SUCCESS
E-newsletter
2 April 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". Upcoming seminars under this series are listed below. Interested persons are welcome to register at the links shown therein. Admission is Free.
I. E-commerce strategies for self-media: WeChat Channels and AI (Seminar)
(This seminar will be held at Trade and Industry Tower on 3 April 2025)
This seminar is held by the “SUCCESS” of the TID. In this seminar, an expert is invited to analyse the characteristics of WeChat Channels and the latest tips for utilising artificial intelligence (AI) in running e-commerce businesses, with a view to assisting SMEs in grasping the techniques of deploying self-media and AI to expand the Mainland market, and save time and costs. (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details and Registration
II. ESG One．MeetUp Drinks — SMEs Leading the Decarbonization Change (Seminar)
(This seminar will be held at ZEEKR Taikoo Shing Flagship Showroom on 9 April 2025)
This seminar is held by the “SME One” of the HKPC. In this seminar, experts from energy management and new energy vehicles are invited to share the business advantage for SMEs to adopt low-carbon practices and sustainable development. Other experts will also introduce how to make good use of government funding schemes, with a view to assisting SMEs in achieving sustainable operations. (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details and Registration
III. What SMEs Need to Know about ESG (Seminar)
(This seminar will be held at Trade and Industry Tower on 7 May 2025)
This seminar is held by the “SUCCESS” of the TID. In this seminar, an expert will introduce the concept of ESG and explain its implications for Hong Kong SMEs, as well as how SMEs, as suppliers, can help their listed company customers implement ESG and benefit from it themselves, with a view to assisting SMEs in understanding the importance of ESG in their business operations. (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details and Registration
SUCCESS-supported Activities
I. Let AI Become Your Marketing Assistant – Boost Work Efficiency and Unleash Creativity (Online Course)
(This course will be live-streamed on 8 April 2025)
This course is offered by the HKPC. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This online course will explore the practical applications of AI in marketing, in particular how Microsoft 365 Copilot can assist marketing professionals in enhancing efficiency and stimulating creativity. (This course will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details (in Chinese only)
II. Exclusive Preview Workshop on AI-Driven Marketing Mastery
(This workshop will be held at HKPC Building on 11 April 2025)
This workshop is organised by the HKPC. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This workshop will explain how to utilise AI tools to elevate e-commerce marketing strategies. (This workshop will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details
III. Webinar on Competition Ordinance
(This webinar will be live-streamed on 25 April 2025)
This webinar is organised by the Competition Commission. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. In this webinar, representatives from the Competition Commission will provide an overview of the Competition Ordinance, dos and don’ts under the Ordinance, red flags of anti-competitive practices and Leniency and Cooperation Policies, as well as competition law case studies. (This webinar will be conducted in English.)
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Inland Revenue Department: Electronic Filing of Employer’s Return - Easy, Secure and Environment-friendly
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) issued employer’s returns, i.e. Employer’s Return of Remuneration and Pensions (Form BIR56A) for the year ended 31 March 2025 on 1 April 2025. Employers are required to complete and file the returns, together with the completed Form IR56B for reporting remuneration paid to employees and pension paid, to the IRD within one month.
Employers can file the employer’s returns online by using “iAM Smart+” or eTAX account. To tie in with employers in preparing early, the IR56 Forms Preparation Tool can be used to prepare the data file of annual Form IR56B starting from 1 March each year. Upon receipt of the Form BIR56A, employers can upload the IR56B data file to the IRD via the Online Mode or the Mixed Mode submission. Employers adopting the Mixed Mode submission, after uploading of data file(s), are only required to submit the duly signed paper form BIR56A and the duly signed Cover Page (i.e. the first page) of paper Control List generated from the system to complete the submission process.
Please visit the IRD website: www.ird.gov.hk/eng/tax/err.htm for details.
Inland Revenue Department – 2024-25 Profits Tax Filing
The IRD issued 2024/25 Profits Tax Returns to corporations and partnership businesses on 1 April 2025.
To keep pace with the development in international tax administration and information technology, the IRD is actively promoting tax digitalisation. Taxpayers are encouraged to file electronically their Profit Tax Returns together with the supporting documents (including financial statements and tax computations) in iXBRL format on a voluntary basis.
