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Information from the Statistics and Census Service shows that in the first quarter of 2006, the available amount of Gasoline (unleaded) and Electricity surged by 16.7% and 9.4% respectively, whereas Gas oil & diesel and Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fell 0.8% and 0.2% respectively year-on-year. Nevertheless, the available amount of Gas oil & diesel and Electricity dropped by 13.6% and 13.4% respectively over the fourth quarter of 2005, whilst LPG recorded the only increase of 12.0%. In comparison with the first quarter of 2005, consumption of Gas oil & diesel and Gasoline (unleaded) rose by 10.9% and 8.1% respectively, whereas LPG registered the only drop of 0.9%. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2005, consumption of LPG recorded the only increase of 8.1%, whereas Gas oil & diesel and Electricity registered decreases of 18.0% and 13.5% respectively. With respect to the import quantity of fuels in the first quarter of 2006, Aviation kerosene grew 15.8% and Gasoline (unleaded) was up 12.8% respectively year-on-year, while Common kerosene (kerosene for illumination) registered the only decrease of 13.1%. In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2005, import quantity of LPG and Common kerosene (kerosene for illumination) grew by 13.2% and 3.5% respectively, while Gas oil & diesel and Gasoline (unleaded) shrank by 28.4% and 6.6%. In the first quarter of 2006, the total import value of liquid and gas fuels reached the amount of MOP777 million, representing an increase of 52.8% year-on-year and a decrease of 9.0% over the fourth quarter of 2005. At the end of the first quarter of 2006, the list prices of all fuels went up compared with the end of the first quarter of 2005, among which those of Fuel oil and bottled LPG (per kg) increased 17.3%. Compared with the end of the fourth quarter of 2005, the list prices of all fuels were higher, among which those of Gas oil & diesel for automotive use grew the most, up 5.4%.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicates that, in April 2006, Macao’s total value of exports amounted to MOP1.65 billion, up 45.0% over the same month of 2005. Among this, the value of domestic exports surged 74.6% to MOP1.11 billion and the value of re-exports rose 7.5% to MOP540 million. Value of imports amounted to MOP3.13 billion, up 30.6% over the same period of 2005. A trade deficit of MOP1.48 billion was recorded this month. During the period of January – April 2006, the value of total exports increased 38.5% year-on-year to MOP6.42 billion. In addition, both the values of domestic exports and re-exports went up 53.3% and 10.1% respectively. Moreover, the value of imports amounted to MOP10.83 billion, up 29.1% over the same period of 2005. In the first four months of 2006, Macao’s trade balance registered a deficit of MOP4.41 billion. During this period, the exports/imports ratio increased from 55.2% in the corresponding period of 2005 to 59.3%. In the first four months of 2006, the value of Textile & garment exports, which accounted for 75.1% of the total exports, increased 44.4% over the same period of 2005. In addition, the value of Non-textile exports also rose 23.3%. As the major components of non-textile exports, Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof and Footwear both expanded 8.4% and 113.6% respectively year-on-year. The USA and the EU remained as Macao’s major export markets, together making up 66.7% of the total value of exports. Among this, exports to the USA, which made up 49.6% of the total value of exports, increased 54.8% over the same period of 2005; exports to the EU, which made up 17.1% of the total value of exports, also increased 102.5% over the same period of 2005. During the period of January – April 2006, Macao’s total value of imports grew 29.1% year-on-year, mainly due to the increase in the value of imports by broad economic categories, namely Fuels & lubricants (44.3%), Consumer goods (30.4%), Capital goods (25.8%) and Raw materials & semi-manufactures (25.4%). Meanwhile, Macao’s main suppliers of imported goods still concentrated in the Asian region. Imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong together constituted 54.4% of the total value of imports. Compared with the same period of 2005, the value of imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong rose 47.2% and 30.0% respectively.
