News

Minister of Health of the Central Government, Mr Gao Qiang, is scheduled to arrive in Macao today for a three-day visit. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Dr Fernando Chui Sai On, is scheduled to meet with Mr Gao, to review the co-operation with the Central Government on public health issues and seek means to enhance co-operative efforts. During his stay in Macao, Mr Gao will also meet the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and visit hospitals and health facilities.
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(Macao – 3 June 2005)The Executive Council today discussed the city’s tax structure and proposed to reduce corporate tax to give a relief to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). An amendment bill, to be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for discussion and approval, will propose increasing the exemption of corporate tax from 20,000 Patacas to 32,000 Patacas, backdated to the 2004 fiscal year. Taxable profits and bands suggested were: Taxable profits (Patacas) Tax rate
0 -- 32,000 0%
32,001 -- 65,000 3%
65,001 -- 100,000 5%
100,001 -- 200,000 7%
200,001 -- 300,000 9%
300,000 above 12% The reduction would reduce the government’s revenue from corporate tax by 128 million Patacas in 2004, said spokesman for the Executive Council, Mr Tong Chi Kin. But he said he believed overall revenue would not dramatically fall because of increased economic activities in the year. Under the new rates, according to data of taxpayers in 2003, 10,000 businesses exempted among some 30,000 taxpayers; some 2,700 would enjoy a 30%-50% reduction, some 17,000 would pay less than 50% of what they were paying. The bill, which would be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for discussion and approval, would not only bring advantages to the community, but also lessen the tax burdens of the SMEs, said Mr Tong.
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Anabela Miranda Rodrigues, Aggregate Professor at the Law Faculty of the Coimbra University and Director of the Centre for Judicial Studies, Lisbon, Portugal, and Luís Manuel Cunha da Silva Pereira, Procurator of the Portuguese Republic and faculty member of the said Center, are the two lecturers of the Seminar on “Mutual Legal Assistance – Criminal Matters – Surrender of Fugitive Offenders” that commences tomorrow, June 6, at 6.30 pm, at the auditorium of the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (Luso-International Bank Building, 18th floor). Included in the Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field between the European Union and Macao, this seminar will last for four days and will be conducted in Portuguese. On the first day, the approached subjects will be “The fundamental components of International Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters”, “The Institutions for International Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters”, “Extradition”, “Request for extradition”, “The decision to extradite: prerogative of the Executive power or decision of the Judicial power?” and “The Limits to Extradition”. The second day, June 7, continues with the subject “The Limits to Extradition”, followed by “The Effects of Extradition”, “The legal framework applicable to the territory of Macao” and “The European experience – the European Council”. The third day, June 8, is entirely dedicated to the topic “The European Union and the Construction of an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice”. On the last day, June 9, the approached subjects will be “The surrender before International Criminal Jurisdictions”, “The concurrence of requests for surrender”, “Extradition and other requests of the surrendering of persons” and “Procedures alternative to Extradition”. Specially targeted at legal advisors, this seminar is organised by the Legal and Judicial Training Centre and the International Law Office and will count with a participation of around 50 local participants. The Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field between the European Union and Macao, which incorporates this seminar, has as its main objective the “Consolidation of the Macao Legal System” and is already in its fourth and last year, taking place until February 2006. The total budget for the programme is of 1.980.000 euros, shared in equal parts by the European Union and Macao. The co-ordination of the Co-operation Programme is at the responsibility of the International Law Office, being the organisation of the pertaining actions ensured by several other entities of the MSAR’s Government, namely the Legal and Judicial Training Centre, the Legal Affairs Bureau, the Economic Services and the Institute of European Studies, other than the International Law Office itself.
