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On the second day of 2013 GMBPF, a large number of Macao residents and tourists flocked to the event for shopping. The "Forum on Guangdong and Macao Exhibition Logistics Cooperation and Development" first introduced this year aims to provide an exchange platform for enterprises, chambers of commerce and government delegates from Guangdong and Macao and promote collaboration between the convention & exhibition and logistics industries of the two regions. Today (2nd August) , a total of 338 business matching sessions and 3 protocols were concluded, including agent intention and agreement on production of different products. Investors involved are from Jiangmen, Foshan, Macao, etc. Guangdong and Macao convention & exhibition and logistics industries see development potential
The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Department of Guangdong Province jointly organised the "Forum on Guangdong and Macao Exhibition Logistics Cooperation and Development" at the Vic's Cafe of the Rocks Hotel, Macau Fisherman's Wharf, in hopes of utilising this forum as a platform for interaction and mutual exchanges between experts from Guangdong and Macao's convention & exhibition and logistics industries, representatives of chambers of commerce, government officials and promoting collaboration between Guangdong and Macao's convention & exhibition and logistics industries. Irene Va Kuan Lau, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute noted in her speech that logistics is the major area which has experienced relatively rapid growth under the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao and plays a vital role in promoting moderate economic diversification in Macao, therefore possessing considerable development advantages and potential. Moreover, the construction and expansion of various large-scale infrastructures, such as Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, Guangzhou-Zhuhai Intercity Railway and Macao LRT System, will create more favourable conditions for collaboration in logistics between Macao, various cities in Guangdong, and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. Zhou Jianping, Division Chief of Scientific and Technological Development and Trade Division, Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation of Guangdong Province pointed out in the forum that actively promoting the organic integration of Guangdong's manufacturing, convention & exhibition and logistics industries to achieve a leapfrog development is an inexorable trend for Guangdong as a major province focused on the three industries and this will also bring substantial business opportunities for Guangdong and Macao's convention & exhibition and logistics industries. Keynote speakers from Macao and Mainland gave talks in turn on four topics, namely "Guangdong-Macao Convention, Exhibition and Logistics Co-operation and Development: Review & Prospect", "The Strategy of Guangdong-Macao Convention and Exhibition interactive development", "Develop Macao advantages, promote the development of exhibition logistics", and "The restriction and solution to Guangdong-Macao logistics". Guests from the two regions generally believed that Guangdong and Macao's convention & exhibition and logistics industries have development potential and the two regions have their advantages and drawbacks and thus need to learn from and complement each other and seek mutual development. Newly added "Markets in Focus" helps promote regional co-operation
The development of the nine major cities specified in the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (Outline) plays an instrumental role for the development of other PRD cities. To further consolidate the essence of the Outline and boost regional co-operation, GMBPF has specially added the "Markets in Focus", with the nine major cities categorised into three groups, namely Guangzhou-Foshan-Zhaoqing, Shenzhen-Dongguan-Huizhou and Zhuhai-Zhongshan-Jiangmen. Each group will take turn to assume the role of "Markets in Focus" each year. This year, Guangzhou, Foshan and Zhaoqing take the lead to be the principal focus on recruitment and publicity. The "Markets in Focus" is located in front of the stage, the central area of Guangdong Pavilion with the largest visitor flow. Exhibitor from Guangzhou Mr. Zhang said that the size of the booth is bigger than that of previous years and he hoped that it will attract more patrons to buy their souvenirs and gifts and household appliances. Mr. Zhu who sells famous products from Zhaoqing noted that his booth is located at the center of the pavilion and attracts more patrons compared to the previous years and the free tasting activity also helps bring in more patrons and boost sales. Mr. Feng from Foshan, an exhibitor participating in this event for the third year, said that the organisers have done ample promotions for the event and he also expected that high visitor flow can be seen in the weekend. 338 business matching sessions and 3 protocols successfully concluded
To promote collaboration between Guangdong and Macao's professional buyers and famous enterprises, GMBPF has launched the business matching, sourcing and purchasing zone to provide all-round supporting services for the buyers and sellers. On the second day of the 2013GMBPF (2nd August), 338 business matching sessions and 3 protocols were concluded, covering agent intention and agreement on production of different products. Investors involved are from Jiangmen, Foshan, Macao, etc. Product seminar and presentation widely welcome by the public
