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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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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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