News

A joint delegation of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province and Tourism Administration of Guangzhou Municipality visited Portugal this week to meet a number of local tourism officials and trade executives for promotion of Macau and multi-destination tours. MGTO also participated in "Festas de Lisboa" to raise the destination's profile and encourage visits from Europe to Macau. The delegation visited Lisbon, Portugal from June 10 – 13, with members including MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Vice Director of Tourism Administration of Guangzhou Municipality, Zhou Ze Jian, Head of Division of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan of Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province, Mao Cheng, Head of Destination Marketing Department of MGTO, Betty Fok and Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of MGTO, Isabel Augusto. During their visit in Portugal, the delegation had the opportunity to meet the President of Tourism of Portugal , Frederico Costa, President of Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies (APAVT), Pedro Costa Ferreira and other local trade partners. During a dinner cohosted by MGTO and APAVT on June 11, local media and trade partners were updated about the latest tourism development of Macau and Guangdong as well as multi-destination tours to Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, with the delegation's aim of expanding long-haul markets and fostering market diversification. Following the dragon dance performance last year, MGTO led a lion dance team to join the Popular Street Marching Parade in Lisbon this year. The parade took place on June 12 as one of the most popular events of the Portuguese traditional festivity – "Festas de Lisboa". Comprising 10 lions, the Macau lion dance team presented a lively performance along Avenida da Liberdade – the central avenue in Lisbon, fascinating European visitors with Macau's unique cultural gem. Their show in the parade marked one of the exchange activities between MGTO and the organizer of Festas de Lisboa. The lion dance team also presented two shows at Lisbon's famous integrated indoor arena, Atlantic Pavilion on June 8 and 9 consecutively. The press release is available at www.macautourism.gov.mo
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Organised by the People´s Government of Beijing Municipality and the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region, the 2nd Beijing Macao Co-operation and Exchange Symposium will take place in Macao, on 10 and 11 July. The Government of Beijing Municipality will bring a high-level delegation to participate in the event in Macao. The year's Symposium will follow the theme of the previous year – "Deepen Co-operation and Exchange and Promote Mutual Development". The event consists of six major components, namely, the opening ceremony and the signing of co-operation protocols, Seminar for Co-operation and Exchange and Promotion of Special Projects, co-ordination in co-operation and exchange projects, photo exhibition entitled "Charming Beijing", Beijing-Macao Ethnic Concert and Beijing-Macao Youth Sports Exchange. As an extension of the Symposium, the Beijing Municipality will also arrange for delegations to visit Macao to participate in the 18th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF). During the Symposium, the Governments of Beijing Municipality and Macao SAR will sign four co-operation agreements, covering tourism, trade, science and small and medium-sized enterprises. The principal activity under the Symposium will be the Projects Promotion Seminar of the 2nd Beijing Macao Co-operation and Exchange Symposium, to be held on 10 July at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. While relying on the ability of government agencies of Beijing and Macao, it is also imperative to develop the organisational functions of the non-government trade associations and chambers of commerce. In this regard, the trade in services, cultural and creative industries, innovative technologies, small and medium-sized enterprises and tourism were identified as key sectors for Co-operation and Exchange. Beijing Municipality has organised a delegation of about 60, comprised of businesspeople from the aforementioned sectors and organisations, to conduct negotiations with their counterparts in Macao on the various forms of collaboration. According to the Organisers, thanks to the active support of the Government of Beijing Municipality and the Macao SAR Government, very enthusiastic responses were received from trade associations and chambers of commerce from both places, for their participation in the2nd Beijing Macao Co-operation and Exchange Symposium. Taking the opportunity of the Symposium, a series of protocols for medium and long-term co-operation will be signed during the Symposium. The signing of these protocols will ensure the establishment of regular and sustainable development of exchanges and reciprocation between Beijing and Macao. This will also signify that adequate mechanisms for multi-level and far-reaching exchanges and collaboration, both at government and non-government levels, are in place. As explained by officials of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing has attached great importance to and has made full use of Macao´s excellent business environment and extensive international market resources since 2010, as demonstrated by them bringing high-level and large Beijing delegations to Macao, for three consecutive years, to participate in the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair, Macao´s most prestigious international trade and investment event, which resulted in the surge of "Beijing Enthusiasm". The 1st Beijing Macao Economic and Trade Exchange Symposium, which