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Press
Releases
SME Development
Fund invites applications
Sunday, September 8, 2002
The Trade and Industry Department (TID) will
start to invite applications for the second round of the SME Development
Fund (SDF) tomorrow (September 9). The deadline for applications is November
11, 2002.
"We welcome non-profit-distributing
support organisations, trade and industrial associations, professional
bodies, and research institutes to come up with funding proposals to help
enhance the competitiveness of SMEs in general or in specific sectors.
The proposals could be projects which raise SMEs' awareness on specific
know-how, technologies, best practices and skills; projects which help
SMEs build capabilities on IT, human resources, financial management,
corporate governance, marketing and brand-building; projects which facilitate
technology transfer; and indeed any initiatives which are of practical
benefits for SMEs," a spokesman for the TID said.
"In particular, the Department would
like to invite proposals for organising an SME outstanding training award.
The objective of the award scheme is to enhance SMEs' awareness of the
importance of training for employers and employees alike, and to give
recognition to SMEs which are exemplary in human resource training,"
the TID spokesman said.
The maximum amount of funding for an approved
project is $2 million, or 90% of the total project expenditure, whichever
is less. The applicant will have to contribute the remaining amount, which
may be in cash, in kind or in the form of third party sponsorship.
For the current round, each applicant may
put in up to four applications.
Applications received will be considered
by the SDF Vetting Committee, which is chaired by the Director-General
of Trade and Industry and comprises industrialists, businessmen, SME entrepreneurs,
professionals, academics, and members of the SME Committee.
Applications forms and the guide for applicants
are available at the SME Development Fund Secretariat, 4/F., Trade and
Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
They may also be downloaded from the homepage of the SME Funding Schemes
(www.smefund.tid.gov.hk).
For enquiries, please contact the SME Development
Fund Secretariat at 2398 5128 or via e-mail at sdf_enquiry@tid.gov.hk.
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