News

With the aim to enable local SMEs’ gain access to information on overseas products, and enhance their knowledge on different product selections and quality assurance, the “Japan Wagyu Beef Quality Control and Evaluation Symposium” organized SME Service Centre, Association of Macao Frozen Meat Industry and Macao-Japan Exchange Association, co-organized by Sendai Central Meat Wholesale Market, will be held on April 29, 3 p.m. at Multi-function Conference Hall of Macao Business Support Centre (Alameda Dr. Carlos d’Assumpção No 263, Edif. China Civil Plaza, 19 Andar, Macau). In recent years, food & beverage and retailing are some of the industries that are faced with opportunities of increasing demand in product and service diversification triggered by Macao’s developing tourism market. Take the food & beverage market as an example, by promoting foreign cuisines, food culture and importing overseas food products, SMEs can grasp more business opportunities through a wider product variety for customers. In view of this, the symposium will focus on analyzing Japan Wagyu Beef and topics will include Macao meat consumption market, Japan Wagyu Beef quality control and evaluation. Representative from Macao Civics and Municipal Bureau will explain the procedures and important issues on importing frozen meat products. There will also be Japan Wagyu Beef product display during the symposium. The symposium will be conducted in both Cantonese and Japanese, with consecutive interpretation. SMEs interested in knowing more about overseas food product market and importing frozen meat products, merchandisers of restaurant and hotel operations are cordially welcomed to participate in the event. For more details and registration, please contact Mr. Ho or Ms. Leong of SME Service Centre (tel: 28728212; email: smec@ipim.gov.mo) or visit the IPIM website: www.ipim.gov.mo.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today met the the Vice President of Kuomintang, Mr Tseng Yung-chuan, who is also the President of the Friends of HongKong & Macau Association, and they exchanged views on enhancing the exchanges and co-operation on trade, tourism, education and culture between Macao and Taiwan. During the meeting, Mr Chui told Mr Tseng that the Policy Address delivered last month had pointed out that the Government would include Taiwan-related matters into its regular work areas and accelerate the studies on establishing a formal communication mechanism between Macao and Taiwan. He said that, based on the fabourable foundation of Cross-Strait exchanges, the Government would continue to optimise the co-operation between Macao and Taiwan on different aspects. To better promote Macao to the compatriots in Taiwan, Mr Chui said the Government had plans for a visit to Taiwan in the second half of the year and hold promotional activities, Macao Week, in Taiwan with the business sectors. The Government would encourage various associations to visit Taiwan and also welcome Taiwan organisations to visit Macao and learn more about the implementation of the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ in Macao, he said. He said he anticipated the strengthening of Macao-Taiwan co-operation in education, especially in the recognition of academic qualification. He also said he hoped the formal communication mechanism, which was under study now, could serve Macao residence and students in Taiwan in the future. The mechanism would definitely be positive for the continuous development of Macao-Taiwan relations and Cross-Strait relations. Mr Chui said he shared the same views of Mr Tseng on enhancing Macao-Taiwan relations, made an important speech at a Macao-Taiwan forum this morning. Tseng had said there were currently more than 20,000 Macao people living in Taiwan, and many Macao students furthered their education there. People had good impressions of in Macao residents in Taiwan, which exemplified the close relations between Macao and Taiwan. On the establishment of a formal communication mechanism, Mr Tseng said that it was in line with public opinions in both Macao and Taiwan, so it would certainly be supported from all sides concerned. Mr Chui and Mr Tseng reviewed on the contributions of Macao in the creation of “Macao mode” in the Cross-Strait charter flights during Chinese New Year, and agreed that Macao would continue to play an important and active role in the promotion of Cross-Strait relations. The participants of the meeting included the Director of Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Macao, Mr Lo Muh-Kuen, the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, and the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that the Government would unswervingly uphold the employment rights of Macao workers and, in accordance with the law, come down heavily on illegal workers and their employers. Speaking to the press after attending a forum on Macao-Taiwan relations, Mr Chui said the Government had introduced the Law on Employment of Non-Resident Workers, detailed regulations and related orders, to regulate the employment of non-resident workers. The Government would continue to make laws and regulations to further regulate the ratio between local and imported workers, and the withdrawal of imported labour and set up supervisory groups. Related regulations would soon be passed to the Executive Council for discussions and approval, he said. Mr Chui said the Government placed much importance on the employment rights of Macao workers, had listened to the opinions of different sectors, and introduced a series of measures to help ease unemployment, including vocational training and urgent subsidy. He re-iterated that the Government would continue to crack down on illegal workers.