Motorists will receive enticing parking discounts when shopping at Housing Authority shopping centres in June. Shop tenants will issue parking coupons to customers to attract more business.

Under a new parking scheme endorsed today, a 20% discount will be offered to shop tenants for bulk purchases of 100 coupons for the rest of the year.

A Hong Kong-wide three-level lucky draw programme with attractive prizes will also be organised. Shoppers presenting a ticket of at least 30 minutes parking time, and those spending at least $100 will be given a raffle ticket to join the lucky draw.

The promotional activities have been launched to offset any drop in retail business caused by a possible fall in carpark users after the closure of the free-parking scheme in April.

The authority said it will maintain carpark charges, both monthly and hourly, for its 103,000 spaces. The overall occupancy rate of the authority's carparks remains at 70%. Although the general economy has improved, the authority says it is not the right time to increase charges.