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In order to provide diversified training opportunities for industry professionals and further enhance management quality of the local service industry, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) co-orgainsed two 2-day Executive Development Programme on Housekeeping Management from 5 - 8 June. The module gives participants the insight on all the critical aspects of managing the Housekeeping department covering a diversity of important aspects from required skills and competencies to the introduction of new techniques and methodologies to improve profit levels. The importance of personal development and career planning for housekeeping staff is also explained. IFT has the honour of inviting Prof. Rose-Marie Bannenberg, an experienced professional in Housekeeping area within the hospitality industry for more than 12 years being the facilitator of this programme. At EHL, she was the Executive Housekeeper for 2 years, her first position after completing her bachelor's degree at EHL. After this period and carrying out the spirit of her entrepreneurship, she acquired Hôtel des Vouageurs in Lausanne which she owned and managed for a period of 10 years. Passionate for sharing her rich experience in the industry, she decided to return to the EHL in the year 2000 as a Professor of Housekeeping Management; teaching Laundry & Cleaning of Support Centers and General Supervision. She is also a Swiss Federal Examiner for Hospitality Industry Programmes. The mindset of the programme is to help participants to understand the importance of efficient housekeeping systems for delivering excellent customer service and valuing job functions by increasing professionalism. Programme topics include:
 Define the new trends in housekeeping, laundry and public area operations.
 Identify the characteristics of public areas and the need for an efficient team in the cleaning of these areas.  Describe the importance of maintaining linen and equipment inventory.  Organise, manage and evaluate each Housekeeping Department.
 Describe the effects of efficient communication; with guests, interpersonal and inter-departmental communication. As the tourism and hospitality industry is growing swiftly in Macao, so will the demand for knowledgeable professionals. This course offers key insights on how to establish valid procedures and organisation standards to anchor consistent service level which at the end increases customers' satisfaction. IFT is always striving to enhance its research and teaching so as to contribute to the industry and the society. By organising seminars and workshops, IFT constantly shares with the industry the most updated information and research findings about the future development of Macao's tourism industry and ways to enhance it.
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The internal consumer market in Mainland China has been growing in recent years, the expansion and stimulation of internal consumption has become the priority work under the 12th Five-Year Plan of the People's Republic of China. The rapid growing middle-class which leads to the surge in demand for all kinds of goods, together with the implementation of the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), has brought along substantial business opportunities to Macao enterprises. In order to assist local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gain better understanding of the internal consumption market and further develop retail sales, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), in conjunction with the Foreign Trade and Economic Bureau of Guangdong Province, organised a Macao business delegation for a fact-finding visit from 29 to 30 May. The delegation comprised of 43 members and visited Jiangmen and Foshan, the second- and third-tier cities located in Guangdong Province. The visit, entitled "Exploring Retail Opportunities – Macao SMEs' Visit to Guangdong Internal Market", consisted of seminars on the environment of internal markets , site visits and experience-sharing sessions from Mainland enterprises, and enabled Macao SMEs to have a better understanding of the business opportunities available in the two municipalities. Members of the Macao business delegation come from several business sectors, including food and beverage, trade, banking, e-commerce, photography, gifts and souvenirs. A Series of Activities to Assist Macao SMEs to Gain Better Understanding of the Internal Market On the first day of the visit, members of the Macao business delegation attended a seminar on current Jiangmen´s investment environment and internal consumption. Sun Bin, Deputy Director of Guangdong Board of Investment, made a presentation on the investment environment of the province. Other speakers included Zhou Wen, Director of the Jiangmen Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation Bureau, Huang Jianmin, Deputy Director of the Jiangmen Economic and Information Technology Bureau, Chen Xiaogang, Deputy Director of the Jiangmen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarentine Bureau, and Qiu Bozhu, Director of the Jiangmen Division of Customs Processing Trade Management Supervision. They shared their experiences with the Macao business delegation and answered their enquiries regarding wine tariffs, procedures and taxes for the import of gold, as well as brand and patent registrations. IPIM hosted a dinner on the same evening, to provide exchange opportunities for members of the Macao business delegation. Over 10 members of the Jiangmen business community were invited and they shared their insights with the Macao entrepreneurs, in a relaxed mood. During their visit to Foshan , members of the delegation participated in an exchange session with members of the local government and were received by Song Deping, Vice Mayor of the Foshan People's Municipal Government. Jackson Chang, President of IPIM, gave a speech on Macao's investment environment and the development of MICE industry. He also expressed hope that Macao and Foshan entrepreneurs could jointly explore business opportunities and said that Foshan enterprises are always welcome to invest in Macao. During the interactive Q&A sessions, members of the business delegation discussed with local government representatives on issues regarding preferential policies, intellectual property, company registration and procedures for the import and export of merchandises. Site Visits Seeking for Business Opportunities The Organiser has also arranged site visits to several local enterprises, including Winall Industries Ltd, Olson Food Company (Jiangmen) Ltd, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd and the German Pool Kitchen Equipment Limited. The delegation also visited the central commercial districts to learn more about local internal consumption market and business environment, and made enquiries to participating enterprises on market potential as well as human resources supply, in order to get themselves better prepared for the future development of the markets. Members of the delegation included Jackson Chang, President of IPIM, , Echo Chan, Executive Director of IPIM, Shun Ka Hung, Director General of the Macao Productivity and Transfer Centre, Lei Chi Fong, President of Chancheng Region Friendship Association (Macau), Eduardo Ambrosio, President of the Executive Committee of the International Lusophone Markets Business Association, Chan San Tou, President of the Board of Directors of the Chaozhou Natives Association of Macau and Tylor Ian, Assistant Manager of IPIM´s SME Service Centre.
