News

A Macao registered helicopter of East Asia Airlines, while en-route from Hong Kong to Macao, encountered an emergency landing accident at 12:00noon today (03 July). The aircraft was carrying 2 crew members and 11 passengers, who were all rescued. Preliminary information indicated that two passengers were sent to hospital in Hong Kong; the rest did not sustain injuries. The cause of the accident was still under investigation. A while after the helicopter took off from the Hong Kong Shun Tak Centre, the pilot made an emergency landing on sea. In accordance with the passenger manifest of East Asia Airlines, there were no Macao residents. The passengers included 3 mainland Chinese, 7 Hong Kong residents and 1 British. The Macao SAR Government expresses its condolences to the injured and the families of the injured. The Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) has activated the Contingency Mechanism for Aviation Emergencies immediately after the accident. Due to the fact that the accident occurred in Hong Kong air space, the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong SAR (HKCAD) will be responsible for its investigation. The aeronautical authorities of the two SARs have been keeping close contact with each other. AACM has already sent representatives to Hong Kong to obtain details of the accident and assist in the investigation.
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Effective this month, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau will release the “Monthly Gross Revenue of Games of Fortune” statistics on monthly basis through its official website at www.dicj.gov.mo. In general, the gross revenue figure of the current month will be uploaded to the official website no later than the third working day of the subsequent month. Other gaming information and statistics updates will continue to be released on a quarterly basis.
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The Historical Archives of Macao will hold another of its popular conservation workshops on Saturday 10th of July from 14.00 to 17.00. This time the focus will be on binding a buttonhole notebook. No previous experience is required but participants must be at least ten years old. Starting 5th of July, please visit the Historical Archives of Macao (open Mon-Fri, 09:30-18.30, Sat, 13.00-18.00) on Tap Seac Square to register and pay the workshop fee of MOP$20 (inclusive of materials and equipment for the workshop). Places are limited and will be distributed according to order of registration. For more information about individual workshops this year, please visit www.archives.gov.mo. For further details, please contact Ms. Esther Chu of the Macao Historical Archives of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at 85986537.
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Macao Franchise Expo 2010 (2010 MFE) will be held at the Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre from 8 to 10 July 2010 (Thursday to Saturday). It will be open to public from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on 8 and 9 July 2010 and 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 10 July 2010. The objective of the event is to foster more business opportunities in franchise operations for Macao and international enterprises, while advancing cooperation and exchanges. 2010 MFE includes exhibitions, a main forum, business matching sessions and products/services presentations. Building on the success of the debut 2009 MFE held last year, is the organizers are looking forward to another stride in 2010 MFE, with the theme “Brand expansion continues… business opportunities to be seized”. The exhibition scope has increased to a total area of 3,800 square metres, occupying the 2nd and 4th floors exhibition halls of the Macao Tower. The Expo has confirmed a total of 160 booths up to date, representing 124 exhibitors from all over the world including Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, USA, Japan, Portugal, Malaysia, Singapore will showcase their products during the three-day event, making 2010 MFE more international. In particular, the franchising fees of some F&B, retail and services sectors are lower than MOP 50,000. A Convergence of Multiple Franchise Brands Worldwide
The Expo received positive feedback and participation, especially from F&B and retail sector. Internationally renowned brands such as Fatburger of the USA, NEC from Japan, Little Sheep, 7 Days Inn, Jin Jiang Hotel from Mainland China, Mcdull & Mcmug & Friends, Azona, Come Buy etc from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. It is believed that the participation of brands from these regions will further strengthen the effectiveness and recognition of MFE. More Opportunities for New Starters, More Attractive
As one of the main organizers, Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association has organized its member companies from F&B and retail sectors to join the , There will also be a Food Tasting Area at exhibition hall of the 4th floor, 2010 MFE has advanced both in terms of exhibition scale and varieties of business scope. With this characteristic, the event is aimed to create more business opportunities for participants and business starters. while providing an excellent platform for the development of franchise business. The standardization and systematic operation of franchising enables management efficiency and brand assurance. It assists business starters and business transformation of SMEs in a more efficient way , enabling a franchise business to be launched in the shortest period of time. 2010 MFE also features marketing strategy and financing consultancy services. Supplementary business support services, including Macao Economic Services, Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China will participate in the exhibition, providing consulting services on SME Schemes and financing services for franchise business respectively.
