News

The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP155.8 billion (USD19.50 billion) at the end of August 2016. The reserves increased by 0.4% from the revised value of MOP155.2 billion (USD19.43 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-August 2016 represented 12 times the currency in circulation or 103.2% of Pataca M2 at end-July 2016. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca fell 0.84 points month-to-month and 0.17 points year-on-year to 105.54 in August 2016, implying that overall speaking, the exchange rate of the pataca dropped against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners.
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Macao and Zhuhai Consumer Council worked together to test 20 samples of tissue papers and 16 samples of food storage bags. Test result showed that all items pass the testing standard. To enhance monitoring on the quality of goods on the market, and to safeguard citizens in both areas for their consumer rights and safety, Macao and Zhuhai Councils work together according to their protocol to conduct tests on consumer goods. The two Councils co-operated earlier to test 20 batches of tissue papers and 16 batches of food storage bags for their hygienic condition, ingredients, and quality. All samples passed the quoted national standard. The two Councils held a press conference at Zhuhai on 13 September to announce the test and the relevant report, as well as released reminders to consumers on purchasing the said products. President of Consumer Council’s Executive Committee, Wong Hong Neng, indicated that transregional co-operation fully utilizes the advantage of sharing resources, and Macao Consumer Council works together with different consumer organizations in the Mainland to enhance consumers’ confidence and safeguard consumer rights. As 1 October is approaching, Consumer Council released a set of advices to tourists traveling to Macao on buying jewelries, watches, and electrical products, and introduced the Council’s ‘Certified Shop’ mechanism on the press conference held earlier. The Council also explained how tourists could seek for assistance when consumer dispute arises in Macao.
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The Cinematheque．Passion, under the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), hosts a talk entitled “Film Marketing: How to Sell Your Story”, conducted by Zheng Dawei, Secretary-General of the Guangdong Motion Picture Industry Association, to be held on Saturday, 24 September, from 3pm to 5pm. Online applications are now accepted. Admission is free. Zheng Dawei will discuss the creation of screenplays based on different film genres and analyze the key elements of best-selling commercial films. In addition, he will introduce the application for film production in Mainland China, the procedures for selection, analysis, assessment and approval of film projects, as well as the revenue sharing model for the distribution of public screenings. As a graduate of the film literature programme at the Research Institute of Television and Movie Art of the Chinese National Academy of Arts (Beijing), Zheng Dawei has a rich work experience both before and behind the scenes, having served the film and television industry for over three decades in the capacities of executive producer, producer, screenwriter, director and chief editor of the Guangdong Television. He is now the Secretary-General of the Guangdong Motion Picture Industry Association, member of review committee of the Guangdong Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and member of the Guangdong Film Production Review Committee. He has also been a member of the adjudication panel for the call for submissions of Macao film projects for the 2016 Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Film Production Investment and Trade Fair. There are sixty seats available for this talk on first-come, first-served basis. All interested parties are welcome to enrol through IC’s Activity Registration System (www.icm.gov.mo/eform/event). For enquiries regarding the talks or the Cinematheque, please contact Mr. Leong, staff member of IC, through tel. no. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours. For details, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo) or Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com).
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met the Ambassador of the People Republic of China to the Portuguese Republic, Mr Cai Run, in Lisbon on 12 September. They exchanged views on issues related to promoting China–Portugal relations, Macao–Portugal relations, and enhancing Macao’s function as a cooperation platform between China and Portugal. The Chief Executive expressed his gratitude for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ long-term support and care about the Macao SAR. He also expressed thanks to the Chinese Embassy for the coordination and assistance that helped make his visit to Portugal a success. The Chief Executive said that during his visit, he and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, co-chaired the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting; he also met with the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Luís Santos da Costa, to exchange views on maintaining a good relationship between Portugal and Macao. He described his trip to Portugal as solid and fruitful, deepening various aspects of cooperation between Macao and Portugal, and benefiting and strengthening Macao’s function as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr Cai Run welcomed the visit to Portugal by the Chief Executive and the MSAR delegation. He believed the Chief Executive’s visit could further consolidate the relationship between Macao and Portugal, and help to enhance the cooperation between China and Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries. He recognised Macao’s role and contribution as a business and trade cooperation and services platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Officials attending the meeting also included the Political Counsellor of China’s Embassy to Portugal, Mr Nie Cun; Military Officer, Mr Mao Zhixin; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms O Lam; and the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, Ms O Tin Lin.
