Briefs | Financial Intelligence Office valid for two more years

The validity of the Financial Intelligence Office has been extended for two years from August 8 this year, as announced in a Chief Executive Dispatch. The office, which was inaugurated in 2006 under the Secretary for Economy and Finance and was, in 2018, transferred to the Secretary for Security, is responsible for “collecting, analyzing and providing [to competent agencies] intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism financing.” The inauguration of the office was made necessary to comply with international actions against terrorism and money laundering. According to the laws of Macau, there is usually a period of validity for such offices, which normally have a project-based nature. The validity is often extended.

Certain taxation relief measures formalized

Some of the special tax exemption and return measures earlier announced by the Chief Executive at his first Policy Address have been discussed and formalized by the Executive Council (ExCo), as announced in the Official Gazette. The special arrangement is part of the city’s Covid-19 economic relief policies. First, rentals for government-owned commercial spaces from February to April will be waived. Second, licensing and related fees will be waived this year for some venues and occupations, such as hotels, food-and-beverage outlets, saunas, cinemas, theaters, tour guides, auditors and accountants, insurance agents, real estate agents, taxi drivers and tour guides. Third, certain administrative fees will be waived. Fourth, taxis can enjoy free-of-charge parking at the West Parking Lot of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Finally, the validity of taxi drivers’ licenses will be extended for six months.

Cigarette butts likely cause of  Nam Van fire

A podium area at a building next to the Nam Van Lake caught fire on Sunday, believed to be caused by lit cigarette butts, the Judiciary Police (PJ) announced. That evening, the PJ received a referral from the Fire Services Bureau regarding a suspicious fire above the McDonald’s Restaurant near the Lake. The fire started at a pile of about 10 flat carton boxes and spread to cause burn marks to the glass panels of the restaurant’s storage area. Due to the heat, the glass cracked. Inspectors from the PJ discovered cigarette butts on site and have decided to further investigate the case.