News

The English language edition Macao Yearbook 2005, an annual publication compiled and written by the Government Information Bureau of the MSAR, will be launched tomorrow (18 February). Macao Yearbook 2005 outlines major events, details of progress achieved, and changes made in the course of Macao’s political, economic, social and cultural development. The Macao Yearbook has been published annually since 2002, with the aim of promoting Macao and providing detailed information and data for all who wish to study and understand Macao. Enriched by some 190 photos, the 621-page Macao Yearbook 2005 is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government in 2004; Calendar of Events in 2004; Review of the MSAR in 2004; Overview of the Macao SAR; and Appendices. In this edition, the Review of the MSAR in 2004 records all the major developments and changes in the administrative, legislative and judicial areas in Macao during the year. The Overview of the MSAR presents, in a systematic and integrated manner, data and information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. Macao Yearbook 2005 is separately published in Chinese, Portuguese and English. The book retails at a price of just 120 patacas/Hong Kong dollars. In Macao, the three different language editions of Macao Yearbook 2005 are on sale at the Macau Cultural Plaza, Sing Kwong Bookshop, the Portuguese Bookshop (Livraria Portuguesa), Wan Tat Bookshop, Elite Bookstore, One Bookshop, and Universal Bookshop, as well as at the Philatelic Division and following branches of the Macao Post Office (Macao Post): Rua do Campo, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, Macau International Airport, Nova Taipa. In addition, Macao Yearbook 2005 can also be purchased at the Government Printing Bureau and its outlet at the Public Administrative Building on Rua do Campo. In Hong Kong, the three separate language editions of Macao Yearbook 2005 are on sale at the Commercial Press (HK) Ltd bookshops the Cosmos Books Ltd. During the promotion period ends until 31 March 2006, a 20 percent discount will be offered to any purchase of Macao Yearbook 2005. Anyone who buys the 2005 edition will enjoy a 50 percent discount on the purchase of any of the previous editions (Macao Yearbook 2004, Macao Yearbook 2003 and Macao Yearbook 2002).
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service shows that in the fourth quarter of 2005, construction of 28 buildings was started, which included residential, commercial and buildings for other uses. The gross floor area was 587,254 m², up 149.4% and 31.2% in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2004 and third quarter of 2005 respectively. The total number of units was 2,533, increased 8 times and 74.0% over the fourth quarter of 2004 and third quarter of 2005 respectively. In the year of 2005, the gross floor area and number of units of the buildings started increased 198.2% and 79.4% respectively over 2004. In the fourth quarter of 2005, 17 buildings were completed or extended, which included residential and buildings for other uses. The gross floor area of these buildings was 211,233 m², up 107.2% and 131.7% in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2004 and third quarter of 2005 respectively. The total number of units was 377, down 41.4% and 54.7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2004 and third quarter of 2005 respectively. In the year 2005, the gross floor area and number of units of the buildings completed and extended went up 82.0% and 15.3% respectively year on year. According to the information supplied by the Finance Services Bureau, 7,079 units with a total value of MOP 7.17 billion were transacted in the fourth quarter of 2005. Among them, 4,343 were residential units, with a value of MOP 5.76 billion. Among all the building units transacted, 2,843 units were exempted from property tax (i.e. they were new buildings) with their value amounting to MOP 4.81 billion. In the year 2005, 33,644 units were transacted and their total value amounted to MOP 23.8 billion, increased 20.9% and 46.1% respectively year on year. The average transaction price of residential units per square meter of usable area in 2005 was MOP10,024, up 25.6% over 2004. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the average transaction price of residential units was MOP10,152, up 17.6% and down 9.0% over the fourth quarter of 2004 and third quarter of 2005 respectively. Meanwhile, the average transaction prices of residential units in the Macao Peninsula and Taipa were MOP8,881 and MOP14,162 per square meter respectively, higher than the level recorded in the fourth quarter of 2004 and lower than the third quarter of 2005. Moreover, the average transaction price of residential units in Coloane was MOP15,901 per square meter. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the average transaction price of industrial units per square meter of usable area was MOP3,497, up 22.7% and 4.3% over the fourth quarter of 2004 and third quarter of 2005 respectively. On the other hand, in the fourth quarter of 2005, the average transaction price of office units per square meter of usable area was MOP13,997, up 32.8% and down 6.3% over the fourth quarter of 2004 and third quarter of 2005 respectively. Among the office units, the area of Baixa de Macau recorded the highest average transaction price per square meter, at MOP29,851, whereas the area of NAPE e Aterros da Baía da Praia Grande had the lowest average, at MOP12,766.
