News

Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) has the honour to invite patisserie expert, Jean-François Deguignet from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Schools to showcase French patisserie making for the "Le Cordon Bleu Master Chef Week at IFT". The "Le Cordon Bleu Master Chef Week at IFT" took place from 25 to 29 June, a series of various pastry workshops were organised for IFT Culinary Arts Management students, the public and industry professionals to attend. The workshop included tutorials on conceptual knowledge and cooking demonstrations for French patisserie, followed by hands-on practical sessions. The workshops in the last three days were open to the public and industry professionals and received about 250 applications. During the workshop, Chef Deguignet demonstrated the culinary techniques in French patisserie including chocolate diamonds, orange cake, lemon cake, yuzu macaroon, savarin and strawberries formage blanc. The participants were offered a unique learning opportunity and were introduced to a sense-awaking experience of some traditional but yet innovative patisserie throughout the workshops. Chef Deguignet was brought up in a family of pastry chefs in a town near Paris. Hence at an early age, he discovered his great interest in pastry and developed skills in what would later become his profession. Since 1999, Chef Deguignet has been passing on his pastry knowledge and expertise to Le Cordon Bleu's students at the Paris and Korean schools. He has earned recognition in various international competitions and special prizes throughout his career. Le Cordon Bleu, one of the leading schools for teaching classical French cuisine, patisserie and boulangerie, was founded in Paris, France in 1895. Over the last century, Le Cordon Bleu has evolved from a cooking school to an international network of 29 international schools across 5 continents, in the area of culinary arts and hospitality institutes, maintaining at the same time the highest standards of culinary excellence. This extraordinary cross-over and collaboration between IFT and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School is a good example of IFT's endeavour to bring in new culinary elements to Macao and to exchange ideas with international prestigious institutions. Through organising this event, it is believed that the culinary skills and horizon of local citizens and professionals will be enhanced and insights can be brought to IFT Culinary Arts Management students.
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A total of 215 contestants have submitted their works for the "Precious Moments in Macao" 2013 Photography Competition, which is co-organised by the Government Information Bureau together with eight photographic organisations and four media associations. Out of 907 entries, 52 winning entries have been picked after five rounds of professional evaluation. The judging was held on 2 June; the judging panel comprises one representative from the Photographic Society of Macao, Photography Salon Society of Macao, Macao Association for the Promotion of Photographic Art, Macao Association of Photographers, Macao Multimedia Photographic Art Association, Macao Association of Photographic Art, Macao Camera Lens Art Association, Macao Digital Photography Association, Macao Media Workers Association, Macao Journalists' Club, Macao Journalists' Association, and the Macao Media Club, respectively as well as representatives from the Government information Bureau. This year's competition has once again used an online portal for the submission of entries. During the submission period between 22 April to 12 May, a total of 907 entries from 215 contestants were submitted. These entries reflect changes in Macao's skyline and precious moments in the lives of Macao residents. This year's competition is marked by the variety and quality of submissions. After five rounds of evaluation by the 13-member judging panel, the following 52 winning entries have been selected: First Prize: Chan Meng Kai; Title of Work: Playing Nazha – the Child Deity
Second Prize: Kong Iu Lam; Title of Work: Morning Exercise
Third Prize: Cheong Kam Ka; Title of Work: Fending Off Winners of the 49 merit prizes are as follows (in no particular order): CHAN MENG KAI: Passion of Christ
CHAN KUAN LONG: Red Market
CHIN KUONG HENG: 2012 Latin Parade