To facilitate taxpayers in preparing the required iXBRL data files, the IRD is providing the IRD Taxonomy Package (the Taxonomy) and the IRD iXBRL Data Preparation Tools (including the Template Tool and Tagging Tool, collectively known as the Tools), which are available for download from the IRD website free of charge. The Taxonomy and the Tools have been updated and enhanced in 2024-2025. The major enhanced features include:
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enhancing the English Tagging Tool (Windows Version) to accept the import of financial statements in Microsoft Excel format; and
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enriching the selection of currency types to facilitate taxpayers in generating the iXBRL data files for financial statements and tax computations denominated in a more variety of currencies.
More details on electronic filing of Profits Tax Returns and iXBRL filing can be found on the IRD’s webpages at www.ird.gov.hk/e_epf and www.ird.gov.hk/e_ixbrl respectively. For enquiries in relation to the iXBRL filing requirements and the use of the Tools, you may contact the IRD at ixbrl_reporting@ird.gov.hk, or access e-Appointment to book a specific timeslot to make enquiries via phone.
The IRD will launch three interconnected portals, namely Individual Tax Portal, Business Tax Portal (BTP) and Tax Representative Portal (TRP), in July 2025 to provide electronic services including enhanced electronic filing services, block extension service and other electronic services for individuals, businesses and tax representatives. The BTP and TRP will be pre-launched for businesses and tax representatives to register their dedicated accounts starting from late April 2025. Details of the BTP and TRP will be announced on the IRD’s website.
The IRD also aims at implementing full adoption of electronic Block Extension Scheme starting from April 2026. It follows that tax representatives are required to submit electronically their block extension applications or notifications through the block extension service under the TRP in respect of their clients’ Profits Tax Returns with effect from the year of assessment 2025/26. Tax representatives are encouraged to lodge block extension applications or notifications electronically in 2024-2025 so as to enhance the efficiency, accuracy and reliability of block extension requests. More details in relation to the Block Extension Scheme can be found on the IRD’s webpage on Block Extension Scheme for Tax Representatives.
Increasing compensation levels for work injuries and occupational diseases
The Legislative Council (LegCo) passed three resolutions on 20 March 2025 to increase the levels of a total of 18 compensation items under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, the Pneumoconiosis and Mesothelioma (Compensation) Ordinance and the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Ordinance. The adjusted levels of compensation will come into effect on 17 April 2025.
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Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal of Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 gazetted
The Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal of Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 (Amendment Bill) was published in the Gazette on 28 March 2025 to establish a common legislative framework for Producer Responsibility Schemes (PRSs) applicable to different products, facilitating the progressive inclusion of regulated products in the future.
A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) indicated that a PRS is one of the key policy tools in waste management based on the principle of "polluter pays" and the concept of "eco-responsibility". Stakeholders through the value chain, from manufacturers at one end to consumers at the other, share responsibility through usage reduction, waste recovery, and recycling, thereby reducing waste, and enhancing both the quality and quantity of recyclables more effectively. The Government has already implemented PRSs for plastic shopping bags, waste electronic and electrical equipment, and glass beverage containers.
The spokesman said, "In view of the fact that there are many common elements among the PRSs, to facilitate future implementation of PRSs in a more efficient manner, expanding our waste-to-resources capacities, the Amendment Bill proposes to establish a common legislative framework for PRSs applicable to different products to set out the general operational mechanism for PRSs, the responsibilities of relevant stakeholders, associated regulatory control measures, etc. The operational details applicable to individual regulated products will be prescribed in the respective subsidiary legislations."
To complement the common legislative framework, the Amendment Bill also proposes to make other amendments to the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354), Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap. 603) and relevant subsidiary legislations to regulate the waste disposal and recycling facilities and implement import and export controls for certain product wastes, ban the disposal of vehicle tyre waste at designated disposal facilities, and enable the Director of Environmental Protection to specify the form of any notice, with a view to including digital payment methods for settling fixed penalties.
The spokesman added, "PRSs help develop the circular economy by creating job opportunities and business, while stimulating innovation and use of technologies in waste management. To alleviate the compliance costs of the trades, we will consider providing exemptions as appropriate. We will maintain close liaison with the trades when formulating each scheme and suitably incorporate their views into the operational details. We will also provide adaptation periods for stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the implementation details. Once the trades are ready, we will consult the Panel on Environmental Affairs of the Legislative Council and the Advisory Council on the Environment on the respective operational details. We will introduce individual PRSs having regard to prevailing circumstances and introduce the respective subsidiary legislations to the Legislative Council for negative vetting."
The Amendment Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first and second readings on 2 April.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/28/P2025032700206.htm.
