Support for SMEs

To support resumption of the business and services of the travel sector and the cross-boundary passenger transport trade, and provide an incentive for taxi owners to replace their liquefied petroleum gas, petrol or hybrid taxis with battery electric taxis.

The Financial Secretary announced in the 2023-24 Budget the introduction of the Dedicated 100% Loan Guarantee Schemes (DLGS) for the travel sector and the cross-boundary passenger transport trade to support resumption of their business and services, as well as for the taxi trade to provide an incentive for taxi owners to replace their liquefied petroleum gas, petrol or hybrid taxis with battery electric taxis (e-Taxis).

The DLGS for Travel Sector aims to assist licensed travel agents and local tour coach registered owners in resolving short-term funding difficulties, hiring staff as soon as practicable and accelerating operational capability enhancement, so as to complement the pace of resumption of inbound and outbound tourism activities.

The objective of the DLGS for Cross-boundary Passenger Transport Trade is to allow eligible registered vehicle owners or ferry operators/owners of cross-boundary passenger transport to apply for loans for the purpose of vehicle or ferry repair and maintenance, buying insurance, etc. with a view to resuming services as soon as possible.

Promoting the use of e-Taxis is one of the Government's measures to develop green transport, which helps achieve the carbon neutrality target of Hong Kong. The DLGS for e-Taxis provides loans for eligible taxi owners to purchase e-Taxis to replace their liquefied petroleum gas, petrol or hybrid taxis. Eligible taxi owners wishing to apply for loans under the DLGS may approach the relevant participating lenders.

• Licensed travel agents and local tour coach registered owners
• Registered vehicle owners or ferry operators/owners of cross-boundary passenger transport
• Taxi owners

Loan applicants should contact the Lenders to apply for the Loan. The Lenders will use their professional expertise, judgement and care in conducting customer due diligence, reviewing each application, and verifying the eligibility of each loan applicant before submitting the applications and relevant supporting documents to the HKMC Insurance Limited (HKMCI) for review and approval.