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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 6,766 building units were purchased and sold at MOP26.93 billion in the third quarter of 2012 as per Stamp Duty record, down by 13.8% and 13.3% respectively quarter-to-quarter. Within the units purchased and sold, 4,475 were residential units sold at MOP19.75 billion, down by 19.4% and 15.6% quarter-to-quarter respectively, and Macao residents accounted for 88.2% of the transaction and 83.2% of the value. Residential units purchased and sold under MOP3,000,000 took up 45.9% and 25.5% cost MOP6,000,000 or over. Analysed by year of completion of the building, residential units completed in 2010 and after totalled 1,517 (33.9% of total), including 1,165 pre-sale units, and 1,451 residential units were completed in 1990-1999. As regards floor area of the unit, 2,345 residential units (52.4% of total) had an area of 50 to 99.9 square metres, and 28.2% were smaller than 50 square metres. The average price of all residential units amounted to MOP58,305 per square metre of usable area, up by 5.2% quarter-to-quarter; average price of those in the Macao Peninsula (MOP51,662), Taipa (MOP67,579) and Coloane (MOP81,928) increased by 8.9%, 1.2% and 4.8% respectively quarter-to-quarter. Analysed by year of completion of the building, average price of residential units completed in 1990-1999 was MOP45,593 per square metre, up by 9.0% quarter-to-quarter. Analysed by floor area, average price of residential units under 50 square metres increased by 8.0% quarter-to-quarter to MOP45,862 per square metre; the average price of those having 150 square metres and over dropped by 4.4% to MOP80,682 per square metre. In addition, the average price of office units increased by 3.1% quarter-to-quarter to MOP49,245 per square metre, and that of industrial units rose by 0.5% to MOP18,844 per square metre. In the first three quarters of 2012, number of building units purchased and sold decreased by 24.4% year-on-year to 18,203, yet total value increased by 5.4% to MOP69.69 billion. A total of 12,374 residential units were purchased and sold at MOP51.45 billion, down by 17.5% and 2.2% respectively year-on-year. In the third quarter of 2012, a total of 3,497 cases of real estate sale and purchase contracts were made, down by 1.0% quarter-to-quarter, and the number of units dropped by 5.3% to 4,127. Moreover, there were 2,619 cases of residential mortgage contracts signed, down slightly by 0.5% quarter-to-quarter. In the third quarter of 2012, gross floor area of buildings completed totalled 612,904 square metres, altogether providing 1,573 units (1,502 are residential units), 1,319 parking spaces for cars and 188 parking spaces for motorcycles. Gross floor area of buildings completed totalled 1,560,013 square metres in the first three quarters of 2012, providing 2,499 units (2,404 are residential units).
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on shampoos and shower gels. Result showed that prices of various brands of shampoo sold at different retail outlets recorded minimal to 12 percent decreases whereas prices of shower gel brands remained stable. Consumer Council collected prices of 8 brands of shampoo and shower gel from 32 retail outlets (including supermarkets and drugstores) on 13th November. In comparison to September's survey, 4 surveyed shampoo brands recorded price decreases at different retail spots. 'Pantene Pro-V Shampoo/750ml', which was sold at $56.0 to $60.0 in most retail outlets, recorded price decreases of 3 to 12 percent in comparison to last time's data. A price increase of 18 percent was also observed for the same brand at Watson's (Rotunda De Carlos Da Maia) due to price adjustment this month. For shampoo, 'Dove damage Therapy intensive Repair Shampoo/700ml', which was sold at $39.7 to $59.9, recorded the greatest price difference of almost 51 percent. Meanwhile, shower gel prices remained stable and a general price discrepancy of around 20 to 30 percent was recorded for the same brand sold at different outlets. 'Dove beauty Nourishing Body Wash/1000ml', which was sold at $37.0 to $48.0, differed for 29.7 percent. The Council indicates that selling prices of the same product are found to vary in different branches under the same supermarket chain stores. Consumers are advised to check with the data provided by the Council on its website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and its 'Supermarket price information platform' iPhone and Android apps. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP133.9 billion (USD16.77 billion) at the end of October 2012. The reserves increased by 0.8% or MOP1.1 billion from the revised value of MOP132.7 billion (USD16.62 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-October 2012 represented 19 times the currency in circulation or 156.0% of Pataca M2 at end-September 2012. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency's exchange rates against the currencies of Macao's major trading partners, fell by 0.48 points month-to-month but rose by 0.91 points year-on-year to 97.07 in October 2012.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, attended the plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly today where he answered questions from 26 legislators on his Policy Address for the Fiscal Years 2013 delivered yesterday.