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Consumer Council conducted its first ‘Supermarket price survey’ in September on 14 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets in São Lázaro and São Lourenço Parishes. 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. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. 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 Chief Executive Chui Sai On told the media today on 13 September that his visit to Portugal has proved fruitful, not only reaching a consensus on strengthening cooperation in economics and language education, but also demonstrating perfect liaison and coordination between the two parties, and realising good and friendly bilateral relations. Summarising his visit, Mr Chui said he had attended the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, and met the President of the Portuguese Republic, the Portuguese Prime Minister, and the Ambassador of the People Republic of China to the Portuguese Republic. During his meetings with the Portuguese president and prime minister, they both supported the consensus reached by the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee on strengthening cooperation in economics and language education. Mr Chui said that, from the committee meeting to the meetings of top officials, both parties reaffirmed the significance of maintaining a good relationship between Portugal and Macao. As a bridge, Macao helps to promote cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Macao has long been hosting the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, demonstrating its role as a platform for cooperation between China, Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries. According to Mr Chui, during the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting both parties reviewed their work, and came to a consensus on strengthening future cooperation in language education and economics. Regarding language education, Macao will launch a pilot programme for training Portuguese-speaking professionals, with scholarships and subsidies for university students to study finance, accounting, law, medicine and engineering in Portugal. The scheme aims to support Macao’s five-year development plan, cultivate more talented bilingual people, further leverage Macao’s function as a cooperation platform between China and Portugal, and build a foundation for establishing the academic accreditation system. Furthermore, consideration will be given to establishing a special scholarship for subsidising outstanding Portuguese students to study in university programmes in Macao. In future, Macao and Portugal will also increase cooperation in professional Portuguese language training. Mr Chui said that, as a business and trade services platform, Macao has a great demand for bilingual professionals. He is glad that the Portuguese government has indicated their intention to support Macao’s language education development at tertiary and non-tertiary levels, through the provision of Portuguese or bilingual teachers. Upon returning to Macao, Mr Chui will meet relevant senior officials to discuss systematic implementation of the plan. Regarding economic cooperation, the Macao SAR Government reported it will implement the following: make use of the mechanism of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries to continue promoting economic and trade cooperation and exchanges between China and Portugal; facilitate and assist Portuguese enterprises to understand and benefit from the favourable policies in free trade zones in mainland China; and continue inviting Portuguese economics and trade departments and enterprises to participate in conventions and exhibitions in Macao, noting that Portugal has decided to be a partner country of this year’s Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF). The Government will also exchange views with Portugal on possible cooperation involving newly-founded enterprises and technology. Referring to the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries to be held next month, Mr Chui considered this will yield positive results, reflecting the forum’s function as a bridge for cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Based on the solid foundation that has been established, the Government will put more effort into promoting Macao’s role as “one platform and three centres”. Mr Chui also said that, to support Macao’s development strategy of being a business and trade services platform, the Government is considering the possibility of developing a building that integrates various elements such as business and trade exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, enterprise services, convention and exhibition services, cultural presentations and professional training. The plan is still in the concept stage, and further details will be announced once it is confirmed to be viable.
