News

Cecília Chan Kit Ieng and Liu Ziyi, students from the University of Macau (UM) Department of Portuguese, won first prize (advanced level) and second prize (intermediate level) respectively, at a national Portuguese poetry recitation contest held yesterday (14 April). Co-organised by Macao Polytechnic Institute (IPM) and the Tertiary Education Services Office, the contest aims to promote the Portuguese language and culture and to stimulate participants’ interest in Portuguese poetry. This year’s contest attracted 32 students, compared to 16 last year. They are from the Communication University of China, Jilin Huaqiao University of Foreign Languages, Xi’an International Studies University, Sichuan International Studies University, Harbin Normal University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Sun Yat-sen University’s Zhuhai Campus, UM, IPM, Macau University of Science and Technology, and the University of Saint Joseph. Rui Cunha, chairman of Rui Cunha Foundation, served as the chair of the panel of judges. Other members of the panel included Miguel de Senna Fernandes, a local lawyer and the president of the Association of Macanese (ADM); Carlos Morais José, director of Hoje Macau; Ana Paula Cleto Godinho, coordinator of Oriental Foundation (Fundação Oriente) in Macau; Ana Paula, advisor and senior technician of the Language Promotion Centre of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau.
…

Given the earthquake situation occurred in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan on the 14th of April, the Consulate General of China in Fukuoka issued a travel security alert to Chinese citizens. Following is the translated version of the full text: “On the evening of 14th of April, at 9:26 pm, a 6.5 scale earthquake occurred in the town of Mashiki, Kumamoto Prefecture, at a depth of 10 km for which no tsunami alert was issued. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency’s prediction, aftershocks will last for around a week. The Consulate General of China in Fukuoka reminds Chinese citizens, overseas students, and Chinese institutions’ staff and citizens who intend to travel to Kyushu, to pay attention to relevant information, strengthen security precautions and ensure personal and property safety. In case of emergency, contact the Consulate General of China in Fukuoka, 24 hours duty officer phone: 090-6298-9986.” The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will keep monitoring the latest developments and alerts Macao residents who intend to travel to Kumamoto Prefecture to follow closely relevant information and critically assess the security risks. Macao residents already in Kumamoto Prefecture should strengthen security precautions to protect their personal safety. From the information gathered through the Macao travel industry, currently there are 3 Macao tour groups with approximately 95 people in Fukuoka, and there is no indication that their security have been affected. There will be 2 more Macao tour groups traveling today and the next few days to Fukuoka. Until the present moment, GGCT received 1 (one) request for information regarding flight arrangements to speed up their return to Macau. If necessary, Macao residents can call: 24-hour Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000; The Chinese Embassy and consulates or the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour hotline: +86 10 12308 for assistance.
…

The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP152.5 billion (USD19.09 billion) at the end of March 2016. The reserves decreased by 0.5% from the revised value of MOP153.2 billion (USD19.13 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-March 2016 represented 12 times the currency in circulation or 105.7% of Pataca M2 at end-February 2016. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca dropped 0.48 points month-to-month but rose 0.74 points year-on-year to 105.93 in March 2016, implying that overall speaking, the pataca depreciated against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners on a monthly basis but appreciated on an annual basis.
…

The security forces will fully cooperate with the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC)’s investigations into graft cases related to the force, said Secretary for Security Mr Wong Sio Chak. The Secretary said the security forces attached great importance to the 2015 Annual Report of the CCAC and would accept recommendations for improvements. The Macao Customs, the Correctional Services Bureau and the Public Security Force have each initiated disciplinary investigations based on the report’s findings. The prison wardens and customs officers involved in the cases revealed in March, June and December last year have been suspended from duty and updates of the relevant investigations will be published on the website of the Office of the Secretary for Security in due course. The Secretary ordered the departments to review internal controls and supervisory measures to prevent similar incidents and to plug loopholes as soon as possible. The Government will not tolerate any criminal behaviour in the security forces, Mr Wong reiterated. The Public Police Security Force will further cooperate with the CCAC, and with the help of the public and the media, to build an efficient and well-disciplined police force.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Tourist Price Index (TPI) for the first quarter of 2016 decreased further by 6.67% year-on-year to 136.44, attributable to lower charges for hotel accommodation, and reduced prices of handbags and women’s clothing. Price index of Accommodation decreased most significantly by 23.80% year-on-year, followed by Entertainment & Cultural Activities (-2.35%) and Clothing & Footwear (-1.98%). On the contrary, price index of Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco increased by 3.77% and that of Transport & Communications rose by 2.31%. In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2015, TPI for the first quarter of 2016 decreased by 3.43%. Price index of Accommodation and Clothing & Footwear dropped by 11.81% and 5.70% respectively due to lower hotel room rates, as well as seasonal sale of handbags and winter clothing & footwear. However, higher airfare to/from Southeast Asia during the Lunar New Year drove up the price index of Transport & Communications by 5.89% quarter-to-quarter. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the first quarter of 2016 fell by 2.99% from the previous period, of which price index of Accommodation and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 12.70% and 3.50%. Meanwhile, price index of Food, Alcoholic Drinks & Tobacco; Restaurant Services; and Entertainment & Cultural Activities increased by 4.49%, 2.46% and 2.30% 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.
…

