News

Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on shampoo and shower gel on 8th July 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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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) organizes the "Conceptual Design Contest for Community Tourism Mobile App" to promote the "Development Plan for Community Toursim" and deepen the public's awareness about the scheme. The competition also serves to introduce more third-party software applications of Macau travel guide to the market and apply more cutting-edge technology in the destination's promotion. Macau not only embraces the World Heritage "Historic Centre of Macau" with a variety of historical and architectural gems amidst its enchanting alleys and squares but also offers unique delicacies, colorful traditions and festivities. Inhabitants of different races live in harmony in the community imbued with East and West culture. The theme of the contest is to develop historic and cultural tourism attractions, inspiring creative designs which present the sightseeing spots, culture and history of various local communities in different formats. Contestants can join the "Conceptual Design Contest for Community Tourism Mobile App" individually or by groups. Applicants can submit their works starting from today until August 16. Contestants are required only to submit a proposal without using software language to compose or develop a mobile application. They can submit their application form, accomplished proposal and disc with related files to MGTO in person during office hours or via mail before the deadline. For more information, please browse Macau Tourism Industry Net: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo or email an enquiry to appscompetition@macautourism.gov.mo. MGTO is actively promoting the "Development Plan for Community Toursim" by launching various tourism activities and enriching the tourism products in local communities through interdepartmental collaboration or joint projects with related entities and social organizations. The office strives to encourage citizens' support and particiaption, guide visitors to explore different communities and revitalize the ecnonomy of the older districts in Macau. The related efforts will propel the city towards diversified development. MGTO launched the "Experience Macau" mobile app in Iphone and Android version last and early this year respectively to provide visitors with Macau travel tips and promote the destination through the mobile platform. The office will continue to adopt more innovative promotional tecniques and explore new tourism markets in future.
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Non-stamping immigration clearance policy will be effective from 10th July, 2013. Travelers with visiting permits and passports will receive a printed arrival card at all border checkpoints of Macao instead of a stamp on the travel documents. There will also be no stamping upon departure. The arrival card will be the same as that currently issued to Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card holders and mainlanders with Exit-entry Permit for Travelling To and From Hong Kong and Macao. It bears the name of the visitor, travel document number, arrival date, limit of stay in Macao as well as a 2-dimensional security label. Visitors are required to keep the card during their stay in Macao and be mindful of their stay limit. Under normal circumstances, the loss of the card will not affect the visitor's departure clearance formalities. For free replacement of the card, visitors may approach in person any one of the immigration checkpoints or the Investigation Subdivision on 1st Floor of Immigration Department Building in Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa. With the implementation of non-stamping policy, the process of immigration clearance will be simplified, inspection accuracy be increased and immigration clearance time be shortened, therefore improving the efficiency of clearance formalities in all border checkpoints.
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Organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the 2013 Taipei International Food Show was held from June 26 to 29 at the Nangang Exhibition Hall and Hall 1 of Taiwan World Trade Centre. Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute organized around 50-member Macao Business Delegation to attend to visit the show and for procurement purchase. 2013 Taipei International Food Show is currently Taiwan´s largest, most professional, visible and renowned food fair. For the first time, the said event is presented as a "Five-in-One Food Expo", comprising the Taipei International Food Show (FOOD TAIPEI), Taipei International Food Processing & Pharmaceutical Machinery Show (FOODTECH & PHARMATECH TAIPEI), Taipei International Packaging Industry Show (TAIPEI PACK), Taiwan International Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Show (TAIWAN HORECA), and Taiwan International HALAL Expo (HALAL TAIWAN), to offer a complete panorama of Taiwan's food supply chain, consisting of the food-manufacturing, food-processing machinery, packaging, catering, and Halal food industries. There were a total of 1,557 exhibitors in the five exhibitions, occupying 3,637 booths. The Show attracted 6,588 international buyers with the number of visitors from home and abroad reaching 65,000. In addition to the exhibitions, the Organizer also organized several related activities, including national theme days, launching of new products, seminar on professional packaging and food machinery, and seminar on the opening up of the vast halal food market. There was also a catering competition as part of the relevant activities. Apart from visiting the above-mentioned Food Show, during their stay in Taiwan, members of the Macao Business Delegation also met with the Executive Director of Taipei World Center, under the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Mr. Liu Shi-Wei and the Officer of the Head of the Exhibition Department, Mr. Kang