SUCCESS
E-newsletter
5 February 2025
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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)
 More Details
"Four-in-One" Integrated Services of SME 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 SME 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 SME centres and government departments from a single online platform.
The Government provides over 70 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 70+ 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 SME 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 SME centres co-organise "Four-in-One" seminar series regularly. Themes of this seminar series in the first half of 2025 are "E-commerce", "Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)" and "Branding". An upcoming seminar under this series is listed below. Interested persons are welcome to register at the link shown therein. Admission is Free.
Xiaohongshu and WeChat Channels: Strategies on Branding and Marketing (Seminar)
(This seminar will be held at Trade and Industry Tower on 25 February 2025)
This seminar is held by the “SUCCESS” of the TID. In this seminar, an expert will compare the pros and cons of Xiaohongshu and WeChat Channels and explore the general mindsets behind when operating businesses through these two platforms. Strategies for Hong Kong businesses to generate profits directly through self-media and related cases will also be shared, with a view to assisting SMEs in getting the techniques to promote their brands and expand markets through self-media. (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details and Registration
SUCCESS-supported Activities
I. 【Medical Breakthroughs driven by New Productive Forces】Innovative Experiment Training Platform (Online Course)
(This course will be live-streamed on 13 February 2025)
This course is offered by the HKPC. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This online course will introduce HKPC's development of new industrialisation in respect of life and health technology. Relevant government funding schemes will also be introduced. (This course will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details (in Chinese only)
II. Indoor Air Quality Service Provider Trade Fair
(This event will be held at the HKPC Building on 14 February 2025)
This Trade Fair is held by the Indoor Air Quality Information Centre under Environmental Protection Department. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. The Trade Fair aims to promote effective Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) solutions for IAQ certificate holders, relevant professionals and the general public to improve IAQ, which helps foster a good indoor environment.
More Details and Registration
III. Workshop Series on "Tech x Creativity" - "Exploring Immersive Art and Story Experiences in XR" Workshop
(This workshop will be held at Tencent WeStart, KOHO on 18 February 2025)
This workshop series is organised by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This workshop will demonstrate how to use augmented reality technology to create immersive experiences, applications in gaming environments, and story creation. (This workshop will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details and Registration
IV. Empathetic Leadership in Action (Online Course)
(This course will be live-streamed on 18 February 2025)
This course is offered by the HKPC. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, this online course will help participants learn how to embed empathy in self-management and team leadership to cultivate a positive work culture with more human touch. (This course will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details
V. Essential Skills for Managers of Today and Tomorrow (Online Course)
(This course will be live-streamed on 27 February 2025)
This course is offered by the HKPC. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This online course will explore the essential skills that managers need to manage people and performance in the current rapidly changing work environment. (This course will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details
Intellectual Property Department: IP Training Programme “IP103 Registration and application procedure of IP rights in Hong Kong”
(This course will be held at the VTC Tower, Wan Chai on 26 Febuary 2025)
This intellectual property (IP) course offered by the Intellectual Property Department introduces the IP registration system in Hong Kong, enabling participants to comprehend the registration and application procedures of various IP rights and thereby formulate effective IP registration strategies for the enterprises. (The medium of instruction will be Cantonese, supplemented with English terms.)
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 courses is waived for members of the Scheme. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.
More Details
Registration
Privacy Commissioner’s Office Launches “Privacy-Friendly Awards 2025”
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) is pleased to announce the launch of “Privacy-Friendly Awards 2025” (Awards). Enterprises, public and private organisations as well as government departments are invited to apply for the Awards. The Awards this year, with the theme of “Safeguarding Data Security: Marching towards a New Digital Era”, aim to recognise the commitment and efforts of organisations in the protection of personal data privacy, while encouraging them to implement good data governance and enhancing their awareness of protecting personal data privacy and data security.
Interested organisations should complete and submit the online application form and provide relevant supporting documents on the Awards website https://www.pcpd.org.hk/privacyfriendlyawards/en/index.html on or before 7 March 2025. Apply NOW and become part of the privacy-friendly community!
Meeting the “BRANDers” – Mr Terence Hon, Co-founder of the Social Enterprise “GreenPrice”
To encourage and assist Hong Kong enterprises in developing their own brands and promoting their brands in the Mainland and overseas markets, the TID conducts interviews with representatives of local brands and experts so as to share their success stories and business strategies with the industries. The TID has earlier on interviewed Mr Terence Hon, one of the co-founders and the Head of Retail of GreenPrice, for sharing experience in starting up and developing business, and the key success factors for brand development.
