A source told The Macau Post Daily yesterday that the government’s “optimised” e-voucher scheme, which will be announced this morning by Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong, would include a certain amount of “seed money”.

The source, who asked not to be named, said that the “seed money” could be received by topping up the former government consumption subsidy smartcard or via a digital payment platform. The source said that the “optimised” version would simplify the previously announced digital voucher system so that “consumers can receive discounts for even just spending one pataca.”

Last month, the government announced a 4-strand scheme to support the local economy. One of the schemes included a government-issued e-voucher, which was scheduled to run from this month to December. The government said at that time that those eligible for the government-issued e-voucher would be able to redeem it through accredited accounts, via any of the locally-recognised eight electronic payment platforms. According to the previous plan, the e-vouchers could only have been used against the value of purchases, when the sum being spent in a single transaction would have amounted to three times the face value of the issued e-voucher. Each eligible account would have been able to redeem 600 patacas worth of e-vouchers per month and up to 200 patacas per day.

However, residents and civic leaders rejected the plan as “too confusing”. A few weeks ago, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng even apologised for the “confusing” scheme and promised that the government would “optimise” it.

The source told The Macau Post Daily yesterday that the “optimised” version of the e-voucher scheme made adjustments in response to public opinion. The source said that the government had adjusted its payment methods and simplified the scheme. The source stressed that the government aimed to satisfy residents’ consumption habits.

When asked whether the “optimised” version of the scheme would still include non-resident workers (NRWs), colloquially known as “blue-card holders”, the source said that the “optimised” version took locals’ opinions into account. However, the source said, the part regarding NRWs “still has not been decided.” The source added that the government would continue to listen to the public opinion.

This photo taken last year shows the government consumption subsidy smartcard being topped up. Photo: Maria Cheang Ut Meng