News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the number of visitor and non-resident arrivals totalled 2,443,847 in February 2010. Attributable to the long Lunar New Year holidays, total visitor arrivals surged by 24.4% year-on-year to 2,057,566. Same-day visitors (1,083,981) accounted for 52.7% of the total visitor arrivals, with 612,371 coming from Mainland China. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China soared by 38.1% year-on-year to 1,145,320 (55.7% of total visitor arrivals), with 579,345 travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme, up by 25.7% from February 2009 (461,061). Visitors from Hong Kong (612,750); Taiwan, China (100,133); and the Republic of Korea (27,608) rose by 13.2%, 9.8% and 74.2% respectively, while those from Japan (28,325) fell by 19.7%. The cumulative visitor arrivals totalled 4,104,122 in the first two months of 2010, up by 15.0% year-on-year. Visitors from Mainland China (2,276,980); Taiwan, China (215,806); and the Republic of Korea (57,910) increased by 27.9%, 10.9% and 68.6% respectively, while those from Hong Kong (1,157,353) and Japan (63,966) decreased by 2.5% and 4.7% respectively. Cumulative number of same-day visitors accounted for 51.8% of the total visitor arrivals, at 2,124,958. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea totalled 1,659,827 in the first two months of 2010, up by 11.7% year-on-year. Visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour increased by 6.2% to 1,068,924, with the majority coming from Hong Kong (51.9%) and Mainland China (25.4%); meanwhile, those arriving at the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa went up by 22.9% to 519,386. Visitor arrivals by land increased by 16.7% year-on-year to 2,161,661 in the first two months of 2010; those arriving through the Border Gate totalled 1,971,759 and the majority were visitors from Mainland China (80.7%) and Hong Kong (12.8%). Visitor arrivals by air rose by 21.9% year-on-year to 282,634 in the first two months of 2010. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport increased by 22.9% to 278,706, with the majority coming from Taiwan, China (35.6%), Mainland China (32.7%) and Malaysia (6.7%).
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The Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT), Macao organized the “Joint Workshop on Macao Heritage Integration” with Jiangnan University, Jiangsu PRC on 15-19 March. 11 students from the School of Design and Architecture of Jiangnan University, led by Dr. Zhu Rong and Dr. Wu Yao, joined the IFT Hotel Management Bachelor Degree Programme Year 3 and some of Heritage Management Year 4 students, led by IFT facilitators, Dr. Francisco Pinheiro and Ong Chin Ee at the workshop, to research on possible preservation and revitalization strategies for Macao cultural heritage. Research areas include:
l Adaptive reuse of Mandarin House and the yellow houses in Lilao Square
l Preservation and reuse of industrial heritage: Yec Long Firecrackers Factory
l Preservation and improvement of urban public spaces and streetscape: Camoes Square to 5th October Avenue and Hong Kong Miu Temple The workshop,an academic exercise for the students in the Facilities and Properties Management course of Hotel Management, intends to analyze several aspects and relations between hospitality facilities quality experience and their contribution for increasing the tourism carrying capacity of Macao in harmony with local communities needs and expectations. In the 5-day joint workshop, the students from the two institutions, divided into different groups, visited the sites for in-depth field appreciation and thorough study of the heritage places. Photos and video images were taken and dimensions carefully measured for SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). They also had a chance to interview the tourists and residents in the area to find out their prospects for the development of these heritage sites. From the data collected, the students worked out the possible strategies on sustainable development of these heritage sites in terms of preservation and area revitalization. The students proposed their designs and concepts on the last day of the workshop. It is generally believed that in order to achieve sustainable development, public involvement and more cultural interaction is essential. To meet this goal, transportation network and parking facilities have to be improved. It was proposed to pedestrianise the 5th October Avenue and put up signage to form a zone for walking tours, linking the Ruins of St. Paul, Camoes Square and Hong Kong Miu Temple. This measure is hoped to bring economic resurgence to the inner harbor area. For revitalization policies on Mandarin House and Yec Long Firecrackers Factory, the students summarized suggestions from interviews with local residents and came out with various renovation plans. Besides converting the buildings to cultural heritage museums, policy makers can consider reserving rooms for recreation, performance arts and creative industry. Suggested value adding facilities include library, exhibition hall, performing house for Chinese opera and rest place for residents and tourists. Other facilities, such as bookstores, cafeterias and themed restaurants can generate fund for the upkeep of the buildings. Based on these exploratory and preliminary proposals, it is hoped that more research and consultation can be done to help elaboratedifferent possible scenarios for heritage conservation. The joint workshop helped the participants to visualize design concepts in the unique heritage environment of Macao and provided good opportunities for them to interact and learn from each other. A participant of the workshop, Zhou Yang (Year 4 student, Jiangnan University), said that she treasured this exchange opportunity with students from IFT. After the workshop, she realized that heritage conservation is not only about restoring the structure of the buildings, but also how to integrate the heritage to local community and how to be economically sustainable. The workshop opens up opportunities for idea for heritage management and cultural tourism to converge and signifies another successful collaboration between IFT and higher institutions in the Mainland. Aiming to benefit Macao and the Mainland through rigorous training of heritage and tourism professionals, IFT looks forward to future collaborations with other higher institutions around the world.
