SUCCESS
E-newsletter
7 August 2024
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The Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) run by the Trade and Industry Department (TID) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the HKSARG) provides small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with free business information and consultation services.
Our website: https://www.success.tid.gov.hk/en_landing.html
Our email: success@tid.gov.hk
Our customer hotline:（852）2398 5133
(Service hours of hotline and counters: Monday to Friday 8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m., other than public holidays)
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"Four-in-One" Integrated Services of SMEs Centres
To strengthen support for SMEs and to raise SMEs' awareness of the various funding schemes and support services, the TID consolidated the services of the existing four SMEs centres, namely, the "SUCCESS" under the TID, the "SME Centre" under the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the "SME One" under the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the "TecONE" under the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in October 2019 to provide one-stop "Four-in-One" integrated services for SMEs. Enterprises can obtain business information, funding schemes information and advisory services, etc. at any of the centres. In addition, a web portal called "SME Link" is also established for SMEs to access information and support services provided by the four SMEs centres and government departments from a single online platform.
The Government provides over 40 funding schemes with different funding scopes, amounts and requirements to promote and support the development of enterprises and industries in Hong Kong. The "Government Funding Schemes" web page of the SME Link features information on these 40+ funding schemes, including overview and useful hyperlinks. The web page's search tool supports multiple search filters to facilitate enterprises identifying suitable funding schemes.
The "Events & Activities" of the SME Link facilitates enterprises to obtain information on activities organised by the four SMEs centres and various government departments, including seminars, workshops, exhibitions, conferences, training courses, etc., from a single platform, and also provides relevant links to facilitate registration.
What's New
"Four-in-One" Seminar Series
The four SMEs centres co-organise "Four-in-One" seminar series regularly. Themes of this seminar series in the second half of 2024 are "E-commerce", "Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)" and "Branding". Upcoming seminars related to "E-commerce" are listed below. Interested persons are welcome to register at the links shown therein. Admission is Free.
I. Digital Academy – “Online Marketing Elite Course for SMEs: Led by Advertising Industry Guru” (Seminar)
(This seminar will be live-streamed and held at Blueprint, Taikoo Place on 8 August 2024)
This seminar is held by the HKTDC. In this seminar, online promotion experts are invited to share and explain online marketing strategies, advertising ideas, content marketing innovation directions, branding formula and techniques for achieving high exposure at low cost for SMEs, as well as case studies. The seminar will also introduce the HKTDC's ‘EXHIBITION+’ online-and-offline integrated exhibition model, with a view to assisting enterprises extending their promotional advantages. (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details and Registration (in Chinese only)
II. “A close look on E-marketing techniques for E-Commerce” (Seminar)
(This seminar will be held at Trade and Industry Tower on 19 August 2024)
This seminar is held by the “SUCCESS” of the TID. In this seminar, an e-commerce and marketing expert is invited to explain how SMEs can make good use of limited resources to find their target customer groups online and increase the exposure of their products, services or brands. The seminar will also analyse different e-marketing techniques, with a view to assisting SMEs in developing suitable online promotion strategies to attract and retain more customers. (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details and Registration
SUCCESS-supported Activity
“Global Trade Outlook For The Second Half of 2024” Seminar
(This seminar will be held at the HKECIC Conference Room on 8 August 2024)
This seminar is organised by the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (HKECIC). SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This seminar will provide an overview of the global trade outlook for the second half of 2024, share cases on export business fraud, and introduce HKECIC's services and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) free credit check service. (This seminar will be conducted in English.)
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Seminar on the Minimum Wage Ordinance
(This seminar will be held at the Lecture Hall, the Hong Kong Space Museum on 4 September 2024)
This seminar is organised by the Labour Department (LD). Participants of the seminar will be briefed on main provisions of the Minimum Wage Ordinance and family-friendly employment practices. Employers, employees and human resources practitioners are welcome to attend. (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese and admission is free. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and the enrolment deadline is 23 August 2024.)
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Intellectual Property Department: IP Training Programme “IP104 IP Management and Protection in Overseas Markets”
(This course will be held at the VTC Tower, Wan Chai on 29 August 2024)
This course aims to introduce the regulations, enforcement actions, protection mechanisms and management strategies of Patent and Trademark rights in the key overseas markets, allowing participants to fully grasp the fundamental knowledge of the IP management and protection strategies in overseas markets. This course will be conducted in Cantonese and English.
