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Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 17th December. In comparison with last month's records, about 63 percent of the surveyed products recorded price decreases or no change in price. Prices of rice and canned food remained stable while those of cooking oil had decreased lightly. A total of 350 products were surveyed this time and in comparison with last month's records, 220 of the surveyed products, mainly rice, canned foods, cereal and infant formulas recorded price decreases or no change in price. Survey result also showed that prices of rice and canned food remained stable and some products even recorded minimal price decreases. Meanwhile, dairy products were found to observe price drop. Prices of milk and yogurt surveyed this time had been decreased by up to 5 percent, though prices of several brands of butter and cheese recorded minimal price increases. In the current survey, half of the cooking oil brands surveyed remained at the same price level of last month and prices of some had dropped by 1 to 3 percent. Prices around 120 products, mainly snacks and beverages, had been increased by 1 to 2 percent; price increases from minimal to over 10 percent were observed in tissue papers. Consumer Council reminds consumers that among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed, selling prices were found to vary in different branches in different regions due to special discounts offered. A price discrepancy of over 40 percent was discovered this time in one brand of evaporated milk due to a special price offered in one branch of the same supermarket chain. Further, about one third of the surveyed products sold at San Miu supermarket R. dos Mercadores branch and Taipa Wui Keng Garden branch were found to have different selling prices of up to over 50 percent. Price discrepancies were found mainly in snacks, with prices differed for about 2 to 10 percent in the two mentioned branches. Prices of around 20 products were also found to differ at 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.
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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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for November 2012 amounted to MOP691 million, up by 6.1% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP514 million) increased by 18.9%, but that of domestic exports (MOP177 million) decreased by 19.1%. Total merchandise import amounted to MOP6.41 billion, up by 6.2% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.72 billion for November 2012. In the first eleven months of 2012, total value of merchandise export increased by 19.9% year-on-year to MOP7.48 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP5.38 billion) increased by 32.2%, but that of domestic exports (MOP2.09 billion) decreased by 3.3%; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 15.4% to MOP64.47 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first eleven months of 2012 amounted to MOP56.99 billion. From January to November 2012, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP3.78 billion) and Mainland China (MOP1.24 billion) increased by 37.4% and 25.1% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP470 million) and the EU (MOP285 million) decreased by 6.5% and 18.2% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles (MOP6.50 billion) in the first eleven months of 2012 expanded by 30.0% year-on-year, of which exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP1.33 billion) and Travel goods & handbags (MOP193 million) surged by 146.9% and 108.1% respectively; yet, exports of Textiles & garments (MOP975 million) decreased by 21.0%. Domestic exports of Tobacco & wine (MOP475 million) rose by 13.3%, while exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP309 million) declined by 24.8%. Re-exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP1.32 billion) soared by 149.3%. In the first eleven months of 2012, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP20.94 billion) and the EU (MOP15.19 billion) increased by 22.6% and 9.1% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 14.2% to MOP39.44 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP6.91 billion), Watches (MOP4.69 billion) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP2.99 billion) increasing by 17.6%, 33.4% and 34.3% respectively. However, imports of Tobacco (MOP436 million) dropped notably by 40.4%. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP11.85 billion) registered a year-on-year increase of 23.0%. External merchandise trade reached MOP71.95 billion in the first eleven months of 2012, up by 15.9% compared with MOP62.09 billion a year earlier.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that economic growth sustained in 2011, of which Gross Value Added, Intermediate Consumption and Compensation of Employees of all economic activities increased by 29.0%, 35.2% and 16.9% respectively year-on-year. Analysed by industry, respective indicators of Gaming increased by 40.3%, 45.0% and 14.2%; industries relative to the gaming and tourism sector, namely Wholesale & Retail, and Hotel registered favourable increase in Gross Value Added, up by 43.8% and 33.6%. Gross Value Added of Construction reversed the decrease in 2010 on account of rising public investment when Gross Value Added of Manufacturing posted a rebound. Ratio of Gross Value Added to Gross Output of all economic activities declined from 46.2% in 2010 to 45.1% in 2011; moreover, ratio of Compensation of Employees to Gross Value Added decreased from 34.4% in 2010 to 31.1% in 2011. Regarding changes in the industrial structure, Gross Value Added of Manufacturing and Construction rose by 4.1% and 14.8% respectively, yet the rate of increase was lower than that of economic growth, thus bringing the relative importance of the secondary sector to GDP to drop by 1.0 percentage point to 6.4%. Relative importance of Construction (4.9%) decreased by 0.6 percentage point, and that of both Electricity, Gas & Water Supply (0.8%) and Manufacturing (0.7%) fell by 0.2 percentage point year-on-year. Gross Value Added of the tertiary sector increased by 30.4%, with the notable increase in Wholesale & Retail (43.8%), Gaming (40.3%) and Hotel (33.6%). Consequently, relative importance of the tertiary sector to GDP increased further from 92.6% in 2010 to 93.6% in 2011. Analysed by industry, relative importance of Gaming (44.7%), Wholesale & Retail (7.8%) and Hotel (4.8%) rose by 3.6, 0.8 and 0.2 percentage point respectively year-on-year. However, relative importance of the remaining economic activities decreased, of which that of Real Estate Activities declined by 0.6 percentage point over 2010. Industrial structure of Macao is the compilation of GDP under the production approach, which equals the sum of Gross Value Added (Gross Output minus Intermediate Consumption) of all economic activities, plus taxes on products.
