News

The Legislative Assembly Election Commission has sent out letters to Government departments to look for staff to man the boards that oversee the operation of polling stations, Commission Chairman Judge Fong Man Chong said today. Speaking after a Commission meeting, Judge Fong said the response from the departments was positive. Due to the increase in polling booths, he said he expected the number of staff to increase to about 1,200. Judge Fong said that the Commission would issue guidelines to the boards to direct the operations of the polling stations. According to the Legislative Assembly Election Law, a board should be constituted in each polling station to direct and preside over the polling operations. Meanwhile, the Commission gave details of the promotional campaign for the election, which would focus on the function of the Legislative Assembly and the significance of the election. The Commission had designed two posters, with radio promotions going on air from next week onwards, said Judge Fong. The Commission has selected the winners of a poster competition and the winning entries will be displayed during the election campaign, which starts on 10 September 2005.
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(Macao 06 July 2005) Seventy millions new banknotes, with total valued 8.15 billion, will be put into circulation in 8 August. The Executive Council today discussed the by-law, permitting BNU (Banco Nacional Ultramarino) to issue new MOP10, MOP20, MOP100, MOP500 and MOP1000 banknotes. The spokeman of the Executive Council, Mr Tong Chi Kin, said base on the original design, advanced security features were added to enhance their anti-counterfeiting capabilities. Invisible fluorescent fiber and two special techniques for prevent counterfeiting were added Mr Tong said. Meanwhile, other characteristics which can be identificated by eyes and hands including a very bright highlight watermark, a line which gives embossed feel, etc. Mr. Tong said since the exiting banknotes have been circulated for a period, and in order to prevent counterfeiting, it was necessary to launch new banknotes, which including 2,500 for MOP10; 2,000 for MOP20; 1500 for MOP100; 800 for MOP500 and 200 for MOP1000.
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The Maritime Museum (including the esplanade) will be temporarily closed to the public on Monday, 11 July 2005, to prepare for a thematic exhibition. The Museum will be reopened on Saturday, 30 July 2005. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
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Included in the Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field between the European Union and Macao, is starting tomorrow, 6 July, at 6:30 pm, at the auditorium of the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (Luso-International Bank Building, 18th floor) the Seminar on “Mutual Legal Assistance: Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters”. The seminar will tale place until 8 July and will have as speaker Christophe Bernasconi, First Secretary of the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. The seminar will be conducted in English and addresses to the bachelors of laws. During the three days of seminar will be discussed the following topics “The Hague Conference on Private International Law – a brief overview”, “The Hague Service Convention – general overview”, “Scope of the Service Convention”, “The main channel: Central Authorities”, “Alternative channels”, “Derogatory channels” and “Protection of the defendant”, among other issues. The seminar is jointly organised by the Legal and Judicial Training Centre and the International Law Office. The Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field between the European Union and Macao, which incorporates this seminar, has as its main objective the “Consolidation of the Macao Legal System” and is already in its fourth and last year, taking place until February 2006. The total budget for the programme is of 1.980.000 euros, shared in equal parts by the European Union and Macao. The co-ordination of the Co-operation Programme is at the responsibility of the International Law Office, being the organisation of the pertaining activities ensured by several other entities of the MSAR’s Government, namely the Legal and Judicial Training Centre, the Legal Affairs Bureau, the Economic Services and the Institute of European Studies, other than the International Law Office itself.
