Consumption voucher scheme sees 260,000 switch receiving payment platform

Some 260,000 Hong Kong citizens have changed their payment method for receiving the second batch of HK$5,000 in consumption vouchers, as the government will start delivering the first installment of electronic spending vouchers on Sunday.  

Around 6.2 million people will be eligible for the first installment of HK$2,000 vouchers, according to Jessie Wong Hok-ling, head of the budget and tax policy unit of the Financial Secretary's Office.  

The final HK$3,000 in vouchers will be distributed later in the year.  

As for some 150,000 people who are newly eligible for the vouchers, they will be able to get the total amount of HK$10,000 in phases.  

Wong said authorities could not disclose the detailed figures of people switching to different platforms as some stored value facility operators have previously voiced concerns about the impact on their business dealings.  

She said the e-vouchers are distributed to encourage local consumption and promote e-payment in the city.