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China's gold medalists from the London 2012 Olympic Games left for Beijing today, on completion of their three-day visit to Macao. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Ms Gao Yan, the President of the Macao Sport Development Board, Mr Vong Iao Lek and some 250 students were at the lobby of the hotel where the Olympians stayed to bid farewell to the delegation. One of the gold medallists told reporters that they felt good about the visit to Macao and hoped to come again.
Mr Cheong said all Chinese people, including the people of Macao, felt so excited for the Chinese athletes' achievements in the London Olympics. The visit of the Mainland gold medalists was a rare opportunity for the people of Macao to share the Olympians' joy and pride as well as their tough training for competition, he said.
The Secretary said he believed the gold medallists would set a good learning sample for local youths and wished that the sport industry of the nation and Macao would continue to develop.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released results of the Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages for the second quarter of 2012. Survey coverage comprised Wholesale & Retail Trade; Transport, Storage & Communications sector; Security Activities and Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities, excluding own-account workers. At the end of the second quarter of 2012, Wholesale & Retail Trade had 35,551 paid employees, up by 12.0% year-on-year, with 22,685 working in Retail trade. In June 2012, average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) of full-time employees rose by 4.9% year-on-year to MOP10,410, with Sales representatives and Salespersons earning MOP14,180 and MOP9,520 respectively in average. The Transport, Storage & Communications sector took on 8,291 paid employees, up by 9.1% year-on-year. In June, average earnings of full-time employees increased by 5.9% year-on-year to MOP16,450. Drivers of passenger/cargo transport by land earned an average of MOP17,800. Security Activities had 5,004 paid employees, up by 5.6% year-on-year. The average earnings of full-time employees in June rose by 9.7% year-on-year to MOP8,380, with Security guards earning MOP7,980 in average. Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities had 698 paid employees, up by 5.0% year-on-year. The average earnings of full-time employees in June increased by 8.9% year-on-year to MOP12,120. At the end of the second quarter of 2012, Wholesale & Retail Trade reported 4,826 vacancies, up substantially by 40.5% year-on-year, of which 3,485 were in Retail trade, up significantly by 52.2%. The vacancy rate of Retail trade had shown a continual growth reaching 15.6% this quarter, while the employee turnover rate has rebounded to a higher level of 9.0%, signifying a continual high demand of human resources. Vacancies in Security Activities (792) rose by 15.6%, while those in the Transport, Storage & Communications sector dropped by 17.5%. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 60.7% of the vacant posts in Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities and 51.2% of those in Wholesale & Retail Trade required work experience. As regards educational attainment, 64.3% of the vacancies in Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities and 51.2% of those in the Transport, Storage & Communications sector required senior secondary education or higher; meanwhile, 63.3% of the vacancies in Security Activities required primary education only. Besides Cantonese, knowledge of Mandarin and English was respectively required in 69.0% and 45.6% of the vacancies in Wholesale & Retail Trade, while 46.1% of those in the Transport, Storage & Communications sector and 42.9% of those in Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities required knowledge of English.
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The visiting Mainland's gold medalists from the London Olympics toured Macao today and shared their happiness with the people of Macao. The 47 gold medalists met some 2,000 students, teachers and athletes during a sharing session at Macau Forum in the morning. During this session, 11 gold medalists went on stage and chatted with some students, sharing with them how tough it was in becoming a top-notch athlete. About 30 students asked them about their training, pressure management skills and their feelings after winning. The medalists encouraged the students to fight for their goals and dreams, and dare to accept failure. The medalists and other members of their delegation then visited the Ruins of St. Paul's Church and the Macao Museum, to learn more about the history and culture of Macao. During the visit, men's singles badminton gold medalist Lin Dan said the people of Macao gave them a warm welcome and he wished to share his glory and pride of winning with the people here. In the evening, the Olympians participated in a celebratory gathering at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. The medalists and their delegation are scheduled to return to Beijing tomorrow.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated in view of a substantial increase in total employment, the unemployment rate for May-July 2012 receded to 2.0%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period (April-June 2012); the underemployment rate was 0.9%, down by 0.1 percentage point. Total labour force increased by 2,500 from the previous period to 348,000; the labour force participation rate stood at 72.2%, up by 0.3 percentage point. Total employment reached 341,000, up by 2,600 over the previous period. Analysed by industry, employment of Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities and Retail Trade saw notable increase, while that of the Manufacturing Sector registered decrease. Number of the unemployed decreased by 100 from the previous period to 7,000, with 14.9% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, up by 4.7 percentage points. In comparison with May-July 2011, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 0.7 and 0.2 percentage point respectively, while the labour force participation rate increased by 0.1 percentage point.