The organisers has arranged a series of product seminars and presentations in order to provide a favourable platform for enterprises to present their products and services from different perspectives. Today, 4 seminars and presentations were conducted, featuring different themes, e.g. "Jelly Belly – Fantastic Candy World", "How to Choose Water Filtration System", "Shang Shu Fang Culture", and "An Introduction of Wuyi Rock Tea", which were widely received by the residents, tourists and business representatives. In addition, the organisers, as usual, has set up the City Exhibit Gallery to introduce the development status, investment environment and local featured products of the participating cities from Guangdong and Macao, in order to enable the general public to better understand the famous commodities and city development of Guangdong and Macao. GMBPF features a variety of programmes and gifts; admission free
On the second day of the event, favourable sales was recorded and a number of residents and tourists flocked to the event for shopping. GMBPF also invited Hong Kong and Macao singers and actors, such as Ella Koon, Vivian Chan to distribute gifts and perform songs. Tomorrow (3rd August), GMBPF will open to the public from 11am to 8pm while Hong Kong singer Alfred Hui will be invited to play interactive games with the participants. All are welcome to participate in the event! Numerous promotional offers are also available at GMBPF while some products offer discounts as low as 90% off. In addition to the YAMAHA CUXI motorcycle, 40" LED television and Canon camera, the Lucky Draw will give out over 300 gifts. Other activities, including seminars and presentations, cultural and arts performances, magic shows, complimentary cartoon drawing, etc., can be found in this year's GMBPF. To provide greater convenience to the visitors, GMBPF has arranged several free shuttle bus routes carrying visitors from different spots to the venue. Visitors may also enjoy three hours' complimentary parking at the parking lots of the Macau Fisherman's Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre. For further details of GMBPF, please call the GMBPF hotline at (853)-87989636 or browse the official website of GMBPF at http://www.guangdongmacaofair.com.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on beverages on 1st August 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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Organised by Macao Museum, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Fantasy World - Chinoiserie exhibition has attracted a large number of local residents and tourists since opening in May. Taking into account the approaching summer holidays, the exhibition has extended its stay in the city until the afternoon of 25th August 2013, a week longer than the original closing date of 18th August 2013, in order to enable more people to appreciate these precious exhibits. Everybody is welcome to visit. The Fantasy World - Chinoiserie exhibition focuses on the widespread enthusiasm for 'Chinoiserie' across Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. At that time, Europe was significantly influenced by Chinese products and culture, sparking the appearance of Chinese elements in the creative techniques and expressive forms of a wide range of art works - demonstrating that the Chinese art style was integrated into local society and had become a lifestyle fashion pursued by many individuals. The exhibition is themed around 'Chinoiserie', with some 80 representative cultural relics from the Cité de la Céramique- Sèvres et Limoges, Les Arts Décoratifs – Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Paris), Musée du Louvre -Département des Arts Graphiques, Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie (Besançon) and Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. on display. It also introduces the manner in which 'Chinoiserie' was imitated and processed until eventually becoming a fashion in Europe, allowing visitors to better understand 'Chinoiserie'. There is a large number of eye-catching cultural relics with strong Chinese characteristics, including ceramics, sketches, engravings, oil paintings and tapestries as well as four large vases, reflecting the widespread use of 'Chinoiserie' throughout Europe at that time. Through the approach of Europeans imitating Chinese art, visitors can glimpse the mysterious Oriental fantasies conjured up by the Europeans. The documentary now playing in the mini theatre explains the origins and development of 'Chinoiserie', while the lively, fun activities offered by the educational zone and interactive game zone help increase visitors' interest in the content of the exhibition, making it easier to comprehend. Macao Museum maintains its operational hours during the summer holiday, from 10:00am to 6:00pm (ticket booth closes at 5:30pm, Museum closes on Monday). The guided tour services are provided during the exhibition period with temporary exhibitions. Organisations and schools are welcome to make advance reservations. Macao ID cardholders and Macao student cardholders can visit the museum for free on Sundays. For enquiries, please call (853) 2835 7911 during office hours or browse Macao Museum's official website: www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or the Cultural Affairs Bureau's official website: www.icm.gov.mo.
