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New guidance from Central Government to facilitate Macao’s adequate economic diversification

  • 2023-02-24

The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government welcomes the publishing by the Central Government of Opinions on Financial Support for the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

The People's Bank of China, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange today jointly issued the document.

The Opinions document focuses on ways to promote Macao’s adequate economic diversification; encourage financial reform and innovation; and assist further opening up and development of external cooperation, within the framework of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. These efforts are in order to help the Cooperation Zone strengthen its connection with the financial market in Macao, and to create the right conditions and environment to help members of the Macao public live and work on the Hengqin side of the boundary.

The development of the Cooperation Zone is an important step, introduced by the Central Government, in order to support Macao’s adequate economic diversification and sustainable development. It is also a major initiative to promote the implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle, as well as a key path for Macao to integrate into the country’s overall development.

The Opinions document suggests various measures and policies to be applied within the framework of the Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The proposals include: financial activities for the benefit of society; investments and financing relating to cross-boundary trade; and the interlinking of financial infrastructure. Such steps advance existing elements in the financial collaboration between the two sides, create opportunity for innovative development of the financial sector, and contribute to the advancement of financial markets on both sides.

The Opinions document proposes the creation of various types of financial institution in the Cooperation Zone, in conjunction with the development of modern financial activities – such as bond issuance, wealth management, and financial leasing – in order to support Macao in expanding and deepening the development of modern financial services. The Opinions document also encourages financial institutions to provide financial support for, respectively: the cultural sector; tourism; convention and exhibition business; and technological innovation, in accordance with the MSAR Government's strategies for the four main industries given priority for development.

The Opinions document supports steps to interconnect pieces of financial infrastructure present in the two jurisdictions, thus advancing the Cooperation Zone, and promoting cross-boundary flow of funds, via the development of an electronic fence monitoring and control system, and the launching of measures supporting cross-boundary settlement in renminbi, and other exchange of funds.

The issuance of the Opinions document reflects Macao’s commitment to its role as a Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, while contributing to the promotion of the internationalisation of the renminbi, in conjunction with the development and positioning of Macao in terms of its “Centre and Platform” policies.

The Opinions document advocates a set of policies aimed at creating greater convenience for the Macao public in their relationship with the Cooperation Zone. Suggested measures include support for: cross-boundary financial transactions for individuals; mobile payments; credit financing; cross-boundary insurance; and investments in securities. In addition, the document suggests measures aimed at supporting financial institutions in the Cooperation Zone to recruit Macao residents, as well as measures to make it easier for employees of Macao financial institutions to live, work, and purchase homes in the Cooperation Zone.

The MSAR Government will work in accordance with the objectives and guidelines set out in the Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and in the Opinions document. The MSAR Government will seek to: make better use of the opportunities arising from the Cooperation Zone; reinforce the integration of resources available to the Cooperation Zone; and ensure the Cooperation Zone’s inherent existing advantages are utilised effectively. The MSAR Government will also make good use of the system created jointly with the Guangdong Government in relation to the Cooperation Zone, in order to inject new energy into the sustainable development of Macao's socioeconomic environment, thus exploring new areas and creating new opportunities for Macao. (More)

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Exhibitors recognise MIF platform’s effectiveness and hope to seize business opportunities through three concurrent exhibitions this year

  • 2020-09-28

The 25th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (25th MIF), the Macao Franchise Expo 2020 (2020MFE) and the 2020 Portuguese Speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition (Macao) (2020PLPEX) will be concurrently held at The Venetian Macao from 22 to 24 October, with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the exhibitions and creating business opportunities through the platform offered by the three exhibitions.

Boosting businesses by 30% to 40% by participating in the exhibitions

Mr Wong, General Manager of the Soi Fong International Trading Company Ltd., who had participated in the MIF for five times, remarked that the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) not only provided services for SMEs to connect with large leisure enterprises, but also offered specific information on businesses and features of targeted SMEs to large leisure enterprises, thereby increasing the interest of both parties to co-operate. Benefiting from this service, the company became the slipper supplier of a large local leisure company, and its business volume increased by 30% to 40%. As a result, the company hired dozens more employees and expanded its factory’s area by 50%. According to Mr Wong, this year’s business is affected by the epidemic , and the company will continue to participate in the MIF, which will held concurrently with two other exhibitions at the same venue, in the hope of meeting more businessmen from all over the world online and offline.