Yih-Jyh , for exchange for matching purposes, and also to obtain the latest and the most updated information about Taiwan´s convention and exhibition, and food industry. The Delegation also visited Taiwan Design Centre, where they were warmed received by the CEO of the said centre, Mr. Tony K. Chang, who also arranged a briefing on the development process of the creative design of the food packaging and food utensils. Furthermore, while in Taiwan, the Business Delegation also visited the actual "Dreamworks" production line of Taiwan´s branded souvenir food, the pineapple cake produced by Vigor Kobo, to learn about the related operating conditions. The above-mentioned series of activities provided an opportunity for members of the Macao Business Delegation to carry out procurement negotiations and exchanges with the TAITRA exhibitors in the fields of food, foodstuff, frozen food, dairy products, wine, kitchen utensils, cutlery, and food production machinery and equipment. Members of the Macao Business Delegation organized by IPIM comprised of members from the food, catering, trade, retail and other industries. Members of the delegation included: Mr. Sam Lei, Senior Manager of IPIM; the Macao Federal Commercial Association of Wine and Food Industries in Portuguese Speaking Countries and Regions, Mr. Ip Sio Man, Executive Director of Macau Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Vong Veng Him, the Vice-President of "Ou Mun Peng Sek Sao Son Ip Seong Wui", Mr. Ling Man Yi, the Vice-President of Macau Union Suppliers Association, Mr. Mok Sio Kei, the President of the Board of Directors of Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises of Catering, Mr. Ieong Weng Seng, the Vice-Chairman of Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association, Mr. Si Tou Tek Lam and the Vice-Chairman of The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, Ms. Lio Mei Chan.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on canned foods on 4th July 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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Consumer Council's research result shows that many interviewees hold positive comments on the service quality, product quality, and after sales service of 'Certified Shops'. Both local citizens and tourists regard the 'Certified Shop' emblem as a guarantee for shopping. The research is featured in the latest issue no.238 of Consumer Report. The Institute for Social and Cultural Research under the Macau University of Science and Technology was commissioned by the Council in 2010 to conduct a research on the effectiveness of its 'Certified Shop' promotional campaign for the evaluation of the mechanism since its establishment a decade ago. The Council then revised and modified its promotion strategies after reviewing the research result. In order to review the revised promotional campaign, the Council commissioned the Institute again for another research. The latest research result reviews that public's recognition of the mechanism has been increased, as outdoor media such as bus body wrapping advertisements and bus shelter scrolling panels, etc. make a good impression on the public. Further, advertisements placed at the arrival hall inside the airport also increases tourists' recognition of the 'Certified Shop' emblem. The research also shows that accessibility to promotional materials of 'Certified Shops' plays an important part in encouraging consumers' patronage to 'Certified Shops'. Many of the interviewees who have visited 'Certified Shops' hold positive comments on the service quality, product quality, and after sales service of 'Certified Shops'. Among the local citizens who have been interviewed, about 41 percent of them regard the service quality of 'Certified Shops' as 'better' and 'very good', about 50 percent of them regard the product quality as 'better' and 'very good', and around 54 percent of them also agree that the standard for after sales service of 'Certified Shops' is 'better' and 'very good'. For tourists, about 72 percent of the total number of interviewees think that the service quality of 'Certified Shops' is 'better' and 'very good', 71 percent of tourists think likewise for product quality, and 61 percent of tourists agree that after sales service of 'Certified Shops' is 'better' and 'very good'. Research result and the suggestions given by the commissioned body have been published in the latest issue no.238 of Consumer Report and are also available on the Council's website. The latest Consumer Report also features articles on the new laws about uncompleted property and food safety. 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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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, broad money supply continued to increase in May. As total deposits grew at a faster pace than total loans, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector dropped from a month earlier.
Money supply
Currency in circulation and demand deposits grew 0.1% and 12.6% respectively. M1 thus increased 10.7% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities rose 1.6%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, increased 2.8% to MOP407.6 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 52.4% and 27.2% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 24.0%, down 0.7 percentage points from a month ago or 1.8 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 55.1%, up 0.4 percentage points month-to-month or 0.8 percentage points year-on-year.
Deposits
Resident deposits rose 2.9% from the preceding month to MOP399.4 billion. Of which, MOP deposits dropped 0.3% while HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 3.6% and 4.5%. Non-resident deposits grew 6.7% to MOP150.6 billion whereas public sector deposits with the banking sector grew 4.0% to MOP55.9 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector rose 3.9% from a month earlier to MOP605.9 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 19.7% and 47.0% respectively.
Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector increased 1.8% from a month ago to MOP220.8 billion. Among which, MOP71.5 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP129.5 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 32.4% and 58.7% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans remained virtually unchanged at MOP260.0 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 0.9% (MOP2.3 billion) and 21.2% (MOP55.1 billion) respectively.
Loan-to-deposit ratios
The loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-May dropped 0.6 percentage points from the previous month to 48.5%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors fell 2.4 percentage points to 79.4%.
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With the rapid development of the catering, health care and beauty industry, IFT has approached the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) and ITEC, an international specialist examination board providing quality qualifications in beauty and spa therapy, hairdressing, complimentary therapies, sports and fitness training, and customer service, and has successfully obtained the accreditations to offer the courses and exams of the two organisations. Currently, IFT has developed partnerships with 13 international organisations to offer nearly 70 internationally recognised courses and accreditations. SCAE is a training organisation aiming to create and inspire excellence in the coffee community through innovation, research, education and communication. Its Coffee Diploma System (CDS) provides practical knowledge and techniques on all aspects of the specialty coffee sector, requiring learners to master the skills from roasting to running a coffee bar. Lately, IFT offered one of the modules of its Coffee Diploma and received very good response from the public. Course participants who have attended no less than 80% of the class and passed the written and practical exams will obtain a course certificate by IFT and an official SCAE certificate, which can be counted as 10 credits in SCAE Coffee Diploma System. For the area of the health care and beauty studies, IFT has obtained the accreditation from ITEC to offer courses and exams in aromatherapy, make-up, manicure & pedicure, diet & nutrition and holistic massage. Being a leading international specialist examination board in U.K. for nearly seventy years, ITEC has established over 655 registered institutes globally, providing quality qualifications in beauty and spa therapy. With increasingly fierce competition in the labour market, international qualifications can enable employees to manifest their professionalism and serve as an important part in their career upward mobility. Therefore, IFT has always been trying its utmost to develop partnership with international organisations to offer more internationally recognised courses and qualifications, in order for the public and industry professionals to enhance their professional skills so as to promote the development of the industry. Since the 1990s, IFT has been offering the International Travel Agent Foundation Course of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In 2001, with the support and the joint efforts of the European Union and local industry, the Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS) was developed. Besides, a number of international mega resorts and hotels have opened in Macao in these recent years, and the society has developed rapidly and faced severe manpower drought. Therefore, IFT has been successively expanding its list of international partners with the renowned training and certification organisations, including the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Servsafe®, International Bartenders Association (IBA), London Chamber of Commerce (LCCI), Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School, Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC), American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AH&LEI), Court of Master Sommelier and Burgundy Wine School. The current scope of accreditations includes culinary arts, nutrition, food security, catering and hospitality, accounting, management, public relations, supervision, retail, information technology and advertising. Through offering the extensive international qualifications, IFT hopes that the pressing needs of local professionals can be relieved, and at the same time, the working population can be motivated to raise their qualifications which will help the local industries to grow more professionally.