CHOI IM FAN: Youth Dance Festival
CHOI IM FAN: Flying Flag
CHOI IM FAN: Golden Dragon
AGOSTINHO GUILHERME FERNANDES：Patio
FONG TOU IEONG: Dressed up in Colours
HO WAI KIN: Shall We Dance
HOI MAN CHON: Roundabout
IEONG POU I: Slam Dunk
IEONG SUT LIN: Haircut
KAU LEONG HOI: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Macao Basic Law
KONG KAM TEC: Splash
KUAN CHENG CHENG: Sport for All
LAI WING CHIU: Lightening
LAM SAO WA: Watching Fireworks
LAM SZE CHUN: Dash of Colour
LEI CHI FAN: Bliss LI MAN LOK: Prosperity
LI MAN LOK: Glittering Skyline
LOK WAI KEONG: Religious Procession
LOU CHON MAN: Glowing Eggs
LOU KA IN: Science Center
MAK HENG KIN: Broad Smiles
JUVINA ANGELICA SILVESTRE: Clowns
JUVINA ANGELICA SILVESTRE: Gods and Goddesses
TAM KAM WENG: Giant Birds
TAM KAM WENG: Golden Twilight
TAM TEK HONG: Sketching
TANG CHAN SENG: Kickboxing
TANG CHAN SENG: Flight
TANG KAI LON: Innocence
TANG KAI LON: Rugby Match
UNG TENG PONG: Nightscape
VONG HOI VENG: Hurray
VONG HOI VENG: Goddess A-ma Procession
VONG HOI VENG: Hurdling
VONG KUN KIO: Latin Parade
VONG KUN KIO: Dragon Dance
VONG MEI KUAN: Dance for Joy
VONG MEI KUAN: Defence & Offence
WAN WAI SAI: Water Festival
WONG CHI HANG: Neon Lights
WONG IENG TAC: Flight WONG MAN LAI: Heavenly Mists
WONG MENG FAI: Inner Harbour
WONGMENG FAI: Gimme a Go
WONGMENG FAI: Marathon Winners of the first, second and third prizes will get a cash prize of MOP8,000, MOP5,000 and MOP3,000 respectively in addition to a trophy while winners of the merit prizes will each get a cash prize of MOP500 and a certificate. In addition, five submissions from the above winning entries have been picked as winners of this year's Yearbook Full-page Illustration Award and their winners will each get a cash prize of MOP1,000. The five winners are as follows (in no particular order):
TAM KAM WENG: Giant Birds
TANG KAI LON: Innocence
TANG CHAN SENG: Flight
LOK WAI KEONG: Religious Procession
CHOI IM FAN: Golden Dragon This year's Yearbook Cover Award, which is decided by the Editorial Committee of the 2013 Macao Yearbook, has been left vacant due to the lack of suitable entries.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June, Consumer Council recently collected prices of takeaway food/beverage items from local cafés. Surveyed items included hot milk tea, hot coffee, toast with butter, and egg sandwich. The relevant data and price comparisons have been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). The Council collected prices of four takeaway food/beverage items from 80 local cafés in six parishes of Macao. The current price survey is the fifth survey conducted by the Council to get more information about prices of food/beverage items in local cafés
For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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For the purpose of Macau SAR citizens and people from other countries and regions to better understand and inquire various kinds of Macau social services information through internet platform, Social Welfare Bureau (SWB) will launch the new homepage on 1st July 2013, and the homepage address is http://www.ias.gov.mo. Service information in the new homepage is available in Chinese, Portuguese and English and provides information with the contents such as hotspot information, hotlines numbers, information about advisory committee, theme pages and latest news, etc. The information on the new website is more precise and detailed and the main page is simpler, its operation and searching function are more accessible and easy to facilitate a rapid access of the public to the information they need. Through the new internet platform Social Welfare Bureau expects to provide online information about social services, with quality and in a convenient and easy way. Welcome to the new website for consultation and presentation of opinions.
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The Macao Chinese Orchestra (MCHO), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, closes the 2012-2013 season on July 26, Friday, with the concert Classical Heritage, to be held at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium at 8pm. The talented musicians of the OCHM, under the baton of Music Director and Principal Conductor Pang Ka Pang, are joined by soprano Shen Na, guitarist Custódio Castelo's (Portuguese guitar) and by double bassist Carlos Menezes.
