Macau aims to generate 1.1 billion patacas in consumption with spending scheme

Macau’s government will spend about 295 million patacas (US$36.86 million) on a 10-week campaign aimed at boosting consumption during what is usually a low season for small businesses following the Lunar New Year holiday.

Under the campaign announced on Saturday, residents who spend 50 patacas or more in their first transaction once the campaign starts via electronic payment on weekdays will have three chances to draw vouchers worth between 10 and 200 patacas.

Winners can redeem the coupons the following weekend at participating merchants, and the vouchers expire on Monday. Multiple coupons can be used in a single transaction, provided the total spent is at least three times the face value of the vouchers.

The director of Macau’s Economic and Technological Development Bureau, Yau Yun Wah, said he expected the scheme, which would run from March 24 to June 1, would generate about 1.1 billion patacas in consumption.

“The consumer market in Macau has maintained a positive trend. However, the latest developments in the global and neighbouring economies have led to changes in Macau’s community consumption landscape,” he said.

“To stabilise confidence in the market, the government has decided to organise the campaign with hopes to promote community consumption in the short term, as well as to support small and medium-sized businesses and the community.”