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Representatives from the aeronautical authorities of the Macao SAR and the Slovak Republic met in Macao for a two-day meeting from 02 to 03 March 2006 to discuss bilateral Air Services Agreement between the two places. The discussions were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. The two parties were open in exchanging views. On 03 March, they initialed the Air Services Agreement and signed the respective Memorandum of Understanding. According to the provisions of the Agreement and the Memorandum, there is no limitation on the capacity and the aircraft type used by the designated airlines. Full fifth freedom rights are granted. The signatories were the Acting President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR, Mr. Chan Weng Hong and the Director of Air Transport Department, General Directorate of Civil Aviation of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Ján Breja. In addition to aviation officials, the discussions were also joined by representatives from the Beijing Embassy and the Hong Kong Consulate of the Slovak Republic. Representatives from CAM-Macau International Airport Company Limited and Air Macau attended the meeting as observers. The Agreement established the framework for the scheduled air services between the two places and enhanced the mutual relationship. Up till this present moment, Macao has initialed 45 Air Services Agreements with other foreign countries. Out of these Agreements, 36 have been officially signed.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, today presided over the first meeting of the Women Affairs Consultative Council. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, who had attended the meeting, said the members of the council were enthusiastic in expressing their views on women and social affairs. Earlier this week, at a reception hosted by the Women Association of Macau, the Chief Executive said the Government would provide more support for women. He said the Government would further co-operate with social service and relevant organisations in order to strengthen its support.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicates that, in January 2006, Macao’s total value of exports amounted to MOP2.06 billion, up 39.5% over the same month of 2005. Among this, the value of domestic exports increased 53.5% to MOP1.69 billion, and the value of re-exports dropped 1.5% to MOP371 million. Value of imports amounted to MOP2.64 billion, up 17.6% over the same period of 2005. A trade deficit of MOP575 million was recorded this month. During this period, the exports/imports ratio increased from 65.9% in the same month of 2005 to 78.2%. In January 2006, the value of Textile & garment exports, which accounted for 82.5% of the total exports, increased 48.0% over the same period of 2005. Moreover, the value of Non-textile exports also went up 10.0%. As the major components of non-textile exports, Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof grew 14.2%, whereas Footwear dropped 49.1% year-on-year. The USA and the EU remained as Macao’s major export markets, together making up 75.7% of the total value of exports. Among this, exports to the USA, which made up 55.5% of the total value of exports, increased 64.0%; exports to the EU, which made up 20.2% of the total value of exports, also increased 61.4% over the same period of 2005. In January 2006, Macao’s total value of imports increased 17.6% year-on-year. In terms of broad economic categories, increases were registered for Fuels & lubricants (60.5%), Capital goods (27.9%) and Consumer goods (18.7%), while Raw materials & semi-manufactures remained unchanged. Meanwhile, Macao’s main suppliers of imported goods still concentrated in the Asian region. Imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong together constituted 52.0% of the total value of imports. Compared with the same period of 2005, the value of imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong rose 26.1% and 17.6% respectively.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service shows that in the fourth quarter of 2005, the available amount of Electricity and Gasoline (unleaded) surged by 16.2% and 14.0% respectively, whereas Gas oil & diesel registered the only drop of 12.2% year-on-year. Nevertheless, the available amount of Electricity and Gas oil & diesel dropped markedly by 24.8% and 22.4% respectively over the third quarter of 2005, whilst Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) recorded the only increase of 22.6%. In 2005, the available amount of Electricity registered the largest increase of 12.8% compared with 2004. In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2004, consumption of Fuel oil and Electricity rose by 14.5% and 11.7% respectively, whereas Gas oil & diesel registered the only decrease of 14.1%. Compared with the third quarter of 2005, consumption of LPG recorded the only increase of 27.3%, whereas Gas oil & diesel registered the largest decrease of 35.3%. In 2005, consumption of Electricity rose the most, by 13.4% compared with 2004. With respect to the import quantity of fuels in the fourth quarter of 2005, Fuel oil grew by 33.3% and Aviation kerosene up 13.0% respectively year-on-year, while Common kerosene (kerosene for illumination) registered the biggest decrease of 62.5%. In comparison with the third quarter of 2005, import quantity of LPG and Aviation kerosene increased markedly by 43.3% and 23.2% respectively, while Common kerosene (kerosene for illumination) shrank the most, 53.6%. In 2005, import quantity of Gasoline (unleaded) registered the biggest increase of 12.4% compared with 2004. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the total import value of liquid and gas fuels reached the amount of MOP 854 million, representing an increase of 43.4% year-on-year and an increase of 14.9% over the third quarter of 2005. In 2005, the total import value of liquid and gas fuels increased by 37.7% over 2004 to MOP 2,833 million. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2005, the list prices of all fuels went up compared with the end of the fourth quarter of 2004, among which those of Fuel oil and Gas oil & diesel (for industrial use, 200 litre) rose markedly by 20.6% and 19.3% respectively. Compared with the end of the third quarter of 2005, only the list prices of centralised LPG (per m3) and bottled LPG (per kg) rose 7.3% and 7.0% respectively.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said today he expected the economy to maintain its momentum this year, boosted by the probable increase in investment in Macao, increased consumer spending and external factors. Attending a seminar hosted by the Macao Chamber of Commerce, Mr Tam expressed his views on the economy to more than 100 local businessmen. He said Macao's economy had continued to grow last year, albeit at a slower pace over 2004. The transitional economy would face more opportunities and challenges this year, and the present year would be a critical and significant one for Macao. The economic policies of the Government would focus on five areas this year, namely streamlining the industrial structure, supporting the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), increasing vocational training for residents, improving the business environment and bolstering regional co-operation. As Macao entered a new phase of development, Mr Tam said, new difficulties and dilemmas had emerged. With the economy and the mainstay industries growing rapidly, some industries had lagged behind and some SMEs still operated with difficulties. Meanwhile, the shortage of human resources co-existed with structural unemployment and the influx of foreign investment and professionals stimulated competition with local enterprises and talents. Solving these dilemmas would be the focus of Macao's economic policies this year, as well as in the foreseeable future. Though Macao faced some difficulties in its economic sector, the economy was in a stage of development: the business sector should be more innovative and grasp opportunities in order to create a new era for Macao, he said.
