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CEPA supplement benefits Macao's economy

The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said today that the new supplement to the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) would benefit the streamlining and diversification of Macao's economic structure. After attending the opening ceremony of the 'Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Trade and Economic Co-operation Forum' in Hong Kong today, Mr Tam said that Supplement III to CEPA, signed on Monday (26 June), had provided enhanced conditions in three areas, namely the 'trade in goods', the 'trade in services', and the 'trade and investment facilitation'. In 'trade in services', relaxed measures are given to Macao enterprises and professionals from services sectors such as legal, construction, audiovisual, distribution, tourism, transport, individually owned stores, convention and exhibition, when entering the markets in the Mainland. Speaking on State Council's approval of a round-the-clock and special-purpose checkpoint in the soon-to-be-completed Zhuhai-Macao Trans-border Industrial Park, Mr Tam said that it would greatly benefit the development of the industrial zone. He but added that people with business connections with companies in the park would be only allowed to use this checkpoint: others would continue to use the present facilities.


Industrial Park checkpoint to open 24 hours a day

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, has disclosed that the State Council had given approval for the Zhuhai-Macao Trans-border Industrial Park to establish a special-purpose checkpoint, which would operate 24 hours a day. Mr Ho said this today when he was delivering a speech on the achievements of the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) at the opening ceremony of the 'Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Trade and Economic Co-operation Forum' in Hong Kong. The Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Jia Qinglin, and the Vice Chairman, Mr Liao Hui, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, Mr Donald Tsang, and the Minister of Commerce, Mr Bo Xilai, were among the attendees. Mr Ho said the implementation of CEPA had been generally successful. Under the framework of CEPA, the Mainland and Macao had basically formed a free trade zone that allowed all products of Macao origin tariff-free entry into the Mainland. Under the trade in services agreement, Macao service suppliers have started to enter the Mainland market. More and more Macao residents were operating individually owned shops there. The supplements to CEPA further promoted and facilitated the economic and trade co-operation between the Mainland and Macao. Mr Ho said CEPA reflected the Central Government's support for Macao. It was a vehicle for the economic integration between the Mainland and Macao, and provided the two sides with enormous business opportunities. CEPA also helped to properly diversify Macao's economic structure and generated prerequisites for Macao's sustainable development. He said the Facilitated Individual Travel Scheme, one of the major elements of CEPA, directly supported the development of Macao's tourism industry: Mainlanders now make up more than 50 per cent of visitor arrivals. Given the support of the Mainland, Macao's real Gross Domestic Product growth averaged above the 10 per cent mark every year since the full execution of CEPA in 2004, Mr Ho said. He said promoting the integration of Macao's economy with the Mainland by strengthening co-operation was one of the major parts of Macao's economic development strategy. 'In accordance with the prevailing comparative advantage structure, the Macao SAR Government strives to develop Macao into a regional business service hub, especially for the economic and trade co-operation and exchanges between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries,' said Mr Ho. 'We believe that the far-reaching effect of CEPA is to create a huge and unified market by realising institutional innovations, resources and market integration, and lowering transaction and administration cost.' Speaking on the soon-to-be-completed Zhuhai-Macao Trans-border Industrial Park, Mr Ho said that the State Council had approved the establishment of a special-purpose checkpoint in the industrial zone, which would allow the transport of passengers and goods round the clock. The State Council had also decided that the China Customs, the Bureau of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, as well as the Ministry of Public Security, would carry out their relevant duties in the Industrial Park, under their existing offices in Zhuhai, he said. Staff would be increased appropriately. 'This decision from the State Council embodies both our country's approval for the Zhuhai-Macao Trans-border Industrial Park project, as well as her concern and support for the Macao Special Administrative Region,' said Mr Ho. He said that 'Co-operation and Development' had become one of the most important trends of the world economy. The on-going economic integration between the Mainland and Macao, to which CEPA was certainly the key catalyst, was a necessary process in the co-operation of our region. 'With the guidance and support given of the Central Government, the Mainland and Macao will continue to strengthen and deepen our co-operation.' 'By perfecting the implementation of CEPA, we would establish closer economic and trade links that complement and benefit each other, and in turn jointly contribute to the successful implementation of the ''one country, two systems'' principle,' said Mr Ho.


Macao and Mongolia sign aviation protocol

Macao and Mongolia signed an aviation agreement yesterday to further promote bilateral exchanges. The Secretary for Transportation and Public Works, Mr Ao Man Long, and the Minister of Road, Transportation and Tourism of Mongolia, Mr Tsegmidiin Tsengel, signed the agreement in Ulaanbaatar on behalf of the two governments. Mr Ao, who was on a visit to Mongolia, said the agreement marked the beginning of co-operation between the two places, and aviation ties would further enhance their relationship in tourism and trade. The latest agreement with Mongolia is Macao's 39th international aviation protocol.