The questions covered policies on housing, human resource, social security, education, economic diversification, personnel training, child-care, smoking control in casinos, performance management system, population, anti-corruption, mandatory building inspection and inflation.
Housing policy attracted the most questions. Adhering to the principle of "Home for all in a contented society", Mr Chui said the Government would recommence accepting applications for Home-Ownership Scheme Housing and public rental housing flats in the first quarter of next year.
This would also enable the Government to gauge actual housing demand by the public for a further scientific study, Mr Chui said.
In addition to the 19,000 public housing units being completed as planned and another 6,300 units being planned as earlier announced, more land would be allocated for public housing.
He said statistics had shown that property prices moved like a wave and would not remain high forever. Thus he appealed to residents who plan to buy properties to carefully consider their own purchasing power. He said a sufficient supply of land would be guaranteed.
There were signs of overheating in the private housing market and the Government would introduce necessary measures to stabilise the market and to protect Macao's financial system, the Chief Executive said. Data collected from overseas and the World Bank suggested that mortgage payments should not exceed 40 per cent of total family income. On the "Macao property for Macao resident" policy, Mr Chui said since this was a new concept, it would require an in-depth study and a collection of public opinion. He said the Government would build residential units reserved for Macao residents on five pieces of newly reclaimed land to provide more choice for buyers.
On inflation, the Chief Executive said the Government would begin to amend laws to further protect consumers and to add more channels for importing commodities to Macao. He said large-scale enterprises should take responsibility in building a quality living environment in which residents could deliver their expertise to promote social mobility for society's well-being: he also urged them to raise staff salaries.
The Chief Executive said the Government would continuously strive to build long-term effective mechanisms and to share the fruits of its developments with all residents of Macao.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 21.9% year-on-year to 749,496 in September 2012. Visitors from Mainland China (538,178) increased by 23.7%, with 222,914 coming from Guangdong Province; besides, those from Taiwan, China (69,911); the Republic of Korea (35,093) and Japan (21,798) increased by 50.8%, 33.9% and 14.2% respectively. On the contrary, visitors from Hong Kong (33,208) decreased marginally by 0.1%. In the first three quarters of 2012, visitors in package tours (6,571,468) increased by 24.5% year-on-year to account for 31.5% of total visitor arrivals. Outbound residents in package tours soared by 107.6% year-on-year to 32,373 in September 2012. The most popular tour itineraries were Mainland China (82.3% of total); Taiwan, China (4.1%) and the Republic of Korea (3.8%), with 18,073 travelling to Guangdong Province. In the first three quarters of 2012, residents travelling in package tours totalled 300,153, up by 60.6% year-on-year. Meanwhile, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies increased by 18.5% year-on-year to 72,833 in September 2012. The main destinations were Mainland China (49.5% of total); Hong Kong (22.5%); and Taiwan, China (15.1%). In the first three quarters of 2012, residents travelling under such arrangements increased by 33.8% year-on-year to 632,037. There were 100 hotels and guesthouses operating in September 2012, providing 26,083 rooms, an increase of 3,704 (+16.6%) year-on-year, of which guest rooms of the 5-star hotels accounted for 63.9% of the total. In September 2012, the hotels and guesthouses received 785,170 guests, up by 11.9% year-on-year; the average length of stay decreased by 0.18 night to 1.3 nights. Occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses stood at 81.0%, up by 1.2 percentage points; occupancy rate of the hotels was 81.5%, with 4-star hotels leading at 82.9%. Number of guests increased by 11.5% year-on-year to 7,018,836 in the first three quarters of 2012; occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses stood at 82.6%, down by 0.6 percentage point. From January to September 2012, visitor-guests accounted for 64.9% of the total number of overnight visitors, higher than the 61.5% in the same period of 2011.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao released today the credit card statistics for the third quarter of 2012. The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 621,724 at the end of September 2012, equivalent to an increase of 3.8% over a quarter earlier. