News

The 21st Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (21st MIF) will be held from 20 to 22 October (Thursday to Saturday) at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Throughout the 20-year path of development, MIF further reinforces the function of Macao as the “commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries” and increases its international influence, this year the model of “Partner Country” and “Partner City” are being set up for the first time, and Portugal and Beijing have been specially invited to serve as the Partner Country and the Partner City respectively. Both sides are organising high-level delegation groups, seeking bilateral and multilateral co-operation opportunities through large exhibitions and displays and promoting activities, and further enhancing Macao's development of moderate economic diversification. Based on the previous experiences while summarising the examples of lessons learnt in the global and neighbouring regions, the duration of this year’s MIF will be reduced to three days. The theme of MIF this year is again “Co-operation – Key to Business Opportunities”, the exhibition space is more than 30,000 square metres, setting up over 1,600 exhibition booths and several different exhibition areas. The Fair has attracted the participation of delegations from over 50 countries and regions. Partner Country - Portugal and Partner City - Beijing, diversifying the exhibition and allowing business opportunities to flourish The “Partner Country - Portugal Pavilion” and the “Partner City - Beijing Pavilion”, which have been set up for the first time in this year’s MIF, cover over 800 square metres in total. The Portugal Pavilion is themed as “Surprising Portugal” and presents the country’s economic and trade investment environment, infrastructure and future development direction. The Beijing Pavilion is divided into several exhibition areas, including Service and Trade Exhibition Area, Traditional Chinese Medicine Exhibition Area, Beijing International Horticultural Exposition 2019 Exhibition Area, Beijing Olympic Winter Games in 2022 Exhibition Area, Pinggu District Exhibition Area., which are all providing investment and co-operation opportunities for participants. Besides presentations with pictures and displays, numerous innovative interactive experiences are also waiting for visitors, including an interactive experience with robots; health counselling by Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners and advice on a healthy diet using Traditional Chinese Medicine: live demonstrations of Chinese Ba Duan Jin and other healthy exercises; the Olympic Winter Games division will build an ice rink for a small ice sports demonstration, and visitors are welcome to experience the joy of ice skating too; furthermore, there are new agricultural products for visitors to taste on site. Aiming to further expand the influence of Beijing as the “Partner City”, the “Beijing Time-honoured Brands Pavilion” exhibition area will also be set up. Besides showcasing a number of intangible cultural heritage contents, there are also various traditional Beijing delicacies on display which will also be for sale.. During MIF, visitors will be able to submerge themselves in the Beijing glamour with their eyes and taste buds. “Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition” with fashion show for the first time In addition, with the aim of further extending the function of the “Partner Country” and the “Partner City” in MIF through diversified approaches and complying with the advantage of Macao as the “commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries”, this year the “Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition” will be held concurrently with an exhibition area of over 1,800 square metres, attracting more than 140 exhibitors to take part. Besides, for the first time a Portuguese-speaking Countries Fashion Show activity would be included in the exhibition, and will be held every afternoon during the three-day Fair. The fashion show has invited many local and Portuguese-speaking Countries’ fashion brand enterprises, including Macao fashion designing brand “Lines Lab”, the Macao local brand “Macarica”, whose operation is specially targeting exports to Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Nadir Tati from Angola, the Domingos Totora from Brazil, plus the Aforest Design, Burel Factory and Qwiu from Portugal, which all are providing a visual way to appreciate the glamourous fashions from Portuguese-speaking Countries. In addition, this year’s MIF also sets up for the first time the “Commercial and Trade Service Area for SMEs between China and PSCs”, which will provide information relating to the products, services, investment projects and business legislation of the “Economic & Trade Co-operation and Human Resources Portal Between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” for those who are intending to expand the markets in Portuguese-speaking countries. More than 40 forums, promotion meetings and seminars are being held concurrently during or prior to MIF, including the “2nd Young Entrepreneurs Forum of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” which will be held on 19 October; the “Portugal-Beijing-Macao Trade and Investment Seminar”, “Opening Ceremony of The 6th Jiangsu – Macau • Portuguese-Speaking Countries Business Forum and the Introduction Meeting of the City of Changzhou”, “Fujian, Macao and Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic Exchange Networking Session”, the “13th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs”., which are all going to be held from 20 to 22 October. Online business matching services, devoted to enhancing efficiency MIF is devoted to providing participated enterprises and exhibitors with professional services on business matching and negotiations. The online “Business Matching Service” platform is established this year with self-service matching function (http://bm.ipim.gov.mo/); with the help of this platform, participating entrepreneurs can find business opportunities for development, transition and entrepreneurship by combining it with their exhibition booth and delegations. MIF will be open to professional visitors from 20 October, and be open to public on 21 and 22 October. A free shuttle bus service is provided for visitors to go to several places in the North District, Central District and Taipa. The service aims to encourage green transportation and promote community economy. For any enquiries, please contact MIF Administrative Centre on ＋853-2882 8711 or via email: info@mif.com.mo . For the most up-to-date information please add the official Wechat account: MIFMacau or visit the official website: www.mif.com.mo.