The concert includes "Recollection" for Soprano and Traditional Orchestra by Hao Weiya, a work that describes memories and feelings from a feminine point of view. Member of the China National Opera House, Shen Na is one of China's most renowned sopranos. After an extremely successful tour of fifteen Chinese cities, the singer is now especially invited to collaborate with the MCHO in this concert. Another guest star is Custódio Castelo, one of today's highest-profile masters of Portuguese guitar who combines an exceptional technique with innovative arrangements. The guitarist and composer presents some of his own compositions in this concert, namely The Wisperer of Sorrows, where he mirrors his inner emotional world; Ventus, a celebration of the creative freedom and artistic potential of the Portuguese guitar; In Quietude, a description of the intimate relationship between people and the fast changing information world as well as between people themselves; and also Absent and Land of Dust. Joining Castelo are double bassist Carlos Menezes and MCHO's talented musicians, presenting a unique concert not to be missed. The programme of the concert also includes works inspired by the city's fusion of cultures, such as Macao Impressions, by Zhao Jiping, Taipa and Portugal Nostalgia, by Rão Kyao/ Kuan Nai Chung, among others. Tickets for the concert "Classical Heritage – 2012-2013 Season Closing Concert" may be purchased through the Macao Kong Seng Ticketing Network at the prices of MOP 100, 60 and 40 (reservation hotline: 2855 5555). A series of discounts is also available for those who qualify. For more information, please visit the Macao Chinese Orchestra website at www.icm.gov.mo/ochm.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for May 2013 amounted to MOP795 million, up by 17% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP582 million) and domestic exports (MOP212 million) increased by 25% and 1% respectively. Total merchandise import reached MOP6.91 billion, up by 17% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.12 billion for May 2013. In the first five months of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 17% year-on-year to MOP3.86 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP3.01 billion) increased by 30%, but that of domestic exports (MOP846 million) decreased by 14%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 13% to MOP32.26 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP28.40 billion for the first five months of 2013. From January to May 2013, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP2.16 billion) and Mainland China (MOP620 million) increased by 31% and 17% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP156 million) and the EU (MOP120 million) decreased by 29% and 15% respectively. In additon, exports of Non-textiles (MOP3.48 billion) expanded by 23% year-on-year, of which exports of Electronic components (MOP362 million) and Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP322 million) surged by 92% and 117% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP382 million) decreased by 18%, of which export of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP126 million) declined by 35%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP10.48 billion) and the EU (MOP7.65 billion) increased by 13% and 15% respectively year-on-year in the first five months of 2013. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 16% to MOP20.39 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP3.26 billion), Watches (MOP2.33 billion), Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP937 million) and Footwear (MOP656 million) increasing by 16%, 17%, 50% and 15% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP36.12 billion in the first five months of 2013, up by 13% compared with MOP31.94 billion a year earlier.