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Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government Cheong U hosted today (December 26) the Inaugural Ceremony of Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes. The inaugural ceremony took place at Tourism Activities Centre. Secretary Cheong administered the oath of office while it was witnessed by Acting Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Maria Madalena Leong. The new Director of MGTO Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes possesses a bachelor degree in business administration. She joined the public service in 1988 and served as the promotion department head of the former MGTO from 1994 to 1998 and Deputy Director of MGTO from 1998 till today. Currently, Fernandes acts as a member of Committee of Nomination of Medals and Honorary Titles, Macau Grand Prix Committee, Tourism Development Committee, Tourism Crisis Management Office and Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions. She was also a member of the Strategic Intelligence Advisory Committee of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) from 2007 to 2009.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate (1.9%) and the underemployment rate (0.8%) for September-November 2012 held stable as the previous period (August-October). Total labour force was 356,200 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.5%. Total employment reached 349,600, an increase of 2,900 over the previous period. Analysed by industry, notable increase was observed in the employment in Education and Real Estate & Business Activities. Number of the unemployed decreased by 100 from the previous period to 6,600, with 16.7% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 2.6 percentage points. In comparison with September-November 2011, the labour force participation rate, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 0.3, 0.6 and 0.2 percentage point respectively.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on instant drinks. Survey result showed that prices of the 10 surveyed products recorded various price differences. The highest price difference recorded was 43.24 percent. Consumer Council collected prices of 10 brands of instant drinks from 20 retail outlets on 18th December. Surveyed items included instant sports drink, malt beverage, chocolate, coffee and milk tea. Survey result showed that 'Nestle Milo Nutritious Malt Drink/400g', which was sold at $37.0 to $53.0, recorded the greatest price difference of 43.24 percent. In comparison with October's survey, 3 surveyed products in the current survey recorded no change in price, 3 products recorded changes of over 10 percent in a few retail outlets, and other products observed a general price increase or decrease of around 5 percent. Survey result also showed that branches under the same supermarket chain had different selling prices for the same product. 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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The Central Government fully recognised the work of the Macao SAR Government and would give full support to Macao's policy blueprint for the coming year, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. Mr Chui disclosed this when he spoke to reporters at the end of his three-day duty visit to Beijing where he met with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Mr Xi Jinping; the Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao; and the President, Mr Hu Jintao; in succession in the past two days. Mr Chui also met with the Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya. Mr Chui said the state leaders stressed the importance of complying with the Basic Law, adhering to 'One Country' and respecting the differences of the 'Two Systems', and the necessity of seeing the whole situation and fulfilling the SAR's own work. The leaders also paid attention to Macao's economy and co-operation with neighbouring regions, as well as Macao's drive for adequate economic diversification. Mr Chui said the Central Government would fully support Macao to develop into a global tourism and leisure hub, as well as a trade and services platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. The Central Government would capitalise on the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries next year and make use of Macao's role as a platform. The Central Government was also taking note of the livelihood of the people of Macao and would support the short-term measures and long-term mechanisms introduced by the Macao authorities. He said the Central Government also urged Macao to pay attention to the global financial situation, make preparations and keep its financial system safe and stable. In reply to reporters, Mr Chui said the Government had already established a financial reserve system and would adopt a prudent approach in increasing public expenditure. He said Premier Wen had told him that he was impressed with Macao's mixed culture of east and west and the education system in his previous visit to Macao, and he urged Macao to value their development. Mr Chui said that during the meeting with the Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, they also discussed a proposed new passageway between Guangdong and Macao. Macao would work with Guangdong and hoped to get approval from the Central Government on the project soon, he said.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, left for Beijing this morning for a duty visit during which he would report to state leaders on the Macao SAR's affairs in the past 12 months and the government's policy blueprint for 2013. Speaking to the press at the Macau International Airport, Mr Chui said he would learn more about regional co-operation and the implementation of the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement, as well as collaboration in the development of Hengqin and Nansha. Government officials travelling with Mr Chui on the visit includes the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng; the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms Wallis O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Office of the Macao SAR in Beijing, Ms Hong Wai; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Daniel Fung Sio Weng; and Adviser of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin Hung. While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, would be acting Chief Executive.