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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 3,166 building units and parking spaces were purchased and sold as per Stamp Duty record in the third quarter of 2016, and the total value of transactions was MOP 17.22 billion, down by 18.4% and 10.0% respectively quarter-to-quarter. Purchase and sale of residential units totalled 2,399, amounting to MOP 14.54 billion, down by 19.5% and 4.8% respectively. Due to the commencement of pre-sale of new large-scale housing estates, pre-sale residential units purchased and sold increased by 49.6% to 347, and the total value rose significantly by 112.3% to MOP 3.79 billion. On the other hand, purchase and sale of existing residential units totalled 2,052, amounting to MOP 10.75 billion, down by 25.4% and 20.4% respectively.
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The 55th ICCA Congress – organised by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) – was held in Kuching, Malaysia, from 13 to 16 November 2016. Six ICCA members representing Macao, as well as the Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) Irene V. K. Lau, attended the annual event. ICCA is the world's foremost organisation for conferences. The 2016 ICCA Congress aimed to enhance exchanges and collaboration among its global membership. Approximately 800 members of ICCA from various parts of the world attended the event. In a bid further to boost Macao’s communication and co-operation with the international conferences industry, IPIM hosted a luncheon on the first day of the 55th ICCA Congress. IPIM’s Executive Director Irene V.K. Lau took the opportunity to brief the attendees about the advantages of Macao’s conventions and exhibitions industry, deepening attendees’ knowledge about Macao and raising the city’s reputation as “an ideal MICE destination”. Every year, ICCA chooses one of the world’s leading cities for its annual Congress – an event that attracts a great number of reputable representatives of the conventions and exhibitions sector, as well as industry leaders from various countries. IPIM has reached a consensus with the Macao members of ICCA to establish a Preparatory Committee for the city's forthcoming bid for the 2020 ICCA Congress. A successful bid to host such a significant international event would strengthen the local conventions and exhibitions industry’s connectivity with the world, helping to promote the industry’s visibility at an international level and to attract a greater number of international meetings and conferences to Macao.
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The 55th ICCA Congress – organised by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) – was held in Kuching, Malaysia, from 13 to 16 November 2016. Six ICCA members representing Macao, as well as the Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) Irene V. K. Lau, attended the annual event.
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Co-organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and the Macau Artist Society, the exhibition “Tanuki’s Nest” will be inaugurated on Sunday, 20 November 2016, at 12pm, at the Lakeside Gallery – S2 room in Anim’ Arte NAM VAN. The exhibition is held until 31 December. Admission is free and all are welcome. “Tanuki’s Nest” means bringing people together. Local artist Lio Hak Manin collaboration with 12 local art practitioners, namely Wong Soi Lon, Choi U San, Pun Ka Ian, Pun Weng I, Che Sin Mei, Che Sin Ieng, Ho Si Man, Tou Mei Kun, Lam Tek Io, Lam Tek Lam, Mak Chi Ieong and Mak Kei, present their new artworks of the “Paint Brush Tempering” series. Since 2011, Lio has regularly gathered his friends to hold joint exhibitions of “Paint Brush Tempering” annually, aiming to showcase their achievements and to record the process of their drawing skills, allowing more people to evaluate their works and offer more opinions, so as to stimulate further improvement. In addition, the “Walk and See—Youth Artist Art Exhibition”, which is currently on display at the Lakeside Gallery – S1 room, will be extended until 31 December 2016. The two exhibitions are open daily from 11am to 10pm at the Lakeside Gallery – S1 and S2 rooms in Anim’Arte NAM VAN, located at Nam Van Lakeside Plaza at Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van. Admission is free.