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Consumer Council conducted a price check on 23 brands of cooking oil from 21 retail outlets on 31st May. In comparison with data from last survey, price differences of a few items have shrunk. Relevant data has been uploaded to the 'Specific Product Price Information Platform' on the Council's website. The latest specific price survey on cooking oil reflects that price differences of some brands have shrunk: 'Lion & Globe Pure Olive Oil (500ml)', which was sold at $35.00 to $47.90, has a price difference dropped from 71.41 percent to 36.86 percent; difference in selling prices of 'Pietro Coricelli Olive Pomace Oil (1L)' has also dropped from 64.47 percent to 20.00 percent. Other brands recorded an average price discrepancy of around 20 to 30 percent. Consumer Council indicates that selling prices of the same product are found to vary in different branches under the same supermarket chain stores. Consumers are advised to check with the data provided by the Council on its website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and its 'Supermarket price platform' apps to make price comparisons. The specific price survey on cooking oil is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The University of Macau's (UM) Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) today (2 June 2012) held The Dean's Final Year Project List Presentation Ceremony and Project Exhibition 2012, which attracted over a hundred industry practitioners, students and residents. The event aimed to recognize outstanding graduates and showcase the students' achievements after four years of study. Cheang Kun Wai, who represented President of the Administrative Committee of the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao SAR (STDF) Tong Chi Kin, said that STDF is very pleased to see the constant progress of local higher education institutions in scientific research, especially the progress of UM. He praised the exhibited projects for displaying a very high quality, and promised continued support from STDF so as to help the world know more about quality scientific research projects in Macao. UM Rector Wei Zhao said he was very impressed with the students' works, describing the projects as "excellent". He pointed out that Macao is a place where one can pursue scientific research and said he hopes the students can use what they have learned to contribute to the progress of society. Prof. Philip Chen, dean of FST, said he hopes the exhibition could provide a platform for students to interact with the industry so they can hear different views and make constant progress, as well as a window for the industry to know the students' talents and expertise. He disclosed that FST is applying for international accreditation of engineering programmes so as to increase the international competitiveness of engineering students. Eighty projects by students from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Computer and Information Science, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Department of Electromechanical Engineering were exhibited, covering such areas as structural, environmental and hydraulic engineering, computer graphics and visual computing, software engineering, biomedical engineering, power engineering, automotive engineering, and human factors engineering. Some students presented their design concepts and performed on-site demonstrations. This year FST launched The Dean's Final Year Project List to recognize students with outstanding final year projects. Included in the list are Cheok Meng Fai, Chan Cheok On, Cheang Pek Kei, Lai Xiangang and Zhang Xiaofan from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Chen Yang, Sam Kuok Fai, Wong Man Ian, Zhu Jiajun, Lei Sio Meng, Ng Ka Long, Tang Kam Wa, Chan In Wa, Wong Cheok Meng, Lei I Kei and Wong Wong from the Department of Computer and Information Science; Ho Kam Un, Lo Wang Fu, Peng Xingqiang, Jiang Xiao, Liu Yue, Che U Kin, Lao Chi Kin and Ng Chin Hong from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; as well as Chan Ka Chon, Wong ka In, Chan Weng Keong, Ho Kin Seng, Leong Weng Hou, Bai Yang, Leong Chi Wai, Wong Pou Hong, Jia Yukun, Lei Iok Peng, Lin Shaoqian, Deng Wenyue and Xiao Weihang from the Department of Electromechanical Engineering. Projects by the following students are rated as "Best of Department". They are Cheok Meng Fai from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chen Yang from the Department of Computer and Information Science, Ho Kam Un and Lo Wang Fu from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as Chan Ka Chon and Wong ka In from the Department of Electromechanical Engineering. Project, "Modelling and Optimization of Biodiesel Engine Performance", by Chan Ka Chon and Wong ka In from the Department of Electromechanical Engineering, is rated as "Excellent of Faculty". Co-officiating guests at the opening ceremony of event included Cheang Kun Wai, who represented President of the Administrative Committee of the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao SAR Tong Chi Kin; Ao Peng Kong, president of the Board of Directors of The Macau Laboratory of Civil Engineering; Kuong Wai Man, president of The Council of The Macao Institution of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; Leong Hong Sai, vice president of the Council of The Macau Institution of Engineers; Rui Marcelo, CTM's vice president of information technology operations; Wei Zhao, rector of UM; and Philip Chen, dean of UM's FST. Also present at the ceremony were Wu Enhua, associate dean of UM's FST; Kou Kun Pang, head of UM's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Gong Zhiguo, head of UM's Department of Computer and Information Science; Vai Mang I, head of UM's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Wong Pak Kin, head of UM's Department of Electromechanical Engineering; Tam Kam Weng, director of government relations and industry liaison of FST; members of The Dean's Final Year Project List Task Force U Leong Hou, Lam Chi Chiu,Wong Chi Kong and Wong Seng Fat; as well as teachers and students.