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Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), João Manuel Costa Antunes and Deputy Director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes led the MGTO delegation to welcome 140 representatives from the Hong Kong travel trade and media at a Spring Luncheon held at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel today. Mr. Costa Antunes expressed his gratitude to travel trade and media friends for bringing a fruitful year to Macau’s tourism industry in the Year 2005, with total visitor arrivals of 18.7 million. This achievement, which represents 12% growth over 2004, sets 2005 a record-breaking year. Hong Kong remains as the second largest source market for Macau, with 5.6 million Hong Kong residents, an 11% increase over the previous year, visiting Macau last year. MGTO has set promotion strategies for the year 2006, which aims at an all-rounded development of the tourism industry. On the cultural aspect, the “Historic Centre of Macau” was successfully inscribed into UNESCO’s World Heritage List in July 2005 with the tremendous support of the Central Government. To celebrate this achievement and also to strengthen Macau’s appeal as a “City of Culture”, MGTO has set 2006 as “Macau World Heritage Year”. MGTO will continue to engage the theme “Macau a world of difference, the difference is Macau” with the focus on the “Historic Centre of Macau” to promote Macau tourism in 2006. Besides, Macau has proven to the world its potential to be a metropolis capable of organizing international events, by successfully hosting the 4th East Asian Games, 2005 Macau International Kart Grand Prix, the 52nd Macau Grand Prix and many other events last year. In addition, MGTO will further develop Macau as a MICE and business travel destination. The successful hosting of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Conference in April 2005 has significantly raised Macau’s profile in the MICE industry. In the year 2006, MGTO will continue to exercise its strength in the area, and is preparing for the“United Nations World Tourism.Organization Ministerial Round Table Meeting” and the “44th Meeting of the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the 48th Meeting of the Commission for South Asia”. To pave way for upcoming MICE business, the MICE Research and Information Centre will be opened this April to provide the latest information and support to interested parties. Since the initiation of the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Cooperation in 2004, Macau has been actively working on overall tourism cooperation with the participating provinces and cities. Recently, a growing trend has been observed of Hong Kong visitors traveling to Macau via PPRD. Thus, a close cooperation with PPRD is indeed crucial to the betterment of Macau tourism. Based on the above achievements and strategies, together with a series of new development of hotels and large-scale tourism facilities, it will be optimistic for Macau to grow into one of the key destinations in the Asia Pacific region. MGTO will continue to maintain a close and collaborative relation with the travel trade and media in Hong Kong to promote Macau tourism in the years to come.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that in December 2005, visitor arrivals in package tours totalled 241,145, up 9.4% over December 2004. Visitors from Mainland China (199,017) and Hong Kong (11,601) increased 11.9% and 78.4% year-on-year; however, those from Taiwan, China (7,267) decreased 59.6%. In 2005, arrivals in package tours grew 7.1% over 2004 to 2,675,753. Number of Macao residents travelling in package tours totalled 27,087 in December 2005, a year-on-year increase of 20.2%. Mainland China, Taiwan, China and Thailand were the three more popular tour itineraries, which accounted for 74.8%, 6.5% and 4.8% of the total, respectively. In 2005, Macao residents travelling in package tours surged 39.1% compared with 2004. Meanwhile, 37,907 Macao residents travelled under own arrangements with the assistance of travel agencies, a leap of 64.1% over December 2004; Hong Kong (39.0%), Mainland China (28.5%) and Taiwan, China (15.2%) were the major destinations. In 2005, Macao residents travelling under such arrangements rose 16.5% compared with 2004. At the end of December 2005, there were 10,832 rooms available in hotels and similar establishments, an increase of 1,664 rooms (+18.2%) over December 2004. In December 2005, a total of 386,524 guests checked into hotels and similar establishments in Macao, up 11.1% over the same month of 2004. The average hotel occupancy rate fell by 2.4 percentage points to 76.1% compared with the same month of 2004; the highest average hotel occupancy rate was in 3-star hotels, at 84.2%. The average length of stay of hotel guests showed a decrease of 0.01 night over December 2004 to 1.14 nights. The majority of the guests came from Mainland China (60.1%), Hong Kong (25.3%) and Taiwan, China (2.7%). In 2005, number of hotel guests recorded a year-on-year growth of 4.2% to 4,121,088. In 2005, hotel guests (excluding Macao residents) accounted for 43.3% of the total number of tourists, which was lower than the 45.5% recorded in 2004.
