News

The Nomenclature for the External Trade of Macao/Harmonized System, 5th Revision (NCEM/HS Rev.5), approved under Executive Order No. 68/2011, will come into effect from 1 January 2012. In accordance with the latest recommendations of the World Customs Organization (WCO), the current revision incorporates separate identification of certain marine and agricultural products, new subheadings for specific chemical substances of ecological concern in conformity to the Rotterdam Convention and the Montreal Protocol, as well as the changes to the merchandise import and export of Macao in recent years. With the implementation of NCEM/HS Rev.5, the import and export declarations and licenses must be completed in accordance with the new commodity codes. To facilitate smooth adoption of NCEM/HS Rev.5, the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) has introduced the following measures to assist the import/export operators: 1. Specialized webpage. Users can browse the DSEC website (www.dsec.gov.mo) to download the whole document or individual chapter of NCEM/HS Rev.5, old and new coding correlation tables, list of frequently used commodity code, etc. Users can also use commodity keyword to search the respective code in NCEM/HS, Rev.5. 2. Enquiry hotline. Import/export operators may call the hotlines at 2831 4738, 2831 4650 and 2831 4710 to enquire the commodity code. 3. Enquiry email. Any difficulty in looking up the commodity code can be sent to hs@dsec.gov.mo. In addition, DSEC has printed copy and CD-ROM of the NCEM/HS Rev.5 that is available free of charge to the import/export operators and HS users. To obtain a copy, please call the enquiry hotlines or visit the Documentation and Information Centre of DSEC at Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, No. 411-417, Dynasty Plaza, 17th floor during office hours.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP265.0 billion (USD33.04 billion) at the end of November 2011. The reserves rose by 4.6% from the revised value of MOP253.4 billion (USD31.69 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP82.8 billion or 45.4%. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-November 2011 represented 45 times the currency in circulation or 362.8% of Pataca M2 at end-October 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, remained unchanged from the previous month at 87.83, but fell by 1.19 points over the same period last year. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042)
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A partir de 15 de Dezembro, a Direcção dos Serviços de Turismo (DST) divulga de forma permanente na sua página electrónica a tabela de preços de quarto de hotel e pensões fornecida pelos operadores para facilitar a consulta de residentes e visitantes que queiram reservar quartos na cidade. Caso os hóspedes efectuem a reserva directamente junto dos estabelecimentos hoteleiros de Macau, a DST informa que o preço não deve ultrapassar o limite divulgado na tabela. Em relação às reservas feitas por outros meios, nomeadamente através de agências de viagem ou de serviços de reserva on-line, a tabela disponível "online" pode ser usada como referência. De acordo com a actual legislação, os estabelecimentos hoteleiros licenciados em Macau são obrigados a informar a DST sobre mudanças na tabela de preços. Os estabelecimentos hoteleiros não devem cobrar preços mais elevados do que os assinalados na tabela registada sob pena de, após recepção de queixas, a DST averiguar os casos. Os interessados em consultar informações sobre os estabelecimentos hoteleiros e tabela de preços podem fazê-lo em www.macautourism.gov.mo. Para apresentação de queixas, contactar a Linha Aberta para o Turismo 28333000. Os queixosos devem fornecer a data de "check-in" e "check-out", o nome do estabelecimento hoteleiro, categoria do quarto e/ou número do quarto, a referência da reserva e comprovativo de pagamento, para facilitar as averiguações. Este ano, por altura do 1 de Maio, Dia do Trabalhador, a DST divulgou pela primeira vez, a tabela de preços de quartos de hotel e pensões para esta altura, reportados pelos estabelecimentos. A divulgação foi feita também por altura do 1 de Outubro e o Grande Prémio de Macau. Dada a boa recepção da medida, a DST decidiu tornar a divulgação permanente. Este texto está disponível em: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo
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Macau Government Tourist Office starts to publish the rates of different hotels and guesthouses room categories on its website on a permanent basis from December 15 as a reference for residents and visitors. MGTO expressed that for guests who reserve rooms directly with the hotels, the price cannot exceed the limit of the rates published. However, if bookings are done through any other channels, namely travel agencies or on-line reservation services, the room rates published on the website can only be taken as reference. According to the current regulation, all hotels and guesthouses need to inform MGTO of any revised room rates. The rate of a rented room should not be higher than the registered one and MGTO will conduct investigation upon receiving complaint. Guests can check hotel information and the published room rates at MGTO website (http://www.macautourism.gov.mo) or call Tourism Hotline 28333000 to file complaint. To facilitate investigation, complainants should state clearly information such as the date of check in, hotel name, room category and/or room number, booking voucher and receipt. During May 1 Labor Day holiday this year, MGTO published for the first time the rates of different hotels and guesthouses room categories reported by the trade ahead of the holiday. This measure, also implemented during National Day holiday and Macau Grand Prix, was well received and MGTO decided to publish the rates on a permanent basis.