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The 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is confirmed to take place at the sea area in front of Macau Tower on September 14, 19, 21, 28 and October 1. Five innovative elements will be incorporated into the fireworks display contest for a more colorful program, including the "Pyrotechnics Industry Forum" for a discussion about pyrotechnic industry development and its benefits upon tourism industry. Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO). During the press conference, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes unveiled the details of the contest this year. Senna Fernandes indicated that Macau International Fireworks Display Contest celebrates its 25th edition this year. In the past 24 years, the contest has won ardent support from various prominent fireworks companies around the world. The event thus enjoys wide recognition and applause among visitors and citizens, having become one of Macau's annual international events not to miss. The 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest will commence in mid September. Five new elements will come on stage this year including "Pyrotechnics Industry Forum", contesting teams from five continents, fireworks company participation from Africa, laser light effects and mini-movie promotion. "Pyrotechnics Industry Forum" MGTO will host the first "Pyrotechnics Industry Forum" during the contest. Fireworks industry partners from Mainland and overseas will come together for an exchange and discussion session about the applied technology, safety and development of pyrotechnic industry as well as its benefits towards tourism industry. The forum will take place from September 28 to October 1. Contesting teams from five continents The ten teams who join the contest this year cover five continents ranging from Asia, Europe, America, Oceania to Africa. They include fireworks companies from Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Korea, Portugal, Australia, Italy, Canada, France and Mainland China. Among the contesting teams, four of them won the first prize in the past Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. Fireworks teams from France and China will stage their fireworks display on October 1 as a highlight on the National Day. New Contestant from Africa
This year marks the first year of having an African fireworks company to join the contest, while the Canadian, Swiss and Mainland China fireworks companies are staging their first show in Macau. The new contestants include Fireworks for Africa from South Africa, SUGYP SA – Swiss Professional Fireworks from Switzerland, GFA PYRO (Groupe Fiatlux-Ampleman) from Canada and Liuyang Dancing Fireworks Group from Mainland China. Fireworks for Africa won numerous awards in international fireworks competitions and presented the fireworks show in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. On the other hand, SUGYP SA – Swiss Professional Fireworks from Switzerland took part in a variety of international contests and music fireworks shows, whereas the Canadian company GFA PYRO boasts its pyrotechnic experience for over a century and its regular participation in domestic and overseas fireworks contests and festivities. Based in Liuyang, Hunan, renowned as the "Home of Fireworks" in China, Liuyang Dancing Fireworks Group was the organizer of the fireworks evening for the 60th Anniversary of the National Day at Tiananmen, Beijing in 2009 and the opening ceremony of World Expo 2010 Shanghai China. The company also presented the fireworks display in Asian Games 2010. Four of the participating teams come back this year as the first winners in title of Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and demonstrate competitive strength. Among them, BREZAC Artifices from France joined the Macau fireworks display contest four times and won high rankings including two first awards, while Panzera-Industria from Italy won two championship in Macau; on the other hand, the fireworks companies from Spain and Portugal both ranked as the first prize winner before in Macau, whereas Infinity Pyrotechnic from Australia won the third place last year. The experienced teams rival each other in strength this year and will bring forth a myriad of resplendent fireworks, bringing beautiful memories for visitors and citizens. Laser light effects MGTO requested the teams to complement their fireworks with not only music as usual but also laser light effects for the first time to enhance the audience's enjoyment with a more fascinating light and sound spectacular. For reason of nautical safety, each interval between every two fireworks displays will be reduced this year. The first display will start on 9 p.m. as usual, followed by the second display on 9:40 p.m. Every display will span 18 minutes. Spectators can listen to the live broadcast of the fireworks' background music on TDM - Radio Macau's Chinese Channel every fireworks night. MGTO and Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L. (CTM) have co-launched "Macau International Fireworks Display Contest SMS Game" since 2010. The game has won enthusiastic feedback with over 3,000 text messages last year. MGTO will again present the SMS Game with CTM this year to foster citizens' participation in the event. Mini-Movie Promotion MGTO joins hands with a television broadcast company in Hong Kong to produce a mini movie as an unprecedented promotional feature this year. The mini movie will be broadcasted on numerous TV and online channels owned by the company for a widespread promotion effect. The office is also actively promoting this year's fireworks display contest through various international, regional and local media and promotion channels, including advertisements broadcasted through international media in neighboring regions and published through key media in Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, e.g. electronic media and travel magazines. Others include poster and leaflet distribution, etc. The event is also widely promoted in regional and overseas travel fairs or exhibitions. Moreover, the office uses the Internet as a promotion platform by launching a theme webpage about Macau International Fireworks Display Contest on MGTO's website. MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau will jointly present the Fireworks Carnival again to add fun and colors to the fireworks evenings. Over 30,000 individuals enjoyed the five-day Fireworks Carnival last year. The Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest for the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest accept applications starting from today. An award ceremony was held today (June 27) for the winners of the Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest for the last Macau International Fireworks Display Contest.