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Macau’s tourism industry has started on a bright note this year with 650,000 visitors coming to Macau during the Chinese New Year “Golden Week” holiday, a growth of 10% over the same period in 2005. Of the 650,000 visitors, over 50% are from Mainland China. Both the average occupancy rate and hotel room rate have increased slightly. From January 28 to February 4, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration have jointly operated the “Chinese New Year Tourism Notifying System” to cope with the increase in visitor arrivals. From January 29 (1st day of Lunar Year) to February 4 (7th day of Lunar Year), visitor arrivals showed a growth of 10% over the same period last year to 651,332. Close to 350,000, or 53% of the arrivals are from Mainland China, a growth of 11%. The average occupancy rate of 3 to 5-star hotels was 94.88%, an increase of nearly 4%. The average hotel room rate was MOP$991.05, a slight rise of 6.65% over the same period of last year. During Chinese New Year, staff of MGTO has suspended leave to reinforce supervision at various tourist attractions and entry checkpoints. MGTO’s information counters and tourist hotline operated as usual. Close collaboration among various departments and the support of tourism and related entities helped to enhance the hospitality of the city to welcome visitors. In addition to the new tourism and entertainment facilities, a series of celebrations and cultural activities have taken place during Chinese New Year to give a colorful and multi-dimensional experience to both visitors and citizens.
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Macao is prepared for the reformation of its economy in the next few years from being regional into an international one, the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Hau Wah, said today. During the course of this reformation, the Government would create conditions to meet the needs of small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) where human resources are concerned. Speaking at the spring banquet hosted by the Macao Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ho said Macao’s economy had entered a period of re-adjustment after the rapid development in the last few years. Its orientation would move from being regionalised into an internationalised one: thus the market economy system of Macao could expect to confront new challenges -- and everyone in Macao must prepare themselves. “As the market becomes more regionalised and internationalised, the market will also reform more rapidly, generating more investment opportunities, yet investment cost will also go up. “Only a healthy and efficient free market economy can achieve the most benefit with the least social cost in the process of economic reformation, and secure to the utmost the benefit of both the entrepreneurs and the workers fundamentally and extendedly,” he said. “The Government will continue to forge a fair business environment for the business sector.” Mr Ho acknowledged that human resources would be a significant issue in the economic transition, but he assured SMEs that the Government would adopt measures to eliminate obstacles to meet their pressing and long-term needs. Mr Ho also praised the Chamber for its spirit of “loving the country and loving Macao”, as well as its support for the governance of the MSAR Government. He also paid tribute to its effort in uniting the industrial and commercial sectors and its initiatives in participating in community affairs. He believed the Chamber would continue to contribute towards the community, especially to the less privileged groups, and towards the harmony between the workers and employers, Mr Ho added.
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Members of the public can enjoy a series of magnificent performances by the “South African Dance Ensemble” jointly presented by the Macau Government Tourist Office and the South African Consulate-General, Hong Kong SAR/Macau SAR, in celebration of Chinese New Year. The “South Africa Dance Ensemble”, formed by two groups, the Vuka Uzenzele Cultural Production” and “Vhakololo”, will perform today (February 4) at Senado Square (2pm to 3pm) and Macau Fisherman’s Wharf (4:30pm to 5:30pm). The Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Antunes and Consul-General of the South African Consulate-General, Hong Kong SAR/Macau SAR, Mario George Masher will be present at the event at Senado Square today (February 4). The “South Africa Dance Ensemble” will bring to the audience the unique culture of Zulu, Vhavenda and Shangaan people of South Africa, through their high-energy athleticism and authentic tribal dances combined with signature costumes, rhythmic drumming and songs. “Vuka Uzenzele Cultural Production” was established in 2003. Their aim is to boost the production of cultural performing groups. “Vuka Uzenzele” means “wake up and do it yourself” in the Nguni languages of South Africa. Since its establishment, the group has performed in various arts festivals and carnivals in South Africa. Formed in 2001, “Vhakololo” gathered the cultural diversity and uniqueness of tribes in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Individuals from different communities were invited to showcase their ethnic characteristics via their own languages and forms of dances. Since the year 2002, they have been playing an active role in different artistic events in South Africa. “Vhakololo”, in the Tshivenda language means “the anointed ones”. South Africa Dance Ensemble’s performance in Macau include dances such as “Ufolo” (hunting dance), “Tshifasi” (young lovers’ dance), “Isizingili” (Zulu war dance), “Umzansi” (a collaboration of dances), and the jaw dropping “Umgido” (dance of celebration).