Interested participants may first enroll in the “IP Manager Scheme PLUS” for free by filling out an online form to get priority in course registration. Registration fee for the course is waived for members of the Scheme. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.
More Details
Registration
Labour Rights under Different Employment Patterns
Employees, except for those to whom the Employment Ordinance does not apply, irrespective of their working hours and whether they are designated as “full-time”, “part-time”, “long term”, casual, temporary, substitute employees or remunerated on piece rate, are protected by the Ordinance and entitled to certain basic rights and benefits under the Ordinance such as wage payment protection, restriction on deduction from wages, taking statutory holidays and rights of participating in trade unions, etc. An employee who has been employed continuously by the same employer for 4 weeks or more, with at least 18 hours worked in each week, is regarded as being employed under a “continuous contract”. An employee, who is employed under a “continuous contract” and meets the qualifying conditions under the Employment Ordinance, is entitled to additional rights and benefits like rest days, pay for statutory holidays, annual leave with pay, sickness allowance and severance payment/ long service payment, etc.
For details, please refer to the following publication produced by the LD:
“Labour Rights under Different Employment Patterns”
Pilot Scheme for Electric Public Light Buses accepts second round of applications till 26 August 2024
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced on 5 August 2024 that the Pilot Scheme for Electric Public Light Buses (e-PLBs) is open for the second round of applications until 26 August 2024.
"We are conducting operational trials under the Pilot Scheme in phases. Same as in the first round of applications, Kowloon Tong (Suffolk Road) and Yue Man Square Public Transport Interchanges (PTIs) will continue to serve as trial points. Successful operators will be subsidised with 80 per cent of the vehicle price for each e-PLB joining the Pilot Scheme. It is expected that approval will be granted to all successful applications next month (September 2024) with a view to commencing the second round of trials in the fourth quarter this year (2024)," an EPD spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that, drawing from the experiences gained from the first round of applications and the feedback from the operators and prequalified suppliers of e-PLBs, a number of enhancement measures will be adopted in the second round, including streamlining the release of subsidy. Operators of green minibuses may apply for the release of subsidy at 80 per cent of the vehicle price of the e-PLB to the relevant prequalified supplier directly from the Government. In addition, the participating operators are also required to charge the e-PLBs with pantograph and plug-in chargers separately during the trial period in accordance with the charging time proportion specified by the EPD to collect the relevant data for more effective assessment of the operation arrangements and performance of different charging modes.
Operators of green minibuses interested in taking part in the Pilot Scheme should submit their applications to the EPD before the deadline. Details about the Pilot Scheme and its application can be found on the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/guide_ref/pseplb.html).
To promote the local application of e-PLBs, the Government has earmarked $80 million for the implementation of the Pilot Scheme to test and assess the operation and performance of e-PLBs and the associated quick charging facilities. The EPD rolled out the first round of applications in October 2023, and signed agreements with two operators in December 2023 to subsidise each of them to buy one e-PLB to participate in the trials. The relevant e-PLBs have been undergoing the operational trials at the above two PTIs since the end of March 2024.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202408/05/P2024080500331.htm?fontSize=1.
PBOC and HKMA Sign MOU on Cross-Boundary Linkage of Payment Systems between the Mainland and Hong Kong
Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), Mr Lu Lei, and Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Howard Lee met on 2 August 2024 to exchange views on a range of topics of mutual interest, including financial co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as pushing forward the linkage of fast payment systems. They also signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the PBOC and the HKMA on Cross-Boundary Linkage of Payment Systems between the Mainland and Hong Kong, establishing a cooperation framework for the linkage.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202408/02/P2024080200412.htm?fontSize=1.
New measure of increasing duty-free allowance for luggage articles for visitors who are Mainland residents implemented at all ports
A Government spokesman said on 1 August 2024 that the Central Government's measure of increasing the duty-free allowance for luggage articles brought into the Mainland from Hong Kong by visitors who are Mainland residents from RMB5,000 to RMB12,000, while retaining the measure of allowing for additional duty-free goods at the value of RMB3,000 purchased at port entry duty-free stores, has been extended to all ports starting from 1 August 2024.