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To celebrate the “Encontro da Comunidade Mundial de Jinan em Macau”, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Hall at 16:00 to 19:00 on 20th November 2016 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Encontro da Comunidade Mundial de Jinan em Macau”. A commemorative envelope will be distributed to public, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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According to the statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, the proportion of international business in the local banking sector dropped slightly in the third quarter of 2016. At end-September 2016, the share of international assets in total banking assets fell to 84.3% from 84.9% at end-June 2016, while the share of international liabilities in total banking liabilities declined to 79.1% from 80.4%. Non-local currencies continued to be the dominant denomination in international banking transactions. At end-September 2016, the shares of the pataca in total international assets and total international liabilities were 0.8% and 1.7% respectively. Hong Kong Dollar, US Dollar, the renminbi and other foreign currencies accounted for 43.2%, 41.6%, 8.0% and 6.5% of total international assets as well as 50.2%, 38.2%, 6.6% and 3.3% of total international liabilities respectively. International Banking Assets At end-September 2016, total international assets dropped mildly by 1.4% from a quarter ago and by 4.0% from a year earlier to MOP1,151.3 billion (USD144.1 billion). Within this total, external assets declined by 6.5% year-on-year to MOP840.7 billion while local assets in foreign currencies went up by 3.5% to MOP310.5 billion. As a major component of international assets, external non-bank loans fell by 5.4% to MOP367.4 billion. International Banking Liabilities Total international liabilities decreased by 2.3% from three months ago and by 5.7% year-on-year to MOP1,080.8 billion (USD135.3 billion). Of this total, external liabilities fell year-on-year by 16.2% to MOP563.4 billion whereas local liabilities in foreign currencies grew by 9.3% to MOP517.4 billion. Foreign currency deposits held by residents and the MSAR government in local banks continued to form a major component of international liabilities. This type of deposits grew by 6.2% to MOP463.6 billion at end-September 2016 from MOP436.7 billion at end-September 2015. Breakdown of External Banking Assets and Liabilities by Region The majority of external assets and liabilities were related to Asia and Europe. At end-September 2016, claims on Hong Kong SAR and Mainland China occupied 35.9% and 23.2% of total external assets, while claims on Portugal and Germany took up 2.7% and 2.3% respectively. On external liabilities, Hong Kong SAR and Mainland China accounted for 51.5% and 21.4% of the total respectively, while Portugal and France took up 0.8% and 0.7% respectively. Portuguese-speaking countries represented 2.7% and 1.1% of total external assets and liabilities respectively. The compilation of International Banking Statistics follows the methodology advocated by the Bank for International Settlements in order to facilitate Macao SAR’s participation in the “Locational International Banking Statistics” project of the international organisation.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the Government was confident of acquiring – via utilisation of the administrative and legal system – more land resources in order to fulfil Macao’s need for public housing. The Government would additionally study the possibility of introducing further new categories of public housing for those people – in particular young people – who have not previously qualified for such housing, but also could not afford apartments in the private sector. The Government was preparing for a public consultation in this regard, he said. Mr Chui this afternoon shared details of the Government’s policy vision during a question-and-answer session with members of the Legislative Assembly. The session came after the Chief Executive’s presentation on Tuesday (15 November), of the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2017, which was titled “Development Plan in Progress for Building a Perfect Home”. In the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2017, the Government outlined a series of short-, medium- and long-term measures for public housing development. It included the construction of 12,600 units – of which 8,000 are planned for Avenida Wai Long, in Taipa – as a short-, and medium-term measure. A further 28,000 public housing units were planned for Area A, a new urban reclamation area, as one of the Government’s long-term measures to boost housing supply. Overall, the Government would expedite three areas of work in regard to public housing: to conduct research on the demand for public housing; to amend laws and regulations relating to public housing; and to acquire further land resources. In the coming year, the Government would focus on follow-up work regarding amendments to public housing law. It would also in the near future conduct a comprehensive review of the Home-Ownership Scheme. When asked by legislators, Mr Chui stated the Government had been closely monitoring the housing market and would use all means available to it in order to cool down the market, were there to be any irregularities leading to a generally unhealthy development of the sector. Mr Chui also gave some comments relating to the case of Pearl Horizon, an unfinished private residential project. The Government noted the ongoing legal proceedings relating to the case and the recent decision whereby a Macao court had ruled that the developer of Pearl Horizon was not entitled to retain its rights regarding the land plot where the project was being built. This was not a final legal decision: the Government would be able to propose a solution regarding the land only when all the relevant court proceedings had been completed, he