News

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.
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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.
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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.
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The Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries (DPICC) of the Cultural Affairs Bureau has formulated a plan, to be realised in phases, for the creation of a database for the cultural and creative industries. Starting today, the Department will begin collecting data from local industries on Macao’s original design products. The Cultural Affairs Bureau hopes that the establishment of the database will allow a more comprehensive understanding of Macao’s cultural and creative markets, facilitating integrated analysis and research which can contribute to the designing of development plans and measures to support and promote Macao’s cultural and creative industries. Since its establishment in March of this year, the Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries has organised local cultural and creative businesses and organisations for participation in the 6th China International Cultural Industries Fair (Shenzhen) and the 3rd Cross-Strait Cultural Industry Fair (Xiamen). In October this year, the Department will organise delegates for participation in the 15th Macao International Trade & Investment Fair. By establishing the Database for the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries, the Cultural Affairs Bureau aims to further its understanding of the development of local cultural and creative industries and to enhance communication between the government and the various industries. In addition, the Database will facilitate the collection and storage of market information for in-depth research related to Macao’s cultural and creative industries and will promote co-operation between the government and local organisations with the aim of jointly advancing the growth of Macao’s cultural and creative industries. Data collection will be conducted in phases. The first phase, beginning today, will collect data from the design industry. Targets include local professional organisations such as ‘original fashion brands’, ‘visual and graphic design houses’, ‘souvenir and gift designers’ and ‘multimedia web designers’. Local registered companies and organisations which engage in any of the above areas of design are welcome to submit information about their original design products to the Cultural Affairs Bureau. The Macao Design Industry Data Collection Form can be downloaded from the Cultural Affairs Bureau website at www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc. Interested parties may complete the form and submit it, with supporting electronic files, to the Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, located at Praça do Tap Seac. For enquiries, please call 8399 6394 during office hours or email Info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo.
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The Historical Archives of Macao will hold another of its popular conservation workshops on Saturday 4th of September from 14.00 to 17.00. This time the focus will be on making a Book sleeve. No previous experience is required but participants must be at least ten years old. Starting 30th of August, 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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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for May-July 2010 was 2.9%, up slightly by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period (April-June 2010); the underemployment rate dropped by 0.1 percentage point to 1.8%. Total labour force was 326,000 in May-July 2010 and the labour force participation rate stood at 71.5%, with the employed population decreasing by about 200 over the previous period to 317,000. Analyzed by industry, employment of the Manufacturing Sector and Retail Trade saw decrease, while employment of Construction registered an increase. Number of the unemployed increased by about 300 from the previous period to 9,600; with more graduates entering the labour market, the proportion of fresh labour force entrants looking for the first job rose by 3.7 percentage points over the previous period to 11.2%. In comparison with May-July 2009, the labour force participation rate, the unemployment rate and underemployment rate decreased by 1.3, 0.8 and 0.1 percentage points respectively.
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The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, met the Deputy Minister of the ‘Mainland Affairs Council’, Mr Kao Charng, today and exchanged ideas over setting up a Macao office in Taiwan, according to a press release by the office. At a reception hosted by Mr Kao, Mr Tam said the Government hoped to expand the functions of the current tourism office in Taiwan to enhance co-operation between Macao and Taiwan. Mr Kao said the council welcomed the establishment of the office and hoped that the two sides could discuss this issue soon. Mr Tam expressed appreciation for Mr Kao’s reply and invited him to attend the opening ceremony of Taipei – Macao Week next Friday. Mr Tam also met with Taiwan’s education authorities to exchange ideas with its officials on the issue of academic qualification recognition. He returned to Macao this evening on completion of a three-day visit.
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The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 19 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (August 26). Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 335 premises were checked, of which 42 were normal residences, while 38 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, more than 300 occupants were taken for interrogations, including 7 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.