AACM organized “Airport Safety Management System Seminar”

With the globalization of the aviation industry and the rapid growth in air transportation, the challenges for maintaining aviation safety have become greater. Since the handover of Macao to China, the gaming industry has been liberalized; the tourist figures continue to increase year to year; the aviation industry has started to blossom and the passenger throughput of the Macau International Airport reports satisfactory growth year on year. Facing the increased demand in air transportation, in addition to enhancing the economic growth of the industry, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) reinforces its regulatory role to guarantee aviation safety. AACM organized the “Airport Safety Management System Seminar” in the morning of 28 June with the aim of introducing the Safety Management Systems (SMS) of the Hong Kong and Macao airports to the Macao aviation operators. Speakers of the seminar were experienced industry people in SMS from the two areas. The number of participants was about 40. The speakers of the seminar were the Senior Operations Officer of the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong SAR, Mr. Edmund Wong, the Senior Manager, Airport Safety of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr. H. W. Lau and the Safety Manager of Administration of Airports, Macau, Mr. Jose Marcal. The three speakers respectively introduced the SMS of the Hong Kong International Airport and the Macao International Airport, including the system components, policy, hazard control, safety objectives, safety responsibilities, training, contingencies and so on. They all agreed that the air transportation industry’s future viability depend on its ability to sustain the public’s confidence in traveling and the management of safety is therefore a prerequisite for a sustainable aviation business. The notion of safety management is introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which contains two concepts: a safety programme and a SMS. The safety programme is a set of regulations and activities aimed at improving safety and to be implemented by the regulator. The SMS is an approach to managing safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies and procedures, to be implemented by airlines, maintenance organizations, air traffic services providers and aerodrome operators. In accordance with the Annex 14 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), since November 2005, a certified aerodrome shall have in operation a SMS. The Macau International Airport implemented its SMS in the end of 2005. In addition, AACM is now in the process of drafting safety regulations. Due to the corporatization and the privatization of airports and airlines in the global market, the role played by the regulator has become more significant. For this, ICAO urged all governments, airport entities, airlines and service providers to comply strictly with the standards of their SMS while fulfilling commercial interests. The seminar was held in the conference room of AACM’s office. Participants included representatives from Fire Services, Macau International Airport Company Ltd., Administration of Airports, Ltd., Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd., Macau Catering Services Ltd., Nam Kwong Petroleum and Chemicals Company Ltd., Macau Business Aviation Centre, Air Macau Company Ltd. and East Asia Airlines Ltd.


Macau swings into full heritage passion with “Macau Heritage Passport”

Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Dr Chui Sai On officiated the launch ceremony of “Macau Heritage Passport” today (June 28). To further promote Macau’s world heritage “The Historic Centre of Macau” to the world and boost its reputation as a cultural and tourism destination, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) steps up its promotion effort by launching the “Macau Heritage Passport” campaign that will last for 6 months. “Macau Heritage Passport”, as a core campaign of “Macau World Heritage Year”, aims to encourage participation of local retailers in the promotions of Macau’s tourism industry. 140 hotels and merchants will participate in this campaign. Visitors participating in the “ Macau Heritage Passport” campaign are entitled to lucky draws featuring fabulous prizes including golden miniatures of Macau Heritage Site, gold coins, hotel accommodation, Macau heritage highlight tours, Mainland China heritage tours, with a total value up of MOP8 million. All visitors to Macau can enjoy this campaign, the objective of which is to attract more visitors to Macau and to enhance their knowledge on “The Historic Centre of Macau” while driving the length of stay and spending of visitors to new heights. Participating visitors have to collect 4 stamps on their “Macau Heritage Passport” which can be obtained at MGTO Information Counters and participating hotels in Macau. One of the stamps can be obtained from the participating hotel where the “Passport” holder is staying; the second can be obtained from any of the participating merchants with a single purchase of MOP300 or above. The last two stamps are to be obtained from MGTO’s Information Counters at the Macau Business Tourism Centre, Macau Tourism & Cultural Activities Centre and Guia Lighthouse located near a number of world heritage sites after the “Passport” holder has visited these sites. Participating visitors can enter an instant lucky draw by presenting the 4 stamps and the completed lucky draw slip to any of the designated MGTO Information Counters. In addition to the instant lucky draw, participating visitors can also enter the monthly and year end Mega Lucky Draws by dropping the stamped and completed lucky draw slip into the lucky draw box located at any of the MGTO Information Counters or participating hotels. MGTO has designated this year as “Macau World Heritage Year”. Comprising a series of promotions and publicity activities held in Macau and overseas, including the Mega Media Fam Trip which brought to Macau about 100 media representatives from 13 countries and regions, the “Visa Treasure Hunt” co-organized with Visa International, major trade shows and many others, “Macau World Heritage Year” aims to promote to the world Macau’s unique cultural heritage “The Historic Centre of Macau” and reinforce its image as a popular tourism destination.


