News

The registration period for the 31st Macao Young Musicians Competition is open from March 15 to 19 (including the weekend) at the Cultural Affairs Bureau (CAB). The Competition accepts participants in twenty-seven performance categories, among them Piano Solo, Piano Four Hands, Piano Ensemble, Harp Solo and Harp Ensemble. This year, the competition has added a new ensemble cate gory, Two Pianos, to encourage even more participation from groups and foster team spirit among young musicians.
The Competition takes place from June 15 to July 14 at the Dom Pedro V Theatre. In addition to the usual 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, the CAB will also award one Cultural Affairs Bureau Prize, ten Talent Prizes and one Best Ensemble Performance Prize in each category, providing more opportunities for exceptional young talents to earn financial aid towards the pursuit of their studies in music. Wright State University, in Dayton, Ohio, USA, will also grant scholarships to the most talented participants, offering them the chance to enrol in one of their music degree courses.
Contestants must have been born in or after 1992 and must present their valid Macao Resident ID Card upon registration. There is no age limit for accompanists, but these must also hold a valid Macao Resident ID Card. Competitors need not submit personal information about their accompanist(s) at the time of registration. However, on the day of the competition, the accompanist must present his or her valid Macao Resident ID Card. Competitors must submit, in person or via a representative, the completed registration form, along with all supporting documents, to the Cultural Events Department of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, located at 78 Rua do Campo, Chong Kin Building, 8th floor, unit A, between the hours of 9am and 1pm, or between the hours of 2:30 and 7:30pm. Group registrations must include a list of all participants in addition to the completed registration form and all supporting documents. The registration fee for each category is MOP 50.
Interested parties may consult the musical scores for the compulsory pieces at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, located on Praça do Tap Seac, between the hours of 9am and 5:30pm, Monday through Friday, or at the Macao Central Library (89 Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, A-B), between the hours of 10am and 8pm, any day of the week. Regulations and forms pertaining to the Macao Young Musicians Competition are available on the CAB website, at www.icm.gov.mo/cjmm. For more information, please call 8399 6620 / 8399 6621 during office hours or, between March 15 and 21, call 2833 5140.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply continued to grow in January. Driven by an increase in loans, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector rose from a month earlier.
Money supply
Currency in circulation and demand deposits grew 5.7% and 9.4% respectively. M1 thus increased 8.8% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities grew 3.5%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, rose 4.1% to MOP390.0 billion. On an annual basis, both M1 and M2 rose 25.6%. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 25.0%, up 0.8 percentage points from a month ago but down 1.7 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 55.0%, down 0.8 percentage points month-to-month but up 0.6 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits rose 4.1% from the preceding month to MOP381.8 billion. Of which, MOP deposits, HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 7.6%, 2.5% and 4.6%. Non-resident deposits grew 5.2% to MOP134.8 billion and public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 7.3% to MOP49.1 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector rose 4.6% from a month earlier to MOP565.6 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 20.9% and 46.5% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector increased 4.0% from a month ago to MOP206.0 billion. Among which, MOP65.2 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP121.4 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 31.6% and 59.0% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans increased 8.7% to MOP227.1 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.0% (MOP2.2 billion) and 22.9% (MOP52.0 billion) respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
The loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-January edged down 0.2 percentage points month-to-month to 47.8%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors was 76.6%, up 1.3 percentage points from end-December.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, left for Beijing today to attend the First Plenary Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress, which opens tomorrow.
During his four-day visit, Mr Chui will meet with leaders from Guangdong province to review mutual co-operation in the past and to set out projects for this year.
Asked by reporters at the Macao International Airport about the negative impact of the Individual Travel Scheme for Mainlanders as he was leaving for the capital, Mr Chui said he had instructed the Office for Public Political Research to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth study on the effects of that policy on Macao's economy, capacity for visitors and livelihood in the past decade.
He said that after the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, Macao faced many difficulties in economic development. The scheme was one of the most moves that supported Macao's substantial economy growth.
Visitors from the Mainland under the scheme increased from three million to seven million in the past decade, Mr Chui said. Residents of 49 Mainland cities now enjoy visiting Macao under the scheme, he said.
Over the Lunar New Year holidays thousands of Mainlanders were stuck at entry points, indicating that problems had occurred with clearance. Mr Chui stressed that this should not belittle the scheme, adding that the Government would review the policy and enhance management at gateways.