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The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (CUTW) Community College and the Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT) in Macau today announced an agreement whereby students of the Associate Degree in Hotel and Catering Management Programme of CUTW will be taking two courses at IFT’s state-of-the-art teaching facilities in Macao, in order to have a thorough understanding of the practicality and operation of the tourism and hotel industry there. Professor Richard Ho, the President of CUTW Community College, points out that due to geographical proximity, Hong Kong and Macao have all along been closely linked economically, especially in area of tourism; nevertheless, more frequent cultural and academic exchanges between the two cities still remain to be seen. This collaboration spells an auspicious start and enables students of CUTW to widen their horizon by experiencing the culture and dynamics of Macao, which are so different from those of Hong Kong. Professor Ho believes the world-class facilities of IFT will allow CUTW’s students to gain excellent practical experience before they enter the labour market. Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT, also considers the collaboration a good start for both institutes. As the courses of CUTW Community College will be conducted in IFT’s well-equipped training units, which are highly acclaimed and well-recognized, students of CUTW Community College and IFT will also be able to be acquainted with one another, exchange views and thus enhance their learning experience. In a longer term, IFT hopes to develop student exchange programmes so that students of IFT can also benefit from learning in a Hong Kong setting. IFT also hopes to strengthen the strategic alliance between Hong Kong and Macao in tourism industry, and look forward to having more collaboration with CUTW Community College in the area of academic research etc. “The School of Business Administration and Tourism Management of CUTW believes that should students be allowed to learn in a simulated working environment, they can learn in-depth professional knowledge and be well-equipped for their future careers.” said Prof. Anthony Ko, Director of School of Business Administration and Tourism Management of CUTW Community College. “In this regard, CUTW Community College and IFT decided to join forces to customize two unique courses so that students can get to know the real operation and have a feel on the industrial practice, especially in a tourism-based-economy city like Macao. We trust that such experience will be an asset for students in their future careers with professional knowledge gained on a solid ground.” According to the agreement signed today, CUTW Community College will have two courses from the Hotel and Catering Programme, i.e. Professional Food Preparation and Dining Room Management taught in IFT’s six Teaching Kitchens and the Educational Restaurant, which serves with a Macanese, Portuguese and International a la carte menu, a daily special as well as Buffet Dinner. Both CUTW Community College and IFT believe that such world-class facilities will bring students superb learning experience. The Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT) being the first WTO-Themis TedQual certified institution in tourism education, is a public institution of higher education, offering tourism and hospitality management education, as well as related professional training. The mission of IFT is to become a destination for tourism and hospitality studies with European characteristics. Not only for the benefits of Macao, but also for the Asia Pacific region, it will produce students with professional knowledge and technical competence in preparation for their future leadership responsibilities in the industry. CUTW Community College offers full-time and part-time Pre-Associate degree and Associate Degree programmes, aspires to provide high-quality tertiary education for students, both local and non-local, to prepare them for transfer to senior years of university education and for their future careers. As a junior university, CUTW Community College’s vision is to be widely recognized as one of the best international centres of tertiary education in Asia capable of helping its students grow to their full potential and preparing them adequately for change and challenges. Contact:
Public Relations Department of CUTW Community College, please call 3190-6617 Ken Lam or email to pakclam@cutw.edu.hk for enquiries. Public Relations of IFT, please call (853) 5983 182 or email to frida@ift.edu.mo for enquiries.
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In May 2005, Macao’s total export value amounted to MOP1.29 billion, down 29.6% over the same month of 2004. Among this, the value of domestic exports decreased 42.5% to MOP786 million, and the value of re-exports went up 8.6% to MOP501 million. Value of imports amounted to MOP2.45 billion, up 9.3% over the same period of 2004. A trade deficit of MOP1.16 billion was recorded this month. During the period of January – May 2005, the value of total exports recorded a year-on-year decrease of 23.5% to MOP5.92 billion. Among this, the value of domestic exports decreased 33.1% whereas the value of re-exports rose 3.6%. Meanwhile, the value of imports amounted to MOP10.81 billion, up 3.7% over the same period of 2004. In the first five months of 2005, Macao’s trade balance registered a deficit of MOP4.89 billion. During this period, the exports/imports ratio decreased from 74.3% in the corresponding period of 2004 to 54.8%. In the first five months of 2005, the value of Textile & garment exports, which accounted for 71.7% of the total exports, decreased 29.6% over the same period of 2004. Moreover, the value of Non-textile exports also dropped 1.9%. As the major components of non-textile exports, Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof expanded 8.8%, whereas Footwear fell 89.7% year on year. The USA and the EU remained as Macao’s major export markets, together making up 55.5% of the total export value. Among this, exports to the USA, which made up 44.3% of the total export value, decreased 24.0% in value over the same period of 2004; exports to the EU, which made up 11.2% of the total exports, also decreased 62.5% in value over the same period of 2004. During the period of January – May 2005, Macao’s total import value increased 3.7% year on year. In terms of broad economic categories, Fuels & lubricants, Capital goods and Consumer goods rose 42.0%, 21.7% and 6.1% respectively, whereas Raw materials & semi-manufactures registered a year-on-year decrease of 12.2%. Meanwhile, Macao’s main suppliers of imported goods still concentrated in the Asian region. Imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong together constituted 50.1% of the total import value. Compared with the same period of 2004, the value of imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong fell 3.4% and 1.6% respectively.
