Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong has announced that the government has decided to roll out a new round of its electronic consumption benefit scheme later this year, in the wake of the ongoing adverse impact of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the local economy.
Lei made the remarks when replying to oral interpellations by a number of lawmakers during a plenary session in the legislature’s hemicycle on Friday.
However, Lei did not reveal further details about the upcoming round of the electronic consumption benefit scheme.
Lei underlined that the upcoming round of the programme aims to relieve residents’ financial hardship and boost domestic demand, adding he hoped civil society would give the government some time to come up with details of the scheme, which is also widely known as the consumption smartcard programme.
Lei noted that the government has been aware that many residents are eager to know whether the government would launch a new round of an electronic consumption benefit scheme. Lei said that the government has now concluded that the programme could be launched later this year as civil society has reached a consensus on the matter.
Lei admitted that Macau’s economy is being adversely affected by the latest COVID-19 developments in neighbouring regions, because of which, he said, the government has been stepping up its preparatory work with the aim of launching a new round of its electronic consumption benefit scheme in the near future.
In addition to Hong Kong, various areas in the mainland are also currently hard hit by COVID-19 outbreaks.
In last year’s electronic consumption benefit scheme, which only covered local residents, each beneficiary received a 5,000-pataca startup fund and a 3,000-pataca immediate discount grant. Last year’s scheme was carried out by topping up consumption smartcards (aka e-vouchers) issued in 2020 or through one of the eight local e-payment platforms on smartphones.
Lei also said that the upcoming launch of the electronic consumption benefit scheme will require amendments to the government budget for 2022, adding that the government will submit a 2022 budget amendment bill to the legislature in due course.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong addresses Friday’s plenary session in the Legislative Assembly’s (AL) hemicycle. Photo courtesy of TDM