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The Guangdong-Macao Working Group on Water Supply held its first meeting in Guangzhou today to discuss ways to conserve water resources in Macao and Zhuhai region, and to help ease Macao's shortage. The Director General of the Department of Water Resources of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhou Rifang, and the Director of Maritime Administration of Macao, Ms Wong Soi Man, led the meeting. They discussed the shortage of water in Macao and Zhuhai in the past few years, and exchanged views on the planning, protection, management and pricing mechanism of water resources. Moreover, they analysed the possible limited supply of water in Macao and Zhuhai in the coming winter and spring, and agreed to step up the construction of a pumping station and study other measures to ease the shortage. The working group also decided to set up a task force to tackle the technical issues.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) participated at IMEX 2006, the worldwide exhibition for meetings and incentive travel in Germany to exchange ideas with the industry circle and promote Macau as an ideal business tourism destination. “IMEX 2006” is being held in Frankfurt, Germany between May 30 and June 1. Mr. Licénio da Cunha, Head of Product Development and Special Projects Department of MGTO, also responsible for the Macau Business Tourism Centre, together with representatives of Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre (MTCEC) and Venetian Macau Limited attended the event. Mr. Licénio da Cunha expressed that the Macau SAR Government has been taking an active role to assist in the development of the business tourism industry in Macau. MGTO wishes to further lift the profile of Macau as a choice destination for business tourism, and at the same time, provide more opportunities for worldwide business tourism stakeholders to exchange ideas, so as to boost the industry’s development. Taking place at Messe Frankurt, MGTO’s booth at IMEX 2006 is themed to introduce Macau World Heritage year to all visitors. During the period of the fair, MGTO introduced the current tourism situation of Macau and provided relevant convention and exhibition information to stakeholders from around the world. Major international business tourism organizations hosted seminars and talks on current issues as a platform for the trade from different countries/regions to communicate and exchange updated information. IMEX is an essential worldwide exhibition for meetings and incentive travel. Its mission is to enlighten industry issues and to be the motivator for growth of the sector. A record of 3,000 exhibitors from 140 countries/regions attended IMEX 2005 held last year. In the course of the three days, IMEX attracted over 7,000 visitors, which included 3,200 hosted buyers, 3,800 non-hosted buyers and representatives of the industry.
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The International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP) Spring Conference 2006, to be co-hosted by the Housing Institute and IFHP, will be held in Macao 28-31 May. The theme of the Conference is ''Innvoations in the Urban Habitat, Making the Most of New Resources''. High-rank officials, specialists and international scholars will be here to participate and exchange views. IFHP is a world-wide network of professionals representing the broad field of housing and planning. It organises a wide range of activities and creates opportunities for international exchange of knowledge and experience in the professional field.
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Wynn Macau – 18th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest will be held on September 2, 9, 16, 23 and October 1 at the sea area across the Macau Tower this year. The Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), has always been a colossal event. This year Wynn Macau is the title sponsor for the International Fireworks Display Contest. MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes and Wynn Macau President and General Manager Grant Bowie signed the sponsorship agreement today (May 30). Antunes expressed that this cooperation with Wynn Macau signified that more tourism related enterprises are participating in promotional activities to enhance the tourism industry of Macau. With this spectacular destination resort featuring premier tourism and entertainment facilities to be opened in the second half of the year, Wynn Macau would bring diversified and high standard services to the visitors and enhance Macau’s status as one of Asia’s major travel destinations. With 17 years of history, the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has gained worldwide recognition for the quality of the participating teams, the scale and the performance standard of the contest. The contest this year features ten teams from Germany, Taiwan China, Korea, Thailand, Portugal, Australia, United States of America, Japan, France and China; each will show off their pyrotechnic wizardry to the spectators both from Macau and overseas. Pyro Spectaculars by Souza from the United States of America is taking part for the first time in the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. It has been 10 years since the last American team participated. Liuyang City Hongji Fireworks Co., Ltd is also a first timer but is no stranger to Macau as they featured at the fireworks display to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau SAR as well as the New Year Eve Fireworks Display last year. Wan Dar Fireworks Mfg. Co., Ltd from Taiwan China is an active participant in worldwide fireworks displays, competitions and exhibitions. They have taken part 5 times in the contest, including the 1st Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. This is the second time for the French team Brezac-Artifices to join the contest, after winning second prize last year. The team is very experienced in the field and has taken part in various fireworks displays and competitions in Europe, Asia and North America. With a hundred years of history, Pirotecnia Minhota from Portugal comes to perform in this contest for the fourth time. They were the champion of the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest in 1991 and performed for the opening ceremony of the Macau International Airport in 1995. Other