News

Vice-Premier Wu Yi is scheduled to come to Macao tomorrow to officiate the opening of the 4th East Asian Games. She will be accompanied by the Minister of the General Administration of Sports, Mr Liu Peng; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Bai Zhijian; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Chen Zhuoer; and Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, Mr Xu Shaoshi. The Vice-Premier is scheduled to return to the Mainland soon after the opening ceremony. During her brief visit in the SAR, she will meet with representatives of the East Asian Games Association, the chairmen of the Olympic committees and Chefes de Mission of the participating countries and regions. She will also attends a banquet hosted by the SAR Government before the opening ceremony. The heads of eight provinces and one autonomous region, which comprised the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region delegation, arrived in Macao yesterday. The Macao 2005 4th Asian Games will be held from 29 October to 6 November. The 17 games will be held in 13 venues: 234 gold medals will be won. About 2,000 athletes from China, China Macao, North Korea, Mongolia, China Hong Kong, China Taipei, Japan, Guam and Korea will compete this year’s games.
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The signing ceremony of the Agreements on Mutual Abolition of Visa Requirements and on the Readmission of Persons with Unauthorized Stays between the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Swiss Federal Council took place in the Macao Cultural Centre on 28th October 2005. The Government of the Macao SAR has obtained the authorization from the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China to conclude the above-mentioned agreements. The Secretary for Administration and Justice Ms. Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, and the Consul General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, Mr. François Barras, representing the Government of the Macao SAR and the Swiss Federal Council respectively, signed the agreements. The above-mentioned agreements will be effective from 1st December 2005 and are applicable to the territory of the Principality of Liechtenstein. After the agreements come into effect, holders of a valid passport of the Macao SAR will be able to enter into Switzerland or Liechtenstein without a visa, for a stay of up to 90 days. To date, there are 68 countries/territories that agree to grant the abolition of visa or to issue visa upon arrival to the holders of the Macao SAR passport, 7 countries agree to abolish visa requirement to the holders of the Macao SAR Travel Permit.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that there were 661 real estate agencies and management establishments operating in 2004, with 5,151 persons engaged. Total receipts and total expenditure amounted to MOP 564 million and MOP 497 million respectively. Gross value added totalled MOP 306 million and gross fixed capital formation was MOP 34.86 million. In 2004, there were 512 real estate agencies, with a workforce of 1,026 persons. Total receipts were MOP 102 million, of which commission received accounted for 92.6% of the total, at MOP 94.54 million. Total expenditure amounted to MOP 73.80 million, among the expenditure items, operating expenses (MOP 43.16 million) and compensation of employees (MOP 24.84 million) shared 58.5% and 33.7% of the total respectively. Gross value added and gross fixed capital formation totalled MOP 54.98 million and MOP 19.64 million respectively. With regard to the activity of real estate management, there were 4,125 persons engaging in the 149 establishments operating in 2004. Total receipts amounted to MOP 462 million, of which provision of services contributed MOP 405 million (87.8% of the total). Total expenditure was MOP 423 million, of which operating expenses and compensation of employees amounted to MOP 210 million (49.6%) and MOP 205 million (48.3%) respectively. Gross value added and gross fixed capital formation totalled MOP 251 million and MOP 15.21 million.
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ice, unemployment rate for July - September 2005 was 4.1%, which stayed at the same level as recorded in June - August 2005, down by 0.6 percentage point compared with the same period of 2004. The underemployment rate was 1.5%, down by 0.1 and 0.2 percentage point respectively over June - August 2005 and the same period of 2004. Number of the unemployed searching for their first job was about 1,900, which represented 18.7% of the total unemployed population, up by 2.5 percentage points over June - August 2005. Compared with June - August 2005, unemployment situation continued to improve in the Construction sector and Recreational, cultural, gaming & other service activities, while the situation was less favourable in Retail trade and Hotels, restaurants & similar activities. Total labour force was estimated at 251,000 in July - September 2005; the employed and the unemployed populations were 241,000 and 10,000 respectively. Labour force participation rate was 63.4%, same as that for June - August 2005, but up by 1.1 percentage points over the same period of 2004. Administrative information from the Public Security Police indicated that number of non-resident workers with working permits totalled 34,718 at the end of September 2005, an increase of 11.6% over June 2005. Please refer to the attached table for detailed information on non-resident workers by industry.
