The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District (AICZNM) yesterday hosted the launch ceremony of its consumption carnival, expecting over 750 merchants to take part.
AICZNM Charman Raymond Wong Kin Chong said in his speech at the ceremony he expects the six-week event to involve over 750 businesses in the northern district.
The carnival, which began yesterday and is scheduled to conclude on February 20, aims to stimulate spending through “appealing prizes”, Wong said. He called for the consumer spending event’s public support to boost the district’s economy and promote consumer spending there.
The ceremony was held in Iao Hon Market Park.
Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) Director Yau Yun Wah said in his speech he expects the carnival to attract consumers using e-vouchers, merchant discounts, and lucky draws. With the Chinese New Year (CNY) approaching, Yau noted, the event aims to leverage the “festive atmosphere of renewal”, combined with substantial discounts and rewards, to draw more tourists and residents alike to splash out in the northern district. Yau also said that the event seeks to enhance the community’s vibrancy and strengthen the development of the local economy.
Consumers may use the Bank of China (Macau) mobile banking app “BOCPAY” from Monday to Friday every week during the carnival to spend at least 100 patacas at participating businesses. All the e-vouchers will be issued by the local branch of Bank of China. Consumers can access the carnival’s event page to win e-vouchers three times during the weekly five-day period and receive one entry into a lucky draw per week. The e-vouchers have denominations ranging from 10 to 50 patacas. They are valid for 14 days and can be spent any day during the carnival.
Residents seem to hold mixed views about the event and acknowledged that the programme encourages spending but gave various suggestions for optimising its design.
Sio U, her nickname, a local housewife, told the Post on the sidelines of the launch ceremony she believes that the requirement of a single transaction of at least 100 patacas to qualify for winning e-vouchers is “a little bit too high” and suggested lowering the threshold to facilitate more spread-out spending during CNY shopping.
Kuen, her nickname, a casino staff-cum-grandmother, told the Post she believes that having extended the e-voucher validity period to 14 days offers greater flexibility, “preventing waste due to [consumers’] forgetfulness”. She also noted that even small discounts can help save on expenses during holiday preparations.
The Chinese New Year this time falls on February 17, when the Year of the Horse begins. It is a public holiday in Macau on February 17 to 19.
Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District (AICZNM) Chairman Raymond Wong Kin Chong addresses yesterday’s opening ceremony in Iao Hon Market Park. – Photos: Armindo Neves
Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) Director Yau Yun Wah addresses yesterday’s opening ceremony in Iao Hon Market Park.
