Press Releases

Mentorship Programme helps businesses take off
Friday, May 3, 2002

The Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr. Joshua Law, today (May 3) invites proprietors of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to join the Mentorship Programme for SMEs. The Programme is run by the Trade and Industry Department in partnership with 25 trade and industrial organizations.

Speaking at a press briefing today to introduce the Programme launching ceremony of the programme, Mr. Law said: "SME proprietors need to widen their horizon and equip themselves for the challenges of a knowledge-based economy. The Mentorship Programme aims to help SME proprietors build entrepreneurship and develop leadership by providing them with an opportunity to learn from, and be guided by, accomplished entrepreneurs, senior executives, and professionals through one-on-one free counselling."

"The Trade and Industry Department launched a Pilot Mentorship Programme in late 2000. We recently completed a review on the effectiveness of the pilot programme. During the process, we conducted a survey to gather feedback from participants of the pilot programme. In general, participating mentors and mentees were of the view that the mentorship arrangement was useful to newly established SMEs. Also, mentees reckoned that mentors offered them useful insights and advice, and that the programme should continue and be expanded," Mr. Law said.

"The Government is committed to providing practical support to SMEs to facilitate their development and enhance their competitiveness. Our decision to continue with the mentorship programme on a wider scale underlines that commitment," Mr. Law explained.

Proprietors of locally registered companies which employ fewer than 20 employees and are established for less than five years are eligible for the Programme. The mentors are experienced entrepreneurs, senior executives, and professionals recommended by the 25 trade and industrial organizations. They will listen to the views and problems of the mentees, share with them their thinking and experiences, and give them advice.

Each proprietor admitted to the Programme will be assigned a mentor for a period of nine months. Mentors and mentees are expected to meet each other at least three times during the period. The Programme will start in early July. As part of the Programme, mentees will be required to attend a one-day leadership development course designated by the Trade and Industry Department. Also, the Trade and Industry Department and the 25 collaborating organizations will organise activities such as seminars, workshops, and experience sharing sessions for the mentees.

The Trade and Industry Department and the 25 trade and industrial organizations aim to recruit at least 250 mentors. If necessary, more will be recruited so that more SMEs can benefit from the Programme. To ensure closer interaction, each mentor will be assigned with not more than two mentees.

SMEs wishing to join the Programme can obtain application forms from the Trade and Industry Department the 's Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) on M/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon; offices of 25 trade and industrial organizations; and District Offices of the Home Affairs Department. The forms can also be downloaded the from the homepages of the Trade and Industry Department's the Virtual SME Information Centre (http://www.success.tid.gov.hk).

Completed applications forms should be returned to the Trade and Industry Department on or before June 3, 2002.

For enquiries, please contact the Trade and Industry Department (Tonel: 2398 5133; fax: 2317 4852/2375 7105; e-mail address: smeenq@tid.gov.hk)

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