Briefs | BNU posts net profit of MOP443.3m

BNU announced its financial results for 2014. Besides increasing cash flow by 20.5 pct and net profit by 10.1 pct, the bank registered a 29.9 pct increase in credit granted to clients. The bank posted a net profit of MOP443.3 million, up 10.1% from MOP 402.6 million in 2013. According to a press release issued by BNU, loans to retailers and SMEs were the main drivers of growth. Customer deposits recorded a drop of 6.7 pct, mainly as a result of a drop in institutional deposits. On the other hand, deposits from the retail banking sector have grown by 12.2% and SME client deposits have increased by 46.9%. “In order to differentiate our bank from the competition, we maintain a sharp focus on the quality of the delivery of services. This must be absolutely impeccable. Our customers must feel valued and appreciated at all times,” commented BNU’s CEO Pedro Cardoso.

GGCT issues travel warning for S Africa

The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) has issued a travel warning for citizens heading to or currently visiting South Africa in light of recent violent attacks against migrants. GGCT said in a statement that it will keep monitoring the latest developments and reminds Macau residents intending to travel to South Africa to closely follow the situation and assess security risks.

Central library expected to be completed by 2019

The city’s new central library, which will undergo construction at the end of this year, is expected to be completed in 2019 revealed the vice president of the cultural department, Leung Hio Ming and the head of Central Library, Tang Mei Lin.The Cultural Affairs Bureau representatives also stressed that there is an acute manpower shortage for the new library and the Taipa library currently running on a trial basis. The latter still has one area unavailable to the public due to lack of staff. However, according to the authorities, the gaps in personnel will be filled within the year. The new library will take up the old courthouse and former venue of the Judiciary Police in Praia Grande.

Initial CEM report confirms causes of power outage

The Office for the Development of the Energy Sector (GDSE) has received a preliminary report into the citywide power failure that hit the city last week. The report confirmed that the incident was due to the breakdown of a 110-kilovolt gas-insulated switchgear, the malfunctioning of which also affected four other transformer substations, namely in the districts of Areia Preta, Dona Maria, São Paulo and Porto Exterior. The report also stated that the equipment manufacturer and a professional task force have already commenced a more in-depth inspection of the causes by conducting an inspection and analysis of the site. A more detailed report will be published within a month, the statement issued by the office reads.