The measure has been welcomed by visitors who are Mainland residents since its implementation on 1 July 2024 at six land ports, including Lo Wu, Futian (Lok Ma Chau Spur Line), Shenzhen Bay, West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and more. The HKSARG believes that the measure is conducive to enriching the shopping experience of Mainland residents during their visits to Hong Kong, boosting the development of diversified tourism and stimulating Hong Kong's retail business.
The HKSARG has displayed promotional materials at various ports and sent short message service (SMS) to inbound Mainland visitors via mobile network operators on the Mainland to promote the implementation arrangements of the measure. In addition, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) launched a new summer promotional event, Summer Chill Hong Kong, on 11 July 2024 to distribute 500 000 sets of Summer Triple Rewards covering sightseeing and transport, dining and consumption discounts to inbound overnight visitors.
The HKSARG will continue to fully promote the measure and support the travel and retail trades to organise various promotional events to attract more overnight visitors to Hong Kong and encourage them to increase their consumption.
As of end-June 2024, the HKTB recorded about 21 million visitors arriving in Hong Kong, representing a year-on-year increase of around 60 per cent. The arrival of Mainland visitors reached about 16 million for the same period, a year-on-year increase of around 60 per cent, while the arrival of non-Mainland visitors was about 5 million, a year-on-year increase of more than 80 per cent.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202408/01/P2024080100293.htm?fontSize=1.
Government welcomes the implementation of Hainan's 144-hour visa-free policy for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong and Macao
The Government welcomed the announcement issued by the National Immigration Administration regarding the implementation of Hainan's 144-hour visa-free stay policy for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong and Macao with effect from 30 July 2024. The implementation of the policy will further promote the integration of the tourism markets of the two places and inject new vitality into the tourism co-operation between Hong Kong and Hainan.
According to the announcement, citizens of countries that have established diplomatic relations with China and holding ordinary passports could travel to Hainan visa-free and stay for not more than 144 hours (for those with mutual visa exemption agreements signed with China or other visa exemption policies of the Chinese Government may follow the relevant requirements) if they enter as a tour group (with at least two people) organised by a travel agent registered in Hong Kong or Macao. The entry ports include all those established by our country in Hainan province that are open externally. The tour groups must enter and exit collectively, and their activities are limited to the administrative area of Hainan province. The stay time starts from the day following their entry.
The Government will communicate and co-ordinate with the relevant authorities of Hainan to ensure the smooth implementation of the policy.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202407/30/P2024073000528.htm?fontSize=1.
LD to hold courses and public talks on prevention of heat stroke at work and occupational health
The LD regularly organises courses and public health talks on the prevention of heat stroke and occupational health to raise awareness among both employers and employees regarding occupational health.
All courses and public talks will be given by the LD's occupational hygienist, occupational safety officer or occupational health nurse in Cantonese. Admission is free. For details of the courses and health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in August 2024, please visit relevant press release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202407/30/P2024072600459.htm.
The LD also provides a free-of-charge outreach health education service. For details, please visit the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content7.htm) or call 2852 4062.
Smart Site Safety System labels issued to first batch of 110 construction sites
The first batch of 110 public and private construction sites participating in the Smart Site Safety System Labelling Scheme (4S Labelling Scheme) has passed the assessment and were issued label plaques on 29 July 2024 to indicate the proper adoption of 4S - Smart Site Safety System - at their respective construction sites.
The 4S Labelling Scheme was launched by the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) in May 2024 to issue labels to construction sites after on-site inspections and assessments of the proper adoption of 4S, with a view to driving a wider adoption of 4S in the construction industry and providing a safer working environment for site personnel through identifying such construction sites.
Speaking at the Presentation Ceremony of Plaques for the 4S Labelling Scheme, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, noted that 4S could issue timely alerts to relevant site personnel to effectively prevent serious accidents, while facilitating efficient management of construction progress. He encouraged the construction industry to continue to support 4S, earnestly participate in the 4S Labelling Scheme, utilise innovative technologies, and promote smart site safety construction, with a view to ensuring site safety and promoting sustainable development of the construction industry.
The Chairman of the CIC, Mr Thomas Ho, called for early adoption of 4S on construction sites. He said that site management should visit construction sites to ensure 4S is effectively adopted.
The 110 public and private works construction sites with labels issued involve different works types and scales, and have also adopted 4S covering various advance technologies and devices. The 4S Labelling Scheme has received applications from more than 350 construction sites in the first two months since its launch, and the assessment is being conducted progressively.