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The Legislative Assembly Election Commission has decided to increase the number of polling booth in the September election to cater for the increase in the number of registered voters. After the Commission’s meeting today, Commission Chairman Judge Fong Man Chong said as some 60,000 new voters have been registered after the last Legislature election in 2001, the Commission has decided to increase the number of polling booth by between 50 to 60, on top of the 169 booths in previous election. He said most of the extra booths would be set up in the districts of Fatima and St. Anthony, which registered the biggest increase in registered voters. Polling stations would be set up in schools and stadiums as it was in the last election, Judge Fong said. The Commission would introduce measures to prevent anyone from using mobile phones to photograph records of ballots. It would also consider removing curtains in polling booths to prevent unlawful acts during the casting of votes, without compromising secrecy. The Commission would also consider adapting more measures to ensure secrecy in polling, Judge Fong added.
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The Executive Council today discussed a bill to set guidelines for the People’s Liberation Army Macao Garrison Troops to enable them to assist in social order-enforcement and rescue operations. The bill, entitled “Assistance by the Macao Garrison Troops of the People’s Liberation Amy in social order-enforcement and rescue operation law,” will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for discussion. Executive Council spokesman, Mr Tong Chi Kin, said the law was necessary as the Macao SAR Garrison Law stipulated that when requested by the MSAR Government, the Macao Garrison Troops could participate in social order-enforcement and rescue operations. When called out the troops would have the power of officers of the relevant agency. Mr Tong disclosed that the draft law also stipulated the civic responsibility of the garrison when exercising law-enforcement duties as well as the legal responsibility related to unlawful acts carried out against the troops. According to the bill, he said, when the MSAR’s request for the assistance of the Garrison Troop is granted by the Central Government, the Chief Executive would issue an administrative order to stipulate the nature and the starting time of the troops’ participation in the operations, as well as the power of the Garrison Troop during that particular operation.
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Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government Dr. Chui Sai On presided at the opening ceremony of the MGTO Annual Marketing Meeting and Macau Tourism Forum held today (June 29) at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center. Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Antunes reviewed last year’s tourism performance in Macau and outlined future marketing strategies to tourism industry participants and MGTO’s 38 representatives from 17 countries and regions at the Marketing Meeting. Speaking at the Marketing Meeting, Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture Chui Sai On noted that with the great support from the Central Government and the clear strategies of the Macau SAR Government in the past five years, Macau has been able to achieve very encouraging economic growth and social stability. Macau has also set its objectives to develop into a tourism, gaming, MICE and leisure hub. He acknowledged the presence of the new MGTO representatives in Los Angeles, New York and Paris, and he believed that, under the guidance of the Marketing Division at the MGTO Headquarters, the representatives from overseas would assist MGTO in carrying out the tourism policy set out by the Macau SAR Government, while at the same time, promote Macau and maintain its international profile of visitors. He said that the further opening up of the Mainland’s tourism markets had created favorable conditions for the continuous growth of Macau’s tourism industry. Last year, the tourism industry of Macau achieved remarkable growth. Visitor arrivals exceeded 16.67 million, an increase of 40% over 2003. Among the total visitor arrivals, 9.5 million were Mainland visitors, who accounted for 57% of total visitor arrivals, a significant growth of 66%. Other source markets also performed strongly and many achieved significant growth, including Hong Kong, Taiwan China, Japan, the United States, the Philippines, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Chui Sai On expressed that to be an international destination, Macau has to maintain a balanced market structure and continue to explore more potential source markets. Conscious of the world trend to develop regional tourism, Macau is fostering closer cooperation within the Pearl River Delta and the Pan-PRD regions to enhance the combined competitive advantage by resource sharing and joint promotions. In order to keep up with the growing competition and challenge, Chui stressed that it is essential and important to increase the range of Macau’s tourist attractions. In the coming few years, a number of tourism facilities and cultural attractions will be opened to the public and are expected to attract more visitors and encourage a longer stay in Macau. “Apart from new tourism products, we must also showcase our unique tourism characteristics. The successful listing of the “Historic Monuments of Macau” on the UNESCO World Heritage List will further enhance Macau’s image as a cultural destination, and also increase the worldwide exposure of its unique mix of Chinese and Portuguese cultures,” he added. He also pointed out that Macau is determined to develop the MICE industry and is working towards this aim by actively promoting Macau to international event organisers. The successful hosting of the 54th PATA Annual Conference and the 2005 JCI ASPAC Conference this year proved that Macau is capable of organising international