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The Global Tourism Economy Forum．Macau 2012 ("GTEF" or "the Forum"), one of the most prominent international events of the year, concluded on September 11th with tremendous success, bringing to an end three days which collected international representatives of industry and high-ranking decision makers from both public and private sectors. The Forum attracted over 1,000 delegates from more than 20 countries and cities from all over the world. Featuring a stellar speaker lineup of more than 50 speakers including government ministers, scholars and business leaders, the Forum was launched at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre where the cause of tourism economy is being championed. The Forum is deemed an encouraging success and received highly positive feedback from attendees, who were impressed by the calibre of the speakers, renowned both in China and worldwide. Taking note of the enthusiasm, Cheong U, Executive Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Forum and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Government of Macao SAR, announced that the Forum is already braced for a second year of running to be held next year in the middle of September 2013. Heavyweight Speakers Line-up The Forum is honoured to have representatives from the three key tourism groups in China, namely China International Travel Service Limited, China National Travel Service (Hong Kong) Group Corporation, and CYTS Tours Holding Co., Ltd. gathered to share valuable insights towards the burgeoning tourism market in China. Other prominent speakers include: Mr. Michael Frenzel, Chairman of Executive Board, TUI AG, the largest tour operator in Europe as well as the first-ever travel joint venture established in China with foreign capital; Mr. Du Wei, President of Beijing BeiAo Group Inc. Ltd.; Mr. Min Fan, Executive Director and CEO of Ctrip.com International Ltd.; Mr. Edwin D. Fuller, Former President and Managing Director of International Lodging Division Marriott International, Inc.; Mr. Charles Petruccelli, Former President of Global Business Travel, American Express; and Mr. Liu Yi, President of Beijing Tourism Group, to name a few. Forum Conclusions and Closing Remarks At the closing ceremony in the afternoon, the boisterous sentiments are equally shared by Pansy Ho, Secretary-General of Global Tourism Economy Forum, who made the concluding remarks: "I am very glad that the Forum succinctly covered many of the key challenges ahead. Our distinguished speakers and moderators certainly gave us plenty of food for thought on designing and formulating our next generation of tourism trends. By embracing different perspectives and new ideas, the industry and related stakeholders can formulate clear approaches for development, in turn promoting the sustainable development of the global tourism industry and boosting the global economy at large." Cheong U, Executive Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Forum and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Government of Macao SAR, also pointed out in his closing remarks: "Looking into the future, the tourism industry will continue to be an influential industry in the global economic development and play an important role in fostering social and economic development, international and regional cooperation, poverty alleviation and environmental protection." The Forum anticipates even more in-depth discussion of the coming year's Forum to fully disseminate the knowledge to stakeholders of the industry. Driving economic growth through tourism is recognized to be one of the most effective strategies which can be aligned with the global socioeconomic trends, and will subsequently benefit all levels of the society. With the enormous success this year, Cheong U, Executive Chairman of Global Tourism Economy Forum and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Government of Macao SAR, proudly announced the Forum will be held for the second time in the middle of September 2013. Please visit www.GTE-Forum.com for more details about the Global Tourism Economy Forum.