participating teams, with their rich experiences and unique features, will surely bring audiences a colorful and memorable time. For the first time last year, a new feature was introduced to the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, in which each participating team was requested to complement their display with music to enthrall the audience with a light and sound spectacular. The organizer will install sound systems at the waterfront of the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza, at the Macau Tower Street seaside and at the square in front of Kun Iam Statue on Ave. Dr Sun Yat Sen so that the public can enjoy synchronized music to the spectacular displays. The teams taking part in this year’s contest are: NICO Lunig Event GmbH from Germany, Wan Dar Fireworks Mfg. Co., Ltd. from Taiwan, China, Hanwha Corporation from Korea, Pacific Pyro Co., Ltd. from Thailand, Pirotecnia Minhota, Lda, from Portugal, Foti International Fireworks Pty Ltd from Australia, Pyro Spectaculars by Souza from the United States of America, Takagi Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan, Brezac-Artifices from France and Liuyang City Hongji Fireworks Co., Ltd. from China. Each fireworks display will last for approximately 18 minutes, and there will be two displays per evening at 9 pm and 10 pm. The organizer is going to attribute US$17,500 to each fireworks team as subsidy. The winner will receive US$6,000, trophy and certificate. First and second runners-up will receive US$3,200, US$1,800, trophies and certificates respectively. The Macau International Fireworks Display Contest first started in 1989, with only five participating teams. By 1995, the event has developed to a ten-team event, with two different teams showing their expertise each night. For the past 17 years, over 100 international teams had taken part in the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. The Macau Government Tourist Office will continue to work towards advancing the event’s international status and reputation, with the vision to bring about the world’s most prominent international fireworks display. MGTO hopes that the glamorous firework displays, together with the colorful activities, will bring a splendid holiday to the visitors in Macau. In order to capture the spectacular moments of the fireworks display contest, the photo and drawing competitions will be held again this year. Wynn Macau - 18th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest Photo Competition and Wynn Macau - 18th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest Drawing Competition will invite entries soon. The winners of the two competitions will be entitled to premiums and trophies. The prize presentation ceremony for the 17th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest Photo Competition and the 17th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest Drawing Competition was held yesterday and the awarded photos and drawings are exhibited at basement 1 of Macau Tourism and Cultural Activities Centre.
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Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) releases information on the expenditure-based GDP for the first quarter of 2006 as follows. The growth rates in this release refer to the real growth rates of the reference period over the same period of the previous year, unless otherwise specified. In the first quarter of 2006, the gaming and tourism sector continued to perform well. Gross gaming receipts (excluding gratuities) went up 14.9% in nominal terms and total visitor spending (excluding gaming expenses) rose 19.9% upon increases in the number of arrivals and per-capita spending of visitors. Investment grew rapidly on the back of several large-scale construction projects in progress. Besides, exports of goods rebounded sharply, with a growth of 36.9%. Estimated from the above data, GDP in the first quarter recorded a real growth of 18.8%. In terms of major GDP components, private consumption expenditure in the first quarter of 2006 increased 6.9%, lower than the 8.5% in the fourth quarter of 2005. Household final consumption expenditure in the domestic market rose 8.2% while that abroad advanced 1.0% only. For the household final consumption expenditure abroad, the consumption in Mainland China dropped 2.2% to MOP 484 million. Government final consumption expenditure increased 1.2%, lower than the 7.0% in the fourth quarter of 2005. Compensation of employees was up 5.7% whereas net purchases of goods and services fell 36.6%. Gross fixed capital formation, a gauge of investment, showed a sustained robust expansion and rose substantially by 68.1%, higher than the 53.8% in the fourth quarter of 2005. In the private sector, total investment recorded an increase of 67.9% mainly because investment in construction surged 94.0%; investment in equipment rose 22.9%. Furthermore, total government investment grew 79.8%, in which investment in construction went up strongly by 92.4% but that in equipment decreased 2.3%. Based on the data of the private sector and the government, total investment in construction expanded 94.0% in the first quarter of 2006, higher than the 72.5% in the fourth quarter of 2005; total investment in equipment increased 22.7%, higher than the 13.4% in the fourth quarter of 2005. In terms of visible trade, exports of goods rebounded greatly, posting increases of 36.4% and 36.9% in nominal and real terms respectively, both higher than the corresponding 13.0% and 15.2% in the fourth quarter of 2005. In nominal terms, exports of goods to the United States and the European Union grew 52.3% and 77.6% respectively. Total import value of goods surged owing to an increase in demand, up 32.6% and 28.9% in nominal and real terms respectively, both higher than the corresponding 25.3% and 20.2% in the fourth quarter of 2005. As regards invisible trade (exports of services), exports of gaming services rose 14.6%; visitor spending (excluding gaming expenses) increased 19.9% as a result of more visitor arrivals and a higher per-capita spending of visitors; exports of transportation services expanded 16.1%. Based on integrated data of the exports of services, total exports of invisible trade recorded an increase of 16.0%, up from the 3.5% in the fourth quarter of 2005. Moreover, imports of services grew 13.3%, lower than the 15.5% in the fourth quarter of 2005.
