News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead an official delegaton to Beijing from 26 to 28 September for the first Beijing-Macao Economic Co-operation Symposium. Announcing this in a statement today, the Government Spokesman Office said Mr Chui is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony on 27 September. During his stay there he would also meet with Beijing's leaders. The first ever symposium, to be held from 27-30 September, is jointly hosted by the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, the Macao SAR Government, and undertaken by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Council for Promotion of Trade of Beijing, and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. During the four-day event, a string of activities will be held including a forum about Beijing and Macao's development, special presentations, trade negotiations, signing protocols and the sale of Macao's feature products. Members of the official delegation include Secretary for Economy and Finance Mr Tam Pak Yuen, Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive Mr Tam Chon Weng, Secretary-General of the Executive Council Ms O Lam, Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, President of Macao Trade Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Cheong Chou Weng, Director of the Office of the Macao SAR Government in Beijing Ms Hong Wai, Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office Mr Fung Sio Weng and the Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin Hung The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will be acting Chief Executive until Mr Chui and his delegation return on 28 September.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) dropped whereas commercial real estate loans (CRELs) rose in July 2012. With regard to outstanding balance, both RMLs and CRELs witnessed increases. New Lending Approved In July 2012, new RMLs approved by Macao banks fell 5.9% month-to-month to MOP3.8 billion; of which, 94.6% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents and non-residents decreased 5.4% and 13.7% respectively. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) rose 13.6% month-to-month to MOP164.9 million. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 94.0% of the total, rose 6.9%. New CRELs increased notably by 123.3% month-to-month to MOP4.9 billion; of which, 98.5% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents surged by 140.4% whereas those to non-residents declined by 60.2% compared with the previous month. Outstanding Balances As at end-July 2012, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP86.2 billion, an increase of 3.1% from one month earlier. The resident component made up 92.7% of the total. Outstanding RMLs to residents and non-residents grew by 3.2% and 0.8% respectively. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs rose 2.5% from end-June to MOP64.3 billion. Residents accounted for 90.4% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents grew by 2.7% and 0.4% respectively. Delinquency Ratios At the end of July 2012, the delinquency ratio for RMLs stood at 0.06%, down 0.01 percentage point from one month earlier. The ratio for CRELs went down 0.02 percentage points from end-June to 0.08%.
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Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 19th September. In comparison with last month's data, over 60 percent of the surveyed items remained stable or recorded light decrease in prices. Survey result also revealed that price differences of up to over 100 percent existed for the same product being sold in different supermarket chain stores located in different areas of Macao. A total of 316 items were surveyed in the Council's latest 'Supermarket Price Survey'. In comparison with August's figures, prices of 94 products had decreased and 100 products recorded no change in price, most of these products included cooking oil, rice, cereal products, sanitary and hygienic products. Prices of 122 products had been raised lightly but most of them recorded an increase of less than 5 percent. Only 'Mr. Juicy Orange/2L' and 'Abbott Ensure Powder/900g' recorded more obvious price increases of 15.53 percent and 10.10 percent respectively. The current price survey also showed that among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed by the Council, selling prices of many products were found to vary in different branches. 'Vitasoy Pure Soyabean Extract/1L', which was on sale at Grandeur Heights Park'N Shop, recorded a price difference of 115.94 percent when compared with the same product sold at R. Areia Preta Park'n Shop. Further, for products sold at both R. dos Mercadores San Miu and Mercado de Iao Hon San Miu, 94 products were found to bear different selling prices. Consumers are advised to check with the information available on the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' and in the platform iPhone and Android apps. 