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The 2013 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair (GMBPF) was solemnly open today (1st August) at the Macau Fisherman's Wharf and will last for four consecutive days. Over the past year, the co-operation between Guangdong and Macao remained a strong momentum and the import and export volume between Guangdong and Macao and the amount of capital invested of Guangdong recorded positive growth. This fully exemplifies the favourable foundation and prospect for Guangdong and Macao's collaboration. The governments of the two regions also seek to promote the continued and practical growth of their mutual co-operation via this event. On the first day of the event, 9 protocols and 298 business matching sessions were concluded. Prior to the opening, a number of guests were led by Zhao Yufang, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR and Qiu Hong, Deputy Director General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR to visit the exhibition venue, exchanged ideas with the exhibitors, and tasted some of the Guangdong and Macao food specialities. Officiating guests at the opening ceremony include Zhao Yufang, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR, Qiu Hong, Deputy Director General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Huang Hangqian, Director-General of Department of General Affairs of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Guo Yuanqiang, Director of Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Ma Iao Lai, President of Macau Chamber of Commerce, Lu Xingzhou, Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Du Minqi, Deputy Mayor of Meizhou Municipal People's Government, Wang Sheng, Deputy Mayor of Huizhou Municipal People's Government, Feng Yurong, Deputy Mayor of Zhongshan Municipal People's Government, Wu Guojie, Deputy Mayor of Jiangmen Municipal People's Government, Li Rifang, Deputy Mayor of Yangjiang Municipal People's Government, Liang Luoyue Deputy Mayor of Maoming Municipal People's Government, Chen Xuanqun, Deputy Mayor of Zhaoqing Municipal People's Government, and Huang Zhihao, Deputy Mayor of Yunfu Municipal People's Government. Integrate Guangdong and Macao's advantages and create business opportunities for enterprises
In her address at the opening ceremony, Zhao Yufang noted that GMBPF is an important platform for economic and trade co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, and since its inception in 2009, it has continued to seek innovation and enhance its effectiveness, reputation and impact. Combining the advantages of Macao's international convention and exhibition industry and Guangdong's manufacturing industry, GMBPF not only comprehensively promotes different types of branded products from Guangdong and Macao, but also demonstrates the high-level integration between Guangdong and Macao and bring in new challenges and business opportunities for the enterprises from various places. Strengthen Guangdong and Macao co-operation and promote liberalisation of service trade between Guangdong and Macao
Secretary for Economy and Finance Tam Pak Yuen noted in his speech that in addition to fully utilising Macao's role as a world class tourism and leisure centre and regional economic and trade services platform, GMBPF also adequately promotes the co-operation and coordination between the convention and exhibition industries of the two regions and has developed into an important carrier for co-operation between Guangdong and Macao. With the favourable policies in the CEPA and the Framework Agreement on Co-operation Between Guangdong and Macao, collaboration between the two is developing steadily. He also hoped that the two regions would seize this opportunity to work together to practically explore and strengthen mutual co-operation, fully promote collaboration in economy, society and people's livelihood, with the main focus to accelerate the promotion and realise the liberalisation of service trade between Guangdong and Macao, push forward regional co-operation to a new level and realise the goal of mutual development and progress. 9 protocols and 298 business matching sessions concluded today
On the first day of the event, 298 business matching sessions and 9 protocols were concluded, including the Memorandum of Co-operation of "2014 Macau-Guangzhou Famous Products Fair", Contract on Establishing of "Veng Peng Frozen Food Processing Factory", agent and procurement intentions on different products, etc. Investors involved are from Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Foshan, Zhanjiang, Shantou, Dongguan, Macao, etc. Four concurrent events feature a wide array of activities
