The decision to give subsidies to residents embodies the Government’s overall governing philosophy, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today.

Mr Ho was speaking to reporters at the airport today before leaving for Wuhan, Hubei, to attend tomorrow’s opening of Expo Central China 2008.

He announced on Tuesday that every permanent resident would receive 5000 patacas from the Government, with 3000 patacas for non-permanent residents, a measure to relieve inflationary pressure.

Mr Ho said that the measure, which would return some fiscal surplus to the people, is not aimed at helping the financially challenged, nor is it a measure of the overall social welfare policy.

It is normal for the public to hold diverse views on this measure, he said.

The Expo that the Chief Executive is attending will be participated by about 100 Macao businessmen, organised by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute.

The Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, who is also attending the Expo, said that the event is a good opportunity for Macao’s business sector to learn more about the markets and companies in Central China.