News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the Government expected the city’s economy to register expansion in the year 2017. Macao had a sound economic outlook, considering the latest data showed the year-on-year contraction in the city’s gross domestic product was on course to narrow to between 7.2 percent and 9 percent in 2016, compared to last year’s 20.3 percent contraction. The city’s fiscal revenue totalled 16.36 billion patacas in the first five months of the year, in line with the Government’s expectation, said Mr Chui, in response to a legislator’s question during today’s plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly. Mr Chui said he noted the ongoing adjustment period of the city’s gaming industry might affect Macao’s economy. The Government had been closely monitoring its budgets and expenditures, but spending on welfare and on supporting the well-being of the public had not been – and would not be – affected by the streamlining of public spending. Regarding policies relating to employment, the Chief Executive said the Government would review the ratio of non-resident workers to local workers, upon completion of the currently under-construction large-scale projects. To ensure further that local residents were given priority for employment, the Government would implement a scheme to reduce the number of non-resident workers; and implement stricter policies when evaluating new applications for non-resident workers or renewal of existing non-resident work visas. He said the Government’s principles were: not to approve any applications for non-resident workers in cases where Macao residents were willing and qualified to do that work; not to approve renewal applications for non-resident workers in large-scale enterprises; and not to approve any new or renewed applications for those workers – in particular, people working in senior management – in casinos companies and in large retail shops. Up to the end of May, local residents accounted for 84 percent out of some 29,000 senior management staff working for the six gaming concessionaires. This was a significant increase compared to the previous figures; and followed the offer by the Government of in-job training and other employment services, said Mr Chui. In relation to support for local business, Mr Chui said the Government would launch – via Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan – more favourable policies to support development of local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and, if needed, update the legal framework in order to enhance Macao’s business environment. Currently, the Government has several measures to facilitate development of local SMEs, such as tax waivers, simplified administrative procedures, and financial subsidies. The Government was considering a greater role for local SMEs in advancing Macao’s bridging role between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. During the Legislative Assembly’s afternoon session, Mr Chui answered a total of 29 questions from Legislative Assembly members. The inquiries covered subjects such as: entrepreneurship among young people; management of Macao’s waters; the optimisation of administrative procedures; land concessions granted but not developed; the city’s gaming industry; diversification of Macao’s economy; welfare for civil servants; regulations for security forces; policy support for sport involving people with physical or mental challenges; sports facilities; cultivation of local talent; the Land Law; the healthcare system; and development of the city’s tourism industry.
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The Government would allocate more land resources for the building of interim housing, in order that old districts of the city can be improved under the guidance of the Urban Renewal Committee. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, made his remarks today during a plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly. The Chief Executive attended the afternoon session to answer questions from Assembly members regarding Government policy and social issues. Mr Chui said well-designed legislation was important for efficient redevelopment of Macao’s old districts. Such legislation would need to clarify issues such as the scale of redevelopment work; tax measures; and how urban renewal should be carried out – whether by a Government-led initiative or by forming a Government-owned company for redevelopment of the city’s old districts. The Government would first submit a proposal regarding how to perform the work of urban renewal, he said. In addition, Mr Chui said the Government would need to allocate a total of 88,806 square metres of land to compensate those developers that had already been required to relocate projects in order to enable Government-supported schemes to be built. Those schemes included: public housing at, respectively, Seac Pai Van and Ilha Verde; the Golden Lotus Square; and the solid waste incinerator plant in Taipa; and the sites used to build casinos and resorts such as Wynn Macau and MGM Macau on Macao peninsula, and Galaxy Macau on Cotai. Regarding land usage, Mr Chui said any plots of land that reverted to the Government would from now on be considered – on a priority basis – for public housing units; for facilities for the general public; and for offices for Government departments. Such a priority system for land use would also apply in newly-reclaimed areas, he added. The Government had previously announced a plan to build 4,000 additional public housing units. Additionally, a total of 28,000 public housing units would be built in the new urban zone known as Area A, a reclamation site. The Government was confident that in the coming five years it would be able to: increase the amount of land it held in reserve; enhance the system for the management of land resources; and step up efforts regarding urban planning, Mr Chui stated. The Government expected that research on Macao’s urban development – relating to a period covering 2016 to 2030 – would be completed in August, said the Chief Executive. The research would provide suggestions for the city’s overall development. Once the research was done, the Government would press ahead with a master plan for Macao’s urban planning, stated Mr Chui. Macao’s urban development would take account of three perspectives: the national one; the regional one; and the city’s own outlook. Goals set in the urban planning master plan would relate to the strategy of transforming Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure. The Government would additionally closely follow the Urban Planning Law when initiating the master plan.
