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The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) will hold three workshop sessions in three consecutive months for managers and supervisors of retail service industry. The workshops will provide customer service and management skills for participants to pass on the hands-on skills to their staffs. MGTO believes this workshop will effectively enhance customer service quality and consolidate the tourism city image of Macau. The "Achieving Total Customer Satisfaction" Retail Service Trainer Workshop will be held on October 31, November 21 and December 12 respectively. The three two-day workshops will be carried out by the trainers from an international management development company. Topics include Role of the Manager/Supervisor as the Trainer/Coach, Requirements for Professionalism, Total Customer Satisfaction Concept, System Approach to Effective Retails Service Training and Practical Demonstration of Retail Training Skills etc. MGTO hopes that after providing the professional training to retail shop managers and supervisors, they can pass the practical quality customer service skills to their frontline staff, so as to fully enhance service quality of the retail and service industry. On September 21, MGTO organized the "Service Par Excellence for Increasing Profitability" Seminar for 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).
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Jointly organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and the British Council, Exposure! Clive Barda – A Retrospective Photographic Exhibition will open to the public in Tap Seac Gallery on 1st November 2012, at 5pm. This exhibition will showcase 102 well-chosen quintessential photographs taken between 1968 and 2011 by renowned British stage art photographer Clive Barda. His works cover a wide range of content across different eras. Apart from opera and concert, the works also encompass dance and performance rehearsals. This exhibition will also specially display two photographs taken in Macao in the 1990s. Clive Barda has photographed numerous distinguished classical musicians, including cellist Jacqueline du Pré, Italian conductor Riccardo Muti and Luciano Pavarotti, one of the most famous tenors in the world, in addition to famous operas and the world premiere of the musical Phantom of the Opera. Clive Barda excels at capturing the 'decisive moment'. He is able to freeze the personality, characteristics and concentration of musicians whilst they are performing. Moreover, he is an expert in allowing viewers to perceive what happens before or after a particular moment via his photography, reproducing unforgettable moments. Exposure! Clive Barda – A Retrospective Photographic Exhibition is part of UK Now, the largest ever British culture and arts festival held in China. From April to November 2012, UK Now hosts over 100 wonderful activities embracing all kinds of art forms in 26 Chinese cities. UK Now showcases the richness, colour and creativity of British culture and arts. Exposure! Clive Barda – A Retrospective Photographic Exhibition will run until the 9th of December 2012. The Tap Seac Gallery is open from 10am to 7pm and admission is free.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on instant noodles. Prices of 10 brands of instant noodle were surveyed and the price differences recorded ranged from almost 7 percent to 60 percent. The Council collected 10 brands of instant noodle products from 23 retail outlets on 25th October. Survey revealed price differences from the lowest 7 percent to the highest 60 percent for the same product sold in different retail outlets. The biggest price difference of 60 percent was observed in 'Doll Instant Noodle - Sesame Oil Flavour/100g x 5', which was sold at $12.0 to $20.0, though its average price was $12.5 to $14.0. The current survey also showed that 'Nong Shim Shin Ramyun Noodle Spicy Mushroom Flavour/120g', which observed a price difference of 79 percent in August's survey, had shrunk to 31 percent. In comparison with last time's record, prices of the surveyed instant noodles were stable as 6 of the surveyed brands recorded no change in price. 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 further expand the bilateral economic and trade co-operation between Guangdong and Macao under the "Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement", and jointly promote the MICE industry in Guangzhou and Macao, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Bureau of Foreign Trade And Economic Co-operation of the Guangzhou Municipality and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangzhou Council jointly signed the Memorandum of Co-operation for 2013 Macao-Guangzhou Famous Products Fair. The 2013 Macao-Guangzhou Famous Products Fair, organised jointly by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Bureau of Foreign Trade And Economic Co-operation of Guangzhou Municipality, co-organised by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangzhou Council will be held from the 18th to 20th January 2013 at the Poly World Trade Centre in Guangzhou. This event is a major economic and trade event in Guangzhou-Macao trade and economic co-operation, the three-day fair last year conducted a total of 698 business matching sessions and completed the signing of 4 contracts for projects involving the cultural industry, crystal jewellery investment collaboration and the sales and agencies for electronics products. A total of 135,000 from the public visited and purchased at the exhibition. 