News

Owing to the strike action taken by the workers' union in Canada, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (excluding EMS) from Macao to Canada will be suspended until further notice. Thank you for your kind attention.
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The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, said he was impressed by Macao. Speaking to the press at the airport today before leaving for Beijing on completion of his three-day visit, Mr Wang said he was impressed by the sincerity of the Macao people and the integration of Chinese and Western cultures in Macao. He said the Central Government had all along attached much importance to the development of Macao now that the relation between the motherland and Macao had entered a new phase. He said the 12th Five-year Plan had inscripted important supportive policies about Hong Kong and Macao. Responding to questions, Mr Wang said currently Macao was doing quite well but it should raise its levels in different areas, with education and human resources training as priorities, in order to fulfill Macao's positioning as a global tourism and leisure centre. Speaking about housing in Macao, he said he believed that the Macao authorities attached much importance and made great efforts in dealing with this economic issue, which was correlated to the livelihood of the people. He said both the government and the general public were very concerned about the housing issue and it was necessary to take actions to deal with it. He also said that Macao possessed unique advantages in promoting the relation between the motherland and the Portuguese-speaking countries and it should also strengthen its exchanges with these countries in terms of economy, commerce and culture.
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Macao should make full use of the favourable conditions of the "Outline of the 12th Five-Year Plan for the National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China" (the 12-5 Plan), implement the policies supported by the Central Government and dedicate for the Macao's prosperous future. This was stated by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, when he met with representatives from all walks of life this afternoon at the Macao Cultural Centre. On the second day of his trip to Macao, Mr Wang exchanged views on issues which ranged from housing, career development for young people and women, assisting the development of the Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises, (SMEs), enhancing customs clearance, and commodity and food prices. Mr Wang was accompanied by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the MSAR, Mr Bai Zhaijian. Mr Wang re-affirmed Macao's various sectors had contributed much to the prosperity of Macao's economy and the society after Macao reverted to China. He said he hoped Macao people would continue to work together and create a harmonious society. Earlier in the morning Mr Wang attended a briefing by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, on the latest development of land reclamation in Taipa granted by the Central Government, on the rooftop of the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau at Taipa, which gave him a panoramic view of Macao and Taipa. Afterwards, Mr Wang inspected the site of public housing being built at Coloane where Mr Lau showed him the planning of this large-scale public housing project. In other to have more chances to meet the people, and accompanied by the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, Mr Wang went to the old districts of Macao peninsular where he talked with store owners and tasted some snacks which were on sale. Mr Wang said that the Central Government was concerned with the effect of inflation in Hong Kong and Macao, and that the Central Government would seek more import channels to try to reduce the prices of commodities. Mr Wang also visit an elderly services centre to get a better understanding on services for the aged.
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Owing to the ash cloud caused by the volcano eruption in Chile, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to Chile and Uruguay are subject to delay until further notice. Thank you for your kind attention.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP215.8 billion (USD26.94 billion) at the end of May 2011. The reserves rose by 3.5% from the revised value of MOP208.4 billion (USD26.04 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP57.5 billion or 36.4%. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-May 2011 represented 38 times the currency in circulation or 299.5% of Pataca M2 at end-April 2011. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency's exchange rates against the currencies of Macao's major trading partners, fell by 0.13 points month-to-month and 4.76 points year-on-year to 87.03 in May 2011.