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The opening ceremony of the second EU-Macao Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field will take place tomorrow, March 23rd (Tuesday), at 3.30pm, in the auditorium of the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (Luso-International Bank Building, 18th floor). Presided by the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, the opening ceremony marks the beginning of the new Co-operation Programme with the European Union, which will last until December 2012. With a budget total of 1.500.000 euros (approximately 16.500.000 patacas), this programme is co-financed by the European Union and the Macao Foundation, with the remaining costs supported by the MSAR’s budget. Jozsef Molnar and Rainer Schierhorst, representatives from the European’s Commission Directorate-General for External Relations, who are in charge of the new Co-operation Programme in Brussels, will also attend the ceremony. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, will be delivering the inaugural speech, followed by Jozsef Molnar’s speech on behalf of the European Commission. At 5pm, after the conclusion of the opening ceremony, the first activity of the second Co-operation Programme will be initiated. Luís Filipe Colaço Antunes, President of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Law, University of Porto, Portugal, will be giving a seminar on “Town Planning, Urban Reconstruction and World Heritage Protection”. This seminar will last until March 25th. On the following day, March 26th, he will be giving another seminar on the “Revocation of the Administrative Act” that will take place at the auditorium of the Public Administration Building. Both these seminars, organized by the Legal and Judicial Training Centre and are expecting a total audience of approximately 200 participants. The second EU-Macao Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field has the “Consolidation of the Macao Legal System” as its main objective. It is divided into six sub-programmes, with a total of 71 activities to take place over a period of three years. The implementation of this Co-operation Programme is coordinated by the International Law Office (GADI), with participation of several other MSAR’s entities and public departments, namely, the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (CFJJ), the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ), the Economic Services (DSE), the Financial Services Bureau (DSF) and the Institute of European Studies of Macau (IEEM).
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (103.27) for February 2010 increased notably by 2.57% year-on-year since the Lunar New Year fell in January 2009 as against February this year; the increment was attributable to the price increase of the Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages. Price indices of Recreation & Culture; Transport; Clothing & Footwear; Miscellaneous Goods & Services; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose by 8.64%, 7.87%, 7.84%, 7.33% and 4.82% respectively, on account of soaring charges for outbound package tours, meal brought away from home and hairdressing services, rising prices of gasoline, gold jewellery, clothings, vegetables, fresh fish and seafood during the Lunar New Year period. On the contrary, apart from the 9.81% decrease of the price index of Education, reduced charges for mobile phone services and lower rentals for housing drove the price indices of Communication; and Housing & Fuels down by 3.33% and 1.47% respectively. The CPI-A (103.0) and CPI-B (103.28) for February 2010 increased by 1.99% and 2.62% year-on-year respectively. The Composite CPI for February 2010 increased by 1.11% month-to-month, of which the price indices of Recreation & Culture; Miscellaneous Goods & Services; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose by 6.28%, 2.69% and 1.66% respectively, attributable to soaring charges for outbound package tours, rising prices of gold jewellery, hairdressing services, fresh fish and seafood, and vegetables during the Lunar New Year period. However, price index of Clothing & Footwear dropped by 2.71% on account of seasonal sale of clothing. The average Composite CPI for the first two months of 2010 increased by 1.34% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended February 2010, the average Composite CPI rose by 0.78% over the preceding period. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP149.8 billion (USD18.73 billion) at the end of February 2010. The reserves rose by 1.5% from MOP147.5 billion (USD18.43 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP18.2 billion or 13.8%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-February 2010 represented 30 times the currency in circulation or 242.1% of Pataca M2 at end-January 2010. 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, rose by 0.85 points month-to-month but fell by 2.97 points year-on-year to 90.28 in February 2010. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042) 發放日期 / Data de divulgação / Release Date: 22/3/2010
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, money supply M2 continued to grow in January. As total loans continued to rise while non-resident deposits fell significantly, the loan-to-deposit ratio rebounded after dropping in the previous month. Money supply
Currency in circulation and demand deposits increased 2.4% and 8.6% respectively. M1 thus rose significantly by 7.6% compared with the previous month. Meanwhile, quasi-monetary liabilities went up 0.5%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, grew 1.5% to MOP215.4 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 21.9% and 10.9% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 28.7%, up 0.6 percentage points over a month ago but down 0.3 percentage points from a year earlier. Concurrently, the share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 54.1%, up 0.5 percentage points month-to-month or 2.2 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits
Resident deposits grew 1.5% from the previous month to MOP210.4 billion. Of which, MOP deposits and HKD deposits grew at respective rates of 3.7% and 2.5% while other foreign currency deposits fell 4.4%. Concurrently, non-resident deposits dropped notably by 16.9% to MOP69.1 billion and public sector deposits with the banking sector decreased 6.5% to MOP15.2 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector declined 3.9% from the previous month to MOP294.8 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 23.4% and 45.6% respectively. Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector expanded 1.8% during January to MOP102.7 billion. Among which, MOP28.0 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP67.9 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 27.2% and 66.1% of the total respectively. Meanwhile, external loans grew 11.0% to MOP95.3 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.0% (MOP0.9 billion) and 43.5% (MOP41.4 billion) of the total respectively. Loan-to-deposit ratios
As domestic loans to the private sector rose at a faster pace than resident deposits, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector grew 0.4 percentage points in a month to 45.5% at end-January 2010. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors reached 67.1%, up notably by 6.3 percentage points.
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The construction on the “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge”, a cross-sea bridge linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao in the Pearl River Delta, China commenced on the 15th December 2009 at Zhuhai. In the future, closer relationship of the three regions will be achieved because of this cross-sea bridge. To commemorate this occasion, Macao Post, China Post and HongKong Post jointly issue the postage paid postcard with the theme “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge” on 24th March 2010, which is the hundredth day since commencement of the construction of the bridge. The issuance of the postcard is to commemorate this special day, and at the same time has marked an important milestone for the social and economic development in the Pearl River Delta region. The design of the postcard uses the conceptual design to represent the magnificent structure of the bridge, and the city flowers “Bauhinia”, “Bougainvillea” and “Lotus Flower” symbolizing the three regions of Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao linking together. The postcard issued by Macao Post is applied the silver foil on the lotus flower, to highlight the region. The postage paid postcard will be available for sale at the Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters, “Rua do Campo” Post Office, Maritime Ferry Terminal Post Office, Airport Post Office, and the Communications Museum on 24th March 2010. The postage paid postcard to be sold in Macao is priced at MOP6.00 each, you can send this postcard to every corner of the world without stamp.
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In today’s competitive environment, brands have become increasingly important assets to businesses as customers often associate brands with concepts of quality, trustworthiness, prestige and value, and base purchase decisions on their identification with the brands. Realising this important asset in hospitality management, the Institute For Tourism Studies co-organises an Executive Development Programme in Brand Management with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland, on 16 – 17 March. 16 senior executives from education and hospitality industry participated in the programme. Vice President of IFT, Ms. Florence Ian presided over the certificate presentation ceremony which was held after the course on 17 March. The two-day programme draws industry leaders and practitioners’ attention to issues in developing, managing and evaluating global brand leadership strategies. Participants will discover how creating a coherent brand experience requires the alignment of every touch point in the organization with a customer value proposition. Over the two days, participants will be familiarised with: l Developing brand identities
l Developing brand-building programmes
l Management of brand equity
l Brand leveraging and brand extension
l The process of brand orientation
l Product and service strategies l Customer value proposition
l How to market brands The programme will be conducted by Prof. André Mack. Prof. Mack has an extensive career in the in-flight catering industry and management consulting. He specialized in the areas of strategic marketing, customizer service and business process re-engineering. He is both Director, Lausanne Hospitality Consulting, and a faculty member of Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland, lecturing on project management and consulting. The Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Switzerland, is the first and leading hospitality school founded in 1893. EHL provides solid hospitality management education based on the philosophy that hospitality management is both a science and an art. Its approach emphasizes not only the technique but also the culture of hospitality: the mixture of tangible and intangible elements that make up this unique industry. The establishment of this partnership has once again proven the international recognition of IFT’s teaching quality. As one of the leading tourism and hospitality education institutions in Macao and Asia Pacific, IFT will continue to provide top-notch programmes and contribute to the sustainable development of the industry. More information about the programme and application can be found on http://www.ift.edu.mo/edp/brand2010/ or contact Ms. Sandi U at 8506 1281 for enquiry.
