News

Up to 6:00 p.m. of the first day (8 April) of the 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Exhibition and Forum (2010 MIECF) was visited by a total of 1,949 visitors. The Organisers have arranged 151 business matching and negotiation sessions, which resulted in the signing of 15 co-operation projects. Projects signed included the construction of China ASEAN Environmental-Friendly Products International Trade City, in Nanning, Guangxi; general agency of environmental electric vehicles, power system and battery in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan; general agency of energy-saving LED lighting products; co-operation in the development of Macao´s first environmental-friendly integrated cultural and education community centre; general agency of energy-saving lighting system project; development of environmentally-friendly green plants project; development of solar energy and energy-saving lighting projects; agreement to promote projects of low-carbon energy and resource recycles; co-operation contract of investing in the manufacturing of environmental protection electric vehicles; agreement of renewable energy cooperation; electric vehicle recharging and billing system solution; electric vehicle environment impact test project, and technology transfer and research & development of 3rd generation solar energy. Projects signed originated from Macao (56.25%), Mainland China (28.13%%), Hong Kong (6.25%), Brazil (3.13%), Portugal (3.13%) and South Korea (3.13%). Two forums are planned for tomorrow morning, namely “Low-Carbon Building and Eco Building” and “Clean Technology and Circular Economy”. In the afternoon, the “Low-Carbon Economy Forum” and “Seminar for International Green Industry Exchanges” will be held. As far as the exhibition venue is concerned, the total area has been increased by 10% as compared with last year, to 13.465 square metres. New exhibits at this year’s MIECF included 3R Green Management, clean development mechanism, low-carbon technologies and project finance and certification.
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At the opening ceremony of 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation and Forum and Exhibition (2010MIECF), keynotes speakers from the Mainland and Czech Republic emphasised the urgency to cut emissions. Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chairman of National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Xie Zhenhua, the Commission’s Deputy Counsel of the Department of Climate Change, Mr Sun Zhen, said China would continue to make real effort in addressing climate change. “It will be one of our important strategic issues, and we have established working systems to tackle this problem. We have formulated the ‘National Climate Change Program’ and adopted a series of policy measures to restructure our economy, enhance energy efficiency, develop clean energy and optimize our energy structure,” he said. “China has always attached great importance to the development of new energy industries. Facing new challenges, we need to further innovate on and develop renewable energy technologies, energy saving and emission reduction technologies, clean coal technology and nuclear power technology. We need to push forward with circular economy, speed up the establishment of green low-carbon industries, architecture and transportation systems.” Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Environment Protection, Mr Zhou Shengxian, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Human Resources Management and Institutional Affaris of the Ministry of Environment Protection, Mr Ren Yong, said that shift of economic growth mode presented new tasks and requirements for the exploration of new path to environmental protection. Mr Ren said, “We will do well the following activities: 1. study and address environmental problems from national macro strategic perspective; 2. speed up economic restructuring and foster emerging green industry; 3. strengthen innovation in green technologies; 4. advocate green consumption and facilitate environment-friendly public life style. The Advisor to the Prime Minister of Czech Republic and Former Minister of Environment of the Czech Republic, Mr Peter J. Kalas, said that obviously we must change the current unsustainable energy path we are now on, due to climate change concerns. To achieve international climate change goals, we had to introduce new policy frameworks that would promote adoption of decisive measures towards the low carbon energy path, said Mr Kalas. “To this end, we will need: 1. to develop technologies to ensure decoupling the economic growth from the energy growth, and the energy growth from the emission growth; 2. to increase the transfer of such technologies to emerging economies and developing countries where the major future increase in energy consumption and GHG emissions will occur; 3. to mobilize adequate financial capacity to enable such technology transfers,” he said. Speaking about the future of environmental protection, Mr Kalas said that since the Copenhagen climate change conference failed to adopt a post-Kyoto regime, further intensive negotiating effort would be needed during 2010 that should involve all parties including USA, China and India. For inquiries, please contact the 2010MIECF Secretariat in telephone (853) 7898-9675, fax (853) 2872-7123, email miecf2010@ipim.gov.mo, or visit the 2010 MIECF official website: www.macaomiecf.com.
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The Institute For Tourism Studies’ Bachelor Degree Programme design emphasise the balance between theory and practice. Students are required to complete certain hours of practical tasks related to their majors every year. One of the tasks given to the Tourism Business Management students is to provide free guided tour to tourists and local residents. The activity, with the theme of “Tour around Macao with IFT students”, is organised by year two students of Tourism Business Management Degree Programme. With the assistance from the instructors, five different itineraries have been designed and each lasts about one hour and thirty minutes. This free guided tour service will be provided to all tourists and local residents on Saturday and Sunday, from 10 April to 2 May. The main objectives of the activity: I. It allows the students to put what they have learnt about tourism into practice. The whole project, from itinerary design to time control to the actual tour guiding, is planned by the students themselves with assistance from instructors. By coordinating the activity, their communication skills can also be enhanced. II. To promote Macao to the visitors by offering the free guiding service at the city centre and tourist attractions. Residents will also be made aware of the importance of tourism to Macao. The Institute For Tourism Studies is the only public higher education institution in Macao that provides training for tourism and service industry. It endeavours to promote Macao through various activities and to leave a good image to everyone who visits the place.