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According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, unemployment rate for November 2005 - January 2006 dropped by 0.1 percentage point over October - December 2005 to 3.9%, and down by 0.3 percentage point compared with November 2004 - January 2005. The underemployment rate was 1.1%, down by 0.3 and 0.1 percentage point respectively compared with October - December 2005 and November 2004 - January 2005. Number of the unemployed searching for their first job was about 900, which represented 8.7% of the total unemployed population, down by 1.9 percentage points over October - December 2005. Compared with October - December 2005, the unemployment situation continued to improve in Recreational, cultural, gaming & other service activities; Wholesale & retail trade; and Hotels, restaurants & similar activities, while the situation for the other sectors was similar to that of October - December 2005. Total labour force was estimated at 260,000 in November 2005 - January 2006; the employed and the unemployed populations were 250,000 and 10,000 respectively. Labour force participation rate was 64.2%, down by 0.1 percentage point compared with October - December 2005, but up by 1.4 percentage points over November 2004 - January 2005.
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A designated website providing economic information about China and the Portuguese speaking world, Macauhub officially launched today (27 February). The website is considered as a move of the Macao SAR Government, which aims to promote business ties and facilitate mutual understanding between China and the Portuguese-countries. Through World Wide Web with the domain of www.macauhub.com.mo, Macauhub disseminates, in Simplified Chinese, Portuguese and English, free of charge economic information, investment opportunities, statistical data, events in the mainland (especially the Pan-Pearl River Delta region), Macao and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Target visitors of the website are business people, enterprises, government departments, chambers of commerce in China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, or academic institutions and entities who are interested in studying trade and economic relations between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. One of the MSAR Government’s policy objectives is to transform Macao into an economic and trading service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. With the support of the central government, the first Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was held in Macao on 12-14 October 2003. Following the forum, Supporting Office to the Secretariat of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Cooperation Forum (Macao) was established in March 2004. The Macauhub website is coordinated by the Macao SAR Government Information Bureau (GCS) and its contents are produced by Macaulink News and Information Services, Limited.
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The Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Mr Lubomir Zaoralek, arrived in Macao today on an official visit. He was leading a 14-member delegation, including the Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Ms Jitka Kupcova and Ms Miroslava Nemcova. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, met with Mr Zaoralek at the Government Guesthouse, accompanied by the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan. Mr Zaoralek also met with the President of the Legislative Assembly, Ms Susana Chou, earlier in the afternoon. The delegation is scheduled to depart Macao tonight after attending a banquet hosted by the Chief Executive.
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A new by-law to regulate the import of labour is being drafted and should be introduced in the first half of this year, after consultation and revision. This was disclosed today by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen. Speaking after a meeting of the Human Resources Development Council, Mr Tam said the new legislation would replace regulations introduced in 1988. He stressed that the new by-law would be drafted along the principle of safeguarding the interests of the local workforce, he said.
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(Macao – 22 February 2006) The Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuok Va today said public order in Macao had remained stable, as he released figures that showed violent had dropped 8.1% in 2005 as compared to the previous year. Murder cases also dropped by 37.5% to five cases: they have all been solved. Extortion cases also dropped by 24.7% over that in 2004. Also down was the number of drug trafficking cases, 23.9% less than that of 2004. However, robbery and rape had increased by 11.2% and 12.5% respectively, and more theft and fraud cases had been reported, Mr Cheong said. He said the police would step up patrols and on intelligence gathering, as well as introducing an anti pickpocket unit. Crime statistics in 2005 showed an increase in reported crimes, by 7.7% (+752 cases) over 2004 to a total of 10,538 cases, said Mr Cheong. A total of 2,376 cases of offences against the person were recorded in the year, with an increase of 1.8% (+42 cases), among which physical assault had increased slightly by 0.5%, while criminal intimidation cases decreased by 5.5% (-20 cases). However, unlawful detention cases had increased from 12 cases in 2004 to 24 in 2005, he said. In the category of offence against property, a total of 5,715 cases were reported in 2005, an increase of 14.6%. Increases in theft, robbery, usury and fraud were significant -- especially fraud, which had increased by 79.2%. A total of 935 cases in the category of offences against social life were logged in 2005, an increase of 14.6%, mainly due to the 47% increase in passing of counterfeits banknotes. 129 cases of Offences Against the Territory were logged in 2005, a drop of 15.5%. On the other hand, juvenile delinquency increased by 18.5% to 160 cases (+6 cases); and the number of underage people involved also increases by 79 people, to 304. Meanwhile Mr Cheong said more then five million mainlanders visited Macao under the Facilitated Individual Visit Scheme in 2005. Despite this figures, 344 of them were found to have been involved in criminal activities. Mr Cheong said 2,338 mainlanders were repatriated having overstayed. In the Same Period, police also repatriated 6,341 overstayers and 516 illegal Immigrants From the Mainland in 2005 (an increased of 19% and 28% respectively). In addition, 770 foreigners were repatriated in 2005, 78 more then the previous year.
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