More Details (in Chinese only)
Public invited to vote in Taxi Service Commendation Scheme 2024 (deadline: 31 May 2025)
The Transport Department said on 1 February 2025 that the Taxi Service Commendation Scheme 2024 will be open for public voting starting from that day. Members of the public are welcome to cast their votes online by 31 May 2025 through the Committee on Taxi Service Quality's website (www.ctsq.org.hk/voting) or by scanning the QR code on the scheme's publicity material (see Annex).
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202502/01/P2025012800248.htm.
Innovation and Technology Venture Fund continues to invest in local start-ups to enrich innovation and technology ecosystem
The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) stated on 24 January 2025 that the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF) invested HK$208 million in 23 deals in the past year, being the highest since its establishment. The business areas of these start-ups cover robotics technology, biotechnology, financial technology, artificial intelligence and software, including Cornerstone Robotics that focuses on research and development of advanced robotic surgical machines, EV Power that is involved in electric vehicle charging business, FJDynamics that is engaged in robotics technology, MediConCen that is involved in insurance technology, and Varadise that focuses on construction management platform.
An ITC spokesperson said, "The ITVF is set up with a view to attracting more VC funds to co-invest in local innovation and technology (I&T) start-ups. Over the past year, the investment amount and number of deals made by the ITVF in I&T start-ups both reached record highs since its establishment. Recently, the ITVF invested US$6.25 million (approximately HK$49 million) in Cornerstone Robotics, which is the largest investment amount received by an I&T start-up. Further, we launched the ITVF enhanced scheme in end-2024. We expect that through the integration of capital raised from the market to invest in start-ups of strategic industries through fund managers, it will further empower start-ups with more financing support and help enrich the I&T ecosystem."
The ITVF co-invests with VC funds selected as co-investment partners (CPs) at a matching ratio of approximately 1 (Government): 2 (CP) in eligible local I&T start-ups. To date, the ITVF has invested over HK$410 million in 43 local I&T start-ups and attracted about HK$3.5 billion of private investment at a leverage ratio of approximately 1:9.
The background and investment portfolio of the ITVF are available on the ITVF website (www.itf.gov.hk/l-eng/ITVF.asp). The ITVF enhanced scheme is inviting applications, and the deadline for application is 19 March 2025 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202412/19/P2024121900325.htm).
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202501/24/P2025012400466.htm.
Government announces arrangements for Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions 2.0
The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) announced on 24 January 2025 the arrangements for the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE) 2.0.
A spokesman for the CEDB said, "As announced in the 2024 Policy Address, following the strong support from the convention and exhibition (C&E) industry for the existing ISRE, the Government will allocate an additional provision of $500 million for implementing the ISRE 2.0, focusing on attracting new and recurrent international exhibitions of a large scale, to further promote the development of the C&E industry and the mega event economy, thereby generating overall economic benefits for Hong Kong.
"To this end, we have engaged the major stakeholders of the C&E industry and worked out the arrangements for the ISRE 2.0, taking into account the views received and the operational experience of the existing ISRE."
Same as the existing scheme, the ISRE 2.0 will only subsidise venue rentals of eligible exhibitions organised by private organisers at the specified venues. The ISRE 2.0 aims at attracting more new and recurrent international exhibitions of a large scale, boosting the vibrancy of the C&E industry in Hong Kong. A number of new features will be introduced under the new scheme, including:
(a) only international exhibitions attracting at least 1 500 non-local participants (including exhibitors and buyers) will be covered;
(b) the maximum incentive for each eligible exhibition will be capped at $10 million; and
(c) the Central Harbourfront Event Space and relevant parts of the West Kowloon Cultural District will be designated as specified venues, alongside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo.
All of the above will enable the ISRE 2.0 to focus on international events, benefit more eligible exhibitions and offer more venue options to the organisers.
The ISRE 2.0 will be launched on 1 July 2025 subject to the Legislative Council's funding approval, while the existing ISRE will terminate on the same day. Information on the detailed arrangements of the ISRE 2.0 including the specified venues will be set out in the relevant Application Guide to be announced in due course. Eligible exhibitions which will commence on or before 30 June 2025 should apply for incentives under the existing ISRE.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202501/24/P2025012400398.htm.
United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 gazetted
The Government gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (the Amendment Regulation) on 24 January 2025, which came into operation on the same date.
"The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2758 in respect of Yemen," a Government spokesman said.
The amendments renew the financial sanctions and travel ban.
The HKSARG has all along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People's Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202501/24/P2025012400205.htm.
"e-HongKongGuide" 2025 available for free download
The electronic map "e-HongKongGuide" 2025 edition produced by the Lands Department (LandsD) is available for free download on 23 January 2025.
The new "e-HongKongGuide" is available for browsing and free download on the LandsD's website (www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/download/ehkg.htm). For enquiries, please call 2231 3187.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202501/23/P2025012300142.htm.