Banking (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
The Government published in the Gazette the Banking (Amendment) Bill 2025 on 28 March 2025, which seeks to facilitate the sharing of information among authorized institutions (AIs) under specified conditions to enhance the efficiency in detecting and preventing crime in Hong Kong.
The Bill proposes to introduce a voluntary mechanism for AIs to share with each other information of corporate and individual accounts through secure platforms to be designated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), when they become aware of suspected prohibited conduct (i.e. money laundering, terrorist financing or financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction). The proposed mechanism will enable AIs and relevant law enforcement agencies to take swift actions for earlier interception of illicit funds and expedite intelligence gathering so that the public will be better protected from fraud and associated money laundering activities, etc.
The Bill will provide legal protection for AIs that disclose information under the mechanism, provided that the AIs making the disclosure act in good faith and with reasonable care, and comply with specified confidentiality requirements. The information disclosed must only be used for detecting or preventing a prohibited form of conduct. AIs participating in the mechanism must also put in place adequate systems of control to ensure the security of the information.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, "The proposed mechanism will enable us to better address the global trend of increasing fraud and associated money laundering activities, and is in line with international practice. It will help protect Hong Kong's banking system from being exploited for carrying out prohibited conduct, and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre."
The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "The proposed mechanism is a crucial step in our efforts to combat fraud and other financial crime. We believe it will further enhance the ability of the banking sector and law enforcement agencies to detect and prevent illicit activities, thereby safeguarding the integrity of Hong Kong's banking system."
The HKMA conducted a public consultation on the proposed mechanism from January to March 2024. The views collected in the consultation indicated general support for the proposal. The HKMA also consulted the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on the detailed proposals of the Bill.
The Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first reading on 2 April.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/28/P2025032800236.htm.
LandsD's 3D Digital Maps achieves territory-wide coverage
The Lands Department (LandsD) launched on 27 March 2025 a 3D Visualisation Map of Hong Kong Island, New Territories Southwest and New Territories East, along with a 3D Indoor Map with coverage extended to the whole territory of Hong Kong and selected MTR stations, providing more comprehensive spatial data to the public. Released in phases since 2022, the 3D Digital Maps has now achieved full coverage of the territory.
The datasets of the 3D Digital Maps, relevant application programming interface and sample codes are available on the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure Portal (portal.csdi.gov.hk) and the online application platform "Open3Dhk" (3d.map.gov.hk) for free download by the public, as well as to facilitate the development of web services and smart applications by the innovation and technology sector and academia. The data facilitates the development of innovative indoor data applications, such as location-based services, tourism and indoor navigation.
The LandsD will continuously update the 3D Digital Maps to provide up-to-date information with a view to promoting smart city development.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/27/P2025032700173.htm.
HKECIC Announces Increase of Statutory Maximum Indemnity Percentage to 95% Providing Hong Kong Exporters with more Comprehensive Protection
The Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (HKECIC) announced on 26 March 2025 that the HKSARG’s motion in accordance with section 13(2) of the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation Ordinance (Chapter 1115) to increase the statutory maximum indemnity percentage of the HKECIC from 90% to 95% has been approved by the LegCo. Raising the maximum indemnity percentage enables the HKECIC to provide more comprehensive protection to Hong Kong exporters, especially SMEs.
Dr Dennis Ng Wang-pun, SBS, BBS, MH, Chairman of the HKECIC Advisory Board said, “I am grateful for the Government’s proactive support. Increasing the HKECIC's maximum indemnity percentage to 95% will provide Hong Kong exporters with greater protection when conducting business transactions, strengthen their competitiveness in international trade, and enable them to better seize the vast business opportunities in overseas and the Mainland markets. The HKECIC also offers exporters more free buyer credit checks with extended geographical coverage to proactively support the development of Hong Kong's export sector.”
SMEs are the largest customer group of the HKECIC and have consistently faced challenges in obtaining credit insurance from the private market. The HKECIC has been working hand in hand with SME exporters, providing them with much-needed services and timely support, as well as developing tailor-made policies to address market needs. To strengthen support and protection for SMEs, the HKECIC will raise the indemnity percentage for all “Small Business Policy” (Note: “Small Business Policy” is tailor-made for exporters with an annual turnover of less than HK$50 million.) from 90% to 95%, while other policies will be considered on a case-by-case basis under the prudent risk management principles.
