News

The Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, is scheduled to visit Macao on April 21, to strengthen bilateral business link. During his official visit, Mr Nguyen will attend an inauguration ceremony of a business forum and meet representatives of Macao’s business sector. He will also attend a welcome banquet to be hosted by the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah. The Vietnamese delegation to be led by Mr Nguyen will consist of some 20 members, including the Minister, Head of the Government Office, Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Vu Huy Hoang, and the Ambassador of Vietnam to China, Mr Nguyen Van Tho. They will depart the same evening.
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office is closely watching the situation in Thailand and will activate its contingency procedures once the need arises, according to the Office. Due to the state of emergency in Thailand, the Office has been maintaining close contact with the travel industry to keep track of Macao tourists travelling in Thailand. There are six tour groups from Macao comprising about 200 people that are now travelling in Thailand. Among them, one tour group with 21 people has left Bangkok for Macao this afternoon and is expected to arrive in Macao this evening. The remaining five groups are expected to fly back to Macao in the following two days according to their original itinerary. The Office is unable to get the exact number of Macao tourists travelling independently in Thailand at the moment. However, it has requested the four mobile network operators in Macao to relay the relevant information to local residents travelling outside the territory if needed. For enquiries or requests for assistance, people may call the Office’s 24-hour hotline at (853) 2833 3000. According to the Office, since airports in Thailand are functioning normally and local tour groups have not been greatly affected, the current situation in Thailand does not constitute a tourism emergency. Nonetheless, the Office will continue to maintain a close watch on the events unfolding so as to respond correspondingly. The Office has received 8 enquiries so far and has handled a request for help in contacting a relative travelling in Thailand.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that Macao registered 400,273 visitor arrivals in package tours in February 2009, up by 1.4% from a year earlier. Visitors from Mainland China (307,759) and Japan (18,701) increased by 8.5% and 16.0% year-on-year respectively, while those from Hong Kong (18,897) decreased by 23.6%. In the first two months of 2009, visitor arrivals in package tours rose by 7.0% over the same period of 2008 to 830,868. The number of Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours dropped markedly by 35.2% year-on-year to 12,363 as the Lunar New Year fell in February 2008. Mainland China (77.1%); Taiwan, China (6.5%); Japan (4.3%); and Republic of Korea (4.2%) were the most popular tour itineraries. In the first two months of 2009, Macao residents travelling in package tours decreased by 6.5 % over the same period of 2008 to 30,495. Meanwhile, residents travelling outbound under individual arrangements with services of travel agencies totalled 27,476, down by 5.7% over February 2008. Hong Kong (39.0%), Mainland China (26.2%) and Taiwan, China (12.1%) were the major destinations. In the first two months of 2009, outbound residents travelling under such arrangements dropped by 8.7% year-on-year to 57,294. At the end of February 2009, the number of guest rooms available in the hotel sector increased by 1,425 (+8.8%) from a year earlier to 17,534 rooms. In February 2009, a total of 515,680 guests checked into hotels and similar establishments, up by 6.7% year-on-year, with the majority of guests coming from Mainland China (52.2%) and Hong Kong (22.5%). The average hotel occupancy rate decreased by 2.0 percentage points year-on-year to 69.4%, with 4-star hotels leading at 78.7%. The average length of stay of hotel guests decreased by 0.04 night to 1.3 nights. Total number of hotel guests reached 1,040,298 in the first two months of 2009, down slightly by 0.5% over the same period of 2008. In the first two months of 2009, visitor-guests of hotels accounted for 60.3% of the total number of tourists, up from 55.1% in the corresponding period of 2008.
