Housing Authority launches subsidy scheme for promotion of contactless payment in its markets today

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     Stall tenants of markets and cooked food stalls under the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) are invited to apply for the Government's one-off subsidy scheme for the promotion of contactless payment in public markets under the third round of the Anti-epidemic Fund.
 
     "The subsidy scheme is launched today (October 15). The HA will issue invitations for the subsidy scheme to tenants of its market stalls and cooked food stalls. Interested stall tenants may submit the applications to the respective Estate Offices on or before November 30, 2020," a spokesman for the HA said.
 
     According to the subsidy scheme, the Government will provide a one-off subsidy at a flat rate of $5,000 per stall to the HA's stall tenants of market stalls and cooked food stalls, providing at least one designated means of contactless payment to patrons. 
 
     "The use of contactless payment helps reduce the risk of virus transmission in the markets, taking into account the environment and operation mode," the spokesman said.
 
    "With contactless payment, patrons of HA markets can reduce or avoid using cash as a means of payment, thus making a safer, more convenient and hygienic shopping environment."  
 
     There are 27 markets and five cooked food stalls under the HA, comprising about 1 500 stalls. Tenants of these stalls are welcome to apply for the subsidy scheme. 
 
     The applicant is required to produce a valid service contract of no less than a duration of two years signed by him/her and confirm that the necessary installation has been completed to enable a designated means of contactless payment at his/her stall before the subsidy will be disbursed to him/her. He/she needs to obtain an approval in principle from the HA before signing a service contract with a designated service provider.
 
     "Before disbursing the subsidy, staff of the Housing Department will inspect the stalls under application to check if the installations for contactless payment have been completed," the spokesman said.
 
     The subsidy is to be used to meet the initial set-up costs as well as service and other fees in relation to the provision of at least one designated means of contactless payment processed through a licensed bank or a stored value facility licensee regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, or a debit/credit card scheme, for market patrons.
 
     The HA will issue a letter to individual stall tenants informing them of the details of the subsidy scheme and the application procedures. Respective Estate Offices may be contacted for enquiries.