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A team of pre-college students from Macao, led by Dr Leong Ieng Tak and Mr Wan Lung Yam from the University of Macau (UM), Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mathematics, won a gold medal and a silver medal at the 57th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in Hong Kong. This is the first time in 25 years that a team from Macao has won a gold medal at this competition. This year’s competition attracted 602 pre-college students from around the world. The Macao team was composed of six students selected from an earlier local competition, namely Chau Hou Tin, Tang Cho Hou, Lai Wai Neng, Ngai Ho Ieng, and Iam Hoi Cheong from Pui Ching Middle School Macau, as well as Tam Hou from Hou Kong Middle School (Macao). Dr Leong and Mr Wan conducted a month-long special training for the participating students. Dr Leong also invited the Portuguese team to Macao for three day training before the competition. In the end, students Chau Hou Tin and Tang Cho Hou won a gold medal and a silver medal respectively. The other four students won Honourable Mention. UM’s Department of Mathematics always attaches great importance to developing students’ mathematical skills. The department has provided various kinds of mathematical training for local students, which has resulted in numerous awards at international competitions. Over the past twenty years, Dr Leong has been providing regular training classes for local pre-college students through collaboration with Pui Ching Middle School and other local schools in Macao. Dr Leong currently serves on the editorial board of Zhong Deng Shu Xue (Journal of High-School Mathematics). He was a member of the China Mathematical Olympiad Committee from 2008 to 2011. Students trained by Dr Leong have achieved impressive results at various mathematics competitions both at national and international levels. For instance, under his guidance, Chau Hou Tin won the Highest Score Award at the China Western Mathematical Olympiad held last year, as well as the first prize at the China Mathematical Olympiad organised by the Chinese Mathematical Society, two years in a row. Launched in 1959, the International Mathematical Olympiad is the oldest and largest mathematics competition in the world. Held annually in a different country, the competition aims to provide a platform for young students to showcase their talents in mathematics. It is hailed as a ‘cradle of future mathematicians’. Many participants in international mathematical competitions such as the IMO have gone on to become leading mathematicians.
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The Chief Executive’s Office has received a letter – signed by some members of the legal sector – commenting on the current Land Law; and commenting on a proposal – by a member of the Legislative Assembly – for an interpretation of the current Land Law. The letter includes a total of 88 signatures, some of them from lawyers. At this stage, the Government has no plans to propose further amendments to the Land Law. The Government has always closely adhered – since their respective enactment – to the Land Law, the Cultural Heritage Law and the Urban Planning Law, in relation to planning and development matters.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in July on 26 July for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets at Lam Mau, Patane and San Kio areas in Santo António 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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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork and vegetables from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference. The mentioned data collected during 20 July to 26 July are used for comparing the selling prices of the same products from 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 selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective selling prices rom HK and Macao. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Macao Post will participate the “32nd Asian International Stamp Exhibition”, located in Bangkok, Thailand, during 10th to 15th August, 2016. To commemorate this Exhibition, Macao Post issues the commemorative envelopes and provides the commemorative postmark cancellation service on site of the exhibition. For the convenience of the philatelist, the commemorative envelope with stamp priced at MOP5.00 will also be available for sale at the Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters starting from 10th August. You may send your mail of this cancelled commemorative envelope at the following locations *: Philatelic Shop at Macao Post Headquarters: 10th August, 9:00 – 17:45. Post Offices: 10th to 15th August, Office Hours to Public. * No commemorative postmark cancellation service will be provided in Macao.
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To facilitate the public and philatelists for ordering new philatelic products, please note the followings: (please find the attached file)
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With the approach of “The 31st Summer Olympics” to be held at Rio de Janeiro of Brazil and “The 2nd Macao Citizen Sports Day”, Macao Post will launch the stamp issue “2016 Games” on 29th July and will organize the “Philatelic Exhibition of Major Sports Events”, making the entire Macao public into the upsurge of games in 2016. The “Philatelic Exhibition of Major Sports Events”, organized by Macao Post and co-organized by the Hong Kong Science & Arts Exchange Centre, will be held from 29th July (Friday) to 7th August (Sunday), at the Macao Post Headquarters, Largo do Senado, Macao. Over 10 days, the commemorative stamps of three major sporting events - the Olympic Games, Asian Games and National Games of the People's Republic of China will be exposed. And the "Olympics" series, issued by Macao Post will be included. Let philatelic collectors and sports enthusiasts to enjoy the rare collection stamps.
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Macao Post and the Macau Water Supply Company Limited jointly organized promotional activity for receiving Electronic Water Bill through SEPBox from 1st May 2015 to 30th April 2016. The applicants were able to enjoy a rebate of MOP $20 on water charge and were eligible for three rounds of lucky draws during the above mentioned period. The third round lucky draw prize presentation ceremony was conducted on 27th July 2016, Director of Macao Post Ms. Derby LAU and Executive Director of the Macau Water Supply Company Limited Ms. Nacky KUAN jointly presented a special prize of “Macao Philatelic Album” (One set of all stamps and souvenir sheets issued by Macao Post from the establishment of Macao Special Administrative Region to 2014 are collected in a prestige stamp album.) to Ms. Lo Wai Heng, while another winner Ms. Lei Kit Man won an “ Annual Album 2014”. In order to encourage the use of Electronic Water Bill through SEPBox, a rebate of MOP $20 on water charge is continuously offering to the successful applicants of the service until 30th April 2017. For more information about the promotional activity, please visit our website at http://seps.macaupost.gov.mo/waterbill. For enquiry, please contact us at Tel:28720029 or email us at: support@seps.macaupost.gov.mo
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