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

Supporting business start-ups through SME Mentorship Programme
Friday, August 20, 2010

The Trade and Industry Department (TID) today (August 20) hosted a reception to mark the successful conclusion of the 2008/10 SME Mentorship Programme. Addressing the reception, the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Ms Maria Kwan, expressed her gratitude to programme co-organisers and mentors for their dedication and wholehearted support. Mentors and SME participants also took the opportunity to share their experiences and appreciation.

The SME Mentorship Programme, organised since 2000, is now in its sixth round. With the support of distinguished industrial and trade organisations and professional and academic bodies, the SME Mentorship Programme matches each participant with a suitable mentor. "The number of programme co-organisers had risen significantly from nine to 61. Over the years, the number of mentors had exceeded 430, benefitting over 900 participants," said Ms Kwan.

Ms Kwan said that business start-ups may face various challenges and difficulties. Under the SME Mentorship Programme, accomplished entrepreneurs, professionals and academics render valuable advice to these new SME entrepreneurs through one-on-one counselling to help them lay a good foundation to develop their business.

In addition, the TID's Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) has tailor-made various business management activities for mentees. They are also welcome to participate in other SUCCESS seminars and workshops that would help them upgrade their business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills and widen their business network.

SME entrepreneurs of locally registered companies that employ fewer than 20 employees and have been established for less than five years are eligible to participate in the SME Mentorship Programme. Each mentee will be assigned a suitable mentor for a guidance period of 12 months. Mentors will listen to mentees' concerns and challenges in running a business, share their views and experience and give advice. The whole service is free of charge.

The TID is planning the next round of the SME Mentorship Programme. Details will be announced soon.

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