The Government will give another 3,000 patacas to every permanent resident and 1,800 patacas to every non-permanent resident in the latest effort to help alleviate the pressure the people faced with inflation. Attending a question-and-answer session of the Legislative Assembly today, Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said the Government was very concerned with the livelihood of the residents and the pressure they faced with inflation brought on by external factors which Macao had limited options in tackling. Mr Chui explained that the decision for the second round of payment was made after very thorough consideration, taking into account inflation, public opinion, and the surplus in the treasury account. After discussion in the Executive Council, the Government would submit a cash subsidy bill to the Legislative Assembly for the 1.7 billion patacas the latest move would cost. The Government had announced in November last year that permanent residents would be given 4,000 patacas and non-permanent residents 2,400 patacas each. It is estimated that this round of distribution would increase the inflation rate by 0.45 per cent for a short period of time, he said. Mr Chui said the Government would also encourage enterprises to increase wages, while the administration would help solve housing problems of the middle-class, encourage life-long education, establish profession accreditation systems, study further reduction of personal income tax and facilitate the retirement and pension system, he said. The Government would also proactively expand import channels of food, ensure supply and encourage competition to maintain a stable food market.