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 454,417, 70,049 and 97,258 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective growth of 3.3%, 2.6% and 7.5% quarter-to-quarter. Compared with a year ago, RMB cards advanced 54.0% while MOP cards and HKD cards rose 14.7% and 6.9% respectively. As at end-September 2012, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao reached MOP10.2 billion, up 3.8% from end-June 2012. Credit card receivables amounted to MOP1.4 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP500.3 million, accounting for 34.7% of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, edged up to 0.74%. For the third quarter of 2012, the credit card turnover increased 4.5% quarter-to-quarter to MOP2.9 billion. The cash advance turnover was MOP165.9 million, accounting for 5.7% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, went up 10.8% from the previous quarter to MOP3.0 billion.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today announced a string of measures ranging from financial support for the general public and target groups to recommence accepting applications for Home-Ownership Scheme Housing and public rental housing in the first quarter of next year. Mr Chui disclosed these measures in his Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2013, entitled 'Enhance the Well-being of Society and Prepare for Long-term Development', delivered at the Legislative Assembly this afternoon. He announced extending measures, including another injection of 6,000 patacas into the individual central savings account of each eligible Macao citizen: all permanent residents would also receive 8,000 patacas and non-permanent residents 4,800 patacas in the Wealth Partaking Scheme. The amount on medical vouchers would go up from 500 patacas to 600 patacas, old-age allowance from 5,000 patacas to 6,000 patacas, and monthly pension from 2,000 patacas to 3,000 patacas. For employees and middle-income groups, the reduction in personal income tax would be raised from 25 per cent to 30 per cent. The Government would also offer a rebate of 60 per cent in personal income tax paid by Macao residents this year, to be capped at 12,000 patacas and to be rebated in 2014. The study allowance for Macao citizens studying in a tertiary education programme will be increased from 2,000 patacas to 3,000 patacas, textbook allowances for all secondary and primary school students to be increased from 1,900 patacas to 2,400 patacas, and the allowances for children in kindergartens from 1,500 patacas to 2,000 patacas. These initiatives, described above, would cost the Government 9.78 billion patacas. In his annual policy blueprint, Mr Chui pledged to develop a 'long-term mechanism for effective administration' which would become policies in four categories -- housing, social security, medical and healthcare services, and education. On housing, Mr Chui said the construction of 19,000 public housing units previously announced would soon be completed and that the Government had begun allocating them to families on the waiting list. He announced that the Government would recommence accepting applications for Home-Ownership Scheme Housing and public rental housing in the first quarter of next year. The Government would also adjust the income ceiling for Home-Ownership Scheme Housing to make 80 per cent of the people of Macao qualify to apply. It would also reserve more land for public housing in addition to the previously announced programme of 6,300 units, plus establishing a mechanism to receive regular applications for public housing, including waiting time. The Government would reserve land for public housing at Reclaimed Zone A where reclamation work is expected to be completed by 2015 to produce 137.8 hectares of land. The Government would also study the public's views on a "Macao property for Macao residents" policy and conduct research in the laws required to support this. Speaking on social security, Mr Chui said the Government would inject 37 billion patacas into the Social Security Fund between 2013 and 2016, and also maintain monthly pensions to more than the minimum subsistence index. It would also earmark 910 million patacas to subsidise 43 community service centres that would come into operation between 2013 and 2015. The government would also provide free health services through a primary healthcare network to all citizens of Macao. Specialist medical services and rehabilitation services would be extended free of charge to more than 80 per cent of patients in public hospitals. The Government would provide long-term subsidies to 13 non-profit health service organisations, to benefit almost 500,000 people per year. It would also allocate 