During the 2013 GMBPF, three events namely the "China Continental - Taiwan - Macau - Fine Food Show 2013", "Macau International Beer Festival 2013 - 2nd Beer, Wine & Spirits Expo" and "Asian Wedding Celebration Expo" are scheduled to take place in Macao concurrently. This rare opportunity is expected to create substantial synergy effects and achieve the goal of attracting customers and promoting collaboration. To provide greater convenience to the visitors to the four venues, the organizers of the four events have specially arranged free shuttle bus services at different spots in Macao and Taipa and additionally included a number of pickup points. Moreover, a circular bus route is specially launched between the Macau Fisherman's Wharf, Macau Convention Center and Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre. Visitors may also enjoy three hours' complimentary parking at the parking lots of the Macau Fisherman's Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre, Macau Convention Center and Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre. An annual grand summer event welcomes all!
GMBPF features a wide variety of programmes and discount offers, in addition to a series of promotional activities, including the Grand Lucky Draw, Big Discounts on Branded Products, distribution of consumer vouchers, cultural and arts performances, singing performances by invited singers and actors from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, e.g. Viviana Lo, Rico Long, Nick Ngai, Vivian Chan, etc., and other celebration performances by music and dance troupes. The organisers of GMBPF will host the Forum on Guangdong and Macao Exhibition Logistics Cooperation and Development on the second day of the event (tomorrow) at the Vic's Cafe of the Rocks Hotel at the Macao Fisherman's Wharf while GMBPF will remain open to the public. The organisers sincerely invite all business representatives from home and abroad, Macao residents and tourists to participate in this carnival-style summer event embracing business opportunities, entertainment and shopping. Opening hours are from 11am to 8pm, 2nd to 4th August (Friday to Sunday). For further details of GMBPF, please call the GMBPF hotline at (853)-87989636 or browse the official website of GMBPF at http://www.guangdongmacaofair.com.
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The 27th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao, brings 22 outstanding shows to the territory from October 2nd to November 3rd 2013. Tickets for the MIMF go on sale at 10am on August 4th, 2013, at all Kong Seng Ticketing outlets, except at the Rua Comandante Mata e Oliveira ticketing office; telephone and online bookings will be available from 12pm onwards on the same day. The organizer will distribute numbers to interested ticket buyers from 9am at ticketing outlets, in order to shorten queuing time. On the first day of ticket sales, purchases are limited to a maximum of 10 tickets per performance per person and distribution of tickets for free performances is limited to a maximum of 2 tickets per performance per person. The Festival presents a rich variety of music shows, including performances of opera, musical theatre, chamber music, jazz, choral music, Portuguese Fado and Cantonese Naamyam as well as by renowned soloists, catering to music lovers' different tastes. Early Bird discounts of 40% are available between 4 and 18 August when buying tickets for at least four different performances or when buying 10 or more tickets for the same performance as well as for Student Card and Macao Senior Citizen Card Holders. After 19 August, purchasers meeting the same conditions will still receive a 30% discount. A 20% discount is also available on tickets to any show upon presentation of a Bank of China (Macau), Banco Weng Hang (Macau), LTD., Tai Fung Bank, ICBC (Macau), BCM Bank, Luso International Banking LTD. or BNU Credit Card or a Bank of China Tri-Currency Debit Card. The MIMF has also created special offers for the public. The "Cotai Water Jet Buy 1 Get 1 Free" ferry ticket offer gives, with each purchase of two tickets for "Miss Saigon – The Musical", a voucher for Cotai Water Jet ferry tickets, valid for one free, one-way ferry ticket for sailings between Macao and Hong Kong. The "Taste & Music" dining offer allows Festival goers to enjoy a 15% dining discount at selected restaurants in Cotai Strip Resorts Macao when presenting any Festival ticket. For more information on the 27th MIMF, please consult the MIMF booklet, available at the Cultural Affairs Bureau's Building, the Tap Seac Gallery, Kong Seng Ticketing outlets, the Macao Conservatory, the Macao Central Library, the Macao Cultural Centre, the Public Information Centre, as well as at local bookstores, music stores and designated restaurants. For eco-friendly purposes, the electronic version of the booklet can be viewed and downloaded at http://www.icm.gov.mo/fimm.