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According to the statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, the proportion of international business in the local banking sector decreased marginally during the fourth quarter of 2009. At end-December 2009, the share of international assets in total banking assets fell to 84.8% from 85.0% at end-September 2009, while the share of international liabilities in total banking liabilities dropped to 77.5% from 78.4%. Foreign currencies remained as the dominant denomination in international banking transactions. At end-2009, the shares of Pataca (MOP) in total international assets and total international liabilities were 0.5% and 1.2% respectively. Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) and Other Foreign Currencies (OFCs) accounted for 47.7% and 51.8% of total international assets as well as 49.2% and 49.6% of total international liabilities respectively. International Banking Assets
At end-2009, total international assets edged down by 0.4% from three months earlier but increased by 21.1% over a year ago to MOP362.1 billion (USD45.3 billion). Within this total, external assets jumped by 28.1% to MOP282.5 billion in a year while local assets in foreign currencies rose slightly by 1.7% to MOP79.7 billion. As a major component of international assets, external loans & deposits expanded markedly by 29.6% over a year earlier to MOP254.9 billion, mainly attributable to the 22.8% increase in cross-border interbank assets. International Banking Liabilities
Meanwhile, total international liabilities retreated marginally by 1.4% from three months ago but expanded by 21.0% from a year earlier to MOP330.8 billion (USD41.4 billion). Of this total, external liabilities and local liabilities in foreign currencies amounted to MOP166.0 billion and MOP164.9 billion in respective order. Compared with a year earlier, the former soared by 31.0% while the latter increased by 12.3%. Foreign currency deposits held by residents in the local banking system formed a major component of international liabilities. This type of deposits grew by 12.6% to MOP157.9 billion at end-2009 from MOP140.2 billion at end-2008. Breakdown of External Banking Assets and Liabilities by Region
The majority of external assets and liabilities were related to the regions of Asia and Europe. At end-2009, claims on Hong Kong and Mainland China occupied respectively 37.9% and 6.3% of total external assets, while claims on Portugal and the UK took up respective shares of 14.8% and 2.4%. On external liabilities, Hong Kong and China occupied 37.0% and 22.1% of the total respectively while France and Portugal took up respective shares of 10.9% and 9.6%. The compilation of International Banking Statistics follows the methodology advocated by the Bank for International Settlements in order to facilitate Macao SAR’s participation in the “Locational International Banking Statistics” project of the international organisation.
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There is no plan to restart the property investment residency scheme that was suspended three years ago, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. Mr Chui stated this at a press conference at Government Headquarters after delivering his Policy Address at the Legislative Assembly, the first since he assumed office last December. Mr Chui said the Government would also move to repossess land lots sold but were not built on by developers in contravention of contracts or related regulations, through a legal, orderly and transparent manner. Speaking on the property market, he said the Government would hold open tenders for land, and would make the necessary revisions to legislations and regulations to promote construction of smaller-size housing units which would be more affordable to the general public.
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Mr Chui also disclosed that a consultative commission on public housing would be formed next month, to be chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io. He re-iterated that 19,000 public housing units would be completed by the end of 2012, as scheduled. Speaking on measures to bridge the disparity between the rich and the poor, Mr Chui said in the long-term the Government would allocate more resources for education, push forward construction of infrastructure works and foster regional co-operation. On Macao-Taiwan relation, he said the Government would establish a formal communication mechanism with Taiwan to promote co-operation. The Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng, will be responsible for this. As for constitutional development, Mr Chui said the Government would listen to the people. Tomorrow Mr Chui will attend a plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly to answer questions raised by legislators.
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