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Macao and most Latin American countries are sharing similar traditions and historical heritage of the European civilisation. The unique cultural characteristics made Macao a desirable platform between China and Latin America. For the meaningful purpose of bringing the cultures of Latin America closer to Macao, IFT extends support to the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange between Asia-Pacific and Latin America (MAPEAL) and its first Latin American Cultural Festival in Macao in September. On 12 September, a series of cultural activities will kick off at IFT, in order to create a cordial atmosphere for students to get in touch directly with the food, films and books of Latin America. The Festival consists of three varied cultural activities on 12 September namely the guest lecture by Mr. David Malaga, Consul General of the Republic of Peru in Hong Kong and Macao, the Latin American Book Exhibition and the Peru Cooking Demonstration. With thousands-year-long history, the mysterious Inca culture, Coricancha and Machu Picchu castle are the desired tourism destinations. During the guest lecture, Mr. David Malaga introduces the local customs, tourism resources and culture of Peru to IFT students, and shares the experience of maintaining the archaeology, ecology, cultural traditions, sustainability and tourism development and conservation of Peru. This is a lecture not to be missed for students! Reading, without doubt, is a direct and favourable way of understanding a foreign culture besides traveling or probing into the history. It is known that Latin American literature has gained outstanding attainments and a number of authors from Latin America countries such as Peru, Columbia and Chile have even achieved The Nobel Prize in Literature. The Latin American Book Exhibition certainly gives readers a good opportunity to come into contact and have a better understanding of Latin America through the forms of expressions and written style of Latin. Gourmet dining experience can create unforgettable memories in direct and sensational way. Being the chef of Peru Stadium at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, Ms. Maria Rosa Vasquez Chavez, the renowned chef from Peru showcases two of the national classic Peru cuisines and introduces cooking specialties and techniques of Peru cuisine, in order for students to understand the unique Peru cuisines. IFT has been attaching high importance in widening students' visions and striving to create an internationalised study environment for students. Through the globalised teaching team and student exchange programmes offered by IFT, students can experience diversified cultures of different countries at IFT campus. Besides, students can take the opportunities to study and live in overseas so as to better prepare for stepping into the tourism industry and overcome the challenges of cultural diversity in the future.
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Working Group on Food Prices conducted its specific price survey on canned foods on 6th September at 20 retail outlets, surveying the retail prices of 11 canned food brand samples. The survey reflects that the highest price difference is over 50%, whereas the lowest is below 7%. In the recent specific price survey on canned foods, the selling price of the same brand of canned food varied in different retail spots. The highest and lowest selling prices of "Narcissus Brand Spiced Pork Cubes (142g)" recorded in the recent survey were $13.00 and $19.90 respectively, with a percentage difference of around 53.08 %. While, the selling price of Tulip Pork Luncheon Meat (340g) recorded a big drop in two retail spots, resulting in a percentage difference of around 40.16% and its highest and lowest selling prices were $24.90 and 34.90 respectively. Consumers are advised to check with the survey data to make practical consumption. The specific price survey on canned foods 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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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met today with the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Mr Sha Zukang, and the Chairman of National Tourism Administration, Mr Shao Qi Wei, who are in Macao taking part in the Global Tourism Economy Forum.
The meeting took place at the Santa Sancha, where the Chief Executive expressed gratitude for his counterparts' presence at the Forum and their long-term support for Macao's development.
Mr Chui said the success of the forum depended on the support of the Central Government and other international tourism organisations. Mr Sha said tourism development not only raise the overall economy, but also enhance personnel exchanges which facilitate a better understanding about a country or region and promote peaceful development. Mr Shao Qi Wei introduced the newest tourism development of China and pledged to support Macao's development into a world leisure tourism centre.
Head of Department of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan of the National Tourism Administration, Mr Liu Kezhi, , the Director of the Asia Tourism Exchange Center, Ms Xu Weifang, the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam, the 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, also attended the meeting.
Mrs Sha also attended the meeting.