Mr Chui also revealed that the Government would take adequate measures to stabilise the market whenever necessary to curb huge rises in property prices.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on instant drinks. Survey result showed that price differences ranged from 6 to 51 percent were recorded for 10 brands of instant drinks sold in different retail outlets. Consumer Council collected prices of 10 brands of instant drinks from 20 retail outlets on 26th February. Surveyed items included instant sports drink, malt beverage, chocolate, coffee and milk tea. Survey result revealed that 'Nestle Milo Nutritious Malt Drink/400g', which was sold at $35.0 to $53.0, recorded the greatest price difference of 51.43 percent. Meanwhile, price differences ranged from 30% to 40% were also recorded for 3 brands of instant drinks, namely, 'Nestle Carnation Hot Cocoa Mix (25g x 10sachets)', 'Horlicks Nutri-Fit 3 in 1 Instant Nutritious Malted Drink (30g x 8sachets)' and 'Cadbury Original Drinking Chocolate (500g)'respectively. Consumer Council, in the meantime, compared the price differences of the surveyed items among the branches under the same supermarket chain, the survey result showed that the price differences ranged from 2 to 7 percent were recorded for the same products of instant drinks in the branches of Nape and Taipa Flower City of Supermercado San Miu. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data to make practical consumption. The specific price survey on instant drinks 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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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) participates at the 25th edition of Lisbon Travel Market (BTL), which opened February 27 and is running until Sunday at the Portuguese capital. Macau has been joining the main Portuguese travel show since its first edition, and this year participates with an attractive pavilion of 54m2 to promote the destination Macau and its many attractions, highlighting two major events of the city for this year: the 25th anniversary of the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and the 60th edition of the Macau Grand Prix.
The Portuguese Minister for Economy, Álvaro Santos Pereira, visited the Macau booth on the opening day of BTL, and received a Chinese painting handed by the coordinator of the Macau Tourism Promotion and Information Center in Portugal, Rodolfo Faustino. The painting was executed by one of the three artists that animate the Macau booth with Chinese painting, calligraphy and music. As a novelty this year, visitors have the opportunity to take a photo in traditional folkdance costumes at the bottom of the grand staircase of the Ruins of St. Paul's, reproduced on a large wall next to the Macau booth, which has been very popular with the visitors.
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In response to the tense supply of infant formula in the market, the SAR Government introduced the 'temporary support scheme for mothers and babies' earlier. In order to get hold of information of milk powder price more effectively and to execute its role as stated in Sub-section b), Section 2, Article 10 of Law No. 4/95/M of 12th June to 'collect information or reports to understand the price of products or services provided to the public', Consumer Council met with Macau Pharmacies Association earlier and requested all drugstores listed on the list provided by Health Bureau to provide the most updated selling prices of the involved milk powder brands. The Council consolidated prices and information of the lowest and highest selling prices of 7 milk powder brands (for babies under one year old) and such information has been posted to the Council's website for consumers' easy reference. The involved prices will be updated monthly or whenever prices at drugstores have been changed. Further, the hotlines of milk powder suppliers listed on the Council's website are still working, local residents may inquire about matters on milk powder through the hotlines.
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The stamp poll "My Favourite Stamps of Macao, 20112", which was organized to encourage philately and promote appreciation for the stamps of Macao, has gained enthusiastic response and a total of 1211 votes have been received. "My Favourite Stamps" and "My Favourite Souvenir Sheets" of Macao, issued on the year 2012 that received the highest number of votes are as follows: "My Favourite Souvenir Sheet"
1st Rank: Fishing Harbour in the Past;
2nd Rank: Lunar Year of the Dragon;
3rd Rank: Legends and Myths X – The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid "My Favourite Stamps"
1st Rank: Lunar Year of the Dragon;
2nd Rank: Macao Seen by Lok Cheong;
3rd Rank: Fishing Harbour in the Past. Enquiries Tel: (853) 2871 8063 / 2871 8570 Fax: (853) 2871 8018 Email: info@macao.communications.museum
Website: http://macao.communications.museum
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on instant noodles. Survey result showed that prices of the same brand of noodles sold at different retail outlets were significant as price differences ranged from 3 percent to 84.38 percent were recorded. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data to make practical consumption. The Council collected prices of 10 brands of instant noodles from 23 retail outlets on 22nd February. Survey revealed price differences ranged from the lowest 3.13 percent to the highest 84.38 percent for the same product sold at different retail outlets. The greatest price difference of 84.38 percent was observed in 'Nissin Demae Ramen Sesame Oil Flavour Instant Noodle/100g', which was sold at $3.2 to $5.9. 'Doll Instant Noodle - Sesame Oil Flavour/100g x 5', which was sold at $12.8 to $20.0, differed for 56.25 percent. In comparison with December's survey, 2 out of the 10 surveyed noodle brands recorded no change in price. Obvious changes were observed in 'Doll Instant Noodle - Sesame Oil Flavour/100g x 5' in which price increase of over 24 percent was recorded at one retail spot while 10 other retail spots recorded an average price increase of about 10 percent. The specific price survey on instant noodles 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.
