News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the value of total merchandise export for July 2010 decreased by 3.4% year-on-year to MOP609 million, with value of domestic exports falling by 2.8% to MOP249 million and that of re-exports dropping by 3.9% to MOP361 million. The value of total merchandise import amounted to MOP3.83 billion, up by 19.4% year-on-year. A trade deficit of MOP3.22 billion was recorded for July 2010. In the first seven months of 2010, total value of merchandise export fell by 6.5% year-on-year to MOP4.23 billion, of which the value of domestic exports declined by 29.2%, but that of re-exports expanded by 10.4%; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import grew by 20.5% to MOP24.29 billion. The trade deficit from January to July 2010 widened by 28.4% year-on-year to MOP20.05 billion; the exports/imports ratio went down by 5.1 percentage points year-on-year to 17.4%. Analyzed by destination of exports, value of merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.85 billion) and Mainland China (MOP680 million) in the first seven months of 2010 increased by 15.1% and 0.3% respectively year-on-year, while that to the USA (MOP500 million) and the EU (MOP248 million) decreased substantially by 45.2% and 42.9% respectively. Exports of Textile & garment amounted to MOP964 million, down by 43.5% year-on-year to account for 22.8% of the total merchandise export; however, value of Non-textile exports (MOP3.27 billion) grew by 15.8%, with that of Copper & articles thereof and Clocks & watches rising notably by 88.9% and 70.4% respectively. Regarding the country of origin of imported goods, in the first seven months of 2010, value of merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP7.51 billion) and the EU (MOP5.30 billion) expanded by 19.9% and 24.4% respectively year-on-year. The value of imports of Consumer goods rose by 40.1% year-on-year, with that of Motor cars & motorcycles growing significantly by 109.0%; nevertheless, the value of imports of Capital goods and Raw materials & semi-manufactures fell by 11.1% and 1.3% respectively. From January to July 2010, total value of merchandise import and export amounted to MOP28.52 billion, up by 15.6% compared with MOP24.68 billion in the first seven months of 2009.
…

The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 12 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (August 30). Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 369 premises were checked, of which 46 were normal residences, while 43 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force will continue investigation on unanswered doors which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. When necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, the operations involved more than 369 occupants, among whom 205 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 9 operators, 6 touts, 6 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and two occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were five overstayers and one illegal immigrant. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that consumption of Electricity increased by 28.6% over the previous quarter to 955 million kWh in the second quarter of 2010, upon the arrival of Summer. Electricity consumption by Households surged by 47.3% to 186 million kWh, and that by the Business sector increased by 24.2% to 726 million kWh (Gaming sector shared 45.5%). Meanwhile, local generation of Electricity totalled 226 million kWh, up by 10.6% quarter-to-quarter; imports of Electricity increased by 32.2% to 765 million kWh, raising its relative importance to account for 78.0% of total available supply. For the first half year of 2010, local generation of Electricity decreased by 54.5% year-on-year to 431 million kWh, while imports (1.344 billion kWh) and consumption (1.697 billion kWh) of Electricity increased by 92.5% and 9.7% respectively. Imports of Natural Gas for electricity generation increased continuously to rise by 10.4% from the previous quarter to 29.57 million cubic metres in the second quarter. For the first half year of 2010, imports of Natural Gas (56.35 million cubic metres) rose by 12.1% year-on-year. Consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) decreased by 13.0% quarter-to-quarter to 9,997 tonnes in the second quarter, of which consumption by the Business sector (6,622 tonnes) and Households (3,321 tonnes) fell by 8.8% and 20.1% respectively. Meanwhile, imports of LPG decreased by 24.8% from the previous quarter to 9,294 tonnes, with the average price of imports registering a slight increase of 0.3%. For the first half year of 2010, imports of LPG (21,658 tonnes) increased by 6.5% year-on-year. The average price of Unleaded Gasoline and Bottled LPG in the second quarter both decreased by 1.6% quarter-to-quarter, but increased by 5.1% and 27.8% respectively year-on-year. At the end of the second quarter, stock of Fuel Oil (23.37 million litres) increased by 12.4% quarter-to-quarter whereas that of Gas oil & diesel (24.05 million litres) and LPG (2,996 tonnes) decreased by 4.8% and 18.4% respectively.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the number of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) events held in various venues in Macao increased by 18% year-on-year to 412 in the second quarter of 2010, due to a substantial increase in the number of meetings and conferences held (+70). The average duration of MICE events rose from 1.8 days in the second quarter of 2009 to 2.1 days; total number of participants and attendees soared by 129% year-on-year to 131,564. A total of 12 exhibitions were held in the second quarter of 2010, down by 7 year-on-year; nevertheless, the average duration increased from 3.4 days in the second quarter of 2009 to 5.7 days. Number of attendees surged by 269% to 93,701, with two major exhibitions attracting more than 65,000 attendees. Meanwhile, number of meetings & conferences held rose by 21% year-on-year to 400; the average duration stood at 2.0 days, up by 0.2 day, and the number of participants increased by 18% to 37,863. As regards subject of MICE events, the majority focused on Commerce, Trade & Management (149), IT & Other Technology (52) and Education & Training (45). Analyzed by type, most of the events were Corporate Meetings (163), Association Meetings (106) and Government Meetings (69). There were 234 MICE events held in hotels, up by 28 year-on-year, with 225 meetings & conferences and 9 exhibitions. The average duration increased from 2.1 days in the second quarter of 2009 to 2.9 days, drawing a total of 60,476 participants and attendees, with 64% being exhibition attendees. Meanwhile, 178 MICE events were held in convention & exhibition centres and other conference venues, up by 35 year-on-year, consisting of 175 meetings & conferences and 3 exhibitions. The average duration decreased from 1.5 days in the second quarter of 2009 to 1.1 days, bringing in a total of 71,088 participants and attendees, with 55,200 (78% of total) being attendees to the exhibitions. In the first half year of 2010, there were 809 MICE events held in Macao, up by 79 (+11%) year-on-year. The average duration increased by 0.2 day to 2.2 days; number of participants and attendees rose by 7% year-on-year to 224,301.
…