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Organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), special supporting organisation World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), and co-organised by 15 economic and trade promotion institutions and chambers of commerce from Macao, Mainland China and Hong Kong, co-ordinated by Macao Convention & Exhibition Association, Macau Fair & Trade Association and the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao, the 18th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held from 17th to 20th October 2013 in the Convention and Exhibition Centre at the Venetian-Macao-Resort-Hotel . MIF is one of the largest annual international economic and trade events in Macao as well as the first exhibition to be accredited by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). After 17 years of continuous innovation and development, MIF has now become a branded Macao fair. MIF's role in boosting Macao's economic growth is becoming increasingly significant, in particular, with the introduction of new technology, capital and expertise. It fosters technological progress and the upgrading of the local tourism and leisure industry, as well as other business areas, such as finance, manufacturing, convention and exhibition, cultural and creative industries. MIF provides Macao's SMEs as well as enterprises from abroad with more business opportunities. It serves as a regional trade and investment platform and an important co-operation and service platform, linking China, the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region in particular, Portuguese-Speaking Countries, the European Union and the rest of the world. Enriched Exhibition Content to Open Tremendous Business Opportunities for Trade Visitors The 17th MIF held in October last year, had over 1,600 booths and more than 20 themed exhibition zones, 330 trade and economic delegations from more than 50 countries and regions participated in the event, engaging in 1,847 business matching sessions. This fully reflects, once again, the vital role played by MIF as a regional co-operation platform and hub for trade exchanges. The theme of this year's MIF is "Co-operation – Key to Business Opportunities", covers an exhibition area of over 32,000 square metres. There will be various themed pavilions, as well as pavilions for a number of Chinese cities/provinces, various overseas countries. An Asian Creativity Business Zone and a Healthcare Pavilion will be established in MIF this year. Major features include: domestic and foreign investment environments and investment projects, cultural and creative industries, food and wine, fashion design, healthcare, professional product and magicians' supplies and equipment, a financial investment exhibition, digital photography equipment and the opportunity to buy international SMEs' products. This year's seminars, forums and promotional activities highlight the investment environments and projects services, technology and products of Mainland China and overseas countries, so as to create more business opportunities for trade visitors. The Organiser will continue to support the participation of local small and medium-sized enterprises by providing a number of concessions Macao SME Exhibition Zone organised by Macao Chamber of Commerce, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), and co-organised by the Macau Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Macau Businesswomen Association and co-ordinated by Macao Convention & Exhibition Association, Macau Fair & Trade Association and the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao. A total 120 booths will be set up in the Macao SME Exhibition Zone. For eligible Macao SMEs, the organiser will provide the following concessions: a discount of 40% off the rental fee of a nine square metre standard booth, with an original rental fee of MOP9,000.00, the discounted price is MOP3,600.00. Enterprises making their registration on or before 19 July, as well as those that have previously participated in exhibitions organised by IPIM are both entitled to a 10% discount. The Recruitment and Briefing Session for the Macao SME Exhibition Area will be held at 3:00 p.m. on 5 July (Friday) in the Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC), located on 20th Floor, China Civil Plaza, 263 Alameda Dr. Carlos d´Assumpção, Macao. Interested parties are cordially invited to participate. Applications for exhibition in the Macao SME Exhibition Zone will be held from 8 to 26 July (Monday to Friday), from 09:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Applicants should register in person and bring along their application form and all required documents to IPIM's SME Service Centre (Address: 19th Floor, China Civil Plaza, 263 Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, Macao). Each SME can only apply for one booth, on a first-come-first-served basis. The exhibition venue will be zoned in accordance with the nature of the business and the allocation of each booth will be decided in a draw. Enterprises applying for preferential schemes related to exhibition in the Macao SME Exhibition Zone should meet the following requirements: small or medium-sized enterprises (employing less than 100 people in Macao) incorporated in Macao; have fulfilled obligations as a tax payer and have been registered with the Macao Finance Bureau for at least two years (as of 17 October 2013), a Macao resident should own at least 50% of the company or by a company incorporated in Macao. After satisfying the above criteria, the applicant should also meet one of the following two requirements: it has participated in at least one MIF in the past or other exhibitions organised by IPIM or is a company manufacturing Made in Macao Products, holder of Macao Brand or is an agent for Macao Products. For further details, please contact the MIF Co-ordinators Administrative and Service Centre on (853) 2882 2711, fax: (853) 2882 8722 or visit the official MIF website: www.mif.com.mo.
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Due to the recent challenging safety situation in some areas of Egypt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel safety reminder to Chinese citizens who intend to visit there. Following is the translated version of the full text: "Continuous and massive protests taking place in Egypt's Cairo and Alexandria since 30 June have caused casualties. In view of the above situation, the Department of the Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Egypt specially remind Chinese citizens to exercise caution when travelling to Egypt, especially Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile Delta. In any case of emergency, Chinese citizens should timely report to local police and contact the Chinese Embassy and consulate in Egypt through the following means: Police reporting hotline in Egypt: 00202-122; Tourist Police in Egypt: 00202-3906028; Consular Assistance and Protection hotline of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt: 00202-27380466、00202-27363556; Consular Assistance and Protection hotline of Chinese Consulate General in Alexandria: 00202-271125995." The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will keep monitoring the latest development of safety situation in the above cities and also advises Macao residents to avoid making unnecessary trips. Those who are currently travelling in Egypt should remain cautious for personal safety. According to the Macao tourism industry, there are no Macao tour groups currently in Egypt. However, there are some five individual travellers visiting there. GGCT so far has not received any requests for assistance. If necessary, Macao residents can call the tourism hotline (853) 2833 3000 or the Chinese Embassy and consulate for assistance.
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