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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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) will hold four training sessions in four consecutive months to enhance the service quality of tourism and related sectors and promote the Quality Pledge, with the retail sector as the foremost training target. During his speech, Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes expressed that Macau is developing into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and progresses towards diversified development; in order to become an internationally-acclaimed tourist destination, Macau should highly value human resources and regard quality service as a significant factor. At present, Macau tourism industry is rapidly developing. Training becomes essential for the trade to catch up with the growing demand. Representatives of Macau retail and related sectors' associations, leaders of Macau's large retail groups and enterprises as well as operators of small and medium enterprises (SME) attended the "Service Par Excellence for Increasing Profitability" Seminar today. The seminar topic was presented by Mr. Thomas Chow, an experienced tourism sector trainer around the World and Macau, who alerted entrepreneurs on the importance of quality service to increasing profitability during the seminar. Mr. Chow is Managing Director of "Chow & Associates", a management consultancy company founded in 1980, which specializes in providing expertise in corporation and management development, and staff training in different areas and many companies, namely: Hospitality Industry (Hong Kong Hotel Association); Travel & Tourism (assisting the founding of IFT, IATA); Retail Sales Operations (Hong Kong Retail Management Association, BMW Asia); Airlines & Transportation (Thai Airways, Dragonair, Tun Mun Light Railways Corporation, LSG Lufthansa Asia Ltd.); Insurance; Trading/ Manufacturing; among many others. As a management and training consultant Mr. Chow has travelled globally developing activities in Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe and Africa. Retail enterprises' shareholders and executives as well as SME operators were first invited to attend the seminar. Following the seminar, three two-day workshops will be held in October, November and December consecutively to provide professional training for retail shop managers and supervisors. After they master the related information and techniques, they can share with their customer–contact personnel. MGTO highly encourages all retail sector personnel to participate in the workshops actively and equip themselves through training to contribute to Macau tourism industry.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (117.82) for August 2012 increased by 6.33% year-on-year, attributable to rising charges for meals bought away from home and dearer prices of vegetables. For the 12 months ended August 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.46% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B also rose by 6.54% and 6.68% respectively. In comparison with August 2011, notable increase was observed in the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+33.33%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.44%); and Housing & Fuels (+8.17%) on account of dearer prices of vegetables and rising charges for meals bought away from home. The CPI-A (117.34) and CPI-B (118.38) increased by 6.86% and 6.48% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI increased by 0.23% month-to-month. Dearer prices for gasoline, vegetables, as well as higher charges for outbound package tours and meals bought away from home drove up the price index of Transport; Recreation & Culture; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages by 2.23%, 0.74% and 0.56% respectively. On the other hand, price index of Clothing & Footwear and Housing & Fuels dropped by 2.34% and 0.35% upon seasonal sale of Summer clothing and lower prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.25% and 0.23% month-to-month. The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2012 increased by 6.36% year-on-year, of which the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+30.12%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+9.22%) registered remarkable increase, while that of Communication decreased by 5.78%. The CPI-A and CPI-B for the first eight months of 2012 rose by 6.58% and 6.60% respectively year-on-year. 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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Consumer Council recently spot-checked 20 local bakeries to compare prices of white bread. In comparison with figures from last year, this year's result showed that minimal price decrease to obvious increase of up to 46 percent were recorded in prices of each 100g of white bread. Consumer Council collected prices of bagged white bread from 20 local bakeries in August and collected samples included packages of 4 slices, 6 slices, 7 slices, and 8 slices. The testing unit commissioned by Consumer Council used precise weighing machine to measure the net weight of packs of 5-piece white bread and calculated the selling price of each 100g of white bread after the weighing process. Test result indicated that prices of each 100g of white bread in the 20 bakeries ranged from $1.77 to $3.56, which reflected a price difference of 101.1 percent. Jim Sai Cake Shop, located at Rua de São Lourenço, recorded the lowest selling price while the highest was recorded in Saint Honore Cake Shop in Areia Preta. The Council further compared prices of white bread recorded this year with the figures from last year's test. Out of the 19 bakeries with comparable figures, 15 bakeries have increased their prices of bagged white bread and the percentage increase ranged from 1 percent to over 46 percent. The highest price increase of 46.3 percent was observed in Pastelaria Honoré located at Rua da Barca, however, 4 bakeries were found to have dropped their prices of each 100g of white bread and the most notable price decrease of 8 percent was recorded in Golden Cake Shop. Meanwhile, samples of bagged white bread from the same bakery were tested for their net weight differences. Testing result revealed that weight difference of bagged white bread from the same bakery varied from 5.1 percent to 36.5 percent. Café Free, located at Avenida Ouvidor Ariaga, recorded the biggest net weight difference. The above-mentioned test result of bread prices is available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo).