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The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, is in Taiwan on a three-day visit from Tuesday to Thursday, according to a statement issued by the office. Leading an official delegation to Taiwan, Mr Tam paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), Mr Chiang Pin-kung, yesterday and exchanged ideas on how to enhance exchanges between Macao and Taiwan in culture, tourism, economy and other areas. Mr Tam said the Macao SAR Government, led by Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On, had clearly put the development of Macao-Taiwan relation into agenda and set up mechanism to open communications with different entities in Taiwan in order to strive for a better future of the Macao and Taiwan people. To better serve the 3,000-plus Macao students and citizens who work in Taiwan and further enhance exchanges between Macao and Taiwan, Mr Tam said the Government hoped that Macao could set up an office in Taiwan in the near future. Mr Chiang said the foundation was supportive of enhancing relations between Macao and Taiwan and was willing to exert its influence in support of issues such as setting up a Macao office in Taiwan and the recognition of Macao academic qualifications. Mr Chiang also said that Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao should join hands to reap from the benefits of peace and development. Members of Mr Tam’s delegation include Advisors of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin Hung and Mr Lam Io Pak, the Acting Co-ordinator of Tertiary Education Services Office, Ms Kuok Sio Lai, and the Director of the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences of the University of Macau, Prof. Wang Yitao. Mr Tam, who is also the Director of Preparatory Office for Chinese Medicine Scientific and Industrial Park, had a gathering yesterday evening with some distinguished biotechnology and Chinese medicine experts in Taiwan, who were invited by Prof. Wang Yitao. These experts included the President of National Taiwan University, Prof. Lee Si-Chen, the former President of the university and current Chairman of Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry, Dr. Chen Wei-Jao, Academician of Genomics Research Center of Academia Sinica, Dr. Chen Chung-Hsuan, the Dean of College of Medicine of National Taiwan University, Prof. Yang Pan-Chyr, and others. Mr Kou Chin Hung, who is the Vice Director of the preparatory office, also attended the gathering. Mr Tam and the delegation today visited Yilan County and were warmly received by its leading official, Mr Lin Tsung-Hsien. Mr Tam and Mr Lin introduced the latest development of the two places to each other and exchanged ideas on developing co-operation on culture, tourism and trade. Tomorrow Mr Tam is scheduled to attend a reception hosted by the Deputy Minister of ‘Mainland Affairs Council’, Mr Kao Charng, and will pay a courtesy on Taiwan’s education authorities and hold a symposium with its senior official, Mr Lin Tsong-ming, as well as other officials on issues of Macao tertiary education, Macao students in Taiwan and academic qualification system in Taiwan.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released results of the Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages for the second quarter of 2010. Survey coverage comprised Wholesale & Retail Trade; Transport, Storage & Communications; Security Activities and Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities, excluding own-account workers. At the end of the second quarter of 2010, Wholesale & Retail Trade had 28,825 paid employees, up by 6.4% year-on-year, with 17,390 working in Retail trade. In June 2010, average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) of full-time employees rose by 6.4% year-on-year to MOP9,200, with Sales representatives and Salespersons earning MOP10,520 and MOP8,310 respectively in average. The Transport, Storage & Communications sector took on 7,410 paid employees, down by 3.9% year-on-year. In June, average earnings of full-time employees increased by 1.2% year-on-year to MOP15,100. Drivers of passenger/cargo transport by land earned an average of MOP12,400. Security Activities had 4,189 paid employees, up by 10.1% year-on-year. The average earnings of full-time employees in June rose slightly by 0.5% year-on-year to MOP7,440, with Security guards earning MOP7,000 in average. Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities had 632 paid employees, down by 5.0% year-on-year. The average earnings of full-time employees in June decreased by 2.1% year-on-year to MOP11,030. At the end of June 2010, Wholesale & Retail Trade reported 3,072 job vacancies, up drastically by 82.2% year-on-year; Security Activities had 796 vacancies, a notable increase of 65.8%, and the Transport, Storage & Communications sector had 327 vacancies, up by 10.8% year-on-year. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 59.4% of the vacancies in Wholesale & Retail Trade and 48.2% of those in the Transport, Storage & Communications sector required working experience. As regards educational attainment, 73.7% of the vacancies in Public Sewage & Refuse Disposal Activities required senior secondary education or higher; 75.5% of the vacancies in Wholesale & Retail Trade required junior secondary education or higher, while 77.8% of those in Security Activities required primary education only. With respect to the indicators that measure the inflow and outflow of human resources, as well as staffing needs of the sectors, Security Activities had the highest recruitment rate, employee turnover rate and job vacancy rate, at 8.9%, 10.7% and 16.1% respectively.
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