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service shows that in the year 2005, 3,072 newly incorporated companies were established, with MOP595.83 million in registered capital. Compared with the year 2004, variations in the number and registered capital of newly incorporated companies were up 38.7% and 22.6% respectively. These newly incorporated companies were mostly in Wholesale and Retail sector (811). Among the stockholders of the newly incorporated companies, 57.8% were Macao residents. In addition, 93.2% of the newly incorporated companies were limited companies. On the other hand, 246 companies were dissolved, with MOP159.71 million in registered capital. These dissolved companies were mostly in Wholesale and Retail sector (77), 95.5% of the dissolved companies were limited companies. In the fourth quarter of 2005, 721 companies were newly incorporated, with MOP68.71 million in registered capital. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2004, the number of newly incorporated companies increased 24.3% whereas their registered capital decreased 45.8%. These newly incorporated companies were mostly in Wholesale and Retail sector (209), followed by Construction (157), Business Services (110) and Real Estate (100). On the other hand, 67 companies were dissolved in the fourth quarter of 2005, with MOP63.38 million in registered capital. Among them, most had engaged in Wholesale and Retail (19), followed by Business Services (13). Among the stockholders of the newly incorporated companies, 56.9% were Macao residents. In addition, newly incorporated companies with capital of MOP50,000 or less accounted for 67.1% (484 companies) of the total number, but their capital only made up 20.2% of the total. Meanwhile, 674 of the newly incorporated companies were limited companies. Based on the residence of the stockholders, the capital of the newly incorporated companies in the fourth quarter of 2005 mostly came from Macao (MOP37.09 million), followed by Hong Kong (MOP13.17 million) and Mainland China (MOP9.36 million). Among the capital from the Pan-Pearl River Delta provinces, Guangdong province topped the list with MOP5.44 million. As regards the combination of the residence of stockholders, 572 of the newly incorporated companies were established by stockholders from a single country/region, the majority of which (331 companies) were established solely by Macao stockholders, followed by those from Hong Kong (141 companies). The number of the newly incorporated companies with stockholders from Macao and other countries/regions was 117, of which 51 were joint ventures of Macao and Hong Kong stockholders and 47 were of Macao and Mainland China stockholders. The newly incorporated companies with stockholders solely from countries/regions other than Macao totalled 32, of which 15 were joint ventures of Hong Kong and Mainland China and 5 were of Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands.
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Immigration authorities recorded a total of 1,325,398 crossing the five immigration checkpoints of the Macao SAR over the Chinese New Year holidays (28 January 2006 to 1 February 2006). Total number of arrivals stood at 671,061, with Border-gate 454,385 Lotus Bridge 131 Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal 182,889 Inner Harbor Wharf Nº14 10,147 Macao International Airport 23,509 Total of departures stood at 654,337, with Border-gate 484,219 Lotus Bridge 320 Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal 146,701 Inner Harbor Wharf Nº14 7,502 Macao International Airport 15,595. Meanwhile, total number of tourists entering Macao in that period stood at 391,971, with a growth of +9.05% over the same period of last year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicates that, in December 2005, Macao’s total value of exports amounted to MOP2.15 billion, up 11.8% over the same month of 2004. Among this, the value of domestic exports went up 15.8% to MOP1.70 billion and the value of re-exports decreased 1.3% to MOP450 million. Value of imports amounted to MOP3.06 billion, up 17.2% over the same period of 2004. A trade deficit of MOP912 million was recorded this month. The cumulative value of total exports in 2005 registered a year-on-year decrease of 12.1% to MOP19.82 billion. Among this, the value of domestic exports fell 17.1%, whereas the value of re-exports rose 4.2%. Meanwhile, the value of imports amounted to MOP31.34 billion, up 12.3% over the year of 2004. In 2005, Macao’s trade balance registered a deficit of MOP11.52 billion and the exports/imports ratio decreased from 80.9% in 2004 to 63.3% in 2005. In 2005, the value of Textile & garment exports, which accounted for 77.4% of the total exports, decreased 15.1% over 2004. However, the value of Non-textile exports remained unchanged. As the major components of non-textile exports, Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof expanded 13.5%, whereas Footwear dropped 91.5% year-on-year. The USA and the EU remained as Macao’s major export markets, together making up 65.8% of the total value of exports. Among this, exports to the USA, which made up 48.7% of the total value of exports, decreased 12.2% over 2004; exports to the EU, which made up 17.1% of the total value of exports, also decreased 30.6% over 2004. In 2005, Macao’s total value of imports increased 12.3% year-on-year, mainly due to the increase in the value of imports by broad economic categories. Increases were registered for Fuels & lubricants (41.3%), Capital goods (20.6%), Consumer goods (9.3%) and Raw materials & semi-manufactures (5.4%). Meanwhile, Macao’s main suppliers of imported goods still concentrated in the Asian region. Imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong together constituted 53.1% of the total value of imports. Compared with 2004, the value of imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong rose 9.0% and 6.0% respectively.
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