Support for SMEs

Main Programme

To increase the exchanges and cooperation of Hong Kong's professional services with their counterparts in external markets; promote relevant publicity activities; and enhance the standards and external competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services.

Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme

To provide subsidy for Hong Kong professionals to participate in eligible activities organised by the Government (e.g. overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices) and Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Main Programme

Funding Scope
There are no particular restrictions on the types of non-profit-making projects eligible under the Main Programme. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Outreach and promotional activities, e.g. exhibitions, promotional seminars and sectoral networking/business-matching events;
• Exchange activities, e.g. international conferences/forums, visits and exchange meetings;
• Capacity-building programmes, e.g. post-professional training courses/workshops, study tours and expert briefings; and
• Researches and studies, e.g. market researches, studies on framework/best practice guidelines for professional standards and additional accreditations for professionals.

Funding Amount and Duration:

• Maximum amount of grant for an approved project: HKD3,000,000 or 90% of the total eligible project cost, whichever is lower.
• Projects should normally be completed within 3 years.

Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme

Subsidy Principle

• The maximum amount of subsidy for each eligible participation cost item is 90% of the actual cost incurred for this item by Hong Kong professionals participating in eligible activities, up to the approved maximum subsidy level*.
• The subsidy will be provided on a reimbursement basis, subject to the participating professionals' full attendance of the activity concerned.

*The approved maximum subsidy level is determined on the basis of the lowest conforming quotation(s) obtained by activity organisers in accordance with the relevant organisation's prevailing procurement procedures. Where necessary, the Government and the PASS Secretariat have the right to adjust the subsidy entitlement.

Participation Cost
Eligible participation cost items include the following direct costs related to the eligible activity concerned –

• travel cost;
• accommodation cost; and
• participation fee charged by the activity organiser, such as group in-town transportation cost and venue cost of sectoral promotion or exchange sessions.

Main Programme

Non-profit-distributing organisations, operating as trade and industrial organisations, professional bodies or research institutes, etc., which must either be statutory organisations or organisations formed or registered under the laws of Hong Kong

Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme

Hong Kong major professional bodies from eligible professional services sectors that must be non-profit-distributing in nature and must either be statutory organisations or organisations formed or registered under the laws of Hong Kong

Applicants can complete the application form in either English or Chinese, and submit it together with all supporting documents to the Secretariat in person, by mail (Address: PASS Secretariat, 23/F, West Wing Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong) or electronically by the deadline. If the application is submitted electronically, please digitally sign the application form and the supporting documents with a recognised organisational digital certificate* of the authorised person of the applicant’s organisation in accordance with the requirements of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Cap. 553) and send the digitally signed application form and documents to pass@cedb.gov.hk.

*If an organisational digital certificate is not available, the applicant may still submit the application electronically, but the applicant must subsequently provide an original copy of the duly completed and signed application form to the Secretariat.