Application period for subsidy scheme for promotion of contactless payment in Housing Authority markets to be extended
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The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (November 27) that the deadline for its market and cooked food stall tenants to apply for the Government's subsidy scheme for promotion of contactless payment in public markets under the third round of the Anti-epidemic Fund will be extended from November 30 to December 21.
"The subsidy scheme was launched on October 15, providing a one-off subsidy to eligible stall tenants of HA's markets and cooked food stalls at a flat rate of $5,000 per stall to meet the initial set-up costs as well as service and other fees in relation to the provision of at least one contactless payment means, to reduce the risk of virus transmission in markets," a spokesman for the HA said.
"Extending the deadline for application will allow more time for tenants to prepare their applications. Interested tenants may submit their applications to the respective estate offices on or before 21 December 2020," the spokesman said.
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. The contactless payment should be processed through a licensed bank or a stored value facility licensee regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, or a debit/credit card scheme. He/She needs to obtain an approval in principle from HA before signing a service contract with a designated service provider. Before disbursing the subsidy, staff of Housing Department will inspect the stalls under application to check if the installations for contactless payment have been completed.
The HA appealed to its eligible market and cooked food stall tenants to actively participate in the programme to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
Ends/Friday, November 27, 2020
Issued at HKT 22:16
Issued at HKT 22:16
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