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Gear Up for Easy Registration

Promotion video for the Consumption Voucher Scheme

The Consumption Voucher Scheme (the Scheme) has entered the implementation stage. The Scheme’s official website has started to accept electronic registration since this morning. Eligible persons completing electronic registrations within the coming two weeks (i.e. on or before 17 July) will in general receive the first consumption voucher on 1 August for using during this summer holiday.

For those who would like to submit electronic registrations later or to submit paper registration forms, as long as the registration can be completed before the deadline, i.e. 14 August, they can receive the first voucher on 1 September. The following demonstration video explains the registration procedures and the information required in the process.

There are four steps in the electronic registration process. It can be easily completed if you have got the required information ready.

1. Enter your ID card number and date of issue for identification;
2. Authenticate your identity by answering two security questions if you have successfully registered and received $10,000 under the Cash Payout Scheme (CPS) launched last year. The two questions are (i) the last four digits of the telephone number registered under CPS, and (ii) the last five digits of the bank account number specified for receipt of payment, or the post office chosen for collection of cheque. Other authentication methods include using the iAM Smart mobile app or uploading their ID Card copy according to notification.
3. Designate a stored value facility (SVF) account for receiving the consumption vouchers: Select one SVF from the four options, and fill in the related account number or card number.
4. Declare your compliance with the “residing in Hong Kong” requirement, i.e. has not been absent from Hong Kong continuously for the 24 months immediately before 18 June 2021. Exemptions include performing overseas duties for a company on a temporary basis, studying abroad, hospitalised outside Hong Kong, or recipients of assistance under the Fujian Scheme or GuangDong Scheme, etc.

The above four steps are all that required for completing an electrocnic registration.

The Scheme has recently become a hot topic in the community. People around are excited in exchanging views on the scheme registration, plans in using the vouchers, and concessions offered by SVF operators, etc. If you have any questions on the Scheme, you may visit the Scheme’s official website for more details.

This is the first time for a consumption voucher scheme to operate in Hong Kong. More explanatory works are needed as it is a new trial involving over 7 million citizens and more than 100 000 merchants. We are happy to note that many merchants and stores have grasped this opportunities to adopt e-payment. The various concessions offered by the four SVF operators, shopping malls, merchants and restaurants have also aroused people’s interest in using the electronic consumption vouchers. All these help to achieve the objectives of the Scheme - to boost the economy through spending together, and to promote e-payment to bring more convenience and concessions.

Today, it is hard to imagine our daily lives without mobile phone and internet. Similarly, e-payment is the prerequisite infrastructure for the future digital economy. Still, there is room for improvement in the usage pattern and utilisation of e-payment in Hong Kong. Only by taking forward the development of e-payment infrastructure could we create a favourable environment to lower the transaction cost, enhance efficiency and provide more diversified choices for consumers and merchants. This could also open up new business opportunities for merchants and enterprises to launch more cross-sectoral promotions, bringing more diversified job opportunities and creating new landscape for the economy.

We need your support to make the Scheme successful. Let us spend together - every dollar you spend will help boosting the economy, and every transaction you make will promote the development of the e-payment infrastructure. You may also find the joys of trying new things and enjoy more concessions in the new way of spending. Let us join hands together to support and participate in the Scheme!

July 4, 2021