The Hong Kong government has just released a new “Budget”. Due to the impact of the epidemic, the economy has been greatly hampered. Many people expected the government to send money to relieve the people’s hardship. Unfortunately, their hopes fell through and only launched the HKD$5,000 electronic consumer coupons distributed in installments. Distributing money is more tactful and inconvenient, but perhaps the government’s purpose is to promote electronic payments in Hong Kong and fully promote the electronic currency?
According to the content of the “Budget”, all Hong Kong permanent residents and new arrivals aged 18 or above can receive HKD$1,000 electronic consumer vouchers issued for 5 consecutive months. The vouchers are valid for one month and are invalid after the time limit. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau will select suitable stored-value payment tool operators such as Octopus, Payme, Alipay, etc. for discussion in the near future, but excluding credit cards, and will set up an online platform for citizens to register through “Smart Convenience” or telephone Register a one-time password for authentication, and then select a stored-value tool for obtaining consumer coupons. Electronic consumer vouchers can be used in local retail, service merchants, and online shopping platforms that have relevant payment and stored value tools. However, the vehicles covered by the transportation allowance and overseas online shopping are not within the effective scope. Electronic consumer vouchers are estimated to be officially launched in half a year at the earliest.
Electronic payment is very popular all over the world, and the utilization rate of cash is declining. A mobile phone can replace wallets to complete the transactions needed for life. Some people think that Hong Kong still relies heavily on cash transactions and is very backward. This time the government promotes electronic consumer coupons. Attract more retail and service merchants to switch to electronic payment in order to earn more income, and promote the electronic currency in a comprehensive way.
However, electronic consumer vouchers may be inconvenient for the elderly. It is more difficult for them to learn and use electronic payment. It is relatively difficult for them to directly distribute the money, and it may be more difficult to enjoy the discount. Moreover, they only have a one-month validity period. Stimulating consumption is also more beneficial to large consortia, and small merchants are still quite troubled.In addition, some people think that the Hong Kong government has introduced “Travel with peace of mind” and legislatedReal-name “SIM” card, And further comprehensive promotion of electronic payment will further “sinicize” Hong Kong and make life easier to be monitored. Do you support the action taken by the Hong Kong Government this time?
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