said. The Government internally has conducted a number of analyses on issues such as tax, land concessions and utilisation of land, following the most recent court decision, Mr Chui added. The Government has additionally sought legal advice from the Prosecutor-General; and noted the Land Law has clear provisions with regard to the 25-year period attached to land concessions in Macao. In the session at the Legislative Assembly, Mr Chui shared the Government’s policy ideas in relation to labour relations, namely: safeguarding employment opportunities of local employees and enhancing their upward mobility, while optimising the business environment in Macao and offering more support to local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Government closely follows the principle of only allowing non-resident workers to be hired to cover any shortfall in local human resources. He said the Government was committed to optimising the mechanism of hiring non-resident workers: the total number of non-resident workers had decreased by 6,000, from 214,000 people as of May 2015 to 208,000 people as of September 2016. As part of the vision summed up in the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2017, the Government would introduce a number of measures to give a greater role to local SMEs in the development of further ties between Macao and its regional partners. Mr Chui said the Government would also introduce further initiatives that create a role for local SMEs when it comes to enhancing tourism facilities, in particular for the advancement of Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure (known as the “Centre” Policy). Regarding education, the Government would continue to allocate fresh resources to support the development of transforming Macao as a training hub for professionals bilingual in Chinese and Portuguese. Issues raised by legislators during today’s session included: Macao’s Five-Year Development Plan; issues relating to the working poor; administrative reform; healthcare services; the welfare of civil servants; tax waiver measures; protection of personal data while developing a smart city; response to emergencies; sports tourism; youth policy; the education system; patriotic education; talent development; and a system for human organ donation.
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Drivers and riders from the four headline races at this weekend’s Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix warmed up for the big event by taking part in a pedal boat race on Macao’s Nam Van Lake, after meeting with some of their youngest fans from a local school. Competitors from the Suncity Group Formula 3 Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup, the SJM Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup, the Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T and the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 50th Edition went head-to-head on the water at Anim’Arte NAM VAN, with Michael Rutter and Peter Hickman from the 63rd Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 50th Edition taking the win. Second in the final were Pedro Piquet and Maximilian Günther from the Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup, with Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T drivers Stefano Comini and Jean Karl Vernay taking the final podium spot. Also testing their pedal-power were Edoardo Mortara and Maro Engel who are competing in the SJM Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup, and local favourites André Couto and Chang Wing Chung. The drivers and riders took the local school children out for a leisurely pedal boat ride before their competitive spirits kicked in with a friendly race. The competitors then posed for pictures and signed autographs, giving the students a chance to meet their Grand Prix heroes before they take to the Guia street circuit for tomorrow’s practice sessions. The drivers and riders who took part in the traditional Wednesday pre-Grand Prix media activity were also presented with T-shirts from the new Macau Grand Prix collection designed by local brand Worker Playground. The merchandise collection – which includes items designed specially to commemorate the 50th edition of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – is available for sale at spectator stands around the Guia Circuit.
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On November 14 the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Dr. Tam Chon Weng, and his delegation toured the new Taipa Campus of the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT). The delegation – accompanied by IFT President, Dr. Fanny Vong, IFT Vice-President Ms. Florence Ian, and the Director of the IFT Tourism and Hotel School, Ms. Diamantina Coimbra – visited the teaching facilities at the Forward Building and the student accommodation at the East Asia Hall. Dr. Vong explained to Dr. Tam and his delegation the numerous adaptations and facility upgrades completed by IFT at the Taipa Campus since October 2015, when the Macao SAR Government granted the Institute use of the site. She added that the new campus had become fully operational at the beginning of academic year 2016/17: students from some of the IFT bachelor degree and diploma programmes were now having classes there. In addition, Dr. Vong mentioned that student accommodation at the East Asia Hall – for IFT’s international and exchange students – was already in use. Dr. Vong noted it featured many student leisure facilities and areas for student extracurricular activities, the aim being to enrich college life. During the coming two years, IFT plans to continue the adaptation and renovation works at the Taipa Campus. The programme of works, designed in such a way as to avoid disrupting academic activities at the campus, includes conversion of the building previously used as staff quarters by the University of Macau – when the University was based on the site – into a new IFT training hotel. This facility will