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The Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 17-20. All arrangements for this year’s event are well underway and progressing smoothly. The provisional race programme for this year includes a total of seven thrilling races. The new FIA F3 World Cup joins the Macau GT Cup, designated the official FIA GT World Cup for the second consecutive year; the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, this year celebrating its Golden Jubilee; and the ever-popular Suncity Group Guia Race 2.0T, as the four headline races. On the support card is the Macau Touring Car Cup, the Suncity Group Macau Road Sport Challenge and the Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup. For many years, the Macau Grand Prix has been popular amongst local and international drivers and visitors alike, while being recognized by the FIA and throughout the motorsport industry. Macau has many years’ experience staging major motorsport events, and its organisational skills have received praise from the FIA. The trust established has led to Macau’s selection as host of the FIA F3 World Cup. The status of this year’s Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix is now officially elevated to FIA F3 World Cup status. As a result, the FIA will both lead and coordinate all technical aspects related to the FIA F3 World Cup including the regulations, entries and registration. The FIA and the Sporting Subcommittee of Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee (MGPOC) are working closely together, and the deadline for entries is September 30th. The city’s renowned Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix has long been recognised as the breeding ground for future stars. Since it began in 1983, eight Formula 1 World Champions have competed including the inaugural winner Ayrton Senna, while 15 of this year’s 22 registered F1 drivers have raced on Macau’s demanding 6.2km Guia street circuit. Since it began in 1983, Mr. Barry Bland worked on the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix. As the race has now been elevated to world cup status, regulations for the race have changed and therefore the the FIA will be leading the project. As a result, Mr. Barry Bland has made the decision to discontinue his involvement. The MGPOC respects Mr. Bland’s decision and would like to convey its appreciation for his many years of contribution and valued service. The MGPOC would like to express its gratitude to the FIA for their trust and support, and will follow its guidance to ensure that the race will be organized to the same high international standards as in previous years. The provisional race programme and entries will be announced in October.
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During his visit to Lisbon, Portugal, the Chief Executive Chui Sai On invited Macao students studying in the country to a dinner on 13 September. Mr Chui told the students that, according to the Macao SAR Government's policy objectives and five-year development plan, talented people with multilingual ability are needed to support Macao's development as “one platform and three centres”. As it is not easy to cultivate bilingual talents, the Government values these talented people, and hopes they can return home and provide services in Macao, or in mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Before the dinner, the Chief Executive exchanged views with more than a hundred Macao students studying abroad. Issues discussed included Macao’s policy on talented people who are bilingual in Chinese and Portuguese, training of legal practitioners, and Macao as a business and trade services platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Regarding training of legal personnel, Mr Chui said he had come across many legal professionals, and discovered that the process of learning and practising influenced their understanding of the judicial system. For example, people learning law in Portugal would have legal opinions differing from those learning in mainland China, arising from their backgrounds differing in terms of learning and experiences. Therefore, no matter whether these law graduates will join the civil services system or work for private businesses, they still need to spend time on their long career paths and accumulate sufficient experiences to become legal experts. Some students commented on the shortage of qualified teachers to provide legal training in Macao. Mr Chui admitted that during the process of localisation of law before the Handover, the Law School of the University of Macau was not yet well established and faced a shortage of teachers and researchers. Today, the university is much better developed, and recently recruited its Dean of Law School. Hopefully it will build a quality academic team. Mr Chui hopes that the Law School of the University of Macau will foster qualified legal professionals suiting the requirements of Macao’s legal system. As Macao is now developing as “one platform and three centres”, Mr Chui hopes it will enhance its commercial and trade connections with Portuguese-speaking countries, lead mainland China enterprises to invest in these countries, and seek to develop a specialised financial industry. Officials attending the seminar also included the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms O Lam; and the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, Ms O Tin Lin.