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The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, arrived in Macao today for a three-day working visit. Mr Wang arrived at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal in the afternoon and proceeded to a working meeting with the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, principal officials and heads of legislature and judiciary, at the Government Headquarters. During the meeting, Mr Chui extended gratitude to the Office's support to Macao and briefed Mr Wang on the Government's policies and latest developments. Mr Chui said that with the support of the Central Government, Macao continued to implement policies to enhance the people's livelihood and promote the facilitation of public administration and the legal system. It continued to steer Macao into a global tourism leisure hub, diversify Macao's industrial portfolio, enhance the harmony of the community and push forward the implementation of the principle of 'One country, two systems'. Mr Wang said that the Office would continue to implement the Central Government's principles and policies concerning Hong Kong and Macao and, with the concerted efforts of people from all walks of life, would spare no efforts in the implementation of the principle of 'One country, two systems' in Macao. He said the Third-term Macao SAR Government had worked tirelessly and proactively, and had a good beginning, and that it was evident that Macao had made achievements since the establishment of the Macao SAR. He said the Government had acted proactively in different areas, such as in enhancing the livelihood of the people and maintaining social stability, and that the Central Government had a positive appraisal towards the work of the Macao SAR Government. Mr Chui hosted a reception for Mr Wang after the working meeting. Mr Wang is scheduled to visit different areas of Macao tomorrow and exchange views with representatives from all walks of life tomorrow afternoon.
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To actively stimulate tourism development, the Macau Government Tourist Office first launched the "Plan to Support Macau Tourism Industry" in May 2009. Under this Plan, the "Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Program" has been well received by the local business tourism industry. Due to its favourable impact, the Macau Government Tourist Office will extend the program from July 1 to December 31 of 2011 to help attract more international MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition) events to be held in Macau. In 2010, a total of 1,399 MICE events were held in Macau, an increase of 184 (+15%) compared with 2009. The average duration increased from 2.0 days in 2009 to 2.5 days; while the number of participants and attendees reached 806,135, up by 41% year-on-year. Among these events, 57 exhibitions attracted 656,303 participants and attendees; with average duration extended from 3.1 days to 4.3 days. Meetings & conferences accounted for 1,342, with average duration increased from 2.0 days to 2.4 days, while number of participants totaled 149,832. The "Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Program" that MGTO introduced in May 2009 included three categories: Meetings and Conventions, Exhibitions and Incentives. From May 18 of 2009 to May 6 of 2011, the program has supported a total of 246 events, which included 95 meetings and conventions, 47 exhibitions and 104 incentive travel events with a cumulative 1.1 million participants, involving a financial support of MOP$49.6 million. In addition, 38 upcoming events have enrolled in the program, which include 6 meetings and conventions, 20 exhibitions and 12 incentive travel events with an estimation of 640,000 participants and involving a financial support budget of around MOP$29.5 million. The budget for the program extension from July to December 31 of 2011 is estimated at MOP$27 million.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours decreased by 5.0% year-on-year to 543,679 in April 2011. Visitors from Mainland China (408,461), Thailand (12,959) and Japan (9,233) decreased by 4.9%, 14.7% and 45.3% respectively. On the contrary, visitors from Taiwan, China (27,491); Hong Kong (24,718) and Republic of Korea (18,546) increased by 11.9%, 9.4% and 23.5% respectively. In the first four months of 2011, visitor arrivals in package tours decreased by 2.7% year-on-year to 1,951,555. In April 2011, Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours increased by 3.8% year-on-year to 18,619, with Mainland China (82.1% of total); Thailand (4.1%) and Taiwan, China (3.9%) being the most popular tour itineraries; however, outbound residents in package tour to Japan decreased substantially by 97.9%. At the same time, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies increased notably by 26.3% year-on-year to 46,275; the main destinations were Mainland China (37.7% of total); Hong Kong (24.3%); and Taiwan, China (22.8%). In the first four months of 2011, outbound residents in package tours (73,617) and those travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies (172,815) increased by 6.0% and 25.8% respectively year-on-year. At the end of April 2011, total number of available guest rooms of hotels and guest-houses increased by 577 (+2.9%) year-on-year to 20,148 rooms, with that of 5-star hotels (12,041) accounting for 59.8% of the total. Hotels and guest-houses received 675,836 guests in April 2011, up by 1.7% year-on-year, with the majority coming from Mainland China (53.4% of total) and Hong Kong (20.9%). The average length of stay of guests held stable at 1.4 nights, same as in April 2010. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses was 84.5%, up by 3.6 percentage points year-on-year. Average occupancy rate of hotels stood at 85.2%, with 4-star hotels leading at 89.6%, and the average for 5-star hotels was 83.6%. Hotel guests increased by 1.9% year-on-year to 2,594,832 in the first four months of 2011; average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses stood at 81.9%, up by 2.3 percentage points compared with 79.6% a year earlier. In the first four months of 2011, visitor-guests of hotels and guest-houses accounted for 61.0% of the total number of tourists (overnight visitors), higher than 60.6% in the same period of 2010.