provide fresh opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience of the tourism industry. During the visit, Dr. Tam acknowledged the good job done by IFT in renovating the facilities at its new campus. He noted that the Institute had been able to put the site into use quickly, thereby improving IFT’s overall teaching and learning environment. Dr. Tam also recognised IFT’s efforts in enhancing its international position in the field of tourism education, and in enlarging the network linking the Institute to universities and tourism organisations around the world. The Secretary praised the deepening of IFT’s collaboration with several high-profile international bodies, including: the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Dr. Tam additionally noted that IFT had been increasing the number of overseas organisations with which it has partnerships in order to facilitate international exchange courses. The Secretary said the Macao Government would support the Institute to organise training and education programmes in collaboration with UNWTO via the newly established Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training, under IFT. These courses would seek to enhance the human capital of the Asia Pacific tourism sector and promote sustainable tourism in the region. He added that the Centre would also provide training to officials and industry representatives from Portuguese-speaking countries, contributing to the Government’s goal of building Macao into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (“One Centre, One Platform” initiative). During the visit to IFT’s Taipa Campus, Dr. Tam and his delegation met representatives of tourism-related bodies from Asia-Pacific countries and regions that were attending a professional training programme at IFT. The course – “Tourism Capacity Building for Government and Public Officials” – has been organised by the Institute, in partnership with UNWTO. Participants in the course include: 2 representatives from the Macao Government Tourism Office; and 2 representatives from the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), including the Representative of East-Timor in Forum Macao. The remaining 17 participants come from: Afghanistan, Bhutan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Mainland China. This is the second time IFT has partnered with UNWTO to offer such type of professional training course. During his exchanges with the course participants and lecturers, Dr. Tam said he anticipated that overseas participants attending professional training courses at IFT would be able to learn new, tourism-related, management strategies and practices, as well as gain valuable insights from observing Macao’s tourism industry. He hoped the knowledge acquired during the courses could be useful for overseas participants in the development of the tourism and hospitality industries in their respective countries and regions. In addition, representatives from Macao – and from elsewhere – could benefit from the experience-sharing process when meeting the other participants on this particular course, and on future courses, Dr. Tam added. The Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) was established in 1995, and offers the most extensive range of tourism and hospitality-related bachelor degree programmes in Macao. Annually, approximately 20,000 participants attend its vocational and professional training courses. IFT collaborates with 101 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and has strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations worldwide that provide internship opportunities to IFT students. IFT was the first institution to be accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, and now has 8 bachelor degree programmes with this certification. Currently, the Institute has the greatest number of bachelor degree programmes certified under that system of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and has twice won the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from PATA.
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Li Haifeng, an assistant professor from the University of Macau (UM) Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering (IAPME), received the 2016 Outstanding Youth Paper Awards at the Fourth National Conference on Neutron Scattering and Workshop on Applications of National Neutron Facilities, in recognition of his contributions to neutron scattering research. Prof Li’s research, which revealed the origin of ferroelectricity and the nature of magnetism in triply-ordered chromium-based perovskites, was highly praised by the Special Committee on Neutron Scattering of the Chinese Physical Society as well as experts and scholars from related fields. Prof Li holds a PhD degree in condensed matter physics from Juelich Center for Neutron Science (JCNS) and the RWTH Aachen University, Germany. His master’s thesis received an Excellent Master Thesis Award from the University of Science and Technology Beijing. His doctoral thesis achieved an overall grade of ‘Auszeichnung’ (Distinction) (the top award to a PhD student in Germany), and earned him the ‘Borchersplakette 2009’ honour at RWTH. The conference was co-organised by the Special Committee on Neutron Scattering of the Chinese Physical Society, the China Spallation Neutron Source, the China Institute of Atomic Energy, and the Research Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry under the China Academy of Engineering Physics. It was co-hosted by the China Spallation Neutron Source and the Southern University of Science and Technology. Approximately 200 research scientists from more than 20 universities and research institutes attended the conference to discuss neutron scattering, neutron diffraction, scattering technologies, and other related issues. 56 academic reports were presented at the conference. Prof Li is one of the two recipients of the 2016 Outstanding Youth Paper Award.
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