Results of the Employment Survey for March – May 2006

According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, unemployment rate for March - May 2006 dropped slightly by 0.1 percentage point over the preceding period (February - April 2006) to 3.8%, and decreased by 0.3 percentage point over the same period of 2005. The underemployment rate was up slightly by 0.1 percentage point over the preceding period to 1.3%, but remained at the same level as recorded in the same period of 2005. Number of the unemployed searching for their first job was about 800, representing 7.7% of the total unemployed population, up by 1.0 percentage point over the preceding period. Compared with the preceding period, the unemployment situation was improved in Recreational, cultural, gaming & other service activities; Real estate, renting & business activities; and Hotels, restaurants & similar activities, while it was less favourable in the Manufacturing sector. Total labour force was estimated at 271,000 in March - May 2006; the employed and the unemployed populations were 261,000 and 10,000 respectively. Labour force participation rate was 65.0%, up by 0.4 and 2.7 percentage points respectively over the preceding period and the same period of 2005.


Results of the Environment Statistics 2005

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that total land area of Macao measured 28.2 km2 in 2005 and the population density reached 17,310 persons per km2. Total lane length of public roads was 368.2 km, density of motor vehicles was 414 vehicles per km. At the end of 2005, number of trees planted on the roadside in Macao totalled 10,629, up by 11.5% over 2004; number of trees in the replantation area of the Islands increased slightly by 0.4% compared with 2004. The level of air quality observed at the 4 monitoring stations was classified as Good for most of the days in 2005; the best air quality level was observed in May. The Northern District monitoring station recorded a total of 35 days of which the observed value of respirable suspended particulates was higher than the standard value. Besides, the Ka Ho monitoring station recorded the lowest pH value of rainwater, at 3.4 (precipitation with pH value lower than 5.6 is classified as acid rain). The quality of drinking water of the distribution networks and the Water Treatment Plants was conformed to the standard according to the results of the analysis carried out by the Laboratory of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau. In addition, the approval rate of the samples taken from the 9 public swimming pools was over 90%, among which the water samples taken from 7 swimming pools all reached an approval rate of 100%. Water quality of the Cheoc Van and Hac Sa beaches was classified as “Acceptable”. In 2005, Companhia de Sistemas de Resíduos (CSR) collected 162,000 tonnes of domestic waste and 55,000 tonnes of waste from the business sector, which increased by 4.9% and 7.7% respectively compared with 2004. In addition, volume of waste sent to the Incineration Plant rose by 8.9% over 2004 to 279,000 tonnes. The average volume of waste water treated by all the Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) in Macao was 152,000 m3 per day, up by 0.9% over 2004. In 2005, Public Security Police received 2,713 cases of noise complaints, up by 0.7% over 2004. The principal causes of complaints included noises from construction works; conversation and shouting; as well as music and karaoke. At the same time, the Environment Council received 95 cases of noise complaints, a significant increase of 25.0% over 2004. With regard to educational activities on environmental protection, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Environment Council organized 157 promotional activities; total expenses amounted to MOP4.49 million whilst more than 180,000 persons participated in these activities.


Chief Executive to attend CEPA forum in HK

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, is to attend the opening ceremony of the ''Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Trade and Economic Co-operation Forum'' in Hong Kong on Thursday (29 June). The Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Jia Qinglin, will officiate the opening of the forum, which marks the third anniversary of the signing of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). The forum is jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the Hong Kong SAR Government. Leading a delegation of some 120 officials, businesspeople and representatives of business chambers, Mr Ho is scheduled to deliver a speech. He is also scheduled to attend a welcoming dinner for Mr Jia on Wednesday evening, hosted by the Hong Kong SAR Government.


Macao and Mainland sign Supplement III to CEPA

Macao and the Mainland today signed the Supplement III to the "Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement" (CEPA) to further strengthen their economic and trade exchanges. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, and the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Liao Xiaoqi, signed the agreement, which would further lower the barriers for the entry of Macao's services industries into the Mainland in addition to easing the regulations for trade and investment. The supplement also regulated the new criteria for goods to be included as Macao origin, which would be granted zero tariffs when exported to the Mainland. Full details of the supplement will be announced on 29 June, the third anniversary of the signing of the CEPA. This week, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, will lead a delegation of officials, businesspeople and representatives of business chambers to Hong Kong to attend the celebration for the third anniversary of CEPA. CEPA was first signed in 2003, and two supplementary agreements were signed in 2004 and 2005.


Macao, Xinjiang step up co-operation

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, has returned to Macao after leading an official delegation to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 19-22 June, to strengthen co-operation in tourism, education and personnel training. The Macao Government have started to work with Xinjiang Govenrment on various projects since 2000. Therefore, Mr Chui is scheduled to Xingjiang every year with officials from the education and tourism sectors, to discuss joint plans. The Macao delegation visited several departments, such as health, tourism and education, to exchange views on co-operation as well as updating them on the latest developments of Macao. During the meeting, Mr Chui invited Xinjiang health sector officials to visit Macao. They also agreed to step up training for medical professionals.


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