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 271 MICE events were held in the first quarter of 2012, down by 6 events year-on-year, of which 250 events were held in paid venues. Total number of participants and attendees went up by 26% to 161,781. There were 12 exhibitions held in the first quarter, attracting 106,474 attendees, while 259 meetings and conferences had 55,307 participants. As regards subject of event, 129 MICE events focused on Commerce, Trade & Management (48% of the total), as well as Medical & Health (31). In accordance with information collected from organizers of 11 exhibitions, a total of 10 were repeated exhibitions that had been previously held in 2011. The 11 exhibitions attracted 1,098 exhibitors and 4,255 professional buyers. Apart from local exhibitors (34%), most of the outside exhibitors came from Hong Kong (22%) and Mainland China (19%). The majority of professional buyers came from Macao (53%) and Mainland China (26%). Expenses of exhibitions, including Government organized, amounted to MOP 24.65 million in the first quarter of 2012, up by 670% year-on-year. Expenses on Production, Construction & Decoration Services, Advertising, Promotion & Public Relations and Accommodation accounted for 31%, 22% and 17% of the total respectively. Revenue amounted to MOP 3.53 million, up by 43% year-on-year, mostly were Rentals of Exhibition Booth (76% of total). Information from 141 exhibitors interviewed in the first quarter showed that 77 had participated in the same exhibitions in 2011. Besides, revenue of the interviewed exhibitors soared by 396% year-on-year to MOP 15.56 million, with the majority (96%) coming from Sales of Products. Expenses surged by 98% year-on-year to MOP 2.26 million.
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With the active support from the community, the charity event "2012 Love Never Dies" was held by Year 3 students of IFT Bachelor of Science in Tourism Event Management successfully. A total profit of MOP$38,178 had been raised from a series of events with the theme of love, and was donated equally to ORBIS Macau and Caritas de Macau. "2012 Love Never Dies" was held from March to May, it includes "Love. New Life" Tree Planting Day, "Love. Light Up" Light Painting Photo Competition and Exhibition as well as "Love. Experience" Blind Dinner. Through this series of activities, IFT students hope to arouse the public awareness of environmental protection and mutual love and support. Participants of "Love. Experience" Blind Dinner said that the activity brought out the message of caring for the weak and they experienced the needs and toughness of people with eye diseases, promised they would be more actively helping the needy in the future. The students are glad to have played a role and contribute to this meaningful event. They think that everyone is obliged to care for the others and our world. They hope the community can involve and support environmental protection and charity events more and to pass the torch of love.
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In regards to five plots of lands in Avenida Wai Long, the subject of a corruption trial which ended today, the Government said it would carry out the judgment of the court according to legal procedures and make an announcement to the public in a timely manner. This was announced in a statement from the Office of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works today, after the Court of Final Appeal handed downed its verdict on corruption charges against the former Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Ao Man Long this afternoon. The Office stressed that the Government would conduct an in-depth study on the court's ruling and will carry it out. It said the successful tenderer for these five plots submitted new plans on modifying the use of land in 2007. According to this new plan, the tenderders proposed to integrate the five lands into one plot for a residential project. In June 2009, the Government held a land concession meeting on modification of the plots, when the successful tenderers presented their proposal to the public. At the end of July the same year, an anonymous letter was received by the the Government alleging that corruption was involved in the land concession exercise. The Government passed the letter to the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC). Several months later, the Government sent a letter to CCAC to inquire about the case, before the establishment of the Third-term Macao SAR Government. The CCAC replied in a letter, but it neither revealed any detail of the case nor offered any suggestion on how to handle it. The Government could not reject the tenderers' application for modification on the use of land based on an allegation in an anonymous letter and, in accordance with Land Law and a related laws, the Government completed the proceeding on 30 March 2011.