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in the evening of 12 September, during his visit to Lisbon, Portugal. Both parties reaffirmed the significance of maintaining a good relationship between Portugal and Macao. During the meeting, the Chief Executive thanked the Portuguese President for inviting the Macao delegation. He briefed the president on the contents and results of the fourth Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting, which was held in the morning, and looked forward to strengthening cooperation on economics and language education in future. Discussing the economic environment, the Chief Executive said that the key for sustainable development of Macao was to actively promote adequate economic diversification and regional cooperation. He believed Macao and Portugal could cooperate in various areas. The Chief Executive continued that although tourism and gaming are still the leading industries of Macao, the Government will strive to promote non-gaming elements – including cultural and creative, Chinese medicine, convention and exhibition, and specialised financial industries, as well as developing high-end services industries via regional cooperation. He said the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, to be held next month, will give Macao an opportunity to demonstrate its function of “one platform and three centres”. He believed the forum will offer further opportunities for bilateral cooperation. The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said the visit of Macao delegation led by the Chief Executive reflected the friendship between China and Portugal, and the continuation of favourable cooperation between Macao and Portugal in financial, economic, cultural and language arenas. He emphasised the importance of the Portuguese language to Macao and Portugal, which is a key element for establishing good relationships with all Portuguese-speaking countries and regions. He cited the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries as an example of the Portuguese language’s function in promoting friendly relationships between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Portuguese Prime Minister will lead a delegation to Macao next month, for the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and he believed that the conference and the forum will benefit the forging of a closer relationship between Portugal and China, including Macao. Officials attending the meeting included the Ambassador of the People Republic of China to the Portuguese Republic, Cai Run; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, O Lam; the Portuguese President’s International Relations Advisors, José Augusto Duarte and Vanda Sequeira; and the Consul-General of the Portuguese Republic in Hong Kong and Macao, Vítor Paulo da Costa Sereno. In the afternoon, the Chief Executive and delegation visited the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Luís Santos da Costa. The prime minister recognised Macao as an important bridge for maintaining a good relationship between China and Portugal. He believed the Chief Executive’s visit will help to strengthen Macao’s relationship with Portugal. Prime Minister Santos da Costa said Portugal has in recent years experienced speedy and innovative development of digitalisation, opening a new horizon for Portugal's development. Macao is actively promoting adequate economic diversification, which also opens the door for cooperation for Portugal, and helps to promote tripartite cooperation between Portugal, China and Macao in economic and new technology arenas. Portugal will certainly play an active role in this cooperation. Chief Executive Chui Sai On said he was glad to see Portugal's achievements in making progress with new technology. As Macao is also fostering the spread of technology, he believed both parties could cooperate in this area to boost Macao’s diversification. He also looked forward to enhancing exchanges between Chinese and Portuguese students, and considering increases to scholarships. Officials attending the meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister included the Ambassador of the People Republic of China to the Portuguese Republic, Cai Run; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, O Lam; the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, O Tin Lin; the Portuguese Secretary of Sate for International Affairs, Jorge Costa Oliveira; the Director of the Prime Minister Office, Rita Faden; the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Bernardo Lucena; and the Consul-General of the Portuguese Republic in Hong Kong and Macao, Vítor Paulo da Costa Sereno.