The HKECIC has been providing timely measures to support exporters in response to market changes, helping them address challenges and seize business opportunities. In addition to increasing the maximum indemnity percentage, the 2024 Policy Address also announced that the HKECIC offers 20 additional free credit assessment service on buyers in Mainland China, ASEAN, and the Middle East to each Hong Kong exporter. The initiative aims to encourage exporters to grasp new business opportunities and tap into potential markets in these countries and regions. Furthermore, to support Hong Kong merchants in seizing opportunities brought by the development of cross-border ecommerce, the HKECIC will actively seek collaboration with more financial institutions to enhance financing support for e-commerce businesses.
The HKECIC was established in 1966 under the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation Ordinance (Chapter 1115). Through the provision of export credit insurance services, the HKECIC protects Hong Kong exporters who trade on credit terms with overseas buyers against non-payment risks and helps them conduct export business in a prudent manner. The HKSAR Government provides a guarantee of HK$80 billion for the HKECIC’s contingent liability.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.hkecic.com/cms/sites/default/files/announcements/2025-03/Press%20Release_HKECIC%20Announces%20Increase%20of%20Statutory%20Maximum%20Indemnity%20Percentage%20to%2095%25.pdf.
Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
The Government published the Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Gazette on 21 March 2025 to make technical amendments to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) and other relevant pieces of legislation for the implementation of Phase 3 services of the Trade Single Window (TSW).
A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, "The Government is implementing the TSW in three phases to provide a one-stop electronic platform for the trade to lodge business-to-government trade documents for trade declaration and cargo clearance. The Bill aims to provide the legal basis for Phase 3 of the TSW, such that the trade can make use of the system to submit Import and Export Declaration (TDEC), Cargo Manifest as well as applications for Certificate of Origin (CO) and Permit for Dutiable Commodities (DCP)."
At present, the Government Electronic Trading Services (GETS) is the only electronic platform for the submission of TDEC, Cargo Manifest and applications for CO and DCP, which are governed by different pieces of legislation. To implement Phase 3 of the TSW, the Government proposes to make technical amendments to relevant existing legal provisions to replace GETS by the TSW for the submission of those trade documents, and to remove GETS-related provisions from the legislation.
In addition, the Bill makes necessary legislative amendments for some of the Phase 3 services, including the introduction of value-added service provider and its regulatory framework, allowing the trade to submit pre-shipment TDEC and Cargo Manifest on a voluntary basis, the introduction of electronic road Cargo Manifest and the digitalisation of return of licences service. The Bill also includes provisions on transitional arrangements to allow parallel run of TSW Phase 3 and GETS for a certain period of time to provide sufficient time for the trade to migrate to the new system.
"The implementation of the TSW is a major business and operational process reengineering exercise. It overhauls and enhances the document submission workflows between participating government agencies and the trade. At the same time, it enhances the efficiency of cargo clearance in Hong Kong and helps maintain Hong Kong's status as an international trade centre and a logistics hub. The Government is developing the information system of Phase 3, with the target of rolling out the services by batches from 2026 onwards," the spokesman added.
The Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first and second readings on 2 April.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/21/P2025032100199.htm.
Gazettal of Bankruptcy and Companies Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2023 (Commencement) Notice 2025
Qualifying standards for environment-friendly commercial vehicles to remain unchanged from April 2025 to March 2026
Maximum amount of ex gratia payment on severance payment from Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund raised
The level of ex gratia payment granted from the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund (the Fund) to employees who are owed severance payment by their insolvent employers was increased on 21 March 2025.
Through a resolution of the LegCo under the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance on 20 March, the maximum amount of ex gratia payment on severance payment under the Fund has been increased from $100,000 plus 50 per cent of any excess entitlement to $200,000 plus 50 per cent of any excess entitlement.
The adjusted maximum amount took effect on 21 March upon gazettal of the resolution and apply to severance payment where the liability for payment arises on or after that date.
The review on the coverage of ex gratia payment on severance payment under the Fund is one of the policy initiatives in "The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address" to strengthen labour support. This legislative amendment will further strengthen the protection for employees' entitlements to severance payment upon business closures.
The Fund was set up in 1985 to provide timely financial relief in the form of ex gratia payment to employees of insolvent employers.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/20/P2025031800378.htm.
Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
The Government published the Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Gazette on 21 March 2025 and will introduce it into the LegCo for First Reading and Second Reading on 2 April to implement the relevant requirements of the "Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition".
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/19/P2025031900591.htm.
