Hong Kong residents to start receiving spending vouchers for $645

Hongkongers can start registering for HK$5,000 (US$645) worth of spending vouchers in July provided testing of the scheme’s operating systems goes smoothly, Report informs referring to South China Morning Post.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po told lawmakers on June 7 that the e-voucher scheme - designed to boost local spending and accelerate the city’s economic recovery - was in the final stage of preparation and the government expected to announce details, such as on the sign-up process and payment methods, at the end of this month.

“We are now conducting systemic tests with the four service providers and other partners to ensure that the registration and voucher distribution processes are running smoothly,” he said at a Legislative Council panel meeting.

“If the testing outcome is satisfactory, we’ll announce the scheme details at the end of this month… We expect the scheme to be open for registration in July.”

Four electronic payment service providers - AlipayHK, Octopus, Tap & Go and WeChat Pay HK - have been chosen to operate the program.

The scheme, a key policy from Chan’s budget speech in February, will offer every adult Hong Kong resident HK$5,000 in local spending vouchers, benefiting 7.2 million people.

It will cost the government an estimated HK$36 billion, of which HK$600 million covers administrative expenses.