Macao’s first MOP 100 million Consumption Carnival will start on 15 October – a four-month promotion designed to encourage spending and boost the city’s economy.
During the carnival, residents who spend MOP 68 or more via a mobile payment system in offline shops can enter a lucky draw for five types of e-coupons valued between MOP 10 and 100. A final lucky draw will offer MOP 1 million in cash, food and staycations.
Economic and Technological Development Bureau Deputy Director Chan Tze Wai said that the carnival, which will run until 28 February next year, aims to attract consumers to spend in the local market, so as to increase business turnover, maintain consumption momentum and expand domestic demand, thereby strengthening retailers’ confidence in continuing their business, Chan added.
Chan said that the budget for the carnival, which has been jointly organised by the bureau and the Macao Chamber of Commerce, is nearly MOP 100 million. The five types of e-coupons, with face values of MOP 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100, can be used when the next actual payment is at least triple the coupon’s value.
The chamber will pay MOP 1 million for the final lucky draw cash prizes.
Chan underlined that anyone in Macao can take part in the carnival as long as they are connected to at least one of the city’s eight mobile payment methods.
The carnival will cover many holidays, such as Christmas and the Chinese New Year in January next year, Chan said, adding she hoped that the carnival could provide incentives for consumers, stimulate consumption and cause multiplier effects, so as to create more opportunities for businesses.
Under the terms of the carnival, those who have real-name authentication with their electronic wallet and spend at least MOP 68 in a single lump sum after deducting e-consumption vouchers, living allowances or discounts, in local offline shops, can take part in a lucky draw for the MOP 10, 20, 30, 50 or 100 e-coupons, and also in the final lucky draw after the carnival has ended for prizes totalling more than MOP 1 million in cash, food and staycations.
The eight mobile payment institutions accepted at the carnival comprise Alipay Macao, BOC Mobile Banking, LusoPay, UePay, MPay, ICBC Macao Mobile Banking, Tai Fung Pay, and China Guangfa Bank (CGB) Mobile Banking, while more than 20,000 local businesses are participating, The Macau Post Daily reported.