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In order to provide diversified training opportunities for industry professionals and enhance management quality of the local service industry, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration co-orgainsed an Executive Development Programme on “Strategic Thinking” on 17 and 18 October. This course focuses on how managers can guide their organisations in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of strategies. The goal is to develop a mastery of the analytical tools to perform analyses of the industry and competitors. The programme attracted 21 participants, including senior executives of local hotels and mega resorts. IFT had the honour of inviting Dr. Michael Oshins from Executive Education faulty of Cornell University to deliver the lecture. Dr. Oshins’ expertise spans across marketing, service quality and human resource management. He is also active in industry consulting practices, speaking engagements and board involvement. Through the programme, participants can improve their skills in thinking strategically about the formulation and implementation of strategies to create value and competitive advantage. IFT is always striving to enhance its teaching and research so as to contribute to the industry and the society. By organising seminars and workshops, IFT constantly shares with the industry the most updated information and research findings about the future development of Macao’s tourism industry and ways to enhance it. Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 97 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students. Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has now 8 bachelor degree programmes with the Certification. Currently, the Institute has the most number of bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and won twice the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
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Consumer Council conducted its second ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 18 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Iao Hon Market and the Border Gate area (Portas do Cerco ) in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. With reference to the local seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Government will hold an exhibition of photographs to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr Sun Yat Sen. The exhibition features a total of 270 historic and valuable photographs and a number of artefacts associated with him. The exhibition will be held from 22 October to 13 November at Macau Forum, a venue on the city’s peninsula. It is part of the Government’s efforts to foster among members of the public a better understanding of Dr Sun Yat Sen, including: his contributions to national independence; to social advancement; to people’s wellbeing; and his relationship with Macao. The exhibition is being hosted by the Government, and is organised by the Chief Executive’s Office and the Government Information Bureau, with cooperation from the Museum of the Former Residence of Dr Sun Yat Sen, in Zhongshang Prefecture, Guangdong Province. The exhibition’s opening ceremony, on 21 October, will be led by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. The exhibition is divided in two parts. The first aims to explain Dr Sun Yat Sen’s life story, making reference to major historical events and social reform at that time; thereby outlining his visions and goals for the revitalisation of China. The photographs in the first part will give details on how Dr Sun Yat Sen united overseas Chinese in order to contribute to the salvation of China. The second part of the exhibition aims to show Dr Sun Yat Sen’s close relationship with Macao; a place where he worked as a medical doctor, providing the sort of help that was much needed at that time. For Dr Sun Yat Sen, Macao was a doorway to the rest of the world – a base for him to promote his revolutionary ideologies – as well as a place he lived with his family. The exhibition to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr Sun Yat Sen opens to the public on 22 October, and can be viewed between 10am to 7pm. Admission is free, and guided tours are available during those hours.