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On 18th June at 8:00pm, the Macao Orchestra will perform the concert "Twilight of a Great Era" in the Macao Cultural Centre's Grand Auditorium. The evening of Romantic classics features the Macao Orchestra premiere of Sergei Rachmaninoff's symphonic masterpiece Symphony No. 2 in E minor and the Macao debut of Italian violinist Paulo Morena, who will perform Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor with Venezuelan conductor José Luis Gómez on the podium. A crucial milestone in Rachmaninoff's creative journey, the Symphony No. 2 in E minor is inlaid with traces of critical historical moments and the magnificently strong passion of the Russians, incorporating the emotions of wildness, melancholy and passion as a unity. The melody has the powerful ability to influence the mood and touch the hearts of listeners. This symphony remains one of the most popular musical pieces of the Romantic Era, and within Rachmaninoff's oeuvre it is crowned as his most elegant, lyrical classic work, one that won him the renowned Grammy Award. The third movement of the symphony is famous for its exceptionally romantic ambience and immensely strong Slavic style as featured in passages for the violin section. The "Twilight of a Great Era" concert features two renowned guest musicians, both of whom will be giving their Macao debuts. Born in Venezuela, conductor José Luis Gómez is a student and assistant of Lü Jia, the Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Macao Orchestra. Possessing a keen passion for conducting, young Maestro Gómez has led several chamber orchestras both at home and abroad and has participated in the International Competition for Young Conductors. Italian violinist Paulo Morena mastered his instrument at a young age and gave his solo debut at just 13 years old. An award-winner in several international violin competitions, Morena has been called "The Most Noticeable Violinist of the New Generation". He has performed with numerous celebrated conductors and worked as concertmaster with several orchestras. In "Twilight of a Great Era", Morena presents Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, a famous piece richly imbued with the musical flavour of the Romantic Era. Tickets to the Macao Orchestra concert "Twilight of a Great Era" are priced at MOP 150, 120 and 80, with various discounts available to qualifying patrons. Tickets may be purchased at Kong Seng Ticketing Network Outlets or by telephone on 2855 5555. For enquiries, please call 2853 0782 or visit the Macao Orchestra website at www.icm.gov.mo/om.
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Consumer Council conducted a specific price survey report on rice on 9th June. In comparison with last season's figures, stability in price was shown in the current report. Consumers may access the "Supermarket Price Information Platform" on the Council's website to view and compare the resources. In the current report dated 9th June, prices of most Thai rice brands recorded are the same as those recorded in March; slight price increase was recorded only for a few brands selling in several retail outlets. Japanese rice brand 'Fuji Pearl Rice (5kg)' recorded an average price increase of over 6% between the seasons; significant price decrease, ranging from 22% to 5%, was recorded for Australian rice brand 'Double Ram Australian Calrose Rice (5kg)' due to price differences between different outlets. Consumer Council has optimized its website with regard to the online search of data on its "Supermarket Price Survey Report" and "Specific Price Survey Report". Consumers can choose the items of their interest and use its online search function to interactively compare the retail prices of their chosen items at various retail outlets. The said report is now available on the Council's website. Further, materials of the 'Smart Consumption' photo exhibition have been displayed at various locations including Macao Central Library and other organizations since March and parts of the materials will be exhibited from 13th to 30th June at IACM's Municipal Market Complex of S. Domingos. Consumer Council will continue the 'Smart Consumption' photo exhibition, interested organizations and schools may contact the Council at 8988 9315.
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