The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 4 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (August 29). Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 357 premises were checked, of which 44 were normal residences, while 43 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force will continue investigation on unanswered doors which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. When necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, the operations involved more than 349 occupants, among which 205 where occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, including 9 operators, 6 touts, 6 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and two occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were five overstayers and one illegal immigrant. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…

The participation of Macao in the Sixth Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Co-operation and Development Forum was rewarding, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. Speaking to the press on the Macao Government delegation’s last day in Fujian for the forum, Mr Chui said he had met senior officials of Hunan, Sichuan, Guangdong and Fujian provinces, and that they all agreed to enhance bilateral co-operation, especially in areas of tourism, training and trade. In addition, business people from Macao threaded many links during the event, Mr Chui said. Asked by reporters over co-operation between Macao and Taiwan, Mr Chui said Macao would strengthen communications and co-operation mechanism with Taiwan. Macao had suggested setting up an office in Taiwan to better serve the Macao students and people there and strengthen co-operation with Taiwan in areas such as trade, culture, tourism and education, he said. Mr Chui said the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, visited Taiwan last week and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, would visit this week to attend tourism and culture promotion events, which demonstrated the positive and optimistic development of Macao-Taiwan relations. Mr Chui said that Macao could learn from the experience of Fujian in developing relations with Taiwan. Speaking on Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Park, which was opened in 2006, Mr Chui said Macao and Guangdong had been studying over its upgrade and transformation and would listen to the opinions of the business sector.
…

The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 3 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (August 28). One premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally was sealed and 1 management staff and 1 tout were taken for interrogations. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 348 premises were checked, of which 43 were normal residences, while 43 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force will continue investigation on unanswered doors which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. When necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, the operations involved more than 344 occupants, among which 205 where occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, including 9 operators, 6 touts, 6 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and two occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were five overstayers and one illegal immigrant. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that based on the good foundation between Macao and Fujian, the two places would step up co-operation on trading, culture and tourism. Mr Chui arrived in Fuzhou, Fujian, where for the 6th Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation and Development Forum and Trade Fair which opens tonight. During the meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, Ms Sun Chunlan and the Governor of Fujian province, Mr Huang Xiaojing, Mr Chui expressed his gratitude to the Fujian leaders for having provided supports to Macao for a long time. He also proposed to his counterparts that Macao and Fujian step up bilateral co-operation on trading, culture, tourism, transportation, logistics, customs clearance and inspection and quarantine. Mr Huang said that there were more than 100,000 Fujian people working in Macao, which is a way supported the Macao Government’s work. He said that following the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) implemented in Fujian, there would be more development opportunity for the province, adding that this would help to propel Macao and Fujian’s co-operation.
…

The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 2 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (August 27). One premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally was sealed and one operator was taken for interrogations. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 340 premises were checked, of which 42 were normal residences, while 40 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force will continue investigation on unanswered doors which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. When necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, the operations involved more than 300 occupants (among which 187 where occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally), including 9 operators, 4 touts, 4 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and two occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were five overstayers and one illegal immigrant. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
…

To promote business tourism in Macau, the Macau Business Tourism Centre (MBTC) of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) held a ‘Meetings and Incentives Luncheon for Hong Kong Corporate Representatives’ today (27 August) at W Hotel in Hong Kong. A total of 100 corporate event planners and decision makers from local firms and multi-national companies were present. The objective is to furnish the participants with recent update on Macau tourism in particular to showcase what Macau has to offer as an exciting and dynamic destination for meetings and incentives activities. 30 Macau trade partners from Meetings and incentives industry attended the luncheon to exchange views and opportunities with Hong Kong corporate representatives. The luncheon started with a presentation on Macau's Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E.) development and why Macau is attractive as a M.I.C.E. destination, with focus on introducing the "Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Program". Due to the overwhelming response, the program was first launched in May 2009 and now it is extended till 31 December 2010 with an aim to further benefit more MICE events coming to Macau. In addition, two industry experts from Macau and Hong Kong, Mr. Bruno Simões and Mr. David Simpson, were invited to share their experience for team building ideas in Macau. Mr. Licénio da Cunha, Head of Product and Special Projects Department of MGTO exchanged views with the corporate representatives. He expressed that thanks to the recent economic recovery and government support, adjacent to Hong Kong, Macau has been turning itself into a popular meetings and incentives destination for increasing number of Hong Kong companies. In recent years, Macau has witnessed a fast-pace M.I.C.E. development. A wide range of world class M.I.C.E. facilities with diversified tourism elements make Macau a premier destination for corporate meetings and incentives. Participants of today’s luncheon are mainly corporate representatives from companies which frequently organize corporate events. These companies included accounting, banking, insurance, information technology, medical, law, fashion and beauty, etc. Some corporate representatives reflected that the luncheon served as a platform to learn more on Macau MICE, while the Macau trade partners concluded this event useful for business building and information exchange.
…