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Organized jointly by the Macau Sport Development Board (MSDB), Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the China - Macau Autosports Club (ACMC), the FIM-UAM Asian Motocross Championships, Macau will be held on June 25 and 26 in Macau. Acting President of MSDB Alex Vong, Director of MGTO João Costa Antunes, President of the General Assembly of ACMC Lo Keng Chio, President of ACMC Chong Coc Veng and President of FIM-UAM Asian Motocross & Enduro Commission Stephan Carapiet were presented at the press conference today (June 2) to brief the media about the race arrangement. The FIM-UAM Asian Motocross Championships is organized by the world motorcycle sport governing body, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and the Asian Motorcycling Union (UAM), with the Macau round organized by the MSDB, MGTO and the ACMC. Established in 1998, the UAM is the governing body for all motorcycle events held in Asia and is comprised of 18 member countries including Macau. To be held on June 25 and 26 at the track adjacent to Pousada Infante Hotel on COTAI (area between Taipa and Coloane), the event will be the 3rd round of the FIM-UAM Asian Motocross Championships for 2005. The event will be televised globally on Star TV and ESPN to a projected audience of 490 million households, putting Macau in the international spotlight. Macau Satellite TV will also transmit a 10-minute highlight of the races daily through satellite, facilitating more instant and convenient coverage by the international media. The satellite covers more than 30 countries and regions in the Commonwealth Independent States (CIS), Asia Pacific region and Pan Asia Pacific region. Famous actor Richie Jen, who is also motorcycle sports’ fan, will be present at the event and will try out a demonstration round on bike. The races of FIM-UAM Asian Motocross Championships, Macau this year include the 125cc Asian Motocross Championships, along with the 85cc Asian Junior Motocross Championships, 65cc Junior International Class and the Macau Cup Open. Over 60 participating riders from Australia, the Mainland China, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, Saipan, the Philippines and Thailand will compete in the 3rd round of the Championships in Macau. The 2003 FIM-UAM Asian Motocross champion, Philippines’ Glenn Aguilar will join the series this year. This year’s series leader Australian rider Christian Horwood is replaced by Ford Dale due to injuries suffered during the Australian Motocross Championships. Japanese rider Tadakazu, champion of 2004 Asian Motocross Championships 125cc class will also participate in the Macau round. Glen Aguilar and James Robinson of New Zealand are now at the leading positions after the two rounds held in Guam and the Philippines early this year. Macau is the only round in Asia which hosts the 85cc Asian Junior Motocross Championships (age 12 to 15) and 65cc Junior International Class (12 years old and under). These international events provide opportunities for the upcoming young stars of motocross in Asia to gain valuable experience. The organizers will set up a press area to facilitate the coverage of media in a safe and orderly manner. The registered media should wear the bib provided by the organizers for identification. While admission is free, entry will be restricted to holders of admission coupons which are available at the main office of the Macau Sport Development Board (Macau Forum, Block 1, 4th floor, Av. Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues), the China-Macau Autosports Club (Edf. Grande Prémio de Macau, Av. da Amizade) and 4 tourism information counters of MGTO at Senado Square, Macau International Airport, Macau Ferry Terminal and Border Gate Checkpoint. Limited amount of tickets will also be available on site on race days.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service shows that in the first quarter of 2005, the available amount of Electricity and Fuel oil rose 13.7% and 12.4% respectively, whereas Gas oil & diesel registered the only drop of 10.2%, when compared with the first quarter of 2004. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2004, the available amount of Gas oil & diesel and Electricity dropped markedly by 23.5% and 8.1% respectively. On the other hand, Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) registered the only increase of 14.8%. In comparison with the first quarter of 2004, consumption of Fuel oil and Electricity rose 23.1% and 17.5%. On the other hand, Gas oil & diesel registered the only decrease of 21.3%. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2004, consumption of Gas oil & diesel and Electricity fell markedly by 36.5% and 9.1% respectively. On the other hand, LPG registered the largest increase of 16.7%. For the import quantity of fuels in the first quarter of 2005, when compared with the first quarter of 2004, Aviation kerosene and Fuel oil increased significantly by 27.9% and 10.1% respectively, while Gas oil & diesel registered the biggest decrease of 38.3%. In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2004, import quantity of Fuel oil and LPG increased markedly by 12.5% and 11.8% respectively, while Common kerosene (Kerosene for illumination) and Gas oil & diesel decreased significantly by 55.4% and 42.6% respectively. In the first quarter of 2005, the total import value of liquid and gas fuels reached the amount of MOP508 million, representing an increase of 21.1% over the first quarter of 2004 and a decrease of 14.6% over the fourth quarter of 2004. At the end of the first quarter of 2005, the list prices of all fuels increased compared with the end of the first quarter of 2004, among which those of Common kerosene (Kerosene for illumination) and Fuel oil rose 27.7% and 24.3% respectively. Compared with the end of the fourth quarter of 2004, the list prices of all fuels increased, among which those of Fuel oil and Gasoline (unleaded) rose 7.8% and 7.2% respectively.
