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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals decreased by 1.2% year-on-year to 2,347,646 in October 2012, and same-day visitors (1,232,327) accounted for 52.5% of the total. The average length of stay of visitors stood at 1.0 day, up by 0.1 day year-on-year, with overnight and same-day visitors staying 1.9 days and 0.2 day respectively. Visitors from Mainland China decreased by 1.4% from October 2011 to 1,445,420, coming mostly from Guangdong Province (669,658) and Fujian Province (66,755); Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme increased by 6.0% to 612,073. Visitor arrivals from Hong Kong (566,342), the Republic of Korea (34,502) and the Philippines (25,541) increased by 1.4%, 26.0% and 1.4% respectively; however, those coming from Taiwan, China (86,274); and Japan (25,562) decreased by 10.1% and 21.6% respectively. Long-haul visitors from Europe (25,339) increased by 3.9%, while those from the Americas (28,643) and Oceania (11,274) decreased by 2.6% and 8.5% respectively. In the first ten months of 2012, visitor arrivals totalled 23,212,331 but the rate of increase narrowed to 0.8% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (13,904,025), the Republic of Korea (365,937) and Japan (344,629) increased by 5.2%, 10.9% and 9.1% respectively, while those from Hong Kong (5,939,416) and Taiwan, China (903,354) decreased by 6.3% and 13.1%.
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According to the statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, the proportion of international business in the local banking sector edged up in the third quarter of 2012. At end-September 2012, the share of international assets in total banking assets expanded to 83.7% from 83.3% at end-June 2012, while the share of international liabilities in total banking liabilities grew marginally to 80.3% from 80.2%. Foreign currencies were the dominant denomination in international banking transactions. At end-September 2012, the shares of Pataca (MOP) in total international assets and total international liabilities were 0.5% and 3.2% respectively. Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) and Other Foreign Currencies (OFCs) accounted for 39.1% and 60.4% of total international assets as well as 50.1% and 46.7% of total international liabilities respectively. International Banking Assets
At end-September 2012, total international assets went up by 5.2% from a quarter earlier or 19.5% from a year ago to MOP642.8 billion (USD80.5 billion). Within this total, external assets increased by 22.3% year-on-year to MOP493.8 billion while local assets in foreign currencies also expanded by 10.9% to MOP149.0 billion. As a major component of international assets, external loans & deposits advanced by 21.1% to MOP458.3 billion. In particular, cross-border non-bank loans grew by 44.4%. International Banking Liabilities
Total international liabilities increased by 4.8% from three months ago or 22.8% year-on-year to MOP616.4 billion (USD77.2 billion). Of this total, external liabilities and local liabilities in foreign currencies grew year-on-year by 16.3% to MOP313.5 billion and 30.4% to MOP302.9 billion respectively. Foreign currency deposits held by residents and the MSAR government continued to form a major component of international liabilities. This type of deposits grew by 30.8% to MOP283.9 billion at end-September 2012 from MOP217.0 billion at end-September 2011. Concurrently, overseas non-bank deposits expanded by 27.9%. Breakdown of External Banking Assets and Liabilities by Region
The majority of external assets and liabilities were related to the regions of Asia and Europe. At end-September 2012, claims on Hong Kong and Mainland China occupied 33.5% and 26.5% of total external assets correspondingly, while claims on Portugal and Germany took up 11.0% and 2.4% respectively. On external liabilities, Hong Kong and Mainland China accounted for 53.2% and 17.6% of the total respectively while France and Portugal took up respective shares of 5.3% and 3.8%. The compilation of International Banking Statistics follows the methodology advocated by the Bank for International Settlements in order to facilitate Macao SAR's participation in the "Locational International Banking Statistics" project of the international organisation. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao
(Tel：83952532; Fax：28353042)
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, will lead a 19-member official delegation to the 8th Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation and Development Forum (or PPRD) to be held in Haikou, Hainan, from 28-30 November. Mr Tam and his delegation will attend a cultural show on the evening of 28 November, and on the following day, he will attend the opening ceremony of the Forum where he will deliver a keynote speech. He will also attend the Leader Joint Conference to be held in Sanya on 1 December before returning to Macao. A delegation comprising 70 representatives from Macao's business sector will also participate in the Forum. The Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) regional co-operation, a concept initiated by Guangdong in 2003 and supported by Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, as well as the two Special Administration Regions (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macao (hence dubbed 9+2), aroused much attention. Under the instruction of the CPC central committee and with the support given by relevant national departments, the '9+2' governments work together to boost their co-operation and the PPRD region as a whole, and is achieving steady progress. The PPRD, which comprise provinces from east, middle and west Mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, covers one-fifth of China's territory, has one-third of the population and boasts more than one-third of economic output (excluding Hong Kong and Macao).
