| In
his Policy Address of October 2001, the Chief Executive announced full
adoption of the recommendations put forward by the Small and Medium
Enterprises Committee (the Committee) in its Report on Support Measures
for SMEs. In
this connection, $1.9 billion have been set aside to establish the SME
Funding Schemes with a total commitment of $7.5 billion. The SME
Funding Schemes comprise four schemes, which were launched respectively
in December 2001 and January 2002. The Committee has been closely
monitoring the operation of the schemes since their implementation. With
a view to coming up with, as early as possible, practical measures that
would further enhance the effectiveness of the schemes, the Committee
initiated in August 2002 a comprehensive review of the schemes. In
December 2002, the Committee submitted its report on the review of the
schemes to the Chief Executive. For details of the report, please go to the review report. |
