Should it be "hope" instead of "wish"?

She said: “I wish it (NEA’s Incubation Stall Programme) can encourage more youngsters to join this line. A lot of hawkers are getting older and some are looking to retire, some wish to continue but their health and body (are deteriorating).”

Should it be “hope” instead of “wish”?

Many thanks

2 Likes

The following versions are possible:

I wish the programme would encourage more youngsters…
I wish the programme could encourage more youngsters…
I hope the programme will encourage more youngsters…

4 Likes

Other possibilities:

I wish the programme encouraged more youngsters.
I wish the programme had encouraged more youngsters.

(The verb hope usually takes the modal will as exemplified by Torsten)

3 Likes