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香港中文 SME Marketing Fund: Boost your global impact
What is the SME Export Marketing Fund(EMF)
The SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) helps Hong Kong SMEs promote their products and services in international markets. With EMF's financial support, you can participate in trade fairs, run online/offline marketing campaigns, conduct market research, and invest in branding initiatives. By subsidizing these activities, the EMF boosts your global reach, enhances competitiveness, and uncovers new business opportunities. Whether you want to showcase at trade events or target overseas customers online, the EMF empowers your growth.
Eligibility to Apply for the Export Marketing Fund(EMF)
To qualify for the SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF), your unlisted business in Hong Kong must meet the following criteria:
● Register under the Business Registration Ordinance (Chapter 310).
● Have substantial business operations in Hong Kong at the time of application.
● The applicant enterprise is not the organizer/co-organizer/service provider involved in export promotion activities, nor is it a company related to the organizer/co-organizer/service provider.
Types of Projects Funded by SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF)
EMF provides funding for companies to participate in the following promotional activities:
● Exhibitions held outside Hong Kong and targeting markets outside Hong Kong.
● Exhibitions held in Hong Kong and targeting markets outside Hong Kong.
● Exhibitions held in Hong Kong targeting the local market.
● Online trade fairs.
● Hong Kong overseas business delegation.
● Online business study tour.
● Advertisements in trade publications that mainly target markets outside Hong Kong.
● Carry out export promotion activities mainly targeting overseas markets in Hong Kong through electronic platforms/media, such as advertising, keyword searches, uploading product information, establishing or optimizing online stores, etc.
● Establish or optimize a company website or mobile application program owned by the applicant enterprise that is mainly targeted at markets outside Hong Kong for promotion.
SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) Amount
● Maximum subsidy amount: Each successful application will receive HK$100,000 or 50% of the total approved expenditure (whichever is lower).
● Cumulative limit: The cumulative limit for each enterprise is HKD1,000,000.
● Website/mobile application funding: The cumulative funding limit for each enterprise is 50%.
Documents Required for SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) Application
When companies apply for reimbursement or initial and final funding, they should submit the following documents for each promotional event:
General documents:
(i) Completed application form16.
(ii) A copy of the valid business registration certificate of the applicant enterprise.
(iii) (a) For an unlimited company: a certified extract/electronic extract of the business registration information issued within the past two years (i.e. Form 1(a) or Form 1(c) from the Business Registration Office; or (b) for a limited company For companies: A complete copy of the most recent Annual Return (i.e. Form NAR1) or Incorporation Form (i.e. NNC1) from the Companies Registry.
(iv) A copy of the valid Hong Kong identity card or passport of the person signing the application form on behalf of the applicant enterprise.
(v) First-time application for down payment: signed funding agreement in duplicate
Reimbursement documents:
A. Actual reimbursement:
● The original or certified copy of the receipt for payment of each declared expenditure item, and a copy of the relevant invoice/quotation/contract (the contact details of the issuing organization must be shown), the name of the payer shown on the receipt and relevant documents The name of the company must be the same as that of the applicant.
B. Apply for down payment and final payment
● Original receipt/certified copy of each deposit paid receipt and the relevant booking confirmation/signed contract/invoice/quote showing the contact details of the issuing agency (if not completed at the time of initial application) Pay the amount of declared expenditure items). The payer’s name on the receipt/document must match the name of the applicant business.
● Original receipt/certified true copy of each receipt specified in (a) shall be submitted with the respective final payment application.
How to Apply for SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) ?
Actual reimbursement: Enterprises should submit funding applications within 60 calendar days from the date of completion of the relevant promotion project.
Initial payment and final payment:
Enterprises should submit an application for the initial payment within 45-120 calendar days after the completion date of the relevant promotion projects.
Under normal circumstances, the Trade and Industry Department will complete the review process within 30 full working days from the date of receipt of a duly completed application with all required supporting documents. Please note, however, that processing times may be longer for complex cases.
Please contact A&E's EMF consultants to streamline your funding application. Our experienced team specializes in legal, accounting, IT, e-commerce and marketing, providing one-stop service and expert guidance to help you secure funding faster and maximize your chances of success.