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Pre-arranged Business Matchings to Exploit Business Opportunities
2010 MFE is jointly organized by Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Brazilian Franchise Association, Association of China and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Licensing, Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association (MIBA), Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Associationand Franchising Association of Hong Kong, with the support of China Chain Store and Franchise Association (CCFA), International Franchise Association (IFA) and Japan Franchise Association (JFA) and coordinated by the Association of Advertising Agents of Macau. 2010 MFE aims to create business opportunities for business starters and SMEs. Enterprises and interested parties are welcomed and admission is free. Free pre-arranged and on-site business matching sessions will be available and please visit the official website for more information at http://bm.ipim.gov.mo. and contact the MFE Business Matching Service Team at Tel:853 – 28788328; Fax 853-28727506; Email: matching@ipim.gov.mo.
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The 57th Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 18th to 21st this year. Practice and qualifying sessions will take place on November 18th and 19th (Thursday and Friday), while races will be held on November 20th and 21st (Saturday and Sunday). To ensure the smooth running of the race programme, the supplementary regulations for the event are reviewed each year by the Macau Grand Prix Committee (MGPC) and adjusted accordingly. Adjustments this year to the running of the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix are as follows: Free practice will be increased from 30 to 45 minutes, while the qualifying session will be amended from 45 to 30 minutes. In addition, the warm up on Sunday morning will be cancelled to enable drivers to concentrate on the Grand Prix. Safety is the top priority for the event, and this year eligible motorcycles for the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix will be uniformly 1000cc or above (Superbike). For the support races, the Macau Touring Car Championship (MTCC) organized by the Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC) will be held at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit in July and August. Macau drivers wishing to enter the CTM Macau Touring Car Race, Macau Road Sport Challenge and/or the Hotel Fortuna MAC/HKG Interport Race at the Macau Grand Prix must qualify via the MTCC events. Eligible marques for entry to the Macau GT Cup this year are: Audi, Aston Martin, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and Ginetta. Cars eligible for entry to the Macau Road Sport Challenge are: Audi, BMW, Honda, Lotus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen. Marshals play an important role in ensuring the successful running of the event, and the MGPC attaches great importance to marshal training. The applications procedure for marshal posts, organized by the AAMC, was completed at the beginning of June, and more than 1,100 individuals applied. Applicants will go through a three-month training programme from June to September. Instructors will provide training in a variety of areas including the operation of the pits, paddock, paddles and starting procedures, practical training with flag signals, and track clearance. In addition, the AAMC will also provide training sessions for race control personnel, and the scrutineering and local rescue teams, in order to strengthen the skills and expertise of personnel in all areas. For further details of race regulations and other news, please kindly visit the official website of the MGPC www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo.
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Since the risk of Influenza A (H1N1) has reduced, the Cheoc Van Youth Hostel and Hac Sa Youth Hostel of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau will reopen to the public on July 3 this year. The new charge scheme will be effective on the same day. For further information, please visit the website of DSEJ at www.dsej.gov.mo. For enquiries, please contact Ms. Ieong Wai Ian or Ms. Sou Sut Fai of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (Tel: 8397 2621／8397 2638).