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According to the Tourism Crisis Management Office, since airports in Thailand are functioning normally, the Office has not activated emergency procedures, but continues to maintain a close watch on the events unfolding so as to respond immediately to any necessity. On the declaration of an emergency state in Bangkok, Thailand, the Tourism Crisis Management Office notes that preliminary information from the travel industry indicates that currently there are approximately 200 Macau residents in 6 tour groups in Thailand. Since airports in Thailand are functioning normally, and the Office does not assess immediate danger to tourists, emergency procedures would not need to be activated at this stage. As for independent travelers, due to the diverse traveling patterns, the Office is not able to estimate the number of Macau residents traveling as FITs in Thailand. However, up to the present moment, the Office has not received any requests for assistance. The Tourism Crisis Management Office would like to alert all residents that in case any assistance is needed, they can call the 24-hour Tourism Hotline 853-28333000. The Tourism Crisis Management Office will continue to be attentive to developments in Thailand, and to provide immediate response accordingly.
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The 2009 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2009MIECF) was held in Macao from April 2nd to 4th. It was held by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region and jointly organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Environment Council. Supported by the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Environmental Protection, environmental departments of various provinces (the “9+2” regions), the 2009MIECF was underlined by the presence of heads of numerous provinces, cities and international trade and investment promotion institutes at its opening ceremony on April 2nd and other activities. Under the theme of “A Global Green Gathering - Environment Business Connection”, 2009MIECF aimed at promoting green spirit and conveying the social responsibility of environmental protection, as well as elevating the international status of Macao in the field of environmental protection industry. By making full use of Macao’s role as a platform, the event was held with a view to promoting co-operation between Macao and international communities and sharing green technologies and plans, thus creating economic benefits and help overcoming the global economic crises. The 2009MIECF lasted three days and closed on Saturday (April 4th). According to the statistics of 2009MIECF, participants totaled 5,697, of which 3,901 were professional representatives, from 43 different countries and regions. The number of the participants and diversity of their origins showed MIECF’s growing support from the trades and the recognition of Macao’s role in green industry by the Pan-Pearl River Delta region, European Union and local organizations and institutions. The 2009MIECF enjoyed a great success this year, which really made full use of the regional advantage of Macao and its role as a platform promoting exchanges. The event made satisfactory achievement in promoting green business, industry exchanges, environmental protection research and raising the awareness of environmental protection among the public. Green Business Connection Day In order to help exhibitors seek for green business opportunities, the 2009MIECF set the first day (April 2nd) of the event as Green Business Connection Day (GBCD). The 2009MIECF assisted enterprises to find partners and promoted cooperation by symposiums and summits. GBCD, under the theme of “Environment Business Connection”, was co-organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, China Council for the Promotion and International Trade, Macao Chamber of Commerce, European Union Business Information Project and other international chambers of commerce. Green Business Matching To take full advantage of Macao as a service platform for exhibitors and participating representatives, IPIM upgraded its effort in promoting the green business matching services to small- and medium- sized enterprises and set up special areas for business matching, with a view to assisting the SMEs to explore market opportunities and find suitable partners. Before and during the exhibition and forum, MICEF received 536 projects of green investment and sale of green products, showing a dramatic increase comparing to the figure of last year. These projects were from Macao, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Korea, Belgium and Finland. According to the requirements from professional representatives, MIECF arranged 336 business matching sessions (excluding impromptu exchanges among participants in other activities). The businesspeople were from Mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Singapore, Belgium, Finland, Austria, Chinese Taiwan, Australia, United States, Germany, Portugal and Korea. About 62% of them are from small- and medium-sized enterprises. Besides, 20 projects (11 agreements, 4 letter of intent, 3 contracts and 2 memorandums) were signed on-site, which worth 2.502 billion MOP in total. The signatories were mainly from Macao, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Portugal, United States, Finland, Belgium, etc. 67% of these enterprises were small- and medium-sized enterprises from Macao. These projects were mainly about oil pollution treatment, energy program in Asia, air purification, agent services of ethanol-type environmental-friendly gasoline equipment for Portuguese-speaking countries (Brazil), environmental protection program for public transportation vehicles, energy equipment using oxy-hydrogen flame, cultivation technology and pest control, popular science of green food, mountain spring water, environmental friendly travel, friendly communication and cooperation in environmental protection technology among companies, renewable energy production, agency service of fire emergency lightings, collection and recycling of printer toner cartridges, the development of tea products, recycling of materials and goods, promotion of environmental-friendly carpets and flooring materials in Macao; cooperation in research and development of sweet sorghum, importing equipments