Aiming to actively articulate with the Macao SAR Government’s policy with regards to the promotion and development of convention and exhibition industry, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), as the agency entrusted with the overall coordination of the development of Macao´s conventions and exhibitions, with the ultimate goal of elevating Macao into a City of Events, to focus on promoting the development of the MICE industry both in terms of quantity and quality, and developing the advantages of Macao´s conventions and exhibitions sector through various channels. Therefore, IPIM has organized the “Bidding for Success” Workshop on at the Venetian-Macao-Resort-Hotel, to introduce to the local business associations, chambers of commerce or relevant organizations on how to compete in biddings for the international meeting to be held in Macao, as well as to help the conventions and exhibitions sector to grasp the opportunities generated from the development of the MICE industry in Macao. Through this activity, IPIM hopes to explain to the participants on how to attract and introduce MICE-related activities to Macao, as a mean to boost the sustainable development of the said industry in the city. Mr. Mike Williams, IPIM´s consultant in the convention and exhibition area, acted as moderator for workshop. Mike has over twenty years of experience marketing of international conventions and exhibitions and has provided professional advice to the convention bureaus of Australia, Japan, South Africa, Malaysia, the United States and Eastern European countries on the development of the MICE industry. At the workshop, Mike shared with the participants the latest trends in the international MICE market, as well as the bidding procedures and advantages of the international conventions. At the respective question and answer session, many participants expressed interest in the workshop and enthusiastically asked questions. The workshop attracted over 50 representatives of Macao´s business associations and chambers of commerce, hotels, convention and exhibition venues, professional MICE organizations, and destination management companies, destination management companies, all of them are with potential to bid for the international meeting into Macao.
…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) published its latest World Economic Outlook report, which forecast the global economy to grow 3.2% and 3.5% for 2016 and 2017, respectively, lowered by 0.2 percentage points and 0.1 percentage point from its forecasts made in January 2016. Meanwhile, this report, for the first time, covered the forecasts of Macao SAR’s major macroeconomic indicators. The IMF report indicated that the pace of the global economic recovery this year would further slow due to increased volatility in financial markets and weakened demand in large commodity-exporting countries. In addition, the global economic growth would remain imbalanced and the emerging-market and developing economies would lead drive and help speed up the pace of the global economic recovery. The IMF forecast the advanced economies to grow 1.9% and 2.0%, respectively, for 2016 and 2017. Meanwhile, it forecast the emerging-market and developing economies to grow 4.1% and 4.6%, respectively. The IMF forecast Macao SAR’s economy to contract 7.2% for 2016 and to resume a positive growth of 0.7% for 2017. Furthermore, the international organisation forecast Macao SAR’s inflation to linger around 3.0% and its unemployment rate to stay at a low level of around 2.0%. On public finance, the IMF forecast the SAR Government’s integrated fiscal account to remain in surplus in this year and next.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said the Government strictly complies with the principles of rule of law and with the need to behave with integrity; and would seek to prevent any possible conflict of interest. Mr Chui added he set the highest possible standards for his own conduct when performing his duties as Chief Executive. Preventing any possible conflict of interest was what any Macao Chief Executive was required to do and on occasion might need to do, he stressed. His comments were made following some public debate relating to a decision by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau to award to a local association some work to produce teaching materials for primary education. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (12 April), Mr Chui said the award of such work was within the Bureau’s power, but it required the Chief Executive’s approval because payment for the work spanned more than one financial year. He added the Chief Executive’s endorsement was obtained in accordance with the requirements of the public administration’s financial management system. Asked by reporters about the recent appointment of his brother as a member of the Public Prosecutions Magistrates’ Commission, Mr Chui said he had not intervened in the process. An independent committee is responsible for proposing candidates to the Public Prosecutions Magistrates’ Commission, he added. The Chief Executive also commented on the Home-Ownership Scheme. He said the Government was stepping up efforts to increase its reserves of land; accelerating reclamation work; and not extending or renewing land concessions in cases where the land had not been developed within the time allowed. Transportation and housing were important issues for the Government, Mr Chui said, adding it would consider all appropriate ways of ensuring that public housing was distributed fairly.
…

The two Issuing Banks have already started accepting the online registration, via AMCM’s webpage (www.amcm.gov.mo), for the exchange of the Monkey and Rooster Zodiac Banknotes by Macao residents since 29th March 2016. Up until now, the system functions properly and the registration process has been conducted smoothly. As the registration period will end at 6:00 pm on 15th April 2016, the Monetary Authority of Macao would like to remind those citizens who are interested in exchanging for the said notes to complete their registration before the mentioned deadline. In addition, designated branches of Bank of China and Banco Nacional Ultramarino will provide online registration service for those elderly citizens who require assistance. For enquiries regarding the online registration arrangements, please call our hotline at Tel: 2856 5071 / 2856 5072, or browse our website: www.amcm.gov.mo.
…

Consumer Council conducted its second ‘Supermarket price survey’ in April on 12 April 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.
…