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Consumer Council handled almost 3,800 cases in the first half of this year.760 cases were complaints and almost 3,000 cases were inquiry, the rest of 51 cases were suggestions of consumers. Among the over 700 complaint cases, 122 cases were about telecommunication services. The number of cases regarding fees charged for various telecommunication services and arguments on contract terms has dropped by almost 30 percent comparing to 2011's figures whereas the number of cases regarding telecommunication service providers' service quality has increased. A total of 97 complaint cases for telecommunications products were received in the first half year, half of the cases received were about quality of mobile phones and after-sales services of telecommunications products, and tourists' complaints amounted to 60 percent of the complaint cases received in this category. Under this category, consumer disputes arise mainly due to the differences between the operations of local market and that in mainland China, and the definition and scope of warranty service of mobile phones in the two regions. Consumer Council suggests mobile phone retailers to give detailed explanation to consumers when they purchase mobile phones. Meanwhile, only 9 complaint cases on mobile phones have been received, which had reduced by 70 percent comparing to the previous year. The Council will continue to update its website with the latest suggested retail prices of mobile phones for inbound tourists' reference. Other categories which recorded increase in the number of cases mainly included clothing & apparel, sporting goods, as well as service charges and services of banks under the financial services category. The Council will provide adequate information to consumers by releasing researches and consumer alerts to enhance consumers' own protection on consumer rights. In the first half year of 2012, the Council also handled 2,972 inquiry cases, which had increased by 20 percent than the number of the previous year. A detailed report on the cases received by the Council is covered in the latest issue no. 228 of Consumer Report.
The current Consumer Report also features articles on Consumers International and other activities of the Council and other mainland consumer organizations.
Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the office of Consumer Council (Rua Inácio Baptista, Nº 6-6A Edficio Seaview Garden 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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24th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest staged its première fireworks display tonight, featuring the wonderful performance from the Korean and Thailand teams and attracted a great number of citizens and visitors to enjoy. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Cheong U, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macau Special Administrative Region, Feng Tie, Director of Department of Culture and Education of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region, Liu Xiao Hang and Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Antunes attended the Opening Ceremony of Macau International Fireworks Display Contest at the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza. 24th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is held at the Macau Tower shorefront from today until October 1. Among the show days, October 1 is China's National Day, on which the contest will feature the fireworks teams from Italy and Mainland China. The 10 participating teams this year are (according to the latest contest order) Korea; Thailand; Taiwan, China; Australia; Portugal; France; Japan; United States; Italy and Mainland China. Each participating team is requested again this year to complement their display with music to enthrall the audience with a light and sound spectacular. To enhance the enjoyment, the organizer has installed sound systems at the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza and its waterfront, as well as the Macau Tower Street seaside and the front square of Kun Iam Statue on Ave. Dr Sun Yat-Sen so that the public can enjoy synchronized music to the spectacular displays. Spectators can listen to live music of the fireworks displays through TDM - Radio Macau's Chinese Channel live broadcast at FM100.7. MGTO continues its cooperation with Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L. (CTM) to jointly present the "Macau International Fireworks Display Contest SMS Game" again this year in order to foster citizens' participation in the event. During the contest period, CTM will send out text messages to their mobile subscribers and introduce the game, in addition to promoting the SMS game on the MGTO and CTM websites. Macau citizens can send a text message to CTM through their mobile to vote for their favorite team after each night of fireworks display. Citizens who have voted for the most popular team on that night are eligible for the lucky draw which will grant one winner with two sets of reservoir stand tickets for the 59th Macau Grand Prix (Saturday and Sunday) and souvenir. The 5 fireworks teams who get the most SMS votes will be awarded with "The People's Choice" certificates and souvenirs. Nevertheless, the audiences' voting result will not affect the jury's decision on the fireworks display contest. MGTO will also post web banners on CTM's website to enhance promotion efficiency. MGTO continues to join hand with the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau to present the "Fireworks Carnival 2012" at the area next to Macau Tower in order to add more fun and color to the fireworks display nights. In order to enhance spectators' enjoyment of the contest and to enrich the performance elements of the fireworks, MGTO will raise the subsidy given to the participating teams for fireworks materials by 25%, i.e. up to USD25,000, starting this year, while also increasing the correspondent support for fireworks materials delivery expense. Furthermore, to celebrate the silver anniversary of Macau International Fireworks Display Contest next year, MGTO will organize the Trophy Design Contest, which will not only foster participation and a deeper sense of involvement among the public but also inspire creativity among local design talents.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today sent a letter to inform the Central Government that the MSAR Government was ready to provide help with disaster relief works in Yunnan.
The Government Spokesman Office today released a statement which said that Mr Chui was very concerned with the multiple earthquakes that hit Yunnan, killing some 60 people.