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The Guangzhou Fair is co-organised by Guangzhou Municipal Government and China Foreign Trade Centre. It has been a great success in the 17 years it has been held and has achieved numerous successful administrative contacts, economic and trade co-operation and significant cultural dialogues. In 2009, the exhibition area was 40,000 square metres. Nearly 2,000 booths, with participants from 35 Guangzhou international twinned cities and 19 domestic twinned cities attended. Delegations from the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) World Council Meetings and Guangzhou Twinned Cities Conference; 40 overseas countries and regions plus Mainland cities exhibited. It is estimated that the total amount of trade co-operation projects signed during the exhibition amounted to RMB 58.773 million; on-site contract projects RMB10.2 billion, which was a 29% increase over the previous year. Along with the greater range of international visitors, more specialist projects and a wider scope of marketing in the Guangzhou Fair, brand awareness has gradually increased, overseas and domestic popularity and influence has drastically expanded the scope and size of the exhibition, making it a crucial platform for trade co-operation and cultural exchange in Guangzhou. The 18th Guangzhou Fair 2010 will be held from 26-29 August in the Pazhou Complex of the Chinese Export Commodities Fair. The objective of the exhibition this year is to reinforce regional co-operation and is aimed at stimulating domestic demand and promoting the Asian Games. In accordance with the standard of the large- international exhibitions, the use of modern exhibition facilities, an excellent commercial network, well-equipped service system, and the launch of content-rich trade and cultural activities, all contribute to the development of trade negotiations and the creation more business opportunities in investment co-operation for exhibitors. Hopefully through the Guangzhou Fair, more collaboration will be carried out, plus more mutual benefit will be achieved. In response to the organisers invitation, IPIM will set up a “Macao Complex” during the exhibition, and introduce Macao’s current investment environment and services provided by our Institute, as well as “The 15th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair” from 21-24 October. Enterprises that are interested in developing new markets through exhibiting at the trade fair please fill in the exhibitor application form and return to IPIM by 16 July (Friday). For further enquiries and registration, please contact Mr. Chang on 87989267 during office hours, or visit the “Guangzhou Fair” official Website: www.gzfair.com.cn/asp/
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the value of total merchandise export for May 2010 decreased by 9.2% year-on-year to MOP518 million, with value of domestic exports falling by 27.9% to MOP174 million, but that of re-exports rising by 4.6% to MOP343 million. The value of total merchandise import amounted to MOP3.42 billion, up by 20.1% year-on-year. A trade deficit of MOP2.91 billion was recorded for May 2010. In the first five months of 2010, total value of merchandise export fell by 7.6% year-on-year to MOP3.03 billion, of which the value of domestic exports declined by 34.8%, but that of re-exports expanded by 13.2%; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import grew by 19.3% to MOP16.79 billion. The trade deficit from January to May 2010 widened by 27.4% year-on-year to MOP13.76 billion; the exports/imports ratio went down by 5.3 percentage points year-on-year to 18.0%. Analyzed by destination of exports, value of merchandise export to Hong Kong in the first five months of 2010 increased by 21.8% year-on-year to MOP1.39 billion, while that to Mainland China (MOP482 million), the USA (MOP321 million) and the EU (MOP159 million) decreased by 2.6%, 54.8% and 48.6% respectively. Exports of Textile & garment amounted to MOP632 million, down substantially by 50.5% year-on-year to account for 20.8% of the total merchandise export; however, value of Non-textile exports (MOP2.40 billion) grew by 19.7%, with that of Copper & articles thereof and Jewellery rising notably by 121.9% and 101.5% respectively. Regarding the country of origin of imported goods, in the first five months of 2010, value of merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP5.18 billion) and the EU (MOP3.63 billion) expanded by 21.4% and 23.0% respectively year-on-year. The value of imports of Consumer goods rose by 39.4% year-on-year, with that of Motor cars & motorcycles growing significantly by 114.0%; nevertheless, the value of imports of Capital goods and Raw materials & semi-manufactures fell by 15.9% and 2.1% respectively. From January to May 2010, total value of merchandise import and export amounted to MOP19.83 billion, up by 14.2% compared with MOP17.36 billion in the first five months of 2009.