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To celebrate the 15th anniversary of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', Consumer Council will hold a series of activities in March to promote the Regulations and services of the Arbitration Centre. The first event will be a carnival to be held on 2nd March (Saturday) from 3PM to 5PM at Vasco da Gama Garden. In response to the annual 'World Consumer Rights Day' on 15th March and in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', Consumer Council continues to promote the Regulations and service of the Arbitration Centre and mark the month as promotional month to hold series of promotional events. The Council will organize 4 community carnivals in March and the first one will be held on 2nd March (tomorrow) from 3PM to 5PM at Vasco da Gama Garden, on-site quiz games and consultation service will be available for the public. Aside from carnivals, an online quiz will also be held by the Council to further promote the Regulations of the Arbitration Centre. The quiz will be available in both Chinese and Portuguese and participants will be asked questions about the arbitration system and legal rights of consumers. Participants who have correct answers to 20 random questions will be entitled to a draw, 40 winners will be drawn and awarded with MOP500 each. Local residents can log on to the Council's website (www.conusmer.gov.mo) from 4th to 18th March (9AM to 5PM daily) to participate in the online quiz of the Regulations of Consumer Arbitration Centre. Rules and regulations of the quiz will be listed on the Council's website. In order to achieve its goals to be fair and provide convenient and efficient service, the Council continues to improve the services of the Arbitration Centre since its establishment 15 years ago. For the convenience of the public using the services of the Arbitration Centre, the amount of claims involved in arbitration cases raised from MOP25,000 to MOP50,000, and the Council promises in its performance pledge to transfer the involved case to the Centre for arbitration within 14 days after the case has been filed. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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This year marks the 15th anniversary of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', which operates under the auspices of the Consumer Council. A series of activities will be held by the Council to further promote the services and regulations of the Centre. The Regulations of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' was set up by Consumer Council in accordance with Decree-Law n.º 29/96/M and 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' was established on 12th March 1998 based on the Regulations. The Arbitration Centre aims to solve consumer disputes occurring in the territory of Macao through the provision of intermediary services, mediation and arbitration in cases in which the claims involved do not exceed MOP50,000 (patacas). Services provided at the Arbitration Centre are free, fast, and confidential and the arbitration judgment has the same legal status, weight and effects as a judicial court order. The Arbitration Centre provides services to both local residents and foreign consumers. The Arbitration Centre has handled almost 500 dispute cases since its establishment and the claims involved amounted to about 2 million patacas. To ensure smooth operation of the Arbitration Centre, Consumer Council added a general admission mechanism to the Regulations. Traders can join the Arbitration Mechanism as 'Adherent(s)' in advance and by joining this mechanism, traders who become 'Adherents' agree to submit any consumer disputes that arise between them and consumers to the Arbitration Centre for decision and the traders can only withdraw their status as 'Adherents' from the mechanism only after the disputes have been settled. In order to ensure consumer rights are safeguarded under the 'Adherents' mechanism, Consumer Council established the 'Certified Shop' mechanism in 2001. The emblem of 'Certified Shop' is issued to Adherents who have never had complaints filed against them. This emblem encourages Certified Shops to exercise due concern and care for consumer rights when promoting their businesses. Certified Shops are required to abide by the Code of Practice of their respective industries and are assessed annually for their entitlement to the emblem. Over the past 12 years, the 'Certified Shop' mechanism not only safeguards the rights of consumers but has also become a trusted brand for tourists visiting Macao. There are currently over 1,100 businesses awarded with the 'Certified Shop' emblem.
This year, the Council will hold a series of events to celebrate the 15th anniversary of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre' and to promote 'World Consumer Rights Day' in March. Activities such as an online quiz on the Regulations of 'Consumer Arbitration Centre', carnivals and exhibitions in local communities, etc.. The Council hopes to strengthen residents' knowledge about the services and operation of the Arbitration Centre through these local promotional activities. The first carnival will be held on 2nd March from 3PM to 5PM at Vasco da Gama Garden. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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