The value of Macao's retail sales was estimated at 3.61 billion patacas (451 million U.S. dollars) in the third quarter of this year, seeing a year-on-year rise of 37 percent, according to official statistics issued Wednesday.

The figures released by the government-run Statistics and Census Service showed that the third quarter saw strong year-on- year increases in the value of retail sales of timepieces and jewellery (50.58 percent), motor vehicles (51.13 percent), adults' apparel (40.97 percent), and cosmetics and sanitary items (32.06 percent).

The retail and wholesale sector employed 39,000 in the quarter, seeing a year-on-year rise of 12.8 percent, the figures showed.

The region has a population of 528,000 and a total labor force of 317,500.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2007)