Macao to keep relief measures, cash handouts next year

In this file photo dated Oct 1, 2022, Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, addresses a reception celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Macao, south China. (CHEONG KAM KA / XINHUA)

Macao will continue its annual cash handouts of up to 10,000 patacas ($1,240) to eligible residents next year, and keep most relief measures related to taxes, child-raising, education and other livelihood issues, amid the economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng delivered the news in his Policy Address on Tuesday.

Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng delivered the news in his Policy Address on Tuesday

While outlining goals for fiscal year 2023, Ho said although the SAR government budget has been running deficits over the past two years because of a revenue slump, it will make an all-out effort to maintain social welfare and provide targeted supporting programs to help pandemic-hit sectors in the coming year.

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The cash handout program, one of Macao’s flagship policies, will be continued for the 16th consecutive year. The amount of cash to be distributed next year will be as the same as this year. Every Macao permanent resident will get 10,000 patacas in 2023, while each nonpermanent resident will receive 6,000 patacas.

The government will also give out a medical voucher of 600 patacas to every permanent resident and provide various subsidies to students, less-privileged families, the elderly, and parents of newborns.

Ho said the special administrative region will continue to make local anti-COVID-19 policies to align with those of the Chinese mainland and implement targeted prevention measures, laying a solid foundation for economic and social recovery.

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