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The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), in cooperation with the University of Macau (UM), is releasing today a new version of the popular MacauMap (掌中澳) handheld tourist guide system. This new version operates on smart mobile phones, bringing convenience to both tourists and local residents. This new version of MacauMap offers similar functions to those of its predecessor versions for personal digital assistants (PDAs): map viewing, navigation, searching for streets, display of information in Chinese and English, a bus guide, and a restaurant and hotel guide. In addition, this new version provides information on popular walking tours through Macau, including a slideshow of scenes along each of these tours. It also has a new function to add tourist spots to the map, and to take a photo of these tourist spots with the mobile phone’s built-in camera (if any), which can be later viewed on the map. MacauMap for smart mobile phones was developed from 2003 to 2004 at the Department of Computer and Information Science (電腦及資訊科學系), Faculty of Science and Technology (科技學院), University of Macau (澳門大學), under the supervision of Dr. Robert P. Biuk-Aghai (羅景山博士). During 2004 it won several awards for its innovation, its tourist-oriented functions, and its high quality, including the First Prize at the 2004 Macau Information and Communication Technology Awards (“二○○四年度澳門資訊及通信科技大獎賽”一等獎), and the Grand Prize in the Tourism & Hospitality Category of the 2004 Asia Pacific Information and Communication Technology Awards (“亞太資訊及通訊科技大獎賽二○○四”旅遊及酒店項目大獎). Since 2004, MGTO and UM have worked to prepare the release of MacauMap smart phone version to the public, which has today completed. This follows the success of the PDA versions of MacauMap, which have been downloaded about 150,000 times since their release in May 2003. MacauMap for smart mobile phones is designed for use with phones that use the Symbian Series 60 operating system. This includes currently nearly 30 models of phones from various mobile phone manufacturers. Interested users can download this new version of MacauMap for free from the MGTO website (www.macautourism.gov.mo). Detailed installation instructions are included with the downloaded software. The University of Macau is currently preparing other versions of MacauMap, for other types of smart mobile phones, as well as a new version for PDAs, which are planned to be released to the public through MGTO during 2005 and 2006. Moreover, versions in Japanese and Korean will also be released, as well as a web-based version, to bring more convenience to tourists visiting Macau.
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US Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, Mr Stuart Levey today visited the Macao Special Administrative Region. During his Brief Visit, He met separately with the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen and the Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Macao, Mr. Anselmo Teng Lin Seng. Mr Levey was briefed on the latest developments of Macao SAR and the progress of anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering legislations. The officials told him that the Macao Government would maintain close contact with the United States Government concerning the issue of Banco Delta Asia. Mr Stuart Levey was also met by the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that in 2004, there were 1,681 establishments operating in the Transport, storage & communications sector, an increase of 103 establishments compared with 2003; total number of persons engaged rose 5.7% over the previons year to 10,702. Driven by the increase in volume of passenger flow and import/export of merchandises, business performance of the sector registered favourable growth in 2004. Total receipts (MOP 9.833 billion), Total expenditure (MOP 8.397 billion), Gross value added (MOP 3.179 billion) and Gross fixed capital formation (MOP 632 million) increased by 23.5%, 22.5%, 15.5% and 73.5% respectively compared with 2003. In the Transport and storage sector, among the 1,649 establishments operating in 2004, the majority were engaged in land transport (1,308 establishments); 318 were in supporting and auxiliary transport, of which 130 were travel agencies. Number of persons engaged increased 5.1% over 2003 to 8,922. Total receipts of the Transport and storge sector recorded an increase of 29.8% over 2003 to MOP 7.507 billion, of which receipts from passenger transport amounted to MOP 3.260 billion, up by 23.0%. Total expenditure incurred was MOP 6.675 billion, an increase of 27.1% over 2003. Operating expenses accounted for 59.6% of the total, at MOP 3.976 billion, purchase of goods and commission paid totalled MOP 1.611 billion. Gross value added (MOP 1.912 billion) and gross fixed capital formation (MOP 420 million) of the Transport and storage sector rose by 20.3% and 202.3% respectively compared with 2003. In the Communications sector, a total of 32 establishments were operating in 2004, an increment of 3 establishments over 2003, with 1,780 persons engaged (+8.7%). Total receipts of the Communications sector amounted to MOP2.327 billion, up by 7.0% compared with 2003. Receipts from communications services (MOP1.824 billion) and sale of goods (MOP341 million) accounted for 93.1% of the total.