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the number of visitor and non-resident arrivals totalled 2,565,038 in March 2010. Total visitor arrivals increased by 6.7% year-on-year to 2,011,099. Same-day visitors (1,055,902) accounted for 52.5% of the total visitor arrivals, with 553,692 coming from Mainland China. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China grew by 8.2% year-on-year to 1,057,395 (52.6% of total visitor arrivals), with 421,704 travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme, down by 5.8% from March 2009 (447,465). Visitors from Hong Kong (569,466), Japan (41,815) and Malaysia (37,238) rose by 4.4%, 17.6% and 2.1% respectively; besides, visitors from the Republic of Korea (25,243), India (10,197) and Vietnam (8,232) also registered notable increases. However, those from Taiwan, China (114,409) decreased by 4.0%. Visitor arrivals totalled 6,115,221 in the first quarter of 2010, up by 12.1% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (3,334,375); Taiwan, China (330,215); and Japan (105,781) increased by 20.9%, 5.2% and 3.0% respectively, while those from Hong Kong (1,726,819) decreased slightly by 0.3%. In the first quarter of 2010, same-day visitors accounted for 52.0% of the total visitor arrivals, at 3,180,860. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea totalled 2,469,347 in the first quarter of 2010, up by 8.4% year-on-year. Visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour increased by 4.8% to 1,583,672, with the majority coming from Hong Kong (51.4%) and Mainland China (24.9%); meanwhile, those arriving at the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa went up by 14.9% to 788,410. Visitor arrivals by land increased by 14.7% year-on-year to 3,213,932 in the first quarter of 2010; those arriving through the Border Gate totalled 2,941,489 and the majority were visitors from Mainland China (80.0%) and Hong Kong (13.0%). Visitor arrivals by air rose by 15.1% year-on-year to 431,942 in the first quarter of 2010. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport increased by 15.7% to 426,580, with the majority coming from Taiwan, China (35.9%); Mainland China (30.2%); and Malaysia (7.8%).
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (103.01) for March 2010 increased by 1.88% year-on-year, attributable to the price increase of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages. Price indices of Transport; Clothing & Footwear; Miscellaneous Goods & Services and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose by 8.40%, 5.51%, 5.45% and 4.11% respectively, on account of dear prices of gasoline and new arrival of Spring clothing, rising gold prices and higher charges for meals bought away from home. On the contrary, apart from the 9.81% decrease of the price index of Education, reduced charges for mobile phone services and lower rentals for housing drove the price indices of Communication; and Housing & Fuels down by 3.37% and 1.0% respectively. The CPI-A (102.8) and CPI-B (103.05) for March 2010 increased by 1.26% and 2.0% year-on-year respectively. The Composite CPI for March 2010 decreased by 0.25% month-to-month, of which the price indices of Recreation & Culture; and Miscellaneous Goods & Services fell by 5.54% and 1.50% respectively, attributable to lower charges for outbound package tours and hairdressing services after the Lunar New Year. However, price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose by 0.64% on account of dearer charges for meals bought away from home. The average Composite CPI for the first quarter of 2010 (102.81)) increased by 1.52% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended March 2010, the average Composite CPI rose by 0.74% over the preceding period. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, today called for further co-operation on the exhibition and convention industries between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Delivering a speech at a forum on the future of the Pearl River Delta, Mr Tam said Macao had to add more high-end and attractive elements to its industrial portfolio, mostly made up of gaming, in its drive to become a global leisure and tourism hub, a positioning of Macao in accordance with the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020). Mr Tam said it would be important for Macao to develop its exhibition and convention businesses in order to diversify. He said Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao had their unique advantages in developing exhibition and convention industries, and the three should fully maximise the benefits provided by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). He suggested that the three make agreements to enhance co-operation and diversification in exhibition and convention industries, and Macao would focus on exhibitions on entertainment, consumption, arts, regional acclaimed products and small and medium conventions. He also said the three might encourage and support their business sectors to co-operate and nurture new exhibitions, and to streamline customs procedures for personnel and exhibits for exhibitions. He also suggested that the three neighbouring governments should integrate their resources and explore the markets of the Portuguese-speaking countries.