10 billion patacas to implement the Plan for Perfecting the Medical and Healthcare System to establish a more effective medical system by 2020, including new health centres and a medical complex. For disadvantaged families, the Government would extend the Short-term Food Assistance Programme from six weeks to eight weeks. On enhancing education, the Government would increase the budget for non-tertiary education, the Education Development Fund and the Student Welfare Fund in 2013 to 2015 by 26 per cent, 25.7 per cent and 35.2 per cent respectively. The Government would also ease the requirements and limits for student loan applicants to support Macao residents enrolling for education programmes at tertiary level or above, and to increase the loans to 4,500 patacas. Student loans and scholarships would also be increased to a maximum of 4,500 patacas per month and special bursaries to a maximum of 5,400 patacas per month. Mr Chui said the Government had established a comprehensive human resources database for all enrolments for tertiary institutions by Macao citizens. The database could provide reference to evaluate the need for specific skills and talents and to formulate human resources policies in Macao. Speaking on the economy, Mr Chui said it would continue to adequately diversify Macao's economic portfolio by promoting the convention and exhibition sector, the cultural and creative industries and strengthen support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Government would introduce an interest-free loan scheme for young entrepreneurs, with a ceiling of 300,000 patacas and a maximum loan tenure of eight years. It had already started work with Hengqin authorities to make special arrangements for Macao's SMEs in major development projects on the island. As regards to environmental protection, the Government planned to formulate a subsidy scheme of about 400 million patacas to encourage replacement of highly polluting vehicles, and would introduce Macao's first electric bus route in Taipa.
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South African Food & Wine Week 2012, organised by IFT, is taking place at IFT from 12 to 16 November. Acclaimed Chef Pete Gottgens and renowned Master of Wine Ms. Cathy van Zyl were invited from South Africa to present this region's gastronomic and wine oasis at IFT, while IFT Educational Restaurant brings you an appetizing savor of South Africa. A series of enticing Food & Wine events include a wine tasting session and a gala dinner which kicked off the whole-week events on 12 November. On 13 November, IFT hosted a South African Cooking Demonstration where local hospitality and food and beverage professionals can enrich their knowledge on authentic South African gastronomy that is not easily found in Macau. Participants were able to taste some dishes, including Trio of Cape Seafood, Guinea Fowl Ballotine and Fairview Blue Rock Bread & Butter Pudding demonstrated by the renowned South African Chef Pete Gottgens. In addition, a South African Wine Seminar series launched at IFT from 12 - 14 November. During the seminars, Master of Wine from South Africa Ms. Cathy van Zyl introduced diverse South African wines to audience. It is always good to enjoy delectable food with family and friends. To share this tempting South African unique flavors with Macao food lovers, IFT Educational Restaurant specially offer mouthwatering South African special set lunch and Braai BBQ Dinner Buffet and Wine Buffet within the week. The set lunch will be served at 1230 – 1500 at MOP180 per person; Braai BBQ Dinner Buffet and Wine Buffet will be served at 1900 – 2230; the BBQ buffet at MOP210 per adult and MOP105 per child, and Wine Buffet at MOP 120 per adult. No government tax or service charge required and free parking at IFT will be offered. For reservation and enquiry, please contact 85983 076/ 077/168. IFT has always been dedicating to organise gourmet promotions of different ethnic cuisines for the public. At the same time, these promotion events arouse the interests of food services industry in Macao as to explore more ideas in cooking and provide local chefs and IFT students with valuable opportunity to learn and experience the cuisines.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 12,737 Wholesale & Retail establishments, market stalls and fixed stalls on the street were operating in 2011, a decrease of 274 compared with 2010. At the end of 2011, total number of persons engaged increased by 1% year-on-year to 44,555. Total Receipts and Total Expenditure reached MOP68.77 billion and MOP61.52 billion, up by 30% and 29% respectively year-on-year. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy surged by 46% to MOP15.27 billion; Gross Fixed Capital Formation amounted to MOP829 million, up by 32% year-on-year. There were 10,962 Wholesale & Retail establishments operating in 2011, down by 188 year-on-year, of which 862 were engaging in Sales of Motor Vehicles & Automotive Fuel, 4,332 in Wholesale Trade and 5,768 in Retail Trade. Number of persons engaged totalled 41,573, up by 2% year-on-year. In view of expanding domestic demand and rising visitor arrivals, Sales and Other Receipts of the establishments reached MOP67.44 billion, up notably by 30% year-on-year. Receipts of Sales of Motor Vehicles & Automotive Fuel (MOP5.19 billion), Retail Trade (MOP40.16 billion) and Wholesale Trade (MOP22.09 billion) increased by 38%, 35% and 21% respectively year-on-year. Total Expenditure of the establishments amounted to MOP60.43 billion, up by 29% year-on-year, of which Operating Expenses (MOP7.52 billion), Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid (MOP48.79 billion) and Compensation of Employees (MOP4.12 billion) increased by 37%, 30% and 11% respectively year-on-year. Furthermore, Gross Value Added (MOP15.01 billion) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (MOP829 million) increased by 46% and 32% respectively. There were 1,775 market stalls and fixed street stalls operating in 2011, down by 86 year-on-year, comprising 764 market stalls and 1,011 fixed street stalls. Number of persons engaged totalled 2,982, with only 387 being paid employees (13% of total). Receipts and Expenditure amounted to MOP1.32 billion and MOP1.10 billion, up by 12% and 11% respectively year-on-year; Gross Value Added increased by 13% to MOP267 million.
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Co-organized by the Historical Archives of Macao of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macau Alumni Association of Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, "Philanthropy in Medical Care - Historical Photographs Exhibition" opened to visitors on November10, at the Gallery of the Archives. Present at the opening ceremony were the Member of the Macau Alumni Association of Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Prof. Yu GuoJing; the former Director of Kiang Wu Hospital and Member of the Macau Alumni Association of Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Mr. Leong Chi Fai; the Vice-President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mr. Yao Jingming; the Member or the Macau Foundation Board of Directors, Mr. Au Weng Chi; the Member of the Executive Council of the Macao S.A.R, Mr. Leong Vai Tac; the Director of the Historical Archives of Macao, Ms. Lau Fong; the President and the Chairman of the Board of the Macau Alumni Association of Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Tong Ka Io and Lo Peng Iok, respectively, among others. This exhibition is the first of its kind resulting from the cooperation between the Historical Archives of Macao and a non-governmental organization. It includes over 300 photographs, some dating back to 1930s, which document the active involvement of Macau alumni of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences in the medical and social development of Macau over the recent 80 years. The photographs are a depiction of the contributions and achievements of respected alumni, amongst others Ke Lin, Chan Mun, Sio Kuan Lon, Io Pat Iok and Tam Woon Yung; as well as an illustration of the growth of the society and local health services. The origin of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences can be traced back to three institutions of medical studies, namely Boji Medical School founded in 1866, Guangdong Guanghua Medical Society founded in 1908 and Guangdong Public Medical School founded in 1909. In 1953, the three institutions of medical studies merged to become South China Medical College. Over the years, the South China Medical College evolved and had its named changed to Zhongshan Medical School and Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences. In 2001, the former Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Science and the former Sun Yat-sen University were amalgamated to form the new Sun Yat-sen University, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sun Yat-sen University was established. Around 300 to 400 alumni of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences have or had practised medicine in Macao. Sharing the serving spirit and dedication of the University, they have jointly safeguarded the health of the community and the society. "Philanthropy in Medical Care - Historical Photographs Exhibition" will open daily from 10am to 6pm and remain on display until 25 November. Members of the public are welcome to the exhibition to revisit the history of Macau's social and medical development. Admission is free. For further details, please call 28592919.
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