Total expenditure went up by 7.2% over 2003 to MOP1.722 billion, of which purchase of goods and commission paid amounted to MOP726 million, and operating expenses totalled MOP328 million. Gross value added of the Communications sector was MOP1.267 billion, an increase of 8.9% over 2003. However, gross fixed capital formation decreased by 5.9% to MOP212 million.
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Macao has formulated a comprehensive plan which would be put into operation in the event of an outbreak of avian flu, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Dr Chui Sai On, said today. Dr Chui was speaking after he had signed a co-operation agreement with the Mainland and Hong Kong authorities to enhance the tripartite notification mechanism. Returning from the Fourth Joint Meeting of Senior Health Officials of Macao, the Mainland and Hong Kong, which was held in Kunming, Dr Chui said the SAR Government had long been following instructions of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and has prepared a series of measures, which included the setting up a task force, purchasing medicines and enhancing the hygiene knowledge of the public. He said the seven Health Bureau-run health centres in Macao have adequate flu vaccine, for frontline medical workers, the elderly, and patients suffering from long-term illnesses. In case of an outbreak, Dr Chui said, the authorities would adopt a series of emergency measures, including having the task force organise the distribution of medicines and release information to the public on a daily basis. Dr Chui urged the public to pay more attention to personal hygiene.
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Organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and co-organized by Hong Kong Commercial Radio, “A World of Difference, the Difference is Macau” roadshow was held at “apm” concourse today, attracting a substantial number of satisfying audiences. Engineer João Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of MGTO and Coordinator of Macau Grand Prix Committee (MGPC), Ms. Helena Fernandes, Deputy Director of MGTO, Ms. Davina Chu, Deputy Coordinator of MGPC, and Mr. Charles Lo Keng Chio, Coordinator of Marketing and Advertising Subcommittee of MGPC, officiated the event. Representatives from MGTO, MGPC and Macau travel trade also attended the event. Autumn and winter in Macau have always been two exciting seasons with an array of amusing events – Macau 2005 4th East Asian Games, 52nd Macau Grand Prix, 17th International Fireworks Display Contest and etc. Moreover, “the Historic Centre of Macao”, which has been inscribed on UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage List earlier this year, will become a new focus for tourist attraction. MGTO took the opportunity to promote all these attractive tourist elements to Hong Kong people through this roadshow. In order to show to the audience “the Historic Centre of Macao”, a travel route with all the major spots displayed was set up in the venue. Besides, there was an exhibition of a touring car which has participated in the Guia Race of the 51st Macau Grand Prix, and a game booth of GT4 Prologue racing game to create a festive atmosphere of Macau Grand Prix. Information of other Macau events could also be found from other booths and panel displays. The organizer has also arranged an on-stage performance featuring pop singers Denise Ho, Stephy Tang, Niki Chow, Yan Ng and EO2. They sang songs and played games with the audience. In addition, rider, Mr Lo Ka Kit, was also invited on stage to share his on-track experience with the audience. The show entertained over 100,000 audiences during the day. Information links:
The Historic Centre of Macao: http://www.macauheritage.net/mherit/indexC.asp
Macau Grand Prix: http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/mgpc/public_html/
East Asian Games http://www.east-asian-games2005.com/cn/
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The Macao Special Administrative Region Government and the Central People's Government today (21 October) signed a supplementary agreement to further liberalising the scope of the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, and the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Liao Xiaoqi, signed the agreement and two appendices this afternoon, after the High Level Meeting of the Joint Steering Committee under CEPA. Under the supplementary agreement, the Mainland will give all products of Macao origin tariff free treatment starting next year, upon the CEPA rules of origin (ROOs) being agreed and met. In addition, The ROOs for 91 products covered under this phase of CEPA have already been confirmed, making the total of Macao-origin products enjoying tariff free treatment to 600. The 91 products were proposed by Macao enterprises, mainly in the categories of textiles (47 products), metal wares (11 products) and plastic materials (10 products). Other products include spectacles frames, spirit, water and foodstuff. On the trade of service, new liberalisation measures would be applied to nine areas which are already open to operators in Macao, including legal, accounting, audio-visual, construction, distribution, banking, tourism, transport and individual owned stores. Meanwhile, The total number of areas opened to operators from Macao remains at 26. Mr Liao Xiaoqi said after the signing ceremony that this would further promote the economic development between Macao and the Mainland. As the agreement was open, further liberalisation would be considered in accordance to the development in the future. Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen said that CEPA provided an outlook for the diversification of Macao’s economy and an open agreement meant there was no limit to new development. He urged Macao businessmen to look for more opportunities in the Mainland prescribed by the CEPA.
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