The new round of the government’s consumption reward programme titled “National Games Cohesion – Community Consumption Grand Prix” started on Monday.
Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) Deputy Director Cheang Hio Man told reporters in Cotai that as of yesterday morning, over 37,000 senior residents had already registered for the senior resident discount.
The senior citizens’ discount was raised by two-thirds, from 300 patacas in the previous programme to 500 patacas. The discount for the elderly - as well individuals with a disability – will be borne by the government, costing the Treasury 75 million patacas.
Senior resident can tap their cards at designated locations and use the benefit after topping up 500 patacas. However, the owner of a western medicine pharmacy told the Post that some senior residents have misunderstood the scheme.
According to the owner, some elderly tried to use their Macau Pass Senior Cards for payment at pharmacies but discovered that the senior discount was not applied. Asked by the owner, it emerged that they had not visited designated locations to tap their cards in order benefit from the 500 discount. They told the owner that they were “confused” about where and how to claim the discount.
However, the owner said that he noted a significant increase in customer traffic, with many shoppers splitting their bills such as dividing a 200 pataca purchase into separate 50 pataca transactions on different online payment platforms to maximise their lucky draw entry opportunities. However, the actual growth in revenue remains to be seen and requires further assessment, the owner, who declined to be named, said.
The owner also said, however, that the government’s promotional efforts were sufficient and the discounts substantial, which may stimulate short-term consumer spending. However, the long-term effectiveness of the initiative would require evaluation about a month later, he said.
This photo taken yesterday shows a card reader (payment terminal) set up at the Philatelic Shop of the General Post Office (GPO) on Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. – Photo: Armindo Neves