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average daily wage of construction workers increased by 1.0% quarter-to-quarter to MOP603 in the second quarter of 2013, and the average daily wage of local construction workers amounted to MOP738, up by 5.6%. The average daily wage of skilled & semi-skilled workers was MOP614, an increase of 1.7% quarter-to-quarter, and that of unskilled workers was MOP379, up by 3.0%. Analysed by occupation, average daily wage of structural iron erectors amounted to MOP723, up by 11.2% quarter-to-quarter; however, average daily wage of electricians & electrical workers, and bricklayers & plasterers decreased by 4.6% and 3.8% respectively. After discounting the effect of inflation, wage index of construction workers (87.5) decreased by 1.7% quarter-to-quarter in real terms, with that of electricians & electrical workers, and bricklayers & plasterers declining by 6.0% and 5.4% respectively; wage index of local construction workers (103.3) increased by 2.8% quarter-to-quarter in real terms. As regards construction materials, average price of concrete increased continuously, amounting to MOP515 per cubic metre, an increase of 5.3% quarter-to-quarter; on the contrary, average price of spiral & round reinforcing steel bars decreased slightly by 0.6%, at MOP5,256 per tonne. The price index of construction materials for residential buildings stood at 121.1 in the second quarter of 2013, up by 1.0% quarter-to-quarter, of which the price index of concrete rose by 3.5%.
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The 27th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao, will be held from October 2nd to November 3rd 2013. The Festival has many extended programs, including Jazz-It-Up! Workshops co-organized with Jazz Club de Macau and Macao Jazz Promotion Association. Limited vacancies of the workshops are open for application from today (August 1st) to August 6th, at the lobby of the Cultural Affairs Bureau on the Tap Seac Square. The previous year's jazz programme Ain't That Swinging in Mount Fortress! successfully brought together local jazz musicians for a joint performance extravaganza, offering opportunities to local jazz musicians to learn from visiting jazz masters. The event received an enthusiastic response and garnered critical acclaim. Taking the chance of this year's Festival and continuing to cultivate more local jazz talents, the Festival has invited the renowned European jazz band Iberian Jazz All Stars to Macao. They will not only perform in the Macao International Music Festival in October, but also serve as instructors for the Jazz-It-Up! Workshops. The Jazz-it-up! Workshops run from August 8th to 31st and from October 5th to 11th and are divided into three levels, Mini Jazz, Beginning Level, and Advanced Level. The medium of delivery is English and Cantonese interpretation will be provided. Prospective students of the Beginning and Advanced Level Courses are required to attend an audition to be held on August 8th. Those of the Beginning Level should prepare a piece of music between one to three minutes; while candidates to the Advanced Level should perform two standard jazz pieces of different styles within a certain length of time. Outstanding students of the Advanced Level may be selected to become a part of the Macao Big Band for a joint performance with the Iberian Jazz All Stars in a concert in October, within the framework of the 27th MIMF. The application form and guidelines for Jazz-it-up! Workshops the can be downloaded from http://www.icm.gov.mo/fimm; applications should be delivered at the lobby of the Cultural Affairs Bureau's Building, located on the Tap Seac Square. For more information please call 8399 6609 or 8399 6622.