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours soared by 60.9% year-on-year to 637,345 in October 2011. Visitors from Mainland China (460,660); Taiwan, China (43,594); Hong Kong (31,189) and the Republic of Korea (24,166) surged by 67.7%, 97.7%, 46.5% and 104.9% respectively. In the first ten months of 2011, visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 20.4% year-on-year to 5,744,610. In October 2011, Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours decreased by 7.1% year-on-year to 17,844. The most popular tour itineraries were Mainland China (75.6% of total); Taiwan, China (5.0%); and Thailand (4.1%). In the first ten months of 2011, outbound residents in package tours decreased by 5.6% year-on-year to 194,510. Meanwhile, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies increased by 29.3% year-on-year to 59,925; the main destinations were Mainland China (53.9% of total); Hong Kong (17.8%); and Taiwan, China (14.4%). In the first ten months of 2011, outbound residents travelling under such arrangements increased by 27.9% year-on-year to 523,130. At the end of October 2011, number of available guest rooms of hotels and guest-houses totalled 22,330, up by 2,481 rooms (+12.5%) year-on-year, with that of 5-star hotels accounting for 63.7% of the total. Hotels and guest-houses received 714,094 guests in October 2011, up by 13.3% year-on-year, with the majority coming from Mainland China (56.9% of total) and Hong Kong (16.3%). The average length of stay of guests increased by 0.06 night to 1.6 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses was 81.5%, up by 3.0 percentage points year-on-year. Average occupancy rate of hotels was 82.1%, with 3-star hotels leading at 85.8%. Number of guests increased by 10.1% year-on-year to 7,011,323 in the first ten months of 2011; average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses stood at 83.0%, up by 4.3 percentage points from a year earlier. In the first ten months of 2011, visitor-guests accounted for 61.6% of the total number of tourists (overnight visitors), higher than 60.6% in the same period of 2010.
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Consumer Council's quarterly specific price survey on rice revealed that prices of Thai rice brands, in comparison with last quarter's data, had increased by over 10 percent, prices of Australian rice brands, on the contrary, had been stable. The specific price survey on rice for Q4 was conducted on 6th December. In comparison with data from last quarter, 6 out of 11 surveyed Thai rice brands recorded price increase of over 10 percent, prices of 'Golden Rice King (10kg)', '"Tsing Ling Gi" Thai Hom Mali Rice (10kg)', and 'Golden Earth (10kg)' all recorded price increases from 10 to 20 percent. Meanwhile, price of Japanese rice brand 'Japanese Variety Pearl Rice (5kg)' had also increased by 10 percent. The most significant price drop was found in 'Double Ram Australian Calrose Rice (5kg)' in which price had dropped by around 6 percent in Q4, a price decrease of 26 percent was even recorded at one retail spot. In the current survey, prices of Australian brands and brands from other countries tend to be more stable. Consumer Council summarizes that rice prices in local market were stable in the first three quarters but tended to accelerate in the last quarter. For prices of the same brand sold in different retail outlets, significant price discrepancies still exists in certain outlets, and a price variation of over 25 percent was observed this time in the product 'Red Lotus (5kg)'. The latest specific price survey on rice can be accessed at the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), consumers may also get access to individual pages of each rice brand on the 'Price Information Platform' to get full details of rice price. For inquiry, please call 89889315. The above article is accessible at http://www.consumer.gov.mo/c/ccnews.asp
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The 58th Macau Grand Prix – officially sponsored by "SJM" ended in spectacular fashion by generating a total revenue of MOP36 million, breaking the revenue record. The total revenue included MOP10 million from ticketing, with others coming from title sponsors and other sponsorships. Fans and visitors enthusiastically supported the event, despite the changeable weather. In total, approximately 65,000 people, including teams and media, attended the 4-day event. The Grand Prix not only brought fans flocking to the races, but also attracted more visitors to Macau. During the 4-day period, 453,692 visitors arrived in the city, representing 18.89% increase over the same period in 2010, with an impressive hotel occupancy of 92.32%. Each year the Grand Prix delivers a diverse race programme, attracting the best drivers and riders, both locally and from around the world, to showcase their skills at Macau. 