Press Release

SME Development Fund invites applications

Monday, July 11, 2005

The Trade and Industry Department (TID) starts inviting applications for the fifth round of the SME Development Fund (SDF) today (July 11). The deadline for applications is August 31, 2005.

"We welcome non-profit-distributing support organisations, trade and industrial organisations, professional bodies and research institutes to come up with funding proposals to help enhance the competitiveness of SMEs in general or in specific sectors," a spokesman for the TID said.

The maximum amount of funding for an approved SDF 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.

Each applicant may put in up to four applications in the current round.

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.

Application form and the "SDF Guide to Application" are available at the SDF Secretariat, 4/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon. They may also be downloaded from the homepage of the SME Funding Schemes (www.smefund.tid.gov.hk). A list of the previously approved SDF projects can also be accessed from the website.

For enquiries, please contact the SDF Secretariat by phone at 2398 5128 or via e-mail at sdf_enquiry@tid.gov.hk.

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