2013 Macao-Guangzhou Famous Products Fair covers a wide range of products including MinM, Macao signature souvenirs, cultural and creative products, consumer goods, apparel, food products, wine, products from Portuguese-speaking countries as well as other commodities. During the fair, famous products from Macao and Guangzhou will be showcased and sold to all living in or visiting Guangzhou. There will also be, among other activities, business matching sessions, product procurement and promotional events for Macao and Guangzhou companies during this content-filled fair, which will serve as a platform for companies from Macao and Guangzhou to unite and co-operate, thereby promoting economic and trade ties between Guangzhou and Macao. In order to encourage companies from Macao to participate in the exhibition, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute has set up a preferential scheme specifically for companies from Macao The scheme includes a standard booth, accommodation, transportation, round-trip freight transportation, storage area and temporary staff. Under this scheme, these enterprises need only pay a participation fee of MOP2,000.00 for a booth or MOP1,800.00 for raw space. Exhibited products will include: products manufactured in Macao, Macao-brand products and foreign-brand products which have an agent in Macao (products from Portuguese-speaking countries will be given priority consideration). All Macao enterprises are welcome to actively participate in the event and explore new business opportunities. Local companies which are interested in participating may obtain an application form from Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), located on 4th Floor, World Trade Centre Building, 918 Avenida da Amizade, Macao, during office hours until 9th November. As the number of booths is limited, applications will be handled on a first-come first-served basis with the organisers reserving the right of final decision. Registration and enquiry hotline:8798 9237 / 8798 9148, email:mgfpf-enquiry@ipim.gov.mo, website:www.mgfpf.com.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate (2.0%) and the underemployment rate (0.8%) for July-September 2012 held stable as the previous period (June-August 2012). Total labour force was 351,000 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.2%. Total employment reached 344,000, an increase of 600 over the previous period. Analysed by industry, employment of Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services and the Transport, Storage & Communications Sector saw increase. Number of the unemployed was similar to the previous period, at 7,000, with 20.8% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 1.1 percentage points. In the third quarter of 2012, the unemployment rate (2.0%) decreased by 0.1 percentage point quarter-to-quarter; in addition, the unemployment rate of local residents stood at 2.6%, down by 0.1 percentage point. Total labour force increased by 5,500 quarter-to-quarter, with an increase of 5,700 in total employment and a decrease of 200 in the unemployed. Analysed by industry, 26.4% of the employed were working in Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services, and 15.8% in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities. Median monthly employment earnings of the employed (MOP11,700) and local residents (MOP13,000) increased by MOP700 and MOP500 respectively from the second quarter of 2012.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on dairy products. Survey result revealed price differences of up to 80 percent for the same product sold in different retail outlets. Consumer Council collected prices of 16 brands of dairy products from 18 retail outlets on 22nd October. An average price of $12.0 to $13.0 was recorded for 'Cowhead Pure Milk (paper pack)/1L' in most outlets, but the highest price recorded was $19.0 and the lowest was $10.5, thus resulting a price difference of up to 80.1 percent. The mentioned difference was also the biggest price difference observed this month. Other brands of dairy products which recorded price differences of over 50 percent included 'Pura UHT Milk (paper pack)/1L' and 'Anchor UHT Whipping Cream/1L', which recorded price differences of 56.7 percent and 50.0 percent respectively. The Council indicated that both price increases and decreases were observed for the surveyed items and consumers are advised to check with the survey data to make practical consumption. The specific price survey on dairy products is now available on the 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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Two carnivals will be held later this month and in November for the promotion of the regulations and services of Consumer Arbitration Centre by Consumer Council. The first carnival will be held on 28th October (Sunday), from 15:00 to 17:00, at the outdoor area next to Flower City Garden in Taipa. Residents are welcome to participate in the event. Services provided at Consumer Arbitration Centre are legal, fast, and free of charge and the Centre serves as an alternate channel for consumers and businesses to settle disputes. Consumer Arbitration Centre was established in March 1998, aiming to solve disputes between consumers and businesses