226 drivers and riders from 34 countries and regions participated in the seven races, including 60 local drivers and riders. The Grand Prix generated media coverage across the globe, with near 1,000 journalists from more than 243 media organizations attending, and 40 TV stations broadcasting the event. The Macau Grand Prix official website received 12 million hits over the 4-day period. Events away from the track also brought excitement during the Grand Prix week. Starting on November 12th, the 'Mini Paddock' supercar exhibition at Tap Seac Square attracted many local residents. On Wednesday the drivers and riders from three headline races went to the St. Paul's Ruins to meet tourists, and signed autographs in the Macau Grand Prix Museum for children. The Macau Grand Prix Carnival Day was held on the race weekend in collaboration with the Macau Federation of Trade Unions. The event was held in the Worker Sports Complex and at Iao Hon Market Garden, attracting 23,000 attendees. The races was broadcasted live at Senado Square, Rotunda de Carlos da Maia (Three Lamps District), Border Gate Square, and Rua do Cunha on Taipa, adding to the festive atmosphere around the city, where local residents and visitors alike reveled in the high-octane carnival. The 59th Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 15th to 18th, 2012! For more information, please visit the Macau Grand Prix Committee website: http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/
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Consumer Council has launched the "Supermarket Price Information Platform" iPhone app. Consumers can now check supermarket price data and make price comparison whenever they wish once the application is downloaded on their phones or related tablet computers. Consumer Council continues to survey and gather price information from the market, such resources is available not only on the Council's website, but also through "Wap" channels on consumers' mobile phones. Consumer Council now releases its latest "Supermarket Price Information Platform" iPhone app, which provides consumers with retail prices of around 300 kinds of products from over 10 local supermarkets, and consists of 'Supermarket Price Watch', 'Best Price in Town', and 'Shopping Basket' for consumers to browse, compare, and search for their desired items. The price data included in the application will be updated monthly simultaneously with the 'Supermarket Price Survey' and the application can be downloaded for free from the App Store by searching "Supermarket Price", or directly from Consumer Council's website. 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' also includes a list of 'Certified Shops'. Information such as locations, types of business of over 1,000 'Certified Shops' can all be accessed for consumers' easy reference. The interface and content is available in Chinese, English and Portuguese. For inquiry, please call 89889315.
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Due to the maintenance work, the open-air café (esplanade) of the Maritime Museum will be temporarily closed from 12 December 2011. The reopening will be announced shortly. Nevertheless, the Museum will be open as usual, daily from 10:00-18:00 (closed on Tuesdays).
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The opening ceremony of Infection, Industria and Upsych – Contemporary Photography Exhibition took place on Friday, the 9th of December at 6:30pm in Tap Seac Gallery. The exhibition features three series of photographic works – 'Infection', 'Industria' and 'Upsych' – by Václav Jirásek, one of the most highly acclaimed contemporary photographers of the Czech Republic, whose works vividly document the beautiful aspects of everyday life. Ambassador of the Embassy of the Czech Republic, Mr. Libor Secka,Consul General of the Czech Republic in Hong Kong, Mr. Jaroslav Kanturek,Deputy Director-General of Functions of Policy Research Department of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macau S.A.R., Ms. Han Xiaoyan,President of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mr. Ung Vai Meng,Committee Member of the Cultural Consultative Committee, Mr. Lai Wing Chiu，These were the officiating guests of the opening ceremony. Active in international photography exhibitions, he studied at the Secondary School of Applied Art in Brno before furthering his studies in painting at the Prague Academy of Fine Arts. Between 1989 and 1994, Jirásek was one of the founding members of Bratrstvo, an art group dedicated to painting, photography and music. Since 1994, Jirásek has dedicated his energies to creative photography. The themes of the series of works on display convey the artist's contemplation of the world's visual images from different perspectives. In expressing the essence of the photographed subjects, Jirásek seeks to engage audiences in his profoundly creative photographic works by presenting a contrast between meticulously arranged scenes and their real contexts. Jointly organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Beijing, the exhibition is co-organised by the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Hong Kong. It is hoped that this collaboration will serve to promote exchanges between artists from different regions. The exhibition is one of the cultural events organised by the Embassyart under the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Beijing from 2010 to 2013, with the purpose of building a bridge of culture and friendship between the Czech Republic and China, and promoting a dialogue between the people of these two countries. The exhibition will be held until the of 19th February, 2012, everyday, from 10:00am to 7:00pm. Admission is free.Residents are welcome to experience and appreciate the joy of this unique artistic journey.
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