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Trade and Industry Department will set-up the "SMEs Support Plaza" at the "SME Market Day 2001"
Wednesday, July 4, 2001

The Small and Medium Enterprises Information Centre (SMEIC) of the Trade and Industry Department (TID) will collaborate with 14 government departments and support organizations to set up a "SMEs Support Plaza" at the "SME Market Day 2001" organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council on 5-6 July 2001, to showcase their wide-range of support services for SMEs at one stop. In addition, TID will organise a seminar on "The Case for a Professional Directors' Institute" in the afternoon of 5 July. SMEs are welcome to visit the Plaza and attend the Seminar. Admission to both is free.

"SMEs Support Plaza" is a joint effort of the public sector to introduce their support services to SMEs. Apart from TID, which is also the co-ordinator, other participating departments and support organizations include: Companies Registry, Hong Kong Productivity Council, Vocational Training Council, Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation, Labour Department, Intellectual Property Department, Information Technology Services Department, Hongkong Post, Inland Revenue Department, Employees Retraining Board, Occupational Safety & Health Council, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, and Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data.

The Seminar aims to enhance SMEs' knowledge of the role and importance of professional directors, and to encourage SMEs to practise good corporate governance. In its report submitted to the Chief Executive on 27 June 2001 (see below), the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee (SMEC) pointed out the importance of corporate governance and culture to the long-term development of SMEs, recommended a series of measures to enhance SMEs' knowledge of corporate governance, and encourage SMEs to put such knowledge into practice. The Seminar will be held on 5 July 2001 from 4 to 5.30 pm at Room 301A, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, New Wing. The speakers are Mr. Herbert Hui, Deputy Chairman of Council, the Hong Kong Institute of Directors, and Ms Carlye W L Tsui, Chief Executive Officer, the Hong Kong Institute of Directors. The Seminar will be conducted in Cantonese. Interested parties are welcome to call 2398 5596 or visit the TID Virtual SMEIC at http://www.sme.gcn.gov.hk. for registration.

TID will also distribute the SMEC Report, entitled "Staying Ahead: Smart, Motivated, Enterprising", at the SME Market Day 2001. The SMEC has proposed over 30 support measures in the Report, with a view to helping local SMEs to "start a new business", "build a new business" and "expand a business". The key recommendation of the SMEC is to set up four funding schemes totalling $1.3 billion to help SMEs to raise capital, upgrade human resources, expand overseas markets, and enhance overall competitiveness. The remaining recommendations are support measures relating to the six areas of business environment, financing, corporate governance and culture, human resources, technology application, and market expansion.

The "SME Market Day 2001" is scheduled for 5 and 6 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It will open from 10 am to 8.00 pm. Admission is free.