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The 24th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is held on the Macau Tower shorefront during September 8th and October 1st. The fireworks display by "Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan", originally scheduled to perform on September 29 (Saturday) at 21:00 is cancelled. At this time slot, a Macau company, " Kat Sao (Macau) Fireworks" will make her display without participating in the contest. The latest fireworks program is available at: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/documents/img/24th_Fireworks_Program.jpg
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that there were 186 travel agencies operating in 2011, up by 9 compared with 2010. At the end of 2011, a total of 3,379 persons were engaged in travel agencies, an increase of 11% year-on-year. Sales & Other Receipts increased by 17% year-on-year to MOP 5.54 billion. Receipts from Reservation of Tickets (MOP 1.88 billion), Package Tours (MOP 1.38 billion) and Reservation of Rooms (MOP 1.37 billion) together accounted for 84% of the total. Total Expenditure of travel agencies amounted to MOP 5.36 billion, up by 18% year-on-year. Analysed by expenditure items, Purchase of Goods & Services (including tickets, package tours and room reservation) reached MOP 4.46 billion, up by 14% from 2010, of which Purchase of air, train & bus and ferry tickets amounted to MOP 1.85 billion. Besides, Operating Expenses (MOP 455 million) and Compensation of Employees (MOP 445 million) rose by 77% and 21% respectively year-on-year. In 2011, Gross Fixed Capital Formation of travel agencies surged by 236% over 2010 to MOP 200 million on account of acquisition of assets by some travel agencies. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy increased by 10% year-on-year to MOP 619 million.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai, met Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for the Administration Mrs Carrie Lam today to exchange views on strengthening relationship on tourism co-operation. The meeting was held at Santa Sancha, where Mr Chui warmly welcomed Mrs Lam, who was on her first official visit to Macao as Chief Secretary. Mr Chui briefed Mrs Lam on the latest economic development in Macao and important policies to enhance people's livelihood. At the same time, he told Mrs Lam and her entourage that with the support of the Central Government, Macao has put much effort into developing into a world tourism leisure centre and a business co-operating service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Because of this, Macao would have more opportunities to exchange with the Romance language-speaking countries to help boost Macao's diversified development. According to the Pearl River Delta Region Reform and Development Plan, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao could jointly develop as a world tourist destination which may provide new opportunities for these three places, said Mr Chui. He also said that these three places have their own advantages in term of tourism resources which may play a complementary role in regional tourism. Based on the good foundation, these three places may join hands to promote tourism in order to achieve mutual benefit. Mrs Lam said that the National "12th Five-Year Plan" speed up co-operation between these three areas, with the establishment of high-level liaison mechanism which promoted co-operation of the two regions. She said she expected that with the past co-operation foundation, the two regions would deepen tourism promotion and to promote multi-destination travel. Before meeting with the Chief Executive, Mrs Lam also met with the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, at Government Headquarters where they exchanged views on tourism and social welfare issues.
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The Macao Post announced that the reprint label stamp "World Heritage" will be sold in 10 automatic stamp vending machines located at different areas in Macao starting from 9:00a.m. on 9th October, 2012. (please refer to the appendix for details) The above machines will be temporarily suspended for the replacement of reprint label stamp from 8th, October 2012. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. The label stamp "World Heritage" was issued on 31st July, 2008. The reprint label stamp maintains the original design, but with the wording "REIMP 2009" indicating the reprint year at the bottom of the empty selvage.
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