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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, is in Shanghai today for the opening ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Mr Ho attended a luncheon hosted by President Hu Jintao for foreign guests attending the ceremony. In the afternoon, Mr Ho had a meeting with the Mayor of Shanghai, Mr Han Zheng, at which they exchanged ideas on the current situation of the two cities. On behalf of Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr Han invited the Chief Executive to visit next year, and Mr Ho gladly accepted the invitation. Mr Ho also attended the opening of the Games before returning to Macao in the evening.
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France’s Artifices JCO netted the top prize in the Wynn Macau – 19th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest at a ceremony held at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center on October 1. Macau Government Tourist Director João Manuel Costa Antunes presented the trophy and prize to the winner. The winner also received a trophy from the title sponsor – Wynn Macau which handed by Wynn Macau President and General Manager, Mr Ian Coughlan The winner also received US$6,000 and a certificate while Chinese Taiwan’s San Tai Fireworks Ind. Co.Ltd, the first runner up and Japan’s Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks Co. Ltd, second runner up won US$3,200 and US$1,800 respectively, plus trophies and certificates. The contest this year featured ten teams from United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Chinese Taiwan, Portugal, the Philippines, United States of America, Japan, France and China Mr. Antunes noted in his speech that Macau Government Tourist Office will continue to organize more promotional activities with features to enrich the tourism resources of Macau as well as to boost its charm. They will also strive to improve year on year the quality and standard of the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. The organizer arranged the last two fireworks shows on National Day, with marvelous fireworks displays from the last two teams - China’s Hunan Xintiancheng Fireworks Manufacturing Co., Ltd and Artifices JCO SA. from France to celebrate this special occasion and marked the finale of the Wynn Macau – 19th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. To add festive atmosphere to the fireworks display contest, MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau jointly presented the Fireworks Carnival 2007 on the shorefront beside the Macau Tower on each of the fireworks display nights, offering an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights. This year again, each participating team complemented their displays with carefully selected music, ranging from rock to orchestra, to enthrall the audience with a light and sound spectacular. The Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), has always been an important and renowned event. This year Wynn Macau is the title sponsor again for the International Fireworks Display Contest. The annual glamorous fireworks displays, together with the colorful activities have become a signature event that brings splendid experience to the public and visitors in Macau.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, is to visit Shanghai on Tuesday to attend the opening ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. During his one-day visit to the coastal municipality, Mr Ho will attend a banquet hosted by leading officials of Shanghai and the opening of the games, before returning to Macao in the evening. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Ho is away.
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The SAR Government respects and pays close attention to residents' opinions that are expressed through legitimate and rational means, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today at the National Day reception. The Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, told the press at the same event that residents have every right to express their views publicly, but they should act lawfully, obey police instructions and minimise the inconvenience to other residents.
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The Government would continue to step up its publicity on the new Road Traffic Law, which came into effect today, and at the same time increase parking spaces to accommodate the increasing number of motorcycles and cars. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan said the Law is a measure to balance the traffic problem and pedestrians' safety, and the Government would strengthen the related promotion and hope the people would get used to it gradually. When asked about the march this afternoon in protest of the law, she said the Government noted with high regards appeals which are expressed rationally and legally. The Secretary for Transport and Public Works said to work together with the new law, the the authorities would consider measures including efforts to make more parking available, while at the same time educating the public about the increasing number of vehiles on the roads.