Government welcomes passage of Air Pollution Control (Amendment) Bill 2024
The Government welcomed the LegCo's passage of the Air Pollution Control (Amendment) Bill 2024 on 19 March 2025. The Bill will come into effect on 11 April.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/19/P2025031900475.htm.
Merchant Shipping (Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships) Bill gazetted
The Merchant Shipping (Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships) Bill was published in the Gazette on 21 March 2025 to enact legislation to implement the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009. The Bill was introduced into the LegCo on 26 March.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/19/P2025031900312.htm.
Electronic Health Record Sharing System (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
The Electronic Health Record Sharing System (Amendment) Bill 2025 was gazetted on 21 March 2025. The Bill aims to refine the legal framework of the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHealth) to tie in with and support its function enhancements and continuous development.
The Bill seeks to amend the Electronic Health Record Sharing System Ordinance (Cap. 625) to expand and enhance the data collection, sharing, usage and protection mechanism of eHealth, in tandem with the "eHealth+" five-year development plan. "eHealth+" serves to transform eHealth into a comprehensive healthcare information infrastructure to complement the healthcare reform, including promoting primary healthcare, improving workflow efficiency and facilitating cross-boundary services, thereby providing citizens with more coherent and high-quality healthcare services.
The Bill was introduced into the LegCo for First Reading on 26 March.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/19/P2025031900179.htm.
Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
The Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Bill 2025 was published in the Gazette on 21 March 2025.
The spokesperson for the EEB said, "The Amendment Bill seeks to enhance the buildings energy efficiency management regime of Hong Kong. It improves the energy efficiency of buildings to reduce the demand for power consumption and generation, which will not only reduce carbon emissions but also lessen the financial burden on the public for the increased use of clean fuels for electricity generation, thereby assisting Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050."
The Amendment Bill contains five parts, namely regulating the energy efficiency standards of building services installations for all data centres in Hong Kong; requiring more types of buildings to conduct regular energy audits; shortening the intervals of energy audits; disclosing certain technical information in energy audit reports; and including more qualifications eligible for registration as Registered Energy Assessors. If the Amendment Bill is passed by the LegCo and implemented in full, it is estimated that an additional 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 150 000 three-person households, could be saved in 2035.
The Amendment Bill was introduced into the LegCo for first reading and commencement of the second reading debate on 26 March.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/18/P2025031800207.htm.
Government launches Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons
The Government has launched on 18 March 2025 the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons to provide more convenient immigration arrangements for invited persons from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, in order to promote economic and trade exchanges and cultural co-operation between Hong Kong and ASEAN.
Currently, frequent travellers to Hong Kong can apply for self-service immigration clearance. Among the 10 ASEAN countries, visitors from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam need a visa for visiting Hong Kong. Under the Scheme, relevant policy bureaux/departments will actively invite ASEAN nationals who are able to make considerable contributions to Hong Kong's economic development or who have been invited to attend important events in Hong Kong to enjoy the facilitation. The Immigration Department (ImmD) will provide one-stop processing of relevant applications from invited persons through an electronic platform, relax the application criteria for self-service immigration clearance and simplify the information required for visa applications.
A Government spokesman said, "ASEAN and Hong Kong have a long-standing relationship, and it is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner. We attach great importance to the co-operation with ASEAN countries. Under the Scheme, invited persons can enjoy self-service immigration clearance services at the control points of Hong Kong, greatly enhancing clearance efficiency and experience. Through the Scheme, we would like to actively provide more facilitation for ASEAN's business leaders and those in other fields to visit Hong Kong, so as to promote multifaceted exchanges and create mutual benefits and win-win outcomes."
While upholding effective immigration control, the Government is committed to actively attracting talent from all over the world to Hong Kong and facilitating business. In recent years, the Government has announced a series of ASEAN-specific visa facilitation measures. Following the relaxation of the criteria for Vietnamese for multiple-entry visas for travel and business announced in 2023, the 2024 Policy Address also relaxed the criteria for nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar applying for multiple-entry visas and extended the validity period of the multiple-entry visas from two years to three years. To provide facilitation to group visitors from these ASEAN countries, the ImmD has also introduced a fast-track arrangement for visit visa applications submitted via local travel agents.
The Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons will help enhance Hong Kong's image and status in ASEAN and further deepen the ties between Hong Kong and ASEAN. For details of the Scheme, please visit website of the ImmD (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/invitedpersons.html).
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/18/P2025031800133.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.
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.
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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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