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IFT Student Union organized a green fashion design contest earlier this month to raise awareness in environmental protection. The competition aimed to bring out more “green ideas” to fellow students through creative design. A “Green Fashion Show” was held on 26 March at the Amphitheatre of IFT for the contestants to demonstrate their work. During the show, the 10 contestants and their models presented the work to the audience and introduced their design concepts. All entries will be judged according to the creativity, material used, practicability and theme application. To demonstrate the theme of the design contest – “Green”, some contestants have produce their work by re-tailoring old clothing and adding handmade accessories made from rags and colour papers. Other creative designs were also seen using CDs, nylon and canvas bags and drink cartons. The audiences were astonished by these creative and yet, fashionable designs! Aside from the catwalk, there were other performances by local magician, the Crossline Band, the newly founded IFT Choir, which made the atmosphere fantastic. After demonstrations from the 10 groups, the judges consisted of IFT staff and representatives from Environmental Protection Bureau and event sponsors, awarded first prize to Group 3 – “The Green Girls”. Their two winning pieces will be displayed at the Macau International Co-operation Exhibition & Forum. The fashion is a second wave to the IFT Student Union’s Haiti Fund Raising Campaign. All revenue generated from ticket sales to the Green Fashion Show and Valentine’s Chocolate Sale last month, a total of MOP9967 will be donated to Macau Red Cross to help the re-building of Haiti.
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(Macao – 8 April 2010) The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today at the opening of the 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition that the Macao SAR Government was aware and concerned of our environment as well as enforce our capability in protecting the environment. Mr Chui said that with the concept to build a Low Carbon Macao, to enjoy green living together, the SAR Government will strengthen its commitments in protecting the environment, improving the infrastructures accordingly as well as upgrading the quality of the environment in order to turn Macao into a sustainable city and global leisure centre for tourism. “The Kyoto Protocol is applicable to Macao Special Administrative Region at the beginning of 2008. The Government of Macao Special Administrative Region will continue to cope with our policies to reduce the emission, under the common but differentiated responsibility in combating the climate change. “With no doubts, the development of low carbon economy and the promotion of clean production are driving forces for the recovery and sustainability of the world economy.” Mr Chui also expressed gratitude, on behalf of the SAR Government, to the National Development and Reform Commission as well as the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China for being MIECF’s Special Supporting Organizations, and the co-organising of provincial and regional governments in Pan-Pearl River Delta Region in this meaningful event.
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The Macao International Environmental Co-operation and Forum and Exhibition (2010MIECF), organised by the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, is to open (April 8). The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will preside over the opening ceremony of the three-day event. 2010MIECF, to be staged at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from Thursday to Saturday (April 8 to 10), attracts hundreds of exhibitors from China and foreign countries seeking green business opportunities, as well as professionals and experts from the business, academic and public organisations to share their views on the latest issues on environmental protection. Exhibitors, trade visitors and speakers for the forums arrived in Macao and workers were setting up booths and exhibition pavilion at the exhibition venue. Top officials of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Macao Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA), 2010MIECF’s Host Co-ordinators, showed the press the exhibition venue this afternoon. The President of IPIM, Mr Jackson Cheong told the press that response from exhibitors was impressive and more than 360 enterprises and organisations, up 40% comparing to 2009MIECF, would participate in the exhibition. The theme for the 2010MIECF will be “Macao, the Green Gateway, Green Knowledge, Green Technology, Green Finance”. Essentially through the exhibition of materials and the organisation of a string of forums, complemented by the marking of “Green Business Co-operation Day” and the organisation of business matching, technical visits and a wide range of exchange activities, MIECF aims to promote the green spirit as well as local and international co-operation, through the sharing of the latest environmental technology and solutions, to create more business opportunities for different enterprises. There will be multiple themed areas, including the Macao Pavilion, the Pan-PRD Exhibition Area, the European Pavilion, the Macao Environmental Protection and Energy Saving Industry Exhibition Area, the Low-Carbon Living Pavilion, the Mainland China and International Environmental Protection Enterprises Exhibition Area and the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association Exhibition Area, among others. Products and services to be exhibited include green buildings and smart cities, integrated waste management systems, renewable energy, photovoltaic and solar energy, low-carbon technologies, 3R green quality control, electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, decontamination equipment and LED energy-saving lamps. In order to create more business opportunities for exhibitors and participants, and to assist them in finding business partners and to promote their products and services, 2010MIECF will, as usual, provide them a free-of-charge business matching services. Up to today, the Organisers have gathered 470 investment projects. As in the past, in order to enhance public environmental awareness and to educate the public on how to enjoy green living, this year’s MIECF will continue to hold the “Green Public Day” and open this event to members of the public. Parents are urged to bring their children to attend the Green Public Day on April 10. A visit to the area dedicated to environmental protection education is especially recommended for the younger generation, the concept of “show concern about environmental protection, stay closer to nature and enjoy green life”, by means of videos, fun games and exhibits, green fashion and workshops. Visitors may also get the chance to ride on an electric vehicle. On Green Public Day, free shuttle buses will take visitors to the exhibition. The shuttle buses connect Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from Av. Dr. Mario Soares (The Macau Square), Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida and Estr. Marginal do Hipodromo. They run every 30 minutes, from 09:00 to 18:30. Visitors may also get a four-hour free parking coupon for Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel at the exhibition venue. For inquiries, please contact the 2010MIECF Secretariat in telephone (853) 7898-9675, fax (853) 2872-7123, email miecf2010@ipim.gov.mo, or visit the 2010 MIECF official website: www.macaomiecf.com.
