Over 80 pct of residents have picked up their cards
The government-issued consumption subsidy smartcards can be used from today, and by the end of Wednesday nearly 530,000 residents had picked up their smartcards, which accounted for over 80 percent of the registrants’ pool, the Macau Monetary Authority (AMCM) and Economic Services Bureau (DSE) said in a joint statement yesterday.
According to the statement, the government’s first round of the consumption subsidy scheme aims to “promote consumption, boost the economy, and stabilise employment”.
Yesterday was the last day for picking up the smartcards by appointment, the statement noted.
However, the statement also pointed out that registrants who were unable to pick up their smartcards before the end of April, could still get their cards by collecting them from one of the following locations during office hours before July 17.
The locations are the Economic Service Bureau in Rua do Doutor Pedro José Lobo, the Macau Monetary Authority in Avenida de Sidónio Pais, and the Government Service Centres in Areia Preta and Taipa.
The first round of spending of the consumption subsidy smartcard runs from May 1 to July 31, the statement noted.
According to the statement, any remaining value in a 3,000-pataca-smartcard will be returned to the public coffers after July 31.
The statement also pointed out residents must abide by the law when using their consumption subsidy smartcards. Any activities involving cash kickbacks are illegal.
According to recent government statements, over 658,000 residents have registered for the smartcard. Both permanent and non-permanent residents are entitled to sign up for the scheme, including those who currently do not live in Macau.
Macau’s around 190,000 non-resident workers have not been included in the consumption subsidy scheme.
The second round of the consumption subsidy smartcard scheme will run between August and December.
There will be a 5,000-pataca top-up for the second round. The same issued smartcards will be used for both rounds. The cards are transferable but are not renewable in case of loss or damage.
There is a daily spending limit of 300 patacas.