conferences. The upcoming 4th East Asian Games in October will be another opportunity for Macau to express itself to the world and to uplift its profile in the international arena. The liberalisation of the gaming industry has introduced a brand new era to the gaming and tourism industry of Macau. All these developments will bring not only great opportunities but also various challenges. Macau has to constantly upgrade and enhance its service quality in the face of a large number of visitor arrivals. In his presentation of the tourism situation, MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes said that the Macau tourism industry has made a strong start in 2005 with arrivals of close to 7.5 million in the first 5 months, a remarkable growth of 16.4% over the same period of last year. He noted that the importance of the East Asian region has shifted from 96.3% last year to 95.6% this year, signifying a gradual increase of visitors from source markets in other geographical regions. Antunes said that 50% of all visitors stayed one night or longer last year, and though the share of over-night visitors dropped to 47% for the first 5 months of 2005, in real number terms, it was still 10% up compared with the same period in 2004. He added that hotel occupancy across hotel and similar establishments in Macau was 72.2% in the first 5 months of 2005, which fell by 5.51 percentage points compared with same period of 2004. The decline was largely due to a 20.7% increase in the supply of hotel rooms, in addition to an increase of the average room rate, while visitors tend to avoid the perceived congestion of the “Golden Week” periods and public holidays. Antunes also commented that individual visitors from Mainland also showed strong growth. Last year individual visitors accounted for 37% of total Mainland visitors. The ratio has grown to 51% in the first 5 months of this year. The “Individual Visitor Scheme” has caused a shift in visitors’ travel pattern and led to a drop in package tours, especially those from the Guangdong region. He stressed that MGTO remains committed to achieving a balanced portfolio of visitors and will continue to expand and explore potential markets. “We are studying potential markets such as India, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Macau should identify the direction our market is heading to and strive to excel in the 4 Ps, Place, Product, Price and Promotion,” Antunes explained He continued that Macau is located at a strategic position within the Pearl River Delta. In recent years, the introduction of low cost carriers has enhanced accessibility to Macau and further facilitated the tourism of Macau. The city’s distinctive cultural heritage, together with new tourism facilities and attractions, as well as world-class themed hotels to be opened, are expected to attract more visitors and encourage a longer stay in Macau. It is necessary for Macau to build a brand of quality to ensure it is a value-for-money destination to entice quality visitors, and this will not be possible without a strong cooperation between government and private sectors in promoting the image of Macau as an enchanting destination. MGTO also invited representatives from governmental departments, event organizers, gaming operators, airlines and theme park operators to give the latest updates on the development of their projects in the “Macau Tourism Forum”, where MGTO’s representatives around the world, travel trade and media learned more about the new developments in Macau which will enhance the promotion of the tourism industry.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicates that total land area of Macao measured 27.5 km2 in 2004 and the population density was 16,921 persons per km2. Green area was 5.9 km2, while per capita green area was 12.8 m2. At the end of 2004, number of trees planted on roadside in the Macao Peninsula totalled 6,591, up 12.4% over 2003, while the number of trees in the replantation area of the Islands increased 6.1% compared with 2003. In 2004, level of air quality observed at the 4 monitoring stations was classified as Good in most of the days; the best air quality was in July. The Northern District monitoring station recorded a total of 33 days when the value of respirable suspended particulates was above the standard. Besides, the Ka Ho monitoring station recorded the lowest pH value of rainwater, at 3.7 (precipitation with pH value lower than 5.6 is classified as acid rain).
The quality of drinking water of the distribution networks and the Water Treatment Plants was classified as “in good drinking condition” by the Laboratory of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau. In 2004, water quality of all public swimming pools was appraised as “A” grade; water quality of the Cheoc Van and Hac Sa beaches was classified as “Acceptable”.
Volume of domestic waste (155,000 tonnes) and commercial and industrial waste (52,000 tonnes) collected by the Companhia de Sistemas de Resíduos (CSR) in 2004 increased by 0.3% and 11.9% respectively compared with 2003. In addition, volume of waste sent to the Incineration Plant rose 3.0% over 2003 to 256,000 tonnes. The daily average of waste water treated by the Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) of Macao was 151,000 m3, an increase of 13.0% over 2003. In 2004, Public Security Police received 2,695 cases of noise complaints, up 4.2% over 2003. The principal causes of the complaints were related to noises from Construction work, Conversation and shouting, as well as Music and karaoke. At the same time, the Environment Council received 76 complaints about noise, a significant increase of 52.0% over 2003. With regard to the educational activities on environmental protection, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Environment Council organized 59 promotional activities; total expenses amounted to MOP2.99 million and participation of more than 160,000 persons in these activities.
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