for manufacturing soap and detergent by recycled solid waste, sales of environmental-friendly and energy-saving products, etc. Exhibition There were 254 exhibitors taking part in 2009 MIECF. Macao Pavilion, PPRD zone and European Union Pavilion were set up in the exhibition hall, while exhibitors from United States, Portugal, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Britain, Chinese Taiwan, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Guangzhou had set up their own booths as well. These booths showcased advanced environmental protection products, equipment, technologies and green business industries of different countries and regions. Macao’s international status in environmental protection was elevated by the participation of a great number of countries and regions. Most of the exhibitors of 2009 MIECF were government department, public entities, enterprises, chambers of commerce, environmental protection organizations from Macao, Hong Kong, P-PRD regions, and consulates based in Hong Kong. The total exhibition area covered some 12,000 square metres. They mainly displayed energy-efficient and water-saving technology, solar power generation technology, domestic waste collection and recycling technology, environmental-friendly and renewable construction material, air purification technology, wind energy program, oil pollution treatment technology, etc. Products and services presentations and other activities During 2009MIECF, 24 products and services presentations s and a host of activities were held, including symposiums, conferences. These events were organized by tgovernments, organizations, local chamber of commerce and local enterprises. The presentations were conducted by Lamor Group from Finland (on oil pollution treatment), Melco PBL Entertainment (on environmental protection measures of firms) and Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings (on biological degradable plastics). More than 1,100 people took part in these presentations and other activities. Forum In addition, 2009MIECF invited 51 scholars, professionals, experts and executives from green enterprises as speakers for several symposiums. These symposiums attracted an audience of more than 1,390. Participants from the trades attached special importance to the results of the “Energy Saving, Emission Reduction and Carbon Trading Symposium” and “Natural Disaster Management Symposium”s, which were held on April 3rd. The 16 speakers of the two symposiums were officials, scholars and experts from Mainland China, European Union, Britain, Czech Republic, Belgium, Portugal, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Macao. They shared the experience in tackling deteriorating environmental problems caused by global warming and natural hazards. The number of participants of the two symposiums exceeded 300 and 140 respectively. After attending the symposiums, the participants could learn more about the environmental protection policies and green business markets in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Guangdong and European Union. These symposiums enhanced regional cooperation, business opportunities and technology transfer. Besides, the suggestions made by the speakers during the symposiums would facilitate the management natural hazards, research in new technology and products, and pollution control. In short, this forum raised public awareness of environmental protection, encouraged enterprises to embrace green economy and enhanced the communication between the governments and the trades. In the last day of 2009MIECF, which was a public open day, 1,796 visitors toured the exhibition hall. They showed great interests in exhibits, such as environmental-friendly vehicles, air purifiers and energy-saving light bulbs. They could learn more about Macao’s efforts in promoting green energy and environmental protection by the panels shown in the exhibition hall and game booths.
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Three projects have been selected for the Cultural Affairs Bureau Academic Research Grants supported by the Macao Special Administrative Region aimed at fostering academic research on Macao-related fields. This semester, the following projects were chosen out of the applications received between June 1, 2008 and November 30, 2008: Zhou Weiqiang will focus on “The Adoption of Breech Loaders in China: A Case Study of the Spreading of European Cannons in China during the 16th to 18th Centuries.” Zhou received a Ph.D in History from Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and is now a Member of IUHPS/DHS (International Union of the History and Philosophy of Science Division of History of Science), and the Academia Sinica’s Committee for the History of Science (Taipei). Dai Dingcheng will conduct research on “Catholic Music in 20th Century Macao – Composers and Works of a Unique Historical Background”. Dai received a Ph.D in Music Theory and Composition from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and is now a professor at Macao Polytechnic Institute’s School of Arts. Fook Yee Man Noel will investigate “Marketing Tactics and Service Creativity in Consumer Relationship: The Case of Museums in Macao”. Fook obtained a Ph.D in Marketing from Nottingham Trent University, Britain and is now an associate professor at the School of Business Administration, Hong Kong Baptist University. The Cultural Affairs Bureau Academic Research Grants are aimed at supporting academic research projects in the Humanities that make a significant original contribution to the understanding of Macao, and of Macao's relationship with China and other countries. The regulations provide a flexible scheme for application and for the payment of grants. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year. The Evaluation Panel meets twice annually and applicants are informed of the Panel's decision in March or August, depending when the application is received. Each grantee must submit, within the research period, a monograph of 120,000 words minimum and the Cultural Affairs Bureau reserves the exclusive right to publish all or part of the grantee's original monograph, for example, in the Bureau’s publication Review of Culture. For more information on the Cultural Affairs Bureau Academic Research Grants, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s website: www.icm.gov.mo.