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Chief Executive Chui Sai On today (September 12) co-chaired with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, the fourth Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting in Lisbon. The meeting achieved constructive results, as both parties reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation in economics and trade, and language education. This morning, the Chief Executive started his first event of this official visit by co-chairing the fourth Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, at the Necessidades Palace. During the meeting, Chief Executive Chui Sai On said that Macao and Portugal have long had close cultural affinity and a friendly relationship. The Macao SAR Government attaches great importance to the development of Macao-Portugal relations, and officials of both governments consistently pay visits to one another. The Macao SAR Government and the Consulate-General of the Portuguese Republic in Macao maintain friendly communications and cooperation, while frequent exchanges and contacts between public and private sectors of both sides also help to strengthen and consolidate bilateral friendship and cooperation. He then introduced Macao’s recent social and economic development, and reviewed the cooperation between Macao and Portugal in recent years. According to the Chief Executive, under the Cooperation Framework Agreement between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic signed in 2001, recent cooperation between both parties has been consistent and efficiently implemented, in the forms of personnel exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, technology exchanges, professional consultancy and information sharing, setting a solid foundation for further cooperation. The most outstanding results were achieved in the areas of people-to-people exchanges, economics and trade, Portuguese language learning, and education. Following the signing of the Amendment of the Cooperation Framework Agreement in March 2014, the regular meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee has become an annual event instead of a biennial meeting. Looking forward, the Chief Executive believed that Macao and Portugal could in future focus on enhancing economics and trade and language education cooperation, and gradually expand the areas and scope of cooperation. Regarding economics and trade, both parties can make use of Macao’s advantages as a platform to continue promoting cooperation and exchanges between China and Portugal, and supporting and arranging for local and mainland China enterprises to participate in commercial and trade activities in Portugal. Meanwhile, Macao will also promote and assist Portuguese enterprises to understand and benefit from the favourable policies in free trade zones in mainland China, and seize the opportunities for developing businesses in the vast and rapid growing mainland China market. The MSAR Government will continue inviting Portuguese economics and trade departments and enterprises to participate in conventions and exhibitions in Macao. Chief Executive Chui Sai On said that promoting the Portuguese language is an important part of the Government’s overall policy objective. Students may choose to learn Portuguese while receiving tertiary or non-tertiary education, and there is a system for training professional bilingual personnel. The Government will further enhance training of talented Portuguese-speaking people to cater for local demands and the country's needs. He believed that Macao will become a better Portuguese language training centre in future. In supporting Macao’s five-year development plan, the Government intends to launch a training programme for Portuguese-speaking professionals, with scholarships and subsidies for university students to study finance, accounting, law, medicine and engineering in Portugal. After the meeting, Chief Executive Chui Sai On and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, held a joint press conference. The Chief Executive told the media that his visit to Portugal and participation in the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting reflect the solid foundation of bilateral cooperation that has been established since 2001. He looked forward to enhanced cooperation and constructive results achieved through discussions in the committee. He said that, through the joint efforts of both parties, Macao and the Portuguese Republic have signed cooperation agreements on more than 120 projects, covering 33 fields and professions. He was satisfied with the overall fruitful results, and hoped to make further enhancements in bilateral cooperation. The meeting also focused on discussion of cooperation in education and economic areas. It was agreed to increase quotas for exchange students on both sides. The Chief Executive also expressed his gratitude for the Portuguese Republic’s support in developing Portuguese language education in Macao. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, welcomed Chief Executive Chui Sai On and his delegation to Portugal, and reaffirmed that the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee is the key element for Portugal’s success in cooperation with China and Macao. Mr Augusto Santos Silva also said that in October, the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic will lead a delegation to Macao to attend the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries and the MIF. To him, Macao is for businessmen an important and excellent exchange platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries; whilst also serving as an important platform in the Greater China region for Portuguese language training and education. On cooperation in education, Mr Augusto Santos Silva said he was aware of an important part of Macao’s five-year development plan – popularising Portuguese as a teaching medium in Macao schools. The Portuguese government is duty-bound to offer appropriate support. He also said that training for Portuguese-speaking professionals should be enhanced. He hoped the foundations for technological development on both sides could help establish communications in future for strengthening cooperation in science and technology. Macao officials attending the fourth Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting were the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Victor Chan; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Fung Sio Weng; and the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, O Tin Lin. Portuguese officials attending the meeting included the Portuguese Secretary of Sate for International Affairs, Jorge Costa Oliveira; the Director General for Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisco Duarte Lopes; the Consul-General of the Portuguese Republic in Hong Kong and Macao, Vítor Paulo da Costa Sereno; the President of the Camoes Institute, Ana Paula Laborinho; the Secretary-General of Ministry of Environmental Protection, Alexandra Carvalho; the Directorate-General for Education, José Vítor Pedroso; and the Director-General of Higher Education, João Queiroz.
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