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The Government is to set up a Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office to handle an increasing protocol and non-foreign policy related consulate affairs and related activities. According to the 233/2012 Chief Executive Order published today in the Macao SAR Gazette, the Office would function on a project basis and serves a one-year term, subject to renewal. It will report directly to the Chief Executive and will be supervised by a director and two deputy directors. Responsibilities of the office would include planning and organising official activities of the Chief Executive whether in Macao or abroad; co-ordinating visits by guests of ministerial-level or above, and guests suggested by the Chief Executive; managing non-foreign policy related affairs related to consulates of foreign countries accredited to Hong Kong and Macao and officially recognised representatives, and maintaining related contacts; providing assistance for foreign representatives and consulates in Macao in applying documents; providing assistance to government entities in organising events and extending exchanges with international organisations; co-ordinating meeting, conferences, luncheon and banquets and signing ceremonies involving the Chief Executive; and co-ordinating official and large-scale events designated by the Chief Executive, according to the Gazette. Since the establishment of the Macao SAR, Macao has experienced an increase in external affairs activities and has new positioning in external affairs and regional co-operation. It had also received an increasing number of state leaders, officials of all levels, and delegations from the mainland and overseas. There is a need for the Government to enhance its work in protocol and public relations areas. Integrating the functions of managing external affairs, contacts with mainland authorities, protocol and public relations into an Office would strengthen efficiency, build an even better image for the Government and enhance co-operation with other places. According to official figures in 2011, the Government had received 40 delegations from the Mainland, more than 100 visits by consulates and 63 foreign official delegations. In 2011, the Protocol and Public Relations Services of the Government Headquarters had arranged for the Chief Executive one foreign visit and 16 visits to the Mainland. It also participated in organising a wide range of events, meetings, seminars and press conferences involving the Chief Executive.
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Mainland's gold medalists from the London Olympics arrived in Macao today for a three-day visit, at the invitation of the Macao SAR Government. They arrived at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal in the afternoon and were welcomed by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, and greeted by some 500 students and residents. The medalists were led by the Director of the State General Administration of Sports and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Mr Liu Peng, and his deputy, Mr Duan Shijie. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met Mr Liu at Macau East Asian Games Dome and congratulated the delegation for the athletes' excellent performance and results during the recent London 2012 Olympic Games. He also thanked Mr Liu for the support given by the State General Administration of Sports and the Chinese Olympic Committee to the development of sports in Macao. He said he wished the athletes could learn more about Macao's heritage and development during their stay. Mr Liu said the delegation would like to share their glory and happiness with the people of Macao, which explained why they here here so soon after the completion of the games. The Government hosted a banquet for the delegation after the meeting. At a speech, Mr Chui welcomed the delegation and congratulated the athletes for their excellence at the Games. He praised them for their spirit, which stimulated Macao people to strive harder in building an even better home. Mr Liu said in his speech he believed that the Mainland and Macao would continue to enhance their exchanges in sports and other areas. Mr Chui presented a HK$10.2 million cheque to two gold medalists at the banquet, Ms Yi Siling and Mr Zou Shiming, who received it on behalf of the delegation. The banquet was also attended by the Vice President of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR; the Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the Macao SAR; principal officials, members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly, and Macao's delegates to the National People's Congress, members of the CPPCC and some members of the community. The delegation stars are the athletes who won gold in 13 sports, namely shooting, fencing, sailing, weightlifting, boxing, taekwondo, walk, swimming, diving, artistic gymnastics, trampoline, table tennis and badminton. Mainland's contingent won 88 medals in the London Olympics -- 38 gold, 27 silver and 23 bronze, and broke six world records and six Olympic records.