Ms Si, Executive Director of the Tin Un Tai Wo Group Co., Ltd., specialising in biological research and health food production, said that IPIM’s efforts last year enabled the company to establish co-operation in international certification of enterprises with the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre and built an internationally-recognised safety assurance system, gaining recognition for the company’s reputation and product quality, and increasing market competitiveness of the company and its products. Due to the impact of the epidemic this year, consumers now prefer products with internationally-recognised safety assurance systems, and the company estimated that more and more customers will be interested learn about its products. She believes that there will be more room for the company’s business development in the future.

Attracting medical and financial companies from the Chinese mainland to start operating in Macao through the exhibitions

In addition, Mr Ng, President of the Macau International Investment Association, mentioned that last year they arranged for a group of companies from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to participate in MIF. During the exhibitions, some entrepreneurs reached co-operation with companies from Mainland China to set up joint ventures in Macao for conducting businesses in different areas, such as industrial investment, medical and financial services. He believes that the MIF platform can help companies to “go global and bring in investment”. Broad in scale, MIF also brings together businessmen from across the world and creates opportunities for exchanges and co-operation, helping companies broaden their horizons and keep up with the latest developments in various industries.

For any enquiries, please call the MIF Coordinators Administrative and Service Centre on (853) 2882 8711 or email us at info@mif.com.mo. To learn the latest news, please subscribe MICE_IPIM on WeChat or visit the website: www.mif.com.mo.

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The 21st round of guaranteed face mask supply for Macao public

  • 2020-08-28

[ The latest official news]

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Certain Macao residents eligible for travel to Zhuhai will also be able to apply for exemption from Zhuhai quarantine

  • 2020-06-11

[The latest official news]  Certain eligible Macao residents permitted to make a boundary-crossing journey to Zhuhai in Guangdong Province, are shortly to be permitted exemption from undergoing a 14-day medical observation in Zhuhai.

The Macao Government and the Zhuhai Government were discussing a date for that measure’s commencement. Any news would be announced in a timely manner, said the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Ao Ieong U, during today’s press conference held by the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre.

The new measure will encompass certain Macao residents who do not have a mainland residence permit but who need to visit Zhuhai.

Macao residents to be eligible to apply for exemption from the Zhuhai quarantine procedure are: those registered with the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute as “business” people, depending on their purpose for travelling; those visiting Zhuhai on Government business; and those approved for “special reasons”.

Applications for such quarantine exemption can be made online starting from Thursday (11 June), via https://app.ssm.gov.mo/IMM. Applications must be submitted five days prior to the intended travel date. The Government will assess applications on a case-by-case basis and then forward its recommendations to the Zhuhai authorities for consideration.

The three groups eligible for quarantine exemption will still need to satisfy four requirements in order to be exempted from the Zhuhai quarantine. They are: 1) that the person had not been to any places outside Macao and the mainland in the 14 days prior to their intended arrival in Zhuhai; 2) that they do not have any COVID-19-related symptoms such as fever or cough; 3) that their health-status declaration under Macao’s Health Code system has a “green” code result; and 4) that they have a negative nucleic-acid test result, issued within seven days of their intended arrival in Zhuhai. 

Once an application for quarantine exemption is approved, the traveller concerned will be able to make multiple trips between Macao and Zhuhai without being required to undergo a 14-day period of medical observation in Zhuhai.

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Macao to launch special ferry service to/from Hong Kong International Airport

[The latest official news]  The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) will launch from 17 June a special ferry service between Taipa Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong International Airport.

The introduction of the special ferry service – with assistance and support from the Hong Kong SAR Government – seeks to facilitate the return to Macao of Macao residents currently overseas, and to enable those located in Macao due to the novel coronavirus alert and who wish to return to their place of origin, to do so.

The news was announced during today’s press conference held by the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre.

Ferry sailings between Macao and Hong Kong have been under suspension since 4 February.