HKSARG welcomes announcement by National Medical Products Administration on arrangement of streamlining approval procedures for HK registered traditional pCms for oral use to be registered on Mainland
The HKSARG welcomed the announcement made by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) on the arrangement to streamline the approval procedures for Hong Kong registered traditional proprietary Chinese medicines (pCms) for oral use to be registered on the Mainland on 21 January 2025.
To fully implement the Work Plan for Regulatory Innovation and Development of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration (GDMPA) promulgated the notice regarding the streamlining of approval procedures for Hong Kong and Macao registered traditional pCms for external use on 27 August 2021. Since then, the Health Bureau and the Department of Health have been maintaining close communication with relevant Mainland authorities to explore the feasibility of extending the scope of the aforementioned measure to pCms for oral use. The NMPA promulgated on 21 January 2025 the notice regarding the streamlining of approval procedures for Hong Kong and Macao registered traditional pCms for oral use. The streamlined approval measure will apply to traditional pCms for oral use held by manufacturing companies in Hong Kong, which have been registered with the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong and in use in Hong Kong for more than 15 years. The manufacturing processes of these pCms must comply with the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice for medicines.
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "The HKSAR Government warmly welcomes the official implementation of the streamlined approval measure, and expresses gratitude to the Central Government and the NMPA for their staunch support for the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong all along. Since the implementation of the streamlined approval procedures for traditional pCms for external use registered in Hong Kong and Macao in 2021, 13 Hong Kong registered pCms have been approved for sale on the Mainland through streamlined procedures. The relevant measure has greatly streamlined the requirements and shortened the time for approval, thereby opening up a more convenient channel for the Hong Kong Chinese medicines industry to tap into the vast market on the Mainland. The new arrangement of extending the measure to pCms for oral use announced today (21 January 2025) symbolises the acceleration of the implementation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Chinese medicine policies, which are favourable to Hong Kong, further facilitating Hong Kong pCm manufacturers' market expansion on the Mainland and promoting the development of the Chinese medicine industry. The HKSAR Government will actively promote the relevant measure to the Hong Kong pCm sector."
To assist Hong Kong Chinese medicine traders to make good use of the opportunities brought about by the relevant policy, the Chinese Medicine Development Fund of the Health Bureau launched the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Proprietary Chinese Medicine Industry Development Support Scheme in February 2024 to provide financial support to Hong Kong pCm manufacturers or wholesalers in respect of the registration application, supporting them to make applications for registration on the Mainland with the GDMPA for eligible pCms through the streamlined approval procedures. The Health Bureau will further expand the scope of the Support Scheme in light of the latest policy in a timely manner.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202501/21/P2025012100530.htm.
For more recent news, please visit the "What's New" web page of the SUCCESS Website or the "News" web page of the SME Link.
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)
Following the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and Peru, the geographical scope of funding support of the BUD Fund has been extended to Peru with effect from 16 November 2024 to further support Hong Kong enterprises in developing their businesses in the market. The total number of economies covered under the BUD Fund is thereby increased to 401.
The HKPC as the BUD Fund implementation partner regularly organises seminars/webinars in order to enhance enterprises’ understanding of the BUD Fund, including “Easy BUD” and "E-commerce Easy". For more details of the BUD Fund, please visit its website (www.bud.hkpc.org/en) or contact the HKPC at 2788 6088.
1Besides the newly added economy of Peru, the other 39 economies covered under the BUD Fund are the Mainland, the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (comprising Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), Australia, Chile, the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), Georgia, Macao, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Austria, Belgo-Luxembourg Economic Union, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and Bahrain.
Corruption Prevention Advisory Service (CPAS) of ICAC
A good governance system is vital for SMEs' effective operation, and can help sustain their company image and hence counterparts' confidence in doing business with them. The Corruption Prevention Department of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has launched the Corruption Prevention Advisory Service (CPAS). The CPAS is a specialised unit dedicated to providing tailor-made, free and confidential corruption prevention advice on system control in common business areas such as procurement and staff administration. Enterprises can access its user-friendly web portal (https://cpas.icac.hk/EN/) for details of the services and to get timely and useful resources on corruption prevention such as staff code of conduct, corruption prevention guides and tools, case studies, quick tips and red flags. To receive regular updates on corruption prevention, please click here to subscribe to the CPAS e-news.
Free IP Consultation Service
The IPD, supported by the Law Society of Hong Kong, now provides FREE One-On-One IP Consultation Service for SMEs. To obtain more information and/or apply for the Service, please visit IPD's dedicated website "Hong Kong – Regional IP Trading Centre": https://ip.gov.hk/en/home/consultation-service/index.html.
Business News
GDETO Newsletter
The latest issue of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) Newsletter has been published.
More Details (in Chinese only)
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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