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) announced today (7) the termination of the emergency response mechanism for Viva Macau incident. Starting from 6pm, the help desks of GGCT and Consumer Council at Macau Government Tourist Office’s (MGTO) information counter at the Macau International Airport are closed. Meanwhile, the operation of the designated hotline 2833 3088 and overseas hotlines have been ceased. Since the functions of GGCT do not include handling compensation inquiries of passengers, affected passengers may contact the Consumer Council (hotline: 8988 9315. website: http://www.consumer.gov.mo/) For general inquiries, please dial the Tourism Hotline at 2833 3000. In the past few days, GGCT helped 460 affected visitors re-book tickets of return flights and 363 affected Macao residents returned home. Local designated hotline 2833 3088 had received 1,184 inquiries or requests for assistance while overseas hotlines had received 367 inquiries or requests for assistance. The Consumer Council had also received 525 inquiries and requests for assistance. As of today, the expenses for handling Viva Macau incident are about MOP$3,000,000, and the final amount is to be confirmed. More than 100 personnel participated in the crisis management for the Viva Macau incident, including 4 from GGCT, 70 from MGTO, 16 from Government Information Bureau (GCS) and 12 from Consumer Council.
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Widely seen as a pre-show for the “Expo 2010 Shanghai China” which will soon be opened on 1st May, the much-anticipated city is eager to showcase to the world its capability of hosting large-scale event by organizing “The 4th Incentive Travel & Conventions Meetings (IT&CM China)” in less than a month before. 33 Macau trade representatives will join the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) to participate in the IT&CM China at the ShanghaiMart Expo from 7th -9th April, to present to the world the city’s new offer and recent development in the MICE industry. IT&CM China is a platform for international and leading Chinese players in the MICE industry to explore exciting business opportunities, generate new sales leads and strengthen existing business partnerships. It is anticipated that the annual event will attract more than 300 international and mainland buyers, including representatives of corporate companies, travel agents and industry associations from 13 Chinese provincial cities. Macau is a fast emerging MICE destination in Asia for the recent years. In order to strengthen the development of MICE industry and provide timely opportunities for the local trades to network and to do business with their counterparts from Shanghai, the rest of China and the world, participation in the IT&CM China could not be better for the facilitation of such kind of communication and regional development. This year, the exhibiting area of the Macau booth at the IT&CM China is 340m2, is the largest among all exhibitors. In addition, the number of co-exhibitors of MGTO at this tradeshows also outnumbered its record of the similar events, reflecting that China is a very important market for the Macau trades and their confidence in its potentials. The Macau stand at IT&CM China is no. 218. For more information about Macau at IT&CM China, or about the destination generally, visit www.macautourism.gov.mo or contact the Macau Business Tourism Centre by email: mbtc@macautourism.gov.mo.
