meng (Community Service);
Sit Kuok Chio(Community Service);
Commendations of Prestige and of Merit are given to the individuals who have contributed in the development of MSAR. Commendation: Joёl Daniel Robuchon (Prestige);
Lei On Kei (Merit); Ng Wai Hou (Merit); Au Kuan Cheong (Merit); Leong Ka Chon (Merit); Chan Io Tong (Merit); Paulo Duarte Gomes de Senna Fernandes (Merit);
Kuan Sok In (Merit).
Macao Parents of the Mentally Handicapped Association (Merit).
Macao Association of Travel Agents (Merit).
Macao Chamber of Commerce Tourism (Merit)
Macao Travel Industry Council (Merit)
The presentation ceremony will be held in early 2009.
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Macao is to organise a wide range of activities and events to mark the 9th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Highlights will include a flag-hoisting ceremony at Lotus Square at 8 am and a reception hosted by the Government at Macau Tower at 10 am. To bring fun and entertainment to the public, Macao Sport Development Board is to stage a concert at Macao Stadium at 2 pm. Local and Hong Kong artists and singers will perform in the show and one of the highlights will be the participation of China’s Olympic gold medallist in gymnastics, Yang Wei. In addition, Macao Post will issue commemorative covers and offer hand-back services to the public. In the evening, the Macau Government Tourist Office will present a firework display off Macau Tower to mark the closing of the much-celebrated day. A number of civic organisations will also hold events to celebrate the anniversary.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, arrived in Beijing, to brief state leaders tomorrow on the recent development in Macao and his policy blueprints. Before leaving for the capital on his annual duty visit, Mr Ho told reporters that the Central Government had placed much importance to Macao, and he would tell the state leaders the difficulties Macao is facing in the global financial turmoil. He said he hoped that the expansion of the Facilitated Individual Travel scheme would cover both Hong Kong and Macao. He will also brief the state leaders on the progress on the legislating of the national security law. However, he will not discuss with them the membership of the government of the next term. Mr Ho arrived in the capital about 3 pm and was welcomed by the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Ms Hua Jian, at Beijing Capital International Airport. While Mr Ho is away, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, is acting as the Chief Executive.
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An exhibition featuring the Shenzhou VII spacecraft, spacesuits and other exhibits will be opened at the Macao Forum tomorrow, and run till 23 December. Members of China’s space programme, including China’s first spaceman Major General Yang Liwei, arrived in Macao today for tomorrow’s opening ceremony. Mr Wang Zhonggui, a prominent engineer in the programme, led the delegation of space programme. They are scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and meet members of Macao’s Science Technology Committee during their three-day visit. The exhibition, which opens at 11:00 tomorrow, will display the main parachute of the Shenzhou VII spacecraft, space food, seeds carried by the spacecraft and models of Shenzhou VII spacecraft. The exhibition is open to public after the opening ceremony tomorrow until 10 pm. It will be open from 10 am to 10 pm daily until 23 December.
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The Statistics and Census Service released the results of the Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages for the third quarter of 2008. The survey coverage comprised the Manufacturing; Hotels & Restaurants; Financial and Electricity, Gas & Water Supply sectors, but excluded own-account workers, as well as insurance agents and brokers not directly employed by insurance companies. The survey results were extrapolated according to the information collected from 582 statistical units successfully interviewed. At the end of the third quarter of 2008, the Manufacturing sector had 23,916 paid employees, down by 14.5% year-on-year, with 15,331 working in Manufacture of Wearing Apparel. In September 2008, the average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) for full-time employees in this sector amounted to MOP5,374, representing a year-on-year increase of 8.0%. Sewing machine operators earned MOP3,802 in average. Hotels & Restaurants took on 49,514 paid employees, up by 16.4% over the third quarter of 2007, with 32,640 working in hotels. In September 2008, the average earnings for full-time employees in this sector increased by 10.8% year-on-year to MOP10,101, with Housekeeping employees earning an average of MOP5,619. The Financial sector had 5,645 paid employees, up by 10.1% compared with the third quarter of 2007, with 4,832 working in banks. The average earnings for full-time employees in September 2008 went up by 12.4% year-on-year to MOP17,451 and that of Bank tellers was MOP9,914. Electricity, Gas & Water Supply had 1,057 paid employees, down slightly by 0.2% year-on-year. The average earnings for full-time employees in September 2008 went up by 6.5% year-on-year to MOP22,129. As regards number of job vacancies at the end of September 2008, the four sectors reported significant year-on-year decreases. The Manufacturing sector reported to have 1,822 vacancies (-39.4%); Hotels & Restaurants had 4,020 (-46.6%); the Financial sector had 179 (-25.4%) and Electricity, Gas & Water Supply had 11 (-62.1%). In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 73.1% of the vacant posts in the Manufacturing sector required working experience, 99.4% of the vacancies in the Financial sector and 81.8% of that in Electricity, Gas & Water Supply required senior secondary education or higher. Besides Cantonese, Mandarin (44.4%) and English (34.6%) were the more preferable language skills for Hotels & Restaurants; furthermore, 81.1% of the job vacancies in the Financial sector required knowledge of English.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, will leave on Thursday for a two-day duty visit. While in the capital, Mr Ho will report to the state leaders on the latest developments of the Macao SAR and his policy blueprint for the next fiscal year. While Mr Ho is away, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, is acting as the Chief Executive.
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Macao people’s support to the nation’s aerospace project had impressed the Delegation of Shenzhou-7 Manned Space Mission, the head of the delegation, Mr Zhang Jianqi, said today. Mr Zhang said this as he and the three astronauts who completed China’s first spacewalk mission met the press this morning before returning to Beijing. Mr Zhang, who is also the Deputy Chief Commander of the mission, said he was impressed by the residents’ support to the nation’s space exploration project and their love towards the nation and the Macao SAR. Macao people are determined, confident and optimistic, he said, and with the support of the Central Government, he said he believed that the SAR Government and the Macao people would be able to overcome the global economic downturn. He also said that China would start setting up space laboratories and stations after 2011, and that Macao and Hong Kong people may contribute in experiments for the project. Zhai Zhigang, the astronaut who conducted the spacewalk, said he was impressed by the cultural diversity, harmony and uniqueness of the city. His colleague Liu Boming extended his gratitude for Macao people’s support for the nation’s astronauts, as well as the contribution of technicians and scientists for the space programme. After the interview, the delegation bade farewell to the Chief Executive Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah at Santa Sancha, before leaving for home.
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Tourism and MICE industry leaders from Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and Macau took part in the Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (AACVB) meeting to outline strategic plans and projects for the Association next year. During the AACVB meeting held December 8 and 9 at the MGM Grand Macau, different task forces of the association introduced the activity plans on research, website, branding and marketing of AACVB, destination marketing, education and membership development. The Board of Directors’ meeting also approved the strategic plan for 2009 which will see the activation of the website of the association, participation in MICE events and organization of training courses. The new management and action plan reflect a new high level commitment and unity of purpose to drive the future of the regional MICE industry. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Daniel L. Corpuz, vice-president of AACVB and the Executive Director of the Philippines Convention and Visitors Corporation. Also attending the meeting were Director of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Mohd Rosly Selamat, Conventions Director of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Suprabha Moleeratanond, General Manager for Destination Marketing of Hong Kong Tourism Board, Gilly Wong, Macau Government Tourist Office Director, João Manuel Costa Antunes and Deputy Director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes. AACVB was founded in 1983 in Manila, the Philippines; Macau has hosted the headquarters and permanent secretariat of the Association since 1987.
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