The plaques will be placed at conspicuous spots around construction sites, with 4S labels for identification and ease of monitoring, including facilitating enforcement departments to monitor the sites without 4S labels. The list of such construction sites is available at the CIC's website (www.cic.hk/4s-labelling/en/project-list) for public inspection.
The Government has been adopting a multipronged approach to promote the wide adoption of 4S in the construction industry. Apart from the 4S Labelling Scheme, the DEVB has required capital works contracts exceeding $30 million to fully adopt 4S. The Buildings Department has introduced mandatory measures since 1 July 2024. Conditions will be imposed under the Buildings Ordinance requiring the adoption of 4S to provide qualified supervision of building works when granting the first approval, or approval of major revisions of superstructure plans, of private development projects. For building works with an estimated cost exceeding $30 million and involving the use of mobile plants and tower cranes, registered contractors are required to adopt relevant 4S alert systems. The Government also subsidises private works projects to adopt 4S through the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund, and has launched respective packages of 4S products with the CIC for various types and scales of private works projects.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202407/29/P2024072900443.htm?fontSize=1.
Hong Kong's first two locally licensed LNG-diesel dual-fuel tugs commissioned
Marine Department representitives attended the ceremony held by the Hongkong Salvage & Towage Services Limited to celebrate the commissioning of the first two locally licensed LNG (liquefied natural gas) diesel dual-fuel tugs in Hong Kong on 25 July 2024.
Addressing the celebration ceremony, Deputy Director of Marine Mr Shi Qiang said, "The Government is committed to transforming the city into a green port and promoting the use of more environmentally friendly new fuels with less or zero-carbon emissions to replace marine petroleum fuels commonly used by vessels nowadays. The commissioning of the first two locally licensed tugs equipped with dual-fuel engine systems marks a new milestone that helps encourage more local vessels to use new fuels and move towards the International Maritime Organization's target of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the industry to jointly promote and achieve the goal of green and sustainable development in the shipping industry."
With a view to supporting the development needs and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of the marine industry, the Government promulgated the Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy in December 2023, outlining four directions and 10 strategies, including propelling the development of a green port towards a zero-carbon target by studying the feasibility of the provision of green fuel bunkering for local vessels and ocean-going vessels, and promulgating an action plan for Hong Kong's development into a green maritime fuel-bunkering centre in 2024. The plan is expected to be published in 2024. The Government has also introduced the Shipping Legislation (Use of Fuels and Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2024 into the Legislative Council in July 2024 to cater for the safe use of new fuels such as LNG by vessels.
Each of the two newly commissioned tugs, LNG Sentinel I and LNG Sentinel II, has an overall length of 42 metres, a beam of 16m, a gross tonnage of 1 275, two electric motor-driven azimuth thrusters with an aggregate power of 6 000 kilowatts and a maximum speed of 14 knots.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202407/25/P2024072500328.htm?fontSize=1.
Digital Policy Office under ITIB officially established
The Digital Policy Office (DPO) under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) was officially established on 25 July 2024. The DPO will take the lead in promoting data-driven, people-centric and outcome-based digital policies within the Government and across various sectors for enhancing the Government's efficiency and services, with a view to bringing greater benefits to citizens and business sectors through digital government and smart city development.
The DPO, led by the Commissioner for Digital Policy, comprises a Digital Government Branch, a Data Governance Branch and a Digital Infrastructure Branch. The three branches are respectively tasked to formulate related policies and initiatives, spearhead the development of digital government and promote the application of advanced information technology by bureaux/departments (B/Ds) in rolling out innovative public services. Through the implementation of data governance policies, the DPO will promote the opening up and sharing of data, as well as data analytics and applications. The DPO will also make efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure and security, promote industry development and deepen co-operation with the Mainland, including putting in place measures that facilitate cross-boundary data flows and the Cross-boundary Public Services initiative.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, remarked that, "Digitalisation is conducive to social and economic development, as well as to the enhancement of the Government's operational efficiency and innovation of public services. Digital technology and data are also important elements in driving high-quality development and new quality productive forces. The DPO will promote the implementation of digital policies based on innovative technology and data, and make every effort to steer B/Ds in leveraging innovative technology to enhance public services as well as putting in place more digital government initiatives that will bring convenience to the public and benefit the business sector to meet the ever-changing needs and public expectations in the digital era."
