Briefs | Money supply increases

The currency in circulation grew 1.7 percent in June, whereas demand deposits dropped by 2.8 percent, according to statistics released yesterday by the Monetary Authority of Macao. As total deposits increased at a faster pace than total loans, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector dropped from a month earlier. Concurrently, the non-performing loan ratio – an indicator for bank asset quality – was mostly stable. Resident deposits increased 0.8 percent from the preceding month to MOP466.0 billion, while non-resident deposits grew 6.7 percent to MOP292.7 billion. Domestic loans to the private sector increased 1.4 percent from a month ago to MOP403.3 billion.

Sports events to be held at Jardim de Lou Lim Ioc

The Sports Bureau (ID) has called on the public to participate in a sporting event at Jardim de Lou Lim Ioc, on August 7, 14, 21 and 28. The ID will arrange for instructors to demonstrate different sports, including Tai Chi and line dancing. Medical professionals will be present to provide free physical tests to the residents, including heart rate and blood pressure analysis. The event is expected to encourage residents’ participation in sports.

Police officer prosecuted for accepting gambling chip

On Wednesday, the Judiciary Police (PJ) handed over one of its police officers to the Public Prosecutions Office. The officer is suspected of having accepted a HKD10,000 gambling chip after mediating a fight between a couple.  After the brawl, the officer released the couple instead of taking them  to the police station for further legal procedures as required by law. Afterwards, the suspect continuously called the couple in an attempt to follow up on their situation and to cover up any evidence, however the couple later reported him to the police.

44 MICE subsidy programs approved since last October

Between last October and this July, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) approved 33 applications for the Convention and Exhibition Simulation Program, according to a report by Macao Daily News. The application subsidies amounted to roughly MOP13 million. The department also gave passes to 11 applicants to attend the International Meeting and Trade Fair Support Program, this time for MOP9 million. One application was rejected for the first program, while two applicants were rejected for the second, said IPIM.

81 illegal workers detained in June

Macau authorities have identified a total of 81 illegal workers during an operation that took place in June. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the Public Security Police Force (PSP) have detained all illegal workers, including those found independently by the PSP following joint operations with the Labor Affairs Bureau and other departments. The departments carried out inspections of 314 sites, including construction and industrial sites, housing units and stores. The current situation is worse than that registered in May, when the departments carried out inspection of 377 places, resulting in the detention of 58 illegal workers.

Mars research base established in Qinghai

The Macau University of Science and Technology, together with Pooi To Middle-School, have established a Mars research project experimental base at the Qaidam Basin in mainland Qinghai province, according to a report by TDM.  The project came around as a result of the cooperation between the said schools with China University of Geosciences and Suzhou Xinghai Experimental Middle-School. For the duration of a week, the four schools collected geographical samples from the basin, whose properties are similar to those on geographical landscapes of Mars. It was this similarity in surface that had prompted the group of schools to choose Qaidam Basin as a location for their research.