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Climate changes have increased the occurrence of extreme weather conditions, such as the severe drought in Mainland China, and therefore reduction of such changes is of utmost importance. As a government service in charge of monitoring climate changes, Macao Metereological and Geophysical Bureau (DSMG) has for many years actively participated in the research on this issue. In 2007, DSMG became one of the government departments to implement energy-saving pilot programs, to contribute to the mitigation of climate change. Over the past three years, DSMG has also been active in promoting energy conservation internally, by improving the management of energy consumption and equipment, such as the replacement to more energy-saving light bulbs and the monitoring of internal electricity consumption. It is also planning to paste plastic insulation film to the windows to reduce indoor temperature. With the implementation of these series of measures, more energy conservation can be expected. Also, as a result of these efforts, over the past three years, despite increase in the number of human resources and equipment, there has been no corresponding increase in electricity consumption, which shows that the energy conservation measures adopted have been successful. In recent years, DSMG has also actively engaged in the research of climate change, having conducted research programs to assess the past and future climate situation of Macao. DSMG also regularly sends its staff to attend international conferences, to explore the issue of climate change with world experts, in order to be adequately prepared to assist the Macao Government in the setting-up of suitable government policies. Human activities, such as electricity production, transportation tools and greenhouse gases from manufacturing industries are the main sources of global warming. Gaming, rather than the manufacturing industries, is the main business activity of Macao. Therefore, electricity generation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emission here, followed by emissions from vehicles. These two sources already account to 60% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions in Macao. More frequent significant weather changes have occurred in Macao this year. On March 22, Macao registered very unhealthy air quality levels. DSMG considers that the weather disaster cases in various parts of the world concern all of us and everyone should make efforts to mitigate climate changes. On the other hand, the emergence of the dust storms also reflects the situation of desertification in the northern part of China and severe droughts, especially those occurring in the Southwest of China, where millions are still suffering from lack of water, show that extreme weather will frequently occur because of global warming. Two forums have been planned for this year´s MIECF, namely “Low-Carbon Building and Eco City” and “Clean Technology and Circular Economy”. Interest parties are invited to contact the 2010MIECF Secretariat at telephone (853) 8798-9675, fax (853) 2872-7123, e-mail miecf2010@ipim.gov.mo or visit the official MIECF website www.macaomief.com.
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2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF) is a special event for the environmental industries, as it provides an opportunity for organisations and enterprises from different parts of the world to interact and co-operate. The current edition of the MIECF will take place from April 8 to 10, 2010. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS BECOME A KEY INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG The 9 Provinces and 2 Regions in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (9+2) are actively pushing for the development of the environmental industries. In recent years, Hong Kong has been effectively building its role as a hub for environmental industries, by maintaining close ties with the industrial sectors and government organisations and bringing in advanced equipment from abroad, so as to provide technology, information, communication and co-ooperation channels in environmental protection not only to the local enterprises and organisations, but to enterprises and organisations in Mainland China and other places as well. With regards to policy, the Hong Kong SAR Government has launched several projects and funding schemes to promote environmental protection. In the recent Policy Address, the Government has pointed out environmental industries as one of the six key industries in Hong Kong. This is a clear indication that the development of Hong Kong´s environmental industries will be accelerated in the future. GOOD PERSPECTIVES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT IN YUNNAN Over the past ten years, investment in environmental industries has intensified in Yunnan Province, as reflected by the continued growth of direct investment in green business, at a rate even faster than the GDP growth in the same period, meaning that expansion of the environmental industries can be guaranteed. At the same time, demand for green technology and products has also increased. Up to year-end 2008, Yunnan had a total of 580 enterprises and units engaged in the green business, an 13.1% increase over 2004. In 2008, total revenue from environmental industries reached RMB 7.846 billion. Total sales amounted to RMB 10.2 billion, which was 1.2 times of year 2004´s figures. The green industry continues to grow at an annual rate of 5.7%. At present, Yunnan´s environmental industries is mainly based in Kumming, Honghe, Qujing and Yuxi. Given that, so far, no environmental industries have been set-up in other locations of the said province, there is still wide space for development of the green industry in Yunnan. SICHUAN´S INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM According to information provided the Organisers, Sichuan has basically set-up a comprehensive system for the environmental industries. As a matter of fact, some green technologies and products originated from that province are considered and certified by China Environmental Protection Industry Association as key national environmental technologies and products, widely used not only in Sichuan but in other locations as well. The level of Sichuan´s advisory services in environmental protection has been continually upgraded. Development of the environmental industries in that province is also growing at a fast pace. In fact, the Provincial Government targets the output value from environmental industries to reach 5% of the GDP in 2015, while striving to achieve 10% by year 2020. EXCELLENT RESULTS FROM PARTICIPATION IN MIECF MIECF is organised by the Macao SAR Government and co-organised by the remaining 9 provinces and 1 region in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region (9+2). Thanks to the platform provided by Macao, MIECF participants will get an in-depth undertanding of the development of the green industries and future policies in that area, by visiting the exhibition and attending the conferences. Last year, 5,697 participants from 43 countries and regions participated in the MIECF, with 254 exhibitors. MIECF resulted in the signing of 20 projects co-operation protocols, valued at about 2.5 billion Patacas, with the participation of different organisations and enterprises. Up to present, there has been an increase not only in the number of exhibitors but also in the number of business matchings sessions being planned. For more information on 2010MIECF, please contact the 2010MIECF Secretariat: Macau: +(853) 8798-9675, Hong Kong: +(852) 2511-0738, Singapore: +(65) 62360988
e-mail: info@macaomiecf.com, website: www.macaomiecf.com
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