efficiently through mediation and arbitration. A total of 465 dispute cases have been handled since the establishment of the Centre. Two carnivals will be held later this month and in November to promote the regulations and services of Consumer Arbitration Centre. The first carnival will be held on 28th October (Sunday), from 15:00 to 17:00, at the outdoor area next to Flower City Garden in Taipa. Information on the services, development, and regulations of Consumer Arbitration Centre will be exhibited from 15:00, 28th October to 16:00, 29th October. The second carnival will be held on 4th November (Sunday), in the afternoon at Luís de Camões Garden and details will be announced at a later stage. For inquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 18th October. A total of 350 products were surveyed this time and in comparison with last month's records, 40 percent of the surveyed products remained at the same price level. Survey result also revealed price differences of up to 24.72 percent for the same product being sold in different supermarket chain stores located in different areas of Macao. A total of 350 items were surveyed in the Council's latest 'Supermarket Price Survey'. Survey result showed that among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed by the Council, selling prices of many products were found to vary in different branches. Prices of 'Garden Original Saltine/200g' at R. Areia Preta Park'n Shop and Son Wo Kong Cheong Park'n Shop differed for 24.72 percent; prices of 'Minute Maid Orange Juice Drink/450ml' at R. dos Mercadores San Miu and S. Lourenco San Miu differed for 20 percent; a price difference of 18.54 percent was also recorded for 'Amoy Pea Shoot and Pork Water Dumpling/10 pcs' sold at S. Lourenco Royal and Sunny View Garden Royal. In comparison with last month's figures, prices of 98 products had decreased, 143 products recorded no change in price and prices of 109 products had been raised lightly, though most of them recorded an increase of less than 5 percent. Only 'C & S Face Clean & Soft Tissue (Toilet Paper)/10pcs' recorded a comparatively significant price increase of 11.43 percent. 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 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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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals decreased slightly by 0.2% year-on-year to 2,161,566 in September 2012; same-day visitors (1,082,468) accounted for 50.1% of the total. The average length of stay of visitors stood at 1.0 day, up by 0.1 day year-on-year, with overnight and same-day visitors staying 1.9 days and 0.2 day respectively. Analysed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased modestly by 0.8% year-on-year to 1,255,962, coming mostly from Guangdong Province (570,571), Fujian Province (59,134) and Zhejiang Province (45,393); Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme rose by 11.4% to 500,395. Visitor arrivals from Hong Kong (582,091) held stable year-on-year and those from the Republic of Korea (32,585) increased by 22.1%; however, visitors from Taiwan, China (97,163); and Japan (35,296) decreased by 3.8% and 0.9% respectively. Long-haul visitors from the Americas (22,642), Europe (19,821) and Oceania (11,439) increased by 0.3%, 6.2% and 8.2% respectively. Visitor arrivals totalled 7,286,971 in the third quarter of 2012, down by 1.7% year-on-year. In the first nine months of 2012, visitor arrivals totalled 20,864,685 and the rate of increase narrowed to 1.0% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (12,458,605), the Republic of Korea (331,435) and Japan (319,067) increased by 6.0%, 9.6% and 12.7% respectively, while those from Hong Kong (5,373,074) and Taiwan, China (817,080) decreased by 7.0% and 13.4%.
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Consumer Council conducted its price check on oral care products earlier. Survey result showed that price differences of up to 80 percent were recorded for products in different selling spots, recorded data has been uploaded to the Council's 'Specific Product Price Platform' website and is also available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. Consumer Council collected prices of 10 toothpastes and mouthwashes from 30 retail outlets, including supermarkets and drugstores, on 15th October. 'Oral-B Tooth and Gum Care (100ml)', which was sold at $10.9 to $20.0', recorded the most significant price difference of about 83.5 percent. Price differences for other products have shrunk since last surveyed in August: 'Colgate - Plax Complete Care Mouthwash (500ml)', which observed a price difference of 78 percent last time, now differed for only 37 percent and was sold at $30.0 to $41.10. Survey result also showed that among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed by the Council, selling prices of some products were found to vary in different branches: a price difference of 13 percent was recorded for 'Colgate - Plax Complete Care Mouthwash (500ml)' sold at San Miu Supermarket La Baie Du Noble branch and Taipa Flower City branch. Consumers are advised to check with the survey result to make price comparisons. The specific product price survey on oral care products has been uploaded to the Council's 'Specific Product Price Platform' website and in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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