$3K VOUCHER AVAILABLE IN APRIL

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Eligible citizens who successfully registered for the Consumption Voucher Scheme last year will receive the first $3,000 voucher through their stored value facility accounts on April 16 under the latest voucher scheme, while the remaining $2,000 will be given out starting July 16.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced in the 2023‑24 Budget that a new round of the Consumption Voucher Scheme will be implemented, under which electronic consumption vouchers with a total value of $5,000 will be disbursed to each eligible Hong Kong permanent resident and new arrival.

For those who have come to live in Hong Kong through admission schemes for talent, professionals and entrepreneurs, and to study in the city, a $2,500 voucher will be disbursed in two instalments.

At a press conference this afternoon, Mr Chan said the Government expects the scheme will bring about a 0.6% increase in gross domestic product.

“Referring to past experience, about slightly over 60% of the consumption voucher amount was spent on retail. Another about 20% was on food and beverage. The rest was for services. The amount spent on travelling is pretty small, about 5%.”

Addressing a reporter’s question as to why the voucher cannot be used to pay electricity bills, he explained that the current arrangement is already striking a balance between the policy objectives of the Consumption Voucher Scheme and the maximum convenience afforded to citizens.

 “Citizens can utilise the consumption vouchers to spend on different things. The money they originally intended for these kinds of purposes can be saved.

"This money can (instead) be spent for electricity bills or other public utilities.”

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