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Consumer Council conducted a price check on 7 kinds of eggs from supermarkets and relevant data has been uploaded to the 'Specific Product Price Information Platform' on the Council's website. As living pace accelerates nowadays, many consumers choose to purchase pre-packaged eggs at supermarkets. Consumer Council recently included eggs to its specific price survey and conducted a price check on eggs on 28th May. 7 kinds of eggs, imported from mainland China, USA, and Korea, etc., were surveyed for the first time, and prices varied due to the different types, origins, and pasteurized conditions of eggs. Survey result shows that selling prices of the same brand of eggs varied in different retail outlets: 'Fred Meyer Grade AA Extra Large Eggs (12pcs)' were sold from $18.80 to $22.80, with a price difference of 21.28 percent; 'Surewin eggs (8pcs)' were sold at $12.00 to $14.50, with a price difference of 20.83 percent. Further, selling price of one brand of Korean eggs sold at Supermercado Royal Pereira branch was $3.10 (12 percent) higher than those sold at Taipa Flower City branch and S. Lourenco branch. Eggs are prone to be contaminated with different kinds of bacteria, especially with salmonella, during production. Consumers are therefore advised not to consume raw eggs and to wash eggs thoroughly before processing eggs. Also, consumers only need to rinse egg shells lightly as too much brushing on the egg shells will cause the cuticle to lose its function in blocking bacteria. Retailers need to guarantee that their sources of eggs are safe and in good hygienic condition. The specific price survey on eggs is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for April 2012 amounted to MOP643 million, up by 12.6% year-on-year, of which value of re-exports (MOP448 million) and domestic exports (MOP194 million) increased by 15.2% and 7.1% respectively. Total merchandise import amounted to MOP5.78 billion, up by 20.5% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.14 billion in April 2012. In the first four months of 2012, total value of merchandise export increased by 19.6% year-on-year to MOP2.62 billion, of which value of re-exports and domestic exports rose by 28.4% and 2.8% respectively; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 29.0% to MOP23.11 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first four months of 2012 amounted to MOP20.49 billion. Merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.28 billion) and Mainland China (MOP444 million) in the first four months of 2012 increased by 34.6% and 25.5% respectively year-on-year. Exports of Non-textile (MOP2.25 billion) expanded by 29.5%, of which exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP415 million) and Articles for casino (MOP80 million) surged by 141.3% and 108.9% respectively; however, exports of Textile & garment declined by 18.0% to MOP372 million. In the first four months of 2012, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP7.34 billion) and the EU (MOP5.34 billion) expanded by 36.6% and 18.8% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 29.2% to MOP14.14 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP2.28 billion), Watches (MOP1.63 billion) and Handbags & wallets (MOP1.33 billion) increasing by 46.0%, 54.3% and 43.1% respectively. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP4.41 billion) registered year-on-year increase of 37.3%. In the first four months of 2012, total value of external merchandise trade amounted to MOP25.73 billion, up by 27.9% compared with MOP20.11 billion a year earlier.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, returned to Macao today after a five-day visit to Beijing and Sichuan. Upon arrival at the Macau International Airport at dusk, Mr Chui told the press that he had visited the Ministry of Commerce to exchange views with officials on the introduction of domestic helpers from Mainland to Macao. He said the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, would follow up on the details of setting up a mechanism for this and he was optimistic that it would materialise soon. Mr Chui also said he had cordial meetings with officials of the Beijing municipality. He said the Secretary for Economy and Finance had led a business delegation of about 80 to attend the first China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services and their participation had enhanced links with Beijing in different areas, particularly in trade and services. Speaking about the reconstruction projects in Sichuan, which had suffered devastating earthquakes in 2008, Mr Chui said the Macao SAR Government and the Macao Foundation had jointly sponsored 5.5 billion patacas for 105 projects. He said that the constructions of 103 projects had been completed and the other two projects were scheduled to be finished by September. The construction quality of these projects would be tested and their accounts would be audited, he said. Asked by reporters about the prospect of round-the-clock custom services between Zhuhai and Macao, Mr Chui said that Guangdong and Macao would try to extend the opening hours of the checkpoints and provide round-the-clock services ultimately, in accordance with the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement. As for the new passageway announced in the previous Guangdong-Macao conference, he said that the two governments had been working on a proposal to be submitted to the Central Government. He said he would visit Beijing again with Secretary for Transport and Public Works Mr Lau Si Io to meet the related ministries and commissions and introduce the proposal for this new passageway.
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