was held in Beijing in September 2012, marked the opening of a brand new chapter in exchanges between the two cities. This year, based on the deepening of economic and trade relations, there will be a pragmatic strengthening of exchanges and collaboration between the two cities, as preparations will follow the guidelines of "Economy and Trade as the Base to Radiate to Other Sectors". In this connection, the name of the event will change from "Economic and Trade Exchange Symposium" to "Co-operation and Exchange Symposium", aiming to strengthen the recognition by the public, especially by the younger generation. One of the important components of the e Symposium this year will be the "Charming Beijing" photo exhibition, organised by the Information Office of the People´s Government of Beijing Municipality, to be held during the Symposium, in Exhibition Hall 3 of Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. A collection of cloisonné art work will be on display and visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the production of items made from the material. The Beijing-Macao Ethnic Concert and the Special Sports Show by the youngsters of the two cities will further enrich the exchange and reciprocation between Beijing and Macao.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on seasonings on 11th June 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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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today (Tuesday 11 June) sent a congratulatory message to the Central Government on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft. On behalf of the Government of the Macao SAR, the Chief Executive expressed in the message the warmest congratulations on another important breakthrough achieved by the country in aerospace science. Mr Chui said the successful launch of Shenzhou-10 demonstrated the country's achievements in the field of aerospace science, adding that Macao compatriots shared the same pride and enthusiasm with the entire Chinese nation. The Government and Macao residents would continue to support the development of the country's manned space programme and contribute to the prosperity of the motherland, he said. The spacecraft blasted off from the launch centre in JiuQuan at 5.38 p.m.
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In order to strengthen financial cooperation between Shanghai and Macao, the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) and the Financial Services Office of Shanghai executed a "Memorandum for Financial Cooperation between Shanghai and Macao". According to the Memorandum, a mechanism for meeting at regular intervals should be established. The two places convened the first Shanghai-Macao Financial Cooperation Meeting at the beginning of this month in Shanghai. The areas of financial cooperation covered financial business, establishment of organizations, clearing and settlement, as well as information sharing. There were in-depth discussions and communications. Initial consensus was arrived at. Particularly, both sides would, via the Shanghai-Macao cooperation mechanism, share information relating to contemplated investment and financial activities of financial/commercial institutions of shanghai and Portuguese speaking countries. It would promote the function of Macao as the commercial and trade platform between China and Portuguese speaking countries, which would induce more frequent use of the RMB for cross-border transactions. In addition, the AMCM delegates met with officials of the People's Bank of China Shanghai Head Office and the Shanghai Office of China Banking Regulatory Commission. The issues of RMB investments of the Macao Fiscal Reserve and banking supervision of the two places were mooted. At the same time, the Vice-Mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Tu Guangshao, received the AMCM delegates. He showed his affirmation and support for the financial cooperation between Shanghai and Macao and the realization of the competitive edge of Macao in the process. He encouraged both sides to display endeavour conducive to the continued deepening of financial cooperation and communication between Shanghai and Macao.
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Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes visited the United Kingdom (UK) to promote Macau tourism and the multi-destination tours to Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau among major UK trade and media elites. MGTO hosted an exclusive breakfast in London on June 10 to thank key UK trade and media partners for their support in boosting Macau tourism, and to update them on the destination's latest developments. MGTO took the event as an excellent opportunity to update travel trade professionals and members of the press about the exciting developments and events in Macau, including the forthcoming 60th Macau Grand Prix, with the aim of increasing the destination's profile, encouraging increased visitation from the UK and promoting the multi-destination tours to Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. Director Fernandes commented, "It was an honour to meet with high-ranking trade and media partners in the UK, which remains our biggest source market in Europe. The event proved a highly-productive way of sharing the latest news from Macau while thanking them for their continued support to the tourism industry of Macau." The breakfast took place at Hyatt Regency – The Churchill Hotel and was attended by a number of high-profile trade journalists as well as senior tour operator personnel. Members of MGTO's UK representative office also attended the event. Besides Director Fernandes, Head of Destination Marketing Department Betty Fok also joined the delegation visit to London.