According to the statement, Mr Chui said in the letter that the Macao people were very concerned about the victims and rescue works in the quake zone, and that he had conveyed condolences on the casualties and damage to properties of the residents.
Mr Chui said the MSAR Government would actively co-ordinate and fully supports relief works.
Two quakes measuring 5.7 and 5.6 on the Richter scale hit an area near Yiliang in Yunnan and Weining county in Guizhou province, southwestern China, at 11:19 a.m. and 12:16 p.m. Friday (7 September), respectively.
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The working group on food prices released its latest specific price survey on rice. Survey result showed that prices of the 16 surveyed products remained stable. Survey data 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. The working group on food prices collected prices of 16 brands of rice from 22 retail outlets on 3rd September. A general price difference of less than 10 percent was recorded; 'Golden Elephant Brand Premium Jasmine Rice/8kg', which was sold at $119.9 to $143.0, recorded the biggest price difference of 19.27 percent. In comparison with July's survey result, 8 out of the 16 surveyed rice brands recorded no change in price, 7 brands recorded general price increases or decreases of less than 5 percent, and 1 brand recorded no data. The biggest change in price was recorded in 'Golden Elephant Brand Premium Jasmine Rice/8kg', which observed a 9.8 percent price decrease in two retail outlets. The specific price survey on rice 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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In the first half-year of 2012, a total of 311 applications for temporary residency for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders were received by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) (an increase of 91 compared with the same period last year), 54 applications for major investment and major investment plans (an increase of 21 compared with the same period last year), representing 85% and 15% of the total of 365 new applications in the first half-year of 2012. Approved cases for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders amounted to 192 (a decrease of 33 compared with the same period last year), approved applications for major investment and major investment plans totalled 6 (an increase of 1 compared with the same period last year). In accordance with the Administrative Regulation No. 7/2007, temporary residency applications for fixed asset purchases have been suspended since 4 April 2007. There were over 4,000 applications lodged before the closing date of the policy and are still being processed. Therefore, there were no new residency applications during the first half-year of 2012 for fixed assets purchases while all of the 16 already approved cases were lodged before 4 April 2007. Statistics of Investment Residency Applications and the Cases and Number of Beneficiaries in the First Half-Year of 2012
(* Please find the attached file) For further enquiries on the residency application guidelines, please contact IPIM by visiting the website: www.ipim.gov.mo, email: gjfr@ipim.gov.mo, tel: 28712055 or fax: 28713950. Applicants may also visit the website and enquire about the progress of their residency application status online.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply increased at a faster pace in July. As total loans grew faster than deposits, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector rose from a month earlier. Money supply Currency in circulation and demand deposits rose 0.6% and 4.2% respectively. M1 thus increased 3.5% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities grew 2.8%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, grew 2.9% to MOP330.8 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 6.9% and 20.7% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 25.7%, down 0.4 percentage points over a month ago or 0.5 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 55.0%, up 1.0 percentage point month-to-month or 0.8 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits Resident deposits grew 3.0% from the preceding month to MOP323.7 billion. Of which, MOP deposits, HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 1.3%, 4.7% and 0.1%. Non-resident deposits grew 1.1% to MOP127.1 billion while public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 2.7% to MOP40.4 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector rose 2.5% from a month earlier to MOP491.2 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 21.2% and 45.5% respectively. Loans Domestic loans to the private sector increased 3.8% on a monthly basis to MOP186.5 billion. Among which, MOP50.3 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP117.4 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 26.9% and 62.9% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans rose 5.8% to MOP213.1 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 0.6% (MOP1.2 billion) and 24.6% (MOP52.5 billion) respectively. Loan-to-deposit ratios As domestic loans to the private sector grew faster than resident deposits, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-July rose 0.4 percentage points month-to-month to 51.2%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors was 81.4%, up 1.9 percentage points from end-June.
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