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According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, unemployment rate was 4.1% for February - April 2005, which remained at the same level of January - March 2005 but decreased by 1.3 percentage points over the same period of 2004. The underemployment rate was 1.2%, up slightly by 0.1 percentage point over January - March 2005 but dropped by 1.3 percentage points compared with the same period of 2004. Number of the unemployed searching for their first job was about 900, or 8.8% of the total unemployed, which was identical to the proportion recorded in January - March 2005. Compared with January - March 2005, unemployment situation was improved in Recreational, cultural, gaming & other service activities and Construction sectors, while it was worsened in Transport, storage & communications and Manufacturing sectors. Total labour force was estimated at 240,400 in February - April 2005; the employed and the unemployed populations were 230,500 and 9,900 respectively. Labour force participation rate was 62.4%, which fell slightly by 0.1 percentage point compared with January - March 2005 but increased by 1.6 percentage points over the same period of 2004.
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The Legislative Assembly Election Commission, in its third meeting held today, discussed plans for promotional campaigns aimed at enhancing voter awareness towards the election, using various channels. The Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Election Commission, Judge Fong Man Chong, said a poster-design campaign has been decided and details would be given on the Commission's website next week. Speaking on the budget for the election, Judge Fong said that it would be higher than that for the last election, in line with inflation, more expenses for promotional campaigns and additional working staff at polling stations due to the increase in the number of voters. He stressed that the Commission would work out the budget cautiously. Meanwhile, Judge Fong reminded those who intend to participate to make preparations as stipulated by the law. Violations will not be tolerated and breaches of the election law will be referred to the law enforcement department for investigation and action.
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Textiles and clothing products of Macau origin that undergo outward processing in the Mainland will be exempt from export duty imposed by the Mainland. This was agreed today in the Joint Steering Committee meeting of CEPA held in Beijing, chaired by the Deputy Director of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ms Chen Xing, and the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Lok Kit Sim. The exemption was agreed in consideration of the impact of newly imposed export duty on Macao’s textile industry. According to the agreement reached, all textile products with Macao Certificates of Origin that undergo outward processing in the Mainland before export would be excluded from the export duty. The exemption will not apply to products without a Mainland Outward Processing Arrangement (OPA) Certificate. The relevant departments in the Mainland and Macao have formed a working group to work out details and it was agreed that the arrangement would be implemented within next month. It is expected that physical documents would be required to for products subjected to the exemption arrangement in the initial stage, before switching to an electronic system.
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The Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Mr José Proença Branco, is leading a delegation of police chiefs on a six-day visit to Fujian province today. The delegation is scheduled to visit the provincial public security department and the relevant bureaux in Fuzhou and Nanping city. Fujian, adjacent to Guangdong, has strong ties with Macao: many in Macao originated from the province. The introduction of facilitated individual travel (FIT) scheme in 2003 has also prompted the strengthening of relations. Macao security chiefs hoped the visit would enhance co-operation with the province in combating crime, such as in the exchange of intelligence. Members of the delegation include the Director of the Judicial Police, Mr Wong Sio Chak and the Deputy Commissioner of the Public Security Police, Mr Ma Io Kun.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicates that the estimated resident population of Macao was 469,800 as at 31 March 2005, an increase of about 17,000 compared with the same period of 2004. In the first quarter of 2005, there were 811 live births, a decrease of 18.0% over the fourth quarter of 2004. Among the live births, 50.9% were male. There were 451 death cases, major causes of which were “Diseases of the circulatory system” and “Malignant neoplasms”. Moreover, 2 cases of fetal death were recorded. In the first quarter of 2005, the Health Bureau received 789 cases of “notifiable diseases”, which included 553 cases of “Varicella (chickenpox)”, 93 cases of “Tuberculosis of lung” and 38 cases of “Enterovirus infection”. Meanwhile, 470 cases of marriage were registered in the first quarter of 2005, a decrease of 3.9% over the fourth quarter of 2004 and an increase of 5.4% compared with the first quarter of 2004. In the first quarter of 2005, there were 942 legal immigrants from Mainland China, a slight increase of 1.0% compared with the same quarter of 2004, whereas 78 illegal immigrants were repatriated to Mainland China. The quarter-end balance of persons authorized to reside in Macao was 41,704, up 2,676 persons and 7,923 persons over the fourth and first quarter of 2004. At the end of this quarter, total number of non-resident workers in Macao was 28,648, up 912 and 3,429 persons compared with the fourth and first quarter of 2004 respectively.
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