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In cooperation with Ichipon Sushi, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) Year 3 Tourism Retail and Marketing Management students taking the Retail and Marketing Business Project course led by Dr. Fernando Lourenço helped a local entrepreneur to promote a new takeaway sushi restaurant, aiming to serve its target customers in Macao. A series of marketing activities was carried out by IFT students in collaboration with Ichipon Sushi including conducting market research, and developing, implementing and evaluating the impact of the digital marketing communication and social media marketing campaigns of the restaurant. This was a fantastic opportunity for IFT students to understand the process of business start-up in relation to the application of social media marketing principles and strategies. Moreover, this was an excellent way to build stronger links with the industry by offering support to local entrepreneurs and businesses. The result of the marketing approaches was fruitful. The IFT students successfully helped the entrepreneur to double its sales. Furthermore, the interaction rate of various social media channels of the restaurant improved immensely and customers' recommendations and feedback on the channels were received, helping the restaurant to build relationships with the target customers. The entrepreneur is very happy with the result and therefore willing to offer summer jobs for our students to manage the social media channels, in addition to have given awards and certificates to congratulate their efforts and hard work. This was a fantastic recognition that proves the success of the students' project. The amazing work of the students can be found on our YouTube channel, where each group of the students prepared a summary of their design in motion picture: http://www.youtube.com/user/YatPun.
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Consumer Council published its latest issue of Consumer Report no. 237. Result of the 2013 accuracy test on fuel metres at petrol stations is released; the magazine also includes coverage on the signing of protocol between Macao Consumer Council and Zhonshan Consumer Council. The Council has already established cooperative systems with 41 consumer organizations in mainland China at the moment. Consumer Council conducts periodical accuracy tests on fuel metres at local petrol stations to encourage industry's concern on the functionality and maintenance of facilities at petrol stations and to safeguard consumers' interests. Result of the current test has been released earlier and a consolidated report which includes the details of testing procedures, passing rates of past years' results, and tips on how to save fuel is featured in the magazine. The Council signed a protocol with Zhonshan Consumer Council in March, at the moment, the Council has already established cooperative mechanisms with 41 consumer organization in China. The Council believes that the signed protocol enables enhancement in consumer protection work. The current issue also includes features on consumer protection work in mainland China and other countries, such as the report on the guideline for cosmetics for children, and an article on the 'Lemon Law' of Singapore. Consumer Report also introduces the different measures taken by other countries to confront the danger of global water scarcity. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at Consumer Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of Consumer Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the resources online on the Council's official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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To celebrate the China Cultural Heritage Day and the International Archives Day, the Historical Archives under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government (CAB), present the exhibition "An Art of Precision - Shipbuilding in Macao: People, Craft and Society". The exhibition's opening ceremony took place at 3pm on June 8th 2013 at the Historical Archives, located at Tap Seac Square. Present at the ceremony was the CAB President, Mr. Ung Vai Meng, who presented senior members of the shipbuilding industry with souvenirs and certificates, and showed his gratitude for their contribution of precious items as well as their assistance in organising lectures and workshops.
Shipbuilding is a traditional industry with a time-honoured history in Macao. The operation and changes in Macao's shipbuilding industry has a close relationship with Macao's socioeconomic development, also witnessing the evolution of other industries between the 19th and the 21st centuries. At the same time, shipbuilding in Macao adopted traditions and customs of different industries and trades, thus having a profound cultural significance.
The exhibition will present over 100 items, ranging from records of oral interviews, documents, photographs and objects, such as shipbuilding tools from different periods, Lou Pan worship objects (patron of shipbuilders), stamps from the Shipyard Workers' Association, contacts, plants and models of fishing boats and information about the School for the Shipyard Workers' Children, among others. Themed on the people, craft and society of Macao's shipbuilding, the exhibition seeks to acquaint visitors with the historical background of the industry, its craft, interpersonal relations, worships and customs, practices and taboos, modes of operation and unique way of continuity. Lectures and workshops on the theme are also scheduled during the exhibition period to offer a further insight into Macao's shipbuilding.
The exhibition runs until December 7th, daily from 10am to 6pm, at the Historical Archives (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Admission is free. For enquiries, please visit www.archives.gov.mo or call 28592919, during office hours, for more details.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on tissue papers on 6th June 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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