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on cooking oil on 30th July 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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About to bring one more season to a close, the Macau Orchestra (OM) presented this year a series of classical music concerts to great acclaim. Considered one of China's current top three pianists, Chen Sa was invited by OM for its closing concert "Lingering Sound", which takes place at 8pm on Sunday, August 4th, in the Macao Cultural Centre's Grand Auditorium. Chen Sa was born in Chongqing and began her piano studies at the age of 7, revealing great talent and conquering awards from an early age. Hailed by the magazine Influence was "one of the most extraordinary contemporary pianists of China", Chen Sa became the only musician to receive awards at the Leeds, Chopin and Van Cliburn international piano competitions. The pianist has took to stages in several European countries with numerous renowned orchestras and musicians, and was described by London's Classic FM radio as "one of the brightest performers of her generation". Invited once again to perform in Macau, Chen Sa joins OM for its closing season concert. Known for her flawless Chopin interpretations, Chen Sa conquered, in 2005, the Crystal Award at the 12th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and gained a reputation as " China's current best interpreter of Chopin". In this concert, directed by OM's Music Director and Principal Conductor, Lü Jia, Chen Sa will perform Beethoven's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G major, op. 58, a sublime and complex work considered to be one of the composer's most singular creations. The concert "Lingering Sound", originally set to take place on July 27th, has now been rescheduled to Sunday, August 4th, at 8pm in the Macao Cultural Centre's Grand Auditorium. Those who bought tickets for July 27th and cannot attend the concert on the new date may return them at Kong Seng Ticketing Network counters until August 4th. Tickets for this concert may be purchased through the Macao Ticketing Network, or on the reservation hotline 2855 5555, at MOP 120 and 80. For more information, please visit the Macao Orchestra website at www.icm.gov.mo/om or call 2853 0782, during office hours.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the total number of licensed motor vehicles reached 220,951 at the end of June 2013, up by 5% year-on-year, of which motorcycles and light private cars accounted for 53% and 41% respectively. New registration of motor vehicles increased by 8% year-on-year to 8,994 in the first half year of 2013, with light private cars and motorcycles sharing 52% and 42% of the total. In the first half year of 2013, number of traffic accidents totalled 7,156 cases, similar to a year earlier, resulting in 2,514 victims and 10 of them were killed. Cross-border vehicle traffic by land between Macao and Mainland China reached 2,275,304 vehicle trips in the first six months of 2013, up by 6% year-on-year, of which vehicle traffic through the Border Gate accounted for 82%. Meanwhile, passenger ferry between Macao and Hong Kong and between Macao and Mainland China decreased by 1% year-on-year to 69,398 ferry trips, with those between Macao and Hong Kong accounting for 79% of the total. Commercial flight movements increased by 21% year-on-year to 21,692 in the first half year of 2013, on account of the substantial increase in flight movements to and from Mainland China; Thailand; and Taiwan, China. Helicopter flights between Macao and Hong Kong and between Macao and Mainland China totalled 8,196, down by 5% year-on-year, with those between Macao and Hong Kong accounting for 81% of the total. In the first half year of 2013, seaborne container throughput totalled 59,644 TEU, equivalent to 43,110 containers handled, up by 6% and 4% respectively year-on-year. Gross weight of seaborne containerized cargo decreased by 14% to 90,271 tonnes, with 3,084 tonnes of transshipment goods. Gross weight of containerized cargo by land dropped notably by 36% year-on-year to 10,958 tonnes, including 4,112 tonnes of transit goods. In the first half year of 2013, outward (7,130 tonnes) and inward air cargo (2,980 tonnes) fell by 12% and 8% respectively year-on-year. Transit air cargo rose by 18% to 2,391 tonnes. At the end of June 2013, number of mobile telephone users increased by 4% year-on-year to 1,532,063, whereas fixed-line telephone users decreased by 2% to 160,326. As regards internet services, number of subscribers totalled 240,952 and the cumulative duration of usage reached 386 million hours in the first half year of 2013, up by 10% and 21% respectively year-on-year.
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