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the usage rate of Information Technology (IT) in the business sector stood at 46.9% in 2011, down by 1.8 percentage points from 2010, caused by a marked decline of 9.0 percentage points in IT usage rate in Industrial Production. Analysed by industry, usage of IT is fully adopted in the Gaming Sector; usage rate in Travel Agencies and Service Sector was 97.3% and 84.1% respectively; however, Restaurant Sector had the lowest usage rate of 29.5%. As regards Internet usage, 84.5% of the establishments or enterprises using IT had Internet connection, and the major purpose included information search (79.6%), purchasing (32.6%) and sales (27.3%). In 2011, there were 146,600 households (84.9% of total) possessing IT devices (desktop computer, portable computer, smart-phone, etc.), up by 1.9 percentage points year-on-year. For the population aged 3 and above, the rate of computer usage (61.8%) and Internet usage (60.2%) increased by 5.5 and 6.4 percentage points respectively year-on-year; those aged 15-24 had the highest rate of computer usage (95.7%) and Internet usage (95.3%). In respect of the location of accessing Internet, 96.1% of those aged 3 and above accessed Internet at home, and 30.0% at workplace; major purpose of accessing Internet included information search and online services (89.8%), communication (85.7%) and web entertainment (76.0%). Survey coverage of usage of IT in the business sector includes Industrial Production; Construction; Wholesale & Retail Trade; Travel Agencies; Hotels; Restaurants; Gaming; Transport, Storage & Communications, as well as Service Sector (Real Estate Management; Security Services; Cleaning Services; Advertising and Conference/Exhibition Organising Services). In addition, usage of IT in households includes individuals aged 3 and above.
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Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 19th November. A total of 350 products were surveyed this time and in comparison with last month's records, about 62 percent of the surveyed products, mainly rice, canned foods, snacks, and butter recorded no change in price. A total of 350 items were surveyed in the Council's latest 'Supermarket Price Survey'. In comparison with last month's figures, 111 products recorded no change in price and they included mainly rice, canned foods, beverages and snacks, prices of 106 products had decreased, mainly dairy products, frozen food, and shower gel. Many surveyed canned food items recorded price decrease of 1 to 1.8 percent while prices of half of the surveyed dairy products had decreased by up to 3.4 percent. Total number of products which recorded no change in price or price decreases amounted to about 62 percent of the total number of items surveyed. Cooking oil, household cleansing products, and sanitary & hygienic products recorded minimal price increases. Survey result showed that among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed by the Council, selling prices of over 100 products were found to vary in different branches. Price differences of 2 to 33 percent were observed in most canned food items in which 'Heaven Temple Brand Chopped Pork and Ham/340g' recorded the greatest price discrepancy. Prices of around 20 products were also found to differ in different branches of both Royal Supermarket and Park'n Shop. Consumers are advised to check with the information available on the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform', especially the function of 'Top Ten Price Differences' for the surveyed products and in the platform iPhone and Android apps. 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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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) witnessed varied degrees of increase in September 2012. With regard to outstanding balance, both RMLs and CRELs continued to grow. New Lending Approved In September 2012, new RMLs approved by Macao banks rose 5.7% month-to-month to MOP4.7 billion; of which, 88.9% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents and non-residents increased 6.4% and 0.1% respectively. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) dropped 70.3% month-to-month to MOP70.6 million. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 89.8% of the total, dropped 70.8% while the amount to non-residents also went down by 64.6%. New CRELs expanded 78.1% month-to-month to MOP3.1 billion; of which, 96.6% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents advanced 77.0% and 115.0% compared with the previous month. Outstanding Balances As at end-September 2012, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP91.6 billion, an increase of 3.3% from one month earlier. The resident component made up 92.3% of the total. Outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents grew by 3.2% and 4.8% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs edged up 1.2% from end-August to MOP65.5 billion. Residents accounted for 91.1% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents grew by 1.9% whereas those to non-residents slid 5.9%. Delinquency Ratios At the end of September 2012, the delinquency ratios for RMLs and CRELs remained unchanged from end-August at 0.06% and 0.09% respectively. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department Monetary Authority of Macao
(Tel：83952532; Fax：28353042)
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (117.94) for October 2012 increased by 5.19% year-on-year, attributable to rising charges for meals bought away from home. For the 12 months ended October 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.26% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B also rose by 6.46% and 6.47% respectively. In comparison with October 2011, price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+33.73%); Household Goods & Furnishings (+7.68%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+7.08%) marked notable increase on account of higher charges for domestic services and meals bought away from home. However, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.07% and 0.44% respectively year-on-year. The CPI-A (117.47) and CPI-B (118.53) increased by 5.53% and 5.39% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI increased by 0.10% month-to-month, of which new arrival of Winter clothing, higher charges for meals bought away from home and dearer prices of fresh fish and fruits drove up the price index of Clothing & Footwear; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages by 2.87% and 0.46%. On the contrary, price index of Housing & Fuels; Transport; and Recreation & Culture decreased by 1.00%, 0.70% and 0.45% on account of a raise in Government subsidy on electricity, lower airfare and gasoline prices, as well as reduced charges for package tours. The CPI-A and the CPI-B increased by 0.01% and 0.14% respectively month-on-month. The average Composite CPI for the first ten months of 2012 increased by 6.18% year-on-year, of which price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+30.85%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.81%) saw notable increase, while that of Communication decreased by 4.76%. The CPI-A and CPI-B for the first ten months of 2012 rose by 6.42% and 6.40% respectively. