Coronavirus: digital wallets and stored-value cards to be used as Macau boosts consumer e-voucher scheme, a move Hong Kong urged to make reference to for its own programme

Under a revised scheme unveiled on Monday, Macau permanent and non-permanent residents of all ages will benefit from an 8,000-pataca handout, raised from 4,800 patacas

5,000 patacas can be transferred to digital wallets supported by eight mobile payment operators, while purchases made using Macau Pass will be discounted by 25 per cent, with savings capped at 3,000 patacas

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Macau has boosted its e-voucher scheme for all residents. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 7:23pm, 12 Apr 2021Updated: 8:28pm, 12 Apr 2021

Macau will use digital wallets along with a popular stored-value card to roll out an upgraded consumer voucher scheme from as early as June, a move industry leaders in Hong Kong say the city should make reference to when launching its own programme in summer.

Under a revised scheme unveiled on Monday, Macau permanent and non-permanent residents of all ages will benefit from an 8,000-pataca sweetener – raised from 4,800 patacas after complaints – using two methods, with registration starting on May 12.

Critics last month said the electronic voucher scheme, unveiled on March 15 in a bid to boost consumer spending in the coronavirus-hit economy, was “too complicated” and the roll-out was revised after unions reportedly threatened to stage protests. About 5 billion patacas had been set aside for the e-voucher scheme, officials said at the initial launch.

The initial plan was to issue coupons using electronic payment platforms and not through the “Macau Pass” stored-value smart card, which was used to distribute 8,000 patacas in handouts last year.

Discounts will be available via Macau Pass. Photo: Instagram

Under the revamped scheme, 5,000 patacas can be transferred to digital wallets supported by eight mobile payment operators such as Alipay and BOCpay, but the e-vouchers are limited to 300 patacas per day. Purchases made using Macau Pass will be automatically discounted by 25 per cent, with savings capped at 3,000 patacas.