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Consumer Council released its 'Supermarket Price Survey' of June. When comparing the data found in May, 42 percent of the surveyed products recorded a decrease in the average prices, 32 percent of the products had recorded a slight increase and 26 percent of the products remained no change in price.
Consumer Council collected prices of over 300 products in its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 20th June. In comparison with the 336 products surveyed in May, prices of 140 products had been decreased by 1 to 2 percent, and these items included canned foods, seasonings and sanitary & hygienic products. For the 109 products which recorded price increases, the item was mainly beverages. Most of the beverage brands surveyed had recorded an increase in price of over 10 percent. 87 products surveyed had remained no change in price, and the overall prices of various rice brands remained stable. The Council also analyzed the numbers of lowest price products available in the 15 supermarkets surveyed. Tai Fung supermarket in Taipa recorded the most numbers of lowest price items in which 108 items sold at Taipa Tai Fung recorded the lowest price among all surveyed supermarkets. Tai Fung supermarket at Fai Chi Kei Vai Choi branch ranked the second, with 79 of its on-shelf items having the lowest price, and the third place went to Park'n Shop located at R. Areia Preta, with 68 of its on-shelf items being recorded with the lowest price. Starting this month, consumers can make price comparison in a more convenient way by accessing to the function of 'Lowest Price in Town' of the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps where they can browse the latest numbers of lowest price products found in the 15 surveyed supermarkets. Among the 4 supermarket chains surveyed, selling prices were found to vary in different branches in different regions and price discrepancies were observed especially in branches of San Miu and Tai Fung supermarkets. Over 70 percent of the 230 on-shelf items found in both San Miu supermarket R. dos Mercadores branch and Nape branch were found to have price differences, of which the items of cooking oil and canned foods were found to have price discrepancies from 5 to over 10 percent. For Tai Fung supermarkets, price differences by up to 30 percent were observed in the 220 on-shelf items sold at its Taipa branch and Fai Chi Kei Vai Choi branch. The items that were found to have price discrepancies were mainly seasonings, snacks and household cleansing products. Prices of over 10 products sold in the two Royal supermarket branches and 30 products sold in the two Park'n Shop branches surveyed were also found to have price differences. Although the numbers of products found in above mentioned supermarket branches were fewer than those found in San Miu supermarket and Tai Fung supermarket branches, yet the price discrepancies of the same brand of products were greater, with a percentage difference of up to 42 percent. Consumers are advised to check with the information available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), especially the function of 'Top Ten Price Differences'. Consumers can also download the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps to make price comparisons.
The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. 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. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Cooperation and Development Fund between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, which is proposed by the Chinese government and jointly undertaken by the China Development Bank and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macao), was formally inaugurated on 26 June 2013. The Sino-Portuguese fund amounts to one billion US dollars, with initial capital jointly provided by founding investors China Development Bank Capital Corp and the Industrial and Commercial Development Fund of Macao. The fund's initial capital stands at 125 million US dollars, with 50 million US dollars coming from the Industrial and Commercial Development Fund of Macao. The fund will focus on the investment and financing needs of enterprises in mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries, including those in Macao. In particular, it will support mainland China and Macao enterprises to branch out into Portuguese-speaking countries, and help enterprises in Lusophone countries to break into the Chinese market. The fund's target industries include infrastructure, transport, telecommunication, energy, agriculture and natural resources, with the major goal of boosting economic cooperation and bilateral investments between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Thanks to Macao's role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, bilateral trade between the two parties has increased steadily. In 2012, the total value of bilateral import and export between the two sides hit 128.5 billion US dollars, a year-on-year rise of 9.6 percent. In the same year, bilateral trade between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries was valued at 523 million patacas. The establishment of the Sino-Portuguese fund is believed to further enhance the scope of economic cooperation between China and Lusophone countries. The fund is run and managed by the China-Africa Development Fund under the China Development Bank.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on instant drinks on 26th June for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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