Macau, China, 17 Apr – The Chief Executive of Macau, Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said Thursday that the government plans to grant each permanent resident 6,000 patacas (US$750) to aid the population during the current international financial crisis.
Ho, who was speaking at the Macau Legislative Assembly, said it is proposing to grant non-permanent residents 3,600 patacas (US$450) each.
In 2008 the Macau government granted each permanent and non-permanent resident US$625 (5,000 patacas) and US$375 (3,000 patacas), respectively, which helped support over a half a million residents during the worldwide economic crisis that also affected Macau.
The Government of Macau in 2008 conceded a total of around US$400 million (3.2 billion patacas) to financially aid its population.
Edmund Ho said that he expects the distribution of the funds, via cheques, to start in May. He noted that the government will make its proposal for the aid official next week, when the Executive Council will analyse it before it is submitted for approval at the Legislative Assembly.
In addition to the 6,000 patacas (US$750) it plans to offer permanent residents (those that have resided in Macau for seven or more consecutive years), Ho said that it plans issue and distribute healthcare coupons worth around US$62.50 (500 patacas) each.
(Macaunews)