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According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, unemployment rate for February - April 2006 was held stable at 3.9%, same as that for January - March 2006, and decreased by 0.2 percentage point over the same period of 2005. The underemployment rate was up by 0.2 percentage point over January - March 2006 to 1.2%, 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 700, representing 6.7% of the total unemployed population, down by 0.4 percentage point over January - March 2006. Compared with January - March 2006, the unemployment situation was improved in Transport, storage & communications sector; Recreational, cultural, gaming & other service activities; and Wholesale & retail trade, while it was less favourable in Real estate, renting & business activities and the Manufacturing sector. Total labour force was estimated at 267,700 in February - April 2006; the employed and the unemployed populations were 257,300 and 10,400 respectively. Labour force participation rate was 64.6%, down slightly by 0.1 percentage point over January - March 2006, but up by 2.2 percentage points over the same period of 2005.
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(Macao—27 May 2006) Macao and France have signed an aviation protocol on 23 May to further promote civil aviation, trade, and tourism between the two areas. The Secretary for Transportation and Public Works, Mr Ao Man Long and the Minister for Transport, Capital Works, Tourism and Marine Affairs, Mr Dominique Perben signed the protocol in France on behalf of the two governments. At the meeting, the two parties discussed the latest developments on economic, infrastructure, and the transportation network in Macao. Mr Dominique Perben said Macao is very attractive to France due to her unique history and culture. Facing the rapid economic growth of Macao, the French government would continue to support French entrepreneurs to invest in Macao. Mr Ao said Macao and France have been working closely in water supply, waste treatment, resources, civil aviation and maintained a good and cooperative relationship. With the protocol, Mr Ao believed that Macao and France would further step up cooperation in the above-mentioned areas. Macao also welcome competitive and well-managed enterprises to invest in Macao, Mr Ao added. During his stay, Mr Ao led a delegation from aviation sector and visited the Airbus facilities in Toulouse, and the aviation-training centre. The delegation returned to Macao on 27 May.
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From 1996, “Macao, China” became Member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and participated actively in their activities and meetings of technical cooperation, research and exchange of experiences in the regional and international level as well.. As from 1997 with the signed of the Cooperation Protocol with the Faculty of Atmospheric Science of the Sun Yat-sen University, project on the introduction of meteorological mesoscale weather prediction model was started which went further in cooperation area of research and experiences exchanges on areas of meteorology and environment. To promote some of the activities and research achievement of the cooperation as well as use as incentive for experiences exchanges among professionals in this area, SMG decided collecting some of the technical-scientific papers presented in the regional and international conferences and seminars and those published in technical journals in this area, and publish them in a Technical Collected Papers of MMGB. The preface of this Collected Papers is once again written by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Eng. Ao Man Long. His stimulus and continuous support made possible the publication of this second volume. The research in these last years was mainly focused in two areas of “Asia Summer Monsoon and Mesoscale Numerical Models”. The publication of the Collected Papers was also strongly supported by the China Meteorological Press of the China Meteorological Administration, and the full support of their Fifth Editorial Group which is responsible for the English edition of the “Acta Meteorologica Sinica”. The Collected Papers are edited in English with dimension of 184X260 and have about three hundred pages. A ceremony to launch the publication will be held at noon of 29 May 2006 at the SMG headquarters in Taipa Grande, which will be presided by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works Eng. Ao Man Long. The Chairman of the Typhoon Committee Advisory Working Group/Deputy Administrator of China Meteorology Administration, Dr. Xu Xiaofeng and the Director of Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, Dr. Fong Soi Kun will also attend the ceremony. Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, 26 May 2006.
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