The special ferry service will be provided by TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet from 17 June to 16 July inclusive. There will be two sailings inbound to Macao and two sailings outbound each day during the period. Services inbound to Taipa Ferry Terminal will set off at 2pm and 11pm respectively. Those outbound to Hong Kong International Airport will set off daily at 9am and 7pm.

Macao residents currently staying overseas and who wish to take the special ferry service in order to facilitate travel home must have flight tickets to Hong Kong International Airport and arrive there via services landing between the hours of 4am and 10pm on any day from 17 June to 16 July inclusive. The fee for each ferry ticket purchased at Hong Kong International Airport is 270 Hong Kong dollars. For those using ferry services departing Macao, each ticket costs 270 patacas and can be purchased at several locations.

Macao residents wishing to use the special ferry service must register online, via https://aeees.dses.gov.mo/HKMAC/, 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. The registration system will open from the stroke of midnight on 12 June.

For either cancellation of a ferry service booking or an alteration regarding online registration, Macao residents should telephone (853) 8396 9233 between the hours of 9am and 9pm Macao time, or email hkmac@dses.gov.mo.

During airport check-in overseas, Macao residents wishing to take the special ferry service must present to airline staff: their travel booking; the document they will use to enter Macao (i.e. a Macao ID card or Macao SAR passport); and the confirmation letter of online registration for the ferry service. Once aircraft boarding procedures are completed, such travellers must take a digital photograph of the boarding pass and send it to (853) 6233 1518 via the WhatsApp message service. Should any traveller experience difficulties in completing the relevant procedures, they should call the Government’s 24-hour travel hotline on (853) 2833 3000. 

Returnees will be required under epidemic-control measures to undergo on arrival a 14-day period of medical observation at designated facilities.

Those wishing to take the outbound ferry to Hong Kong International Airport can only do so if they are joining a flight operated by certain designated airlines (please see below) and where the flight departs between the hours of noon to 3am inclusive, during the period of 17 June to 16 July inclusive. Travellers wishing to use the airport-bound ferries on 16 July, can only do so if their flight departs before 11.59pm that day.

Although neither Emirates nor Singapore Airlines are on the designated list, people wishing to use those carriers in conjunction with the special ferry service to Hong Kong International Airport should enquire via the ferry companies about their eligibility to do so.

Use of the special ferry service might not be permitted in conjuction with certain flights bound for the United States of America or for other journeys with further connecting flights. Intended travellers should ask the ferry companies for further information on those topics.

Should a person be unable to board a flight due to its cancellation or for other reasons, that traveller is allowed take the next available ferry back to Macao, provided they comply with Macao epidemic-control measures in place at the relevant time. (More)

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Applications for the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s “Academic Research Grant” open until 31 May

  • 2020-05-18

[The latest official news]  The “Academic Research Grant”, launched by IC annually, aims at encouraging original academic research on the culture of Macao and on the cultural exchange between Macao, Mainland China and other countries. Local or overseas doctorate degree holders with proven academic research experience, and local or overseas researchers with sufficient research experience and recognized academic accomplishments are eligible to apply for the Grant by submitting the duly filled out and signed application form to IC in person or by double registered mail before the deadline. Applicants must also submit their curriculum vitae, research project plan and certified copies of educational qualification certificates. Incomplete applications or applications that fail to comply with the above will not be processed.

Applications may be submitted in person at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building (located at the Tap Siac Square), or at the Macao Government Services Centre (located at No. 52, Rua Nova da Areia Preta), during office hours (the date of the receipt stamp will be considered as the date of submission). The Cultural Affairs Bureau is open from Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 5:45pm; and on Friday, from 9am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 5:30pm. The Macao Government Services Centre is open from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm, without lunch break. Applications may also be submitted by double registered mail to the following address: Praça do Tap Siac, Edif. do Instituto Cultural, Macao (the date of the postmark will be considered as the date of submission). The following must be written on the envelope: "Application for the Academic Research Grant of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government". The “Academic Research Grant Regulations” and application forms are available for reference and download at IC webpage: www.icm.gov.mo. For enquiries, please contact Ms. Florence Lei, staff member of the Division of Research and Publications of IC, through tel. no. 8598 6721, during office hours, or by email to bolsa.depub@icm.gov.mo.

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