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2011 will mark the 30th anniversary of the University of Macau (UM). The new campus will bring about unprecedented opportunities for UM to better fulfill its educational missions. To celebrate these major milestones, UM has kicked off a fund-raising campaign whose slogan is, “Three decades, a fruitful journey; UM’s future, let’s build it in unity.” The slogan clearly conveys the purpose of the campaign: encouraging alumni, current students and their parents, staff, as well as members of the general public, organizations and enterprises that care about UM, to support the university’s development through donation. Every donation to UM—whether big or small—is a far-sighted investment in Macao’s higher education backed by a common goal: developing UM into a world-class university with regional characteristics. Today (28 June), UM launched the “Fund-raising for UM’s 30th Anniversary” campaign and held a press conference to disclose detailed information on fund-raising plans for the coming year. The launch ceremony was presided over by Chair of the University Council Dr. Tse Chi Wai, UM Rector Wei Zhao, President of the Executive Committee of the University of Macau Alumni Association (UMAA) Mr. Kot Man Kam, Chairman of the University of Macau (Hong Kong) Alumni Association Dr. Sidney Sze, Acting Director General of the Board of Directors of the University of Macau Students’ Union (UMSU) Mr. Pui Sin Tat, and Director General of the Board of Directors of the University of Macau Postgraduate Association Mr. Liu Weigang. In his speech, Rector Wei Zhao noted that practical support from alumni and society has been the common denominator that underpins the success of all top universities overseas. He pointed out that active donations from a university’s alumni and society reflects recognition of the university’s outstanding performance; indeed “alumni giving rate” has become an important indicator of a university’s reputation and quality. He said that next year will mark the 30th anniversary of UM; and the new campus will bring about unprecedented opportunities for UM to better fulfill its educational missions. He said UM launched the “fund-raising for 30th anniversary” campaign whose slogan is, “Three decades, a fruitful journey; UM’s future, let’s build it in unity,” with the aim of encouraging alumni, current students and their parents, staff, as well as members of the general public, organizations and enterprises that care about UM, to support the university’s development through donation. Rector Wei Zhao stressed that every donation to UM is a noble, far-sighted investment in Macao’s higher education. He noted that all donations will be used exclusively for the purpose of supporting the development of UM, and will play an extremely important role in enhancing the quality of the university’s research, teaching and students. Rector Wei Zhao said that the fund-raising campaign is aimed at fostering a culture of giving to higher education in Macao, adding that what matters is not the amount of a donation, but rather the act of donation per se. He said that with the support of society, UM will be able to obtain more financial resources to explore more educational areas to the benefit of the students and carry out more innovative, far-sighted projects, thereby moving closer and closer towards the goal of joining the ranks of world-class universities. President of the Executive Committee of UMAA Mr. Kot Man Kam said that the motherly support of the alma mater for the students does not cease after their graduation, but rather continues throughout a lifetime; therefore, every UM alumnus has a duty to make his or her share of contribution to support the future development of the alma mater. He said that every donation, whether big or small, will be of great importance for UM’s future development. He added that every donation to UM is a far-sighted investment in Macao’s higher education, which makes it more meaningful. He said UMAA will exert its best effort to encourage more alumni to support the alma mater’s long-term development. Acting Director General of the Board of Directors of UMSU Mr. Pui Sin Tat said that all UM alumni should take pride in the universally recognized achievements UM has attained over the past three decades since its inception. He noted that giving to UM is a far-sighted investment in Macao’s higher education, and the return on such investment will be immeasurable. He said that UMSU, along with 60-odd sub-organizations, will organize a campus-wide fund-raising activity, in order to cultivate a sense of gratitude in students and also foster a fine tradition of giving to the alma mater that will hopefully pass from one generation to the next. Everyone is welcome to make a donation and learn about the latest information on UMDF through its website http://www.umdf.org.mo. Other than this website, donations can also be made through bank account transfer (bank account name: University of Macau Development Foundation; bank name: Bank of China, Macau Branch; bank account number for donations in MOP: 01-01-20-822777; bank account number for donations in HKD: 01-11-23-875622), hand delivery, or contacting UMDF staff. For enquiries, please call 853-83974316 or 853-83974381 or email to info@umdf.org.mo.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for March-May 2010 was 2.9%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period (February-April 2010); the underemployment rate went up by 0.1 percentage point to 2.1%. Total labour force was 326,000 in March-May 2010 and the labour force participation rate stood at 71.5%, up by 0.4 percentage point from the previous period. The employed population increased by 2,400 over the previous period to 316,000, in which employment of Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services; Public Administration & Social Security; and the Transport, Storage & Communications Sector saw increase, while that of Retail Trade registered a decrease. Number of the unemployed held stable at 9,600, with 5.4% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, up by 0.5 percentage point over the previous period. In comparison with March-May 2009, the labour force participation rate and the unemployment rate decreased by 1.1 and 0.6 percentage points respectively; however, the underemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage point.
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