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, with principal officials and member of the Executive Council, observed a three-minute silence at Government Headquarters today to mourn for the victims of the Qinghai earthquake, which claimed more than 2,000 lives. Speaking to the press afterwards, Mr Chui extended his condolences to the victims’ families and said the Government would fully support the rescue and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas, in co-ordination with the Red Cross Society of China and the Macau Red Cross. On Monday the Government announced the donation of 100 million RMB for quake relief. The ceremony was attended by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, the Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, the Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Choi Lai Hang, and Commissioner of Commission Against Corruption, Mr Fong Man Chong.
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The Macao SAR Government decided to donate 100 million RMB for quake relief in Yushu of Qinghai Province today, according to a press release by the Government. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, extended his condolence to the compatriots in Qinghai and wished for smooth rescue operations and reconstructions. Macao residents are deeply concerned about the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that hit Yushu last Wednesday, which claimed lives of more than 1900 people.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP156.2 billion (USD19.53 billion) at the end of March 2010. The reserves rose by 4.3% from MOP149.8 billion (USD18.73 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP21.8 billion or 16.3%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-March 2010 represented 29 times the currency in circulation or 254.0% of Pataca M2 at end-February 2010. 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, rose by 0.25 points month-to-month but fell by 2.73 points year-on-year to 90.53 in March 2010.
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Once or twice a month, on a Saturday afternoon, the Historical Archives of Macao opens its doors to curious members of the public who come to attend one of its Conservation Workshops. Up to twelve participants meet in the Gallery of the old Historical Archives building to learn some of the fascinating skills used in conserving paper records. Designs so far have ranged from paperback and hard cover notebooks to silk-bound volumes and accordion fold-out books. The Conservation Workshops were launched in June 2009 to mark the newly established International Archives Day. The aim is to give local citizens an insight into this most traditional craft while demonstrating the care Historical Archives professionals extend to the historic documents they work with every day. The conservators working in the Historical Archives have years of experience and training in handling these precious records, and they are keen to share some of the basic notions involved in this craft with members of the public. While the presentation is mostly in Chinese, instructional support is also provided in English. Additionally, support is on hand for the hearing-disabled. Using a combination of visual presentation, written notes in Chinese and English, and practical demonstrations by the professional conservators, participants of all ages, some as young as ten years old, can spend a relaxing afternoon in the airy gallery of this historic building on Tap Seac Square and take away a completed handicraft project when they leave.
Registration for each workshop opens a few days before the scheduled date, and places usually get snapped up very quickly. The registration fee is MOP$20 and participants do not need to bring any materials or equipment. All workshops start at 2pm and end at 5pm. The Historical Archives of Macao will hold another of its popular binding workshops on Saturday 24th of April. Registration will open on April 19th for the workshop taking place on April 24th. To register, please visit the Historical Archives of Macao (open Mon-Fri, 09:30-18.30, Sat, 13.00-18.00) and pay the workshop fee of MOP$20. Places are limited and will be distributed according to order of registration. For more information about individual workshops, please visit www.archives.gov.mo. For further details, please contact Ms. Esther Chu at 85986537. To better inform the public of this activity, the schedule for the remainder of 2010 is as follows:
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