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that the government would reinforce the establishment and improvement of the long-term mechanism of effective administration in social security, medical services and healthcare, education and housing. Mr Chui pledged that this would be the focus of the government in the new year. He disclosed this when he delivered a speech at a reception at the Macau Tower to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. 'Over the past year, with the full support of the central government and the combined efforts of the Macao people, we faced the challenge of the weakening peripheral economic environment with a positive approach. 'Thanks to the powerful vitality of the "One country, two systems" principle, the Macao Special Administrative Region has achieved sustainable economic growth, providing sufficient employment opportunities to local residents. 'Under the strong leadership of the Central Government, we, as people of China, are now making our best efforts to build a beautiful China and realise the sustainable development of the Chinese." Speaking on the long-term mechanism, Mr Chui said the Government would expand its budget allocation in social security, medical services and healthcare, education and housing to ensure the long-term mechanism of effective administration could be smoothly structured and launched. 'We will make progress in the infrastructural development in the aforementioned areas and provide hardware support, promote inter-departmental co-operation, and integrate multifaceted support to give full play to the function of the long-term mechanism of effective administration. 'We will also reinforce talent cultivation and reserves, to ensure that the mechanism effectively and continuously enhances the living standards of Macao people." Mr Chui said. 'Alongside the development of its long-term mechanism of effective administration, the SAR government is also highly concerned about the hardship of local residents under persistent inflation, and will make greater efforts to support the underprivileged. 'Besides allocating the 19,000 public housing units in proper order to those in need, the government will continue to build more public housing units next year, and recommence accepting applications for public housing and Home-Ownership Scheme Housing. 'We will speed up the study of the "Macao Land for Macao People" policy and measures, with the determination and intention to assist those with housing problems. 'For the middle-income class, the government will also implement a series of targeted measures, including tax refunds, to relieve their financial stress and encourage them to make further progress. 'To promote the betterment of people's livelihoods, we will strive to ensure steady growth in the economy. In consideration of the economic situation in the year ahead, we must firstly ensure a stable financial system in order to boost secure employment for local residents. 'At the same time, we will continue with our core economic development approach to establish Macao as a world tourism and leisure centre and a business service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, by supporting the growth of convention and exhibition sector and cultural and creative industries to facilitate adequate diversification of the economy. 'While intensifying supervision and control, we also promote the healthy development of the gaming industry by implementing development projects to strengthen its non-gaming components. We also join hands with the industry to enrich the content of integrated tourism. 'Furthermore, we will grasp the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries to further support local enterprises to provide intermediary services to the Mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries. 'We are dedicated to the continued implementation of a series of important agreements on regional cooperation, and to the establishment of closer partnerships with the Mainland, especially Guangdong Province,' Mr Chui said. Guests who attended the reception included the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah, the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the MSAR, Mr Li Gang, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in MSAR, Mr Hu Zhengyue, the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army, Senior Colonel Zhu Qingsheng, the President of Legislative Assembly, Mr Lau Cheok Va, and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. In the morning, more than 300 guests attended the flag raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square. Government entities and civil organisations would also organise events to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the MSAR.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (119.00) for November 2012 increased by 5.72% year-on-year, attributable to rising charges for meals bought away from home and higher prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas; nevertheless, a raise in Government subsidy on electricity tapered off part of the increase. For the 12 months ended November 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.19% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B also rose by 6.44% and 6.39% respectively. In comparison with November 2011, price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+34.35%); Housing & Fuels (+8.53%); and Household Goods & Furnishings (+8.26%) marked notable increase on account of dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and higher charges for domestic services. On the contrary, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.06% and 1.05% respectively year-on-year. The CPI-A (118.64) and CPI-B (119.55) increased by 6.21% and 5.86% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI increased by 0.90% month-to-month, of which dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, new arrival of Winter clothing, and rising charges for out-patient medical services pushed up the price index of Clothing & Footwear; Housing & Fuels; and Health by 2.85%, 2.79% and 2.54%. However, price index of Transport; Communication; and Recreation & Culture decreased by 0.82%, 0.71% and 0.41% on account of lower gasoline prices, as well as reduced charges for package tours and internet services. The CPI-A and the CPI-B increased by 1.00% and 0.86% respectively month-on-month. The average Composite CPI for the first eleven months of 2012 increased by 6.13% year-on-year, of which price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+31.17%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.65%) saw remarkable increase, while that of Communication decreased by 4.43%. The CPI-A and CPI-B for the first eleven months of 2012 rose by 6.40% and 6.35% 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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