The establishment of the DPO is one of the new initiatives announced in "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address". The new office aims to accelerate the development of digital government by merging the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) with the Efficiency Office (EffO). The establishment of the DPO involves reorganisation and integration of resources between the OGCIO and the EffO under the ITIB. Relevant proposals were approved by the Legislative Council in mid-2024.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202407/25/P2024072400394.htm.
Hong Kong Customs holds Certificate of Appointment Presentation Ceremony of World Customs Organization Regional Private Sector Group - Asia Pacific
Hong Kong Customs held the Certificate of Appointment Presentation Ceremony of World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Private Sector Group (RPSG) - Asia Pacific (AP) at the Customs Headquarters Building on 24 July 2024. The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, in the capacity of WCO Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific (A/P) Region, officiated at the ceremony and presented appointment certificates to six members from various sectors in Hong Kong.
The WCO RPSG - AP was established in 2021 as a consultative platform within the A/P region of the WCO to provide advice on customs affairs and international trade matters from the perspective of the private sector. The Group consists of 30 members and will serve for a three-year term. The second term commenced on 1 July 2024, with 30 members coming from different sectors, including manufacturing, import and export and logistics, e-commerce and natural resources, in 13 countries or economies. This is the first time that Hong Kong enterprises and institutions have joined the WCO RPSG - AP.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Ms Ho said that one of the fundamental roles of customs authorities is to connect and collaborate with customs organisations globally. She firmly believes that the success of this endeavour depends on the efforts to strengthen relationships with private industries, which are essential to address challenges brought by complex global situations. She expressed deep gratitude to the six newly joined Hong Kong enterprises and institutions, which come from different sectors, including logistic and business associations, e-commerce platforms, high-end electronic devices and information technology, metal resources, and health supplements. She believed that their participation could foster closer co-operation between customs authorities and the private sector, and create a more robust partnership between Hong Kong enterprises and other A/P economies. By assisting more local companies to "go global", further economic and international trade opportunities will be uncovered across A/P and international markets.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202407/24/P2024072400225.htm.
Topical Issues
Support Measures relating to Liquidity
In view of the cash-flow pressure of SMEs, SUCCESS has compiled a summary of support measures relating to liquidity.
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SME ReachOut
“SME ReachOut”, a dedicated service team operated by HKPC, has commenced operation since 1 January 2020 to enhance SMEs’ understanding of the Government’s funding schemes, with a view to encouraging better utilisation of the support provided by the Government. The team would help SMEs identify funding schemes that suit their needs, and answer questions relating to applications.
The Government has allocated $100 million to HKPC to gradually enhance the services of “SME ReachOut” in the ensuing five years starting from 2023. HKPC has enhanced the services of “SME ReachOut” in October 2023, including arranging visits to more chambers of commerce, commercial and industrial buildings and co-working spaces, and increasing the publicity in social media so as to step up the promotion of government funding schemes. At the same time, more one-on-one consultation sessions will be provided to assist SMEs in applying for government funding and building their capacities, focusing on areas such as ESG, technology transformation, digitalisation and cyber security, with a view to enhancing their competitiveness through leveraging new technologies.
For further information or enquiries on “SME ReachOut”, please contact “SME ReachOut” Hotline / WhatsApp (Text Message Only) at 2788 6868 or email by sme_reachout@hkpc.org or visit https://smereachout.hkpc.org/en.
Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund)
“E-commerce Easy” was launched on 15 July 2024, under which enterprises can flexibly make use of a maximum funding of $1 million within their funding ceiling to implement electronic commerce (e-commerce) projects, to further assist them in exploring the Mainland domestic sales market. Unlike general applications of the BUD Fund, items under “E-commerce Easy” projects are not subject to individual funding caps, so that more targeted support can be provided to enterprises.
The HKPC as the BUD Fund implementation partner regularly organises seminars/webinars in order to enhance enterprises’ understanding of the BUD Fund, including “E-commerce Easy” and “Easy BUD”. For more details of the BUD Fund, please visit its website (www.bud.hkpc.org/en) or contact the HKPC at 2788 6088.
Upcoming event for August 2024 is as follows:
You are welcomed to join the seminar.
Business News
GDETO Newsletter
The latest issue of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) Newsletter has been published.
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Commercial Information Circulars (CICs) of the Mainland
The TID issued a number of Commercial Information Circulars (CICs) on the Mainland's trade and economic rules and regulations. The latest CICs have been published.
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