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The Government has signed three agreements with the government of Fujian Province during the first Fujian-Macao cooperation meeting held in Macao. The three agreements signed on Monday (17 October) were: the cooperation agreement on strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Fujian and Macao; the memorandum of cooperation on medical and health exchanges between Fujian and Macao; the memorandum of cooperation on strengthening tourism cooperation between the Pingtan General Experimentation Area Tourism Board of Fujian Province and the Macao Government Tourism Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac – representing the Government in the meeting – said the gathering marked an opportunity for a further optimisation of the mechanism for Fujian-Macao cooperation. The meeting was attended by the Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Liang Jianyong, and officials from that province responsible for supervising the economy, business, tourism, health, finance, education and culture. Macao would use its unique advantages in order to contribute to the country’s development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “Belt and Road” initiative), said Mr Leong. The Fujian government has the opportunity to make use of Macao’s role as a platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, thereby boosting Fujian’s economic exchanges, trade, and investment with Portuguese-speaking countries, said the Secretary. The Government would intensify the existing Fujian-Macao cooperation model to the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) industry in particular, enhancing the role of environmentally friendly practices and policies in the sector’s operations, said Mr Leong. The Secretary also stated the two places should strengthen and diversify tourism promotion efforts, in order to push forward a multi-destination travel model. Fujian and Macao would additionally explore further the opportunities in maritime tourism, themed around cultural activities related to the goddess A-Ma. Mr Leong said the two sides would strengthen exchanges in cultural affairs, education, and youth affairs, in order to expand cooperation into fields related to the respective livelihoods of the two communities. Officials attending the meeting included: the Deputy Director General of Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Zhu Hong; the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Lok Kit Sim; and the Deputy Secretary General of Fujian Provincial Government, Mr Zhan Zhijie.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference on 18 October. The mentioned data collected during 12 October to 18 October are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference. The specific price surveys on fresh pork and vegetables are now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), iPhone & Android ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ app, and the Council’s WeChat Account page. The relevant surveys include the average selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective the average selling prices rom Zhuhai, HK, and Macao. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference on 18 October. The mentioned data collected during 12 October to 18 October are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the third quarter of 2016 decreased by 3.50% year-on-year to 126.86, a notable slowdown from the drop in the second quarter (-7.00%). The decline was attributable to lower charges for hotel accommodation and reduced prices of airfares that pushed down the price index of Accommodation and Transport & Communications by 15.45% and 14.45% respectively year-on-year. Meanwhile, price index of Miscellaneous Goods and Restaurant Services rose by 4.36% and 2.17% respectively. In comparison with the previous quarter, TPI for the third quarter of 2016 increased by 1.33%, as higher hotel room rates during the summer holidays drove up the price index of Accommodation by 13.23%. On the other hand, price index of Clothing & Footwear dropped by 7.19% quarter-to-quarter due to seasonal sale of handbags and summer clothing. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the third quarter of 2016 decreased by 5.05% from the previous period, with marked decline being observed in the price index of Accommodation (-19.44%) and Transport & Communications (-6.29%); however, price index of Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco increased by 2.56%. For the first three quarters of 2016, TPI went down by 5.77% year-on-year, with notable decrease in the price index of Accommodation and Transport & Communications, falling by 23.06% and 7.71% respectively. TPI reflects the price change of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are selected according to the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.
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To commemorate the Legislative Assembly Building Open Day, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Square of Legislative Assembly Building at 10H00 to 18H00 on 22nd October 2016, providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Legislative Assembly Building Open Day”. A commemorative envelope with stamp priced at MOP6.00 will be issued, 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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To celebrate the 21st Macao International Trade & Investment Fair, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Centre and our Philately Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters during 20th to 22th October 2016 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “21st Macao International Trade & Investment Fair”. Opening hours as follow: 20/10 Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Centre 12:00 to 18:00 Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters 12:00 to 18:00 21-22/10 Venetian Macao Convention & Exhibition Centre 10:00 to 18:00 A commemorative envelope priced at MOP3.00 will be issued, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit us and collect Macao Stamps.
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