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Promoting economic growth and improving people’s livelihood are the two main focus of the SAR Government and the aspirations of all the residents in Macao. This was underlined by Chief Executive Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah when he spoke to more than 800 officials, community leaders and luminaries at the National Day reception this afternoon. In his speech, the Chief Executive said the prerequisite for improved livelihood is a growing economy; accordingly, the SAR Government would continue to boost the tourism industry and support the advancement of the small and medium enterprises. Speaking on measures to enhance people’s livelihood, Mr Ho said the Government would pay close attention to inflation, and would study and introduce measures to curb inflation. Moreover, the Government would introduce measures to support Macao’s social workers, who are providing much-needed services to the underprivileged in a time of rapid economic development and social changes. The Government would also continue with administration reform, increase transparency and hail the rule of law and integrity of civil servants, he said. After his speech, the Chief Executive toasted the prosperity of the Mainland and Macao, and to the health of the guests and the people of Macao. In the morning, Mr Ho and more than 300 officials and luminaries attended the flag-hoisting ceremony at Lotus Flower Square to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
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The total number of motorcycle parking space will go up by 10,000 to 45,000 by the end of the year as the Government continues to seek ways to accommodate the needs of motorcyclists. The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, disclosed this today when he spoke to the press at a reception. Mr Lau said that as more parking lots are to open soon, he believed that the shortage could then be alleviated to some extent. But he stressed that the Government had to reasonably allocate limited public space and that the shortage could not be solved by simply increasing their numbers.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, re-iterated today that the Government would safeguard the stability of Macao's financial system. He said he believed that Macao's banking and financial industry had a bright prospect, given its booms in recent years. Speaking to the press at a reception, Mr Tam said the Government is to return the management of Banco Delta Asia to the management team appointed by its shareholders tomorrow. To safeguard the stability of the overall financial system of Macao, the Government would continue to support Banco Delta Asia to uphold the interests of its depositors, he said. Taking into account the rapid growth of Macao's economy in recent years, Mr Tam said he expected that the expansion of the banking and financial industry would continue for some time.
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Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) presented the Gold Awards and Grand Awards to the winners today in Indonesia. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) was granted one of this year’s Pacific Asia Travel Association “best-of-show” awards: the Grand Award for Heritage. A special luncheon was held in Bali to present a total of four Grand Awards in different categories and 24 Gold Awards. Among them, MGTO was granted the Grand Award for Heritage, received by Deputy Director of MGTO Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes. PATA’s Grand Award for Heritage was given to MGTO for its “2006 Macau World Heritage Year” campaign “that positioned Macau as a destination offering travelers much more than entertainment and gaming”, according to the organization’s winners announcement statement. “The campaign successfully boosted the economic value of the city’s rich heritage by positioning and promoting its ‘historic centre’ as a must-see attraction”, PATA justified. MGTO’s statement said that the Macau Government Tourist Office is honored to receive this prestigious PATA Grand Award for Heritage for our ‘2006 Macau World Heritage Year’ campaign, and the award is a great honor and incentive to all MGTO’s efforts in attempting to bring more awareness to the city’s unique heritage. The award signifies a strong recognition of MGTO’s determination and continuous effort in promoting the unique ‘Historic Centre of Macau’” Following the successful inscription of “The Historic Centre of Macau” on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2005, MGTO launched the “2006 Macau World Heritage Year” campaign. Throughout the year, by means of a variety of activities organized both locally and in visitor source markets, MGTO promoted the legacy of its more than 400 years of Chinese and Portuguese cultural exchanges. This is the second time that MGTO receives the PATA Grand Award, after having been granted a Grand Award for Marketing with the 2001 “’Macau Welcomes You’ Passport Campaign”. MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes attended the PATA Board of Directors Meeting on 29 to 30 September, while Deputy Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes attended a media briefing session of PATA Travel Mart to update the press on the tourism development of Macau. PATA Travel Mart took place from 25 to 28 September in Bali. For more information on PATA Travel Mart, please check: http://www.pata.org. This press release is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo
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The statutory mandate of the Administrative Committee appointed by the MSAR government on account of the special intervention measures imposed on Banco Delta Asia, S.A.R.L. (the Bank) expires on 28 September 2007. In view of the remarkable improvement made in the Bank’s management by the joint efforts of the Administrative Committee and the relevant parties concerned during the period of intervention and the persistent requests of Mr. Stanley Au, the original shareholder, for resumption of management control over the Bank, the MSAR government has decided to allow the special intervention measures to lapse and to return the management control of the Bank to its original shareholder, effective from 29 September 2007. The Monetary Authority will, as usual, perform the necessary supervisory duties to safeguard the interests of depositors and to maintain the stability of the financial system of MSAR.
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