More than 200,000 residents received their start-up funds of MOP 5,000 and a discount grant of MOP 3,000 on their smartcards and electronic devices on the first pick-up day of the government’s current electronic consumption benefits scheme.
The Macao Monetary Authority and the Economic and Technological Development Bureau announced that as of 5:45 pm yesterday, 47,708 residents had topped up or picked up their “consumption cards” at 174 top-up spots at bank branches, government entities and association offices. At the same time, a total of 153,906 residents had received the funds via auto-transfer to their appointed mobile payment platforms.
The pick-up period for the scheme will end on 17 January next year, while the period for using the funds will run from 1 June to 28 February next year. As of 5 pm yesterday, 449,752 residents had completed the registration, of whom 208,059 had signed up for mobile payment platforms while 241,693 had chosen the “consumption card”.
Residents who are registered to use the “consumption card” should ensure that the card has MOP 10 or less left on it, or apply for a refund of the money left on the card at the Macau Pass Customer Service Centre before they top up the cards for the new round of benefits, while those who got a new card do not need to top up their card as the funds have already been added, The Macau Post Daily reported.