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Mainland's gold medalists from the London Olympics are scheduled to arrive in Macao tomorrow for a three-day visit. The 70-strong delegation will be led by the Director of the State General Administration of Sports and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Mr Liu Peng, and his deputy, Mr Duan Shijie. It comprise 21 coaches and officials, and 47 gold medalists from 13 sports, namely shooting, fencing, sailing, weightlifting, boxing, taekwondo, walk, swimming, diving, artistic gymnastics, trampoline, table tennis and badminton. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is scheduled to meet the heads of the delegation tomorrow afternoon and host a banquet for the delegation afterwards, on behalf of the Government. On Monday morning, members of the delegation will share their thoughts with Macao athletes and students when they meet face-to-face at Macau Forum. At 7 pm residents get the chance to meet the Olympians at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion during a celebratory gathering organised by the Government. The show will be produced by China Central Television (CCTV) and broadcast live by Teledifusao de Macau (TDM). Highlights will be broadcast to the whole nation on CCTV-3 at 8 pm on 1st September. The gold medalists are to visit Macao's world heritage and other main attractions before returning to Beijing on Tuesday morning. At the London Olympics, Mainland's contingent won 88 medals -- 38 gold, 27 silver and 23 bronze, and broke six world records and six Olympic records.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 234 MICE events were held in the second quarter of 2012, a drop of 26 events over 2011, of which 201 events were held in paid venue. Total number of participants and attendees went up by 8% to 130,016. There were 8 exhibitions held in the second quarter, attracting 112,702 attendees, while the other 226 meetings and conferences had 17,314 participants in the same quarter. In accordance with the information collected from 6 exhibition organisers interviewed, a total of 5 were repeated exhibitions that had previously held in Macao in 2011. In respect of the major reasons of selecting Macao as exhibition destination, expanding local market and business operation in Macao took up 66.7% and 33.3% respectively. Moreover, the 6 exhibitions attracted 483 exhibitors and 10,276 professional buyers. Revenue of the exhibitions in the second quarter amounted to MOP21.61 million, down by 6% year-on-year, mostly from Rental of Exhibition Booth (94% of total). Expenditure dropped substantially by 79% year-on-year to MOP7.14 million, with expenses on Rental of Venue; and Advertising, Promotion & Public Relations accounted for 37% and 35% of the total respectively. Information from 45 exhibitors interviewed showed that revenue of them went up by 41% year-on-year to MOP4.43 million, with the majority coming from Sales of Products. Expenses amounted to MOP3.24 million, with expenses on Rental of Exhibition Booth accounted for 68%. There were 505 MICE events held in the first half year of 2012, down by 32 events year-on-year. Total number of participants and attendees increased by 17% to 291,797, among which 219,176 attendees were attracted by the 20 exhibitions. In the first half year of 2012, revenue and expenditure of exhibition organisers amounted to MOP28.55 million and MOP31.79 million respectively. For the interviewed exhibitors, revenue and expenditure were MOP19.99 million and MOP5.50 million.
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The working group on food prices released the latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 20th August. In comparison with last month's data, prices of over half of the surveyed items remained stable or recorded light decrease in prices. In comparison with July's data, prices of 100 out of over 310 items recorded this month remained unchanged while 98 items recorded light decrease in prices, which amounted to about 62 percent of the total number of surveyed products; 118 items recorded increase in prices. Price decreases were mainly recorded in categories such as snacks, sanitary and hygienic products, survey result also showed that the percentage increase and decrease of prices recorded were generally less than 5 percent. Among the top ten products with the most price differences, prices of 'Johnson's Baby Powder (500g)', which was sold at $14.5 to $32.9 in different retail outlets, varied for over 126 percent; 'Watsons Water Pure Distilled (430ml)', which was sold at $2.8 to $4.9, also differed for about 75 percent. Consumers are advised to check with the information available on Macao Consumer Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform'. This month's survey also showed that general price differences existed in some of the items sold in different branches of the same supermarket chain. Prices of 'Camponês Olive Oil (1L)' in San Miu Supermarket R. dos Mercadores branch and Pou Seng branch differed for $7.0; 'Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce (290ml)' sold in Rua Areia Preta and Edf. La Baie Du Noble branches of Park'N Shop also varied for $4.9. 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.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new SME lending approved by Macao banks dropped in the first half of 2012. Concurrently, the utilisation of SME credit in proportion to the credit limit approved by banks recorded a slight contraction. New Lending Approved In the first half of 2012, new SME credit limit approved by Macao banks totalled MOP7.0 billion, down by 58.8% from the second half year of 2011 or 36.1% from the same period last year. The collateralised ratio, which indicates the proportion of credit limit with tangible assets pledged, was 60.4%, down 0.3 percentage points when compared with the last survey period but up by 6.7 percentage points when compared with the same period of 2011. Credit Utilisation As at end-June 2012, the outstanding value of total SME loans dropped 7.3% from end-December 2011 but up 1.8% from a year earlier to MOP31.2 billion. When compared with end-December 2011, SME loans to "electricity, gas and water" and "education" increased at respective rates of 92.0% and 44.2%, whereas those to "transport, warehouse and communications", "non-monetary financial institutions" and "wholesale and retail trade" dropped 72.5%, 19.0% and 18.6% respectively. The utilisation rate, defined as the proportion of outstanding credit balance to the credit limit granted, dropped slightly by 0.6 percentage points from six months ago to 59.2%. Delinquent Loans At the end of June 2012, the outstanding balance of delinquent SME loans decreased by 16.8% from six months ago to MOP428.5 million. Compared to a year ago, the balance dropped slightly by 0.4%. The delinquency ratio, a ratio of delinquent loans outstanding balance to total SME loans outstanding, dropped 0.16 percentage points from end-2011 or 0.03 percentage points from a year earlier to 1.37%.
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