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on biscuits. Survey result showed that prices of biscuits were stable and the highest price difference recorded for the same product sold at different retail spots was 33.33 percent. Consumer Council collected 8 brands of biscuits from 20 local retail outlets on 15th November. A general price difference of 10 to 20 percent was recorded for the same brand of biscuit sold at various outlets. 'Garden Cream Wafers/200g', which was sold at $7.2 to $9.6, recorded the highest price difference of 33.33 percent. In comparison with September's data, prices of most surveyed brands remained stable, 4 out of the total surveyed brands recorded no change in price. 'OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies/9x29.4g' recorded price decreases of about 3.4 percent to 15.8 percent in 5 retail spots. The specific price survey on biscuits is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Members of the 'Consumer organizations city alliance', which include 22 consumer organizations in China, released a list of reports and surveys on the 2012 annual meeting in Nanjing earlier. Released reports include 'Attention to emergency call function in mobile phones in the Mainland', 'Replacing home use water heater magnesium anodes', and 'Quality and guarantee period of residential homes', etc. Members are called on to distribute press releases in regard to the mentioned reports to promote awareness of consumers. Members of the alliance state that emergency call function is not available in some of the foreign mobile phone brands in China and these foreign brands only allow users to call 911, 112, or other emergency numbers that are widely used in other countries. For mobile phones manufactured in China, users are normally connected to voicemail services even though emergency call function is enabled. Members of the alliance indicate that, according to the consumer protection regulations in the Mainland, mobile phone manufacturers are called on to secure the installation of emergency call function in mobile phones and ensure this function can be operated regularly. Foreign phone brand manufacturers should abide by the laws in China and respect the habit of consumers in China to use emergency numbers known in the region. Meanwhile, consumers are recommended to check whether this function is workable or not when purchasing mobile phones. Further, to prevent accidents arise from using water heater at home, consumer organizations remind consumers about the importance of replacing magnesium anodes in water heater to ensure consumers' safety. For the survey targeted at checking the quality of residential homes in the Mainland, result shows that water leaks appear in surfaces and walls of over 70 percent of both public and private constructions. Members of the alliance state that:
1. Constructors are responsible to keep consumers informed of the current guarantee regulations and period of residential homes;
2. Constructors should strictly abide by the regulations set up by related departments in regard to the guarantee period of residential homes, the contract of sales, and the agreement in the property management contract. Constructors should bear all responsible responsibilities and safeguard the legal rights of consumers;
3. Enforced monitoring should be carried out by the related departments in China to safeguard the legal rights of consumers.
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In accordance with the objectives of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions to promote the image of Macao MICE industry and provide related information services more efficiently, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is responsible for following up on the setting up of the Macao MICE Portal. In the afternoon of 20 November, the Macao MICE Portal (www.mice.gov.mo) will be officially launched at Macao Business Support Centre. Officiating guests include Mr. Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance and President of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions, Mr. Sou Tim Peng, Director of Macao Economic Services and Secretary-General of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions, Mr. Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Convenor of the Working Group on the Development of External Co-operation of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions, Mr. U Kin Cho, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Macao Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Li Zhizhong, Chairperson of Macao Convention and Exhibition Association, Mr. Tony Lam, President of Macao Fair and Trade Association and Mr. Edmund Wong, Chairman of Association of Advertising Agents of Macau. Around 60 representatives from local industrial and business associations as well as the convention and exhibition industry will also attend the ceremony. It is hoped that the launch of the MICE portal will further promote the strengths of Macao's convention and exhibition industry, activities and facilities to local and overseas event organisers, industrial and business entrepreneur and business visitors. It also aims to provide greater facilitation in the search for related MICE information. Co-operation entities of the Macao MICE Portal include Macao Convention and Exhibition Association, Macao Fair and Trade Association and the Association of Advertising Agents of Macau. Currently, the Macao MICE Portal comprises of various columns including Event Promotion, Incentive Measures, Industry Information and MICE Guide. Contents will be constantly updated and enhanced in accordance with the market demands and development.
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