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Macao Post will participate the “China 2009 World Stamp Exhibition”, located at Luoyang City, Henan Province, China, during 10th to 16th April 2009. To commemorate this Exhibition, Macao Post produces the commemorative envelopes and provides the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “China 2009 World Stamp Exhibition” on site of the exhibition. Be convenience to the philatelist, the commemorative envelope with stamp priced at MOP3.50 will also be available for sale at the Philately Shop of Macao Post Headquarters staring from 13th April. You may send your registered mail of this commemorative envelope at the following locations *: Philately Shop at
Macao Post Headquarters: 13th April 9H00 – 17H30 Post Offices: 13th to 16th April Office Hours to Public * No commemorative postmark cancellation service provided in Macao.
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As of 6:00 p.m. today (3 April), the second day of the 2009 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2009MIECF), 193 procurement and business matching sessions were conducted today, while nine projects were signed on-site, involving an amount of about 294 million patacas. The contracts signed involved production of renewable energy, distribution of fire and emergency signs, green carpets and floors and recycling of printer toner cartridges. The signing parties were from Brazil, Mainland China, Macao and Belgium.
The 2009 MIECF will be officially closed tomorrow (4 April), yet onsite business matching sessions will be opened until 6 p.m. Exhibitors and visitors should make use of this valuable business opportunity.
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“I hope that more trees can be planted to beautify the environment.”
“I wish for a pollution-free planet.”; “I hope that everybody protects the planet so that we can have fresh air and clean water.”
These simple sentences, written by the Macao public, expressed their passion to the nature. A ‘Green Wish Board’ was set up for the public to express their wishes regarding environmental protection today (4 April), which was designated as the Public Open Day for the 2009 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2009MIECF), at the Exhibition Hall A of Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Many parents took their children to visit the educational exhibition. They wrote down their wishes on the Green Wish Board and it was not difficult to see they shared their wishes with a similar goal—a wish for a greener planet. Environmental protection is an important issue that is directly related to the future of mankind. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the importance of environmental protection continuously. Children are the masters of the future; the wishes they made today might encourage them to support environment protection works tomorrow.
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The Public Open Day of 2009 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2009MIECF) drew a large number of visitors, which were entertained by the exhibits, games and performances. Most visitors showed special interest in the latest environmental-friendly products and technologies such as green vehicle, air purification appliance and energy-efficient lamps. Some visitors said that 2009MIECF broadened their horizons by gathering green product companies from different countries and regions. They also hoped that Macao could apply more innovative technologies to build a better environment for the public, they said. Visitors could learn more about environmental protection and energy reduction from panels and games. Some visitors said that 2009MIECF provided an opportunity for them to educate their children about the importance of protecting the nature. Business meetings between exhibitors and visitors continued until the closing of the event. The business matching team of the organizer successfully arranged 55 meetings today and one of them secured the signing of a 50-million patacas contract. In all, the amount of green deals matched in the event exceeded 2.5 billion. The organizer said that this year’s MIECF brought a fruitful result, and it would be useful for the preparation of next year’s MIECF. Detailed information and figures about this year’s event would be verified and announced later.
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