EMF Fund

The SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) aims to encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to expand their markets outside Hong Kong, SMEs can apply for up to HK$800,000 financial assistance for export promotion activities:

Advertisements

Launch digital ad, advertisements on printed trade publications, etc.

Websites

Develop/enhance company website/mobile application, etc.

Exhibitions

Attend overseas' trade fairs/exhibitions, business missions, etc. There is no limit on the number of applications by an enterprise for funding support under EMF. However, each enterprise may receive funding support up to a cumulative limit of $800,000; maximum amount of each successful application is 50% of the total approved expenditure incurred by the applicant enterprise or $100,000, whichever is the less.

Overseas Solution

If you want to enter overseas markets, appropriate localization strategies and ad platforms is a must. In addition to Google, there are still many other options, such as: -Bing – the 2nd larger search engine worldwide, for comprehensive promotion -Yahoo! JP – the 2nd larger search engine on Japan, to exploit the Japanese market Not familiar with overseas markets? Our experts can tailor an overseas promotion plan for you!

Website & E-shop Solution

WordPress is the most popular website builder on the market, which is the first choice for developing a company website/e-shop with its high flexibility, ease to use and update. WordPress also: -SEO friendly, which helps to increase exposure on Search Engine for free -Support multiple useful plugins, ad tracking tools and link to API Lack of IT and design talents? We can build a responsive website with e-shop features for you in one stop!

EMF Fund

Scope of the EMF Fund

EMF provides funding support to SMEs for their participation in the following export promotion activities to promote their own products and/or services.  Such export promotion activities/platforms must be organised/operated by organisations with a good track record:

 

– Export promotion activities (such as placing advertisements, keyword search, listing product information, setting up or enhancing online shop, participating in virtual exhibitions, etc.) which are conducted through electronic platforms/media and which mainly target at markets outside Hong Kong.

 

– Setting up or enhancement of a corporate website/mobile application of the applicant enterprise which mainly targets at markets outside Hong Kong

 

– Placing advertisements on trade publications which mainly target at markets outside Hong Kong

 

– Trade fairs/exhibitions outside Hong Kong

 

– Local trade fairs/exhibitions which mainly target at markets outside Hong Kong

 

– Business missions outside Hong Kong – the itinerary must include business meetings with the local government, the local trade and industry or the local trade and industrial organisations of the city of the activity, or include factory or site visits in the city of the activity. For other business missions, the itinerary must include one-on-one business matching sessions for enterprises to meet with foreign buyers

 

Application and Grant Disbursement Process

Enterprises can choose either receive (i)Reimbursement OR (ii)Initial Payment cum Final Payment:

(i)Reimbursement – Enterprises should submit an application for funding support within 60 calendar days after the completion date of the trade fair/exhibition or business mission, the issue date of the trade publication containing the advertisement, the completion date of the relevant export promotion activity conducted through an electronic platform/media, or the completion date of the relevant project on setting up/enhancing the corporate website/ mobile application of the applicant enterprise

(ii)Initial Payment cum Final Payment – Enterprises should submit an application for initial payment within 45 to 120 calendar days before the commencement date of the trade fair/exhibition or business mission, the issue date of the trade publication containing the advertisement, the commencement date of the relevant export promotion activity conducted through an electronic platform/media, or the commencement date of the relevant project on setting up/enhancing the corporate website/mobile application of the applicant enterprise. Each successful application can receive up to 75% of the approved funding as the “Initial Payment”; the remaining funding will be issued after provided all supporting documents within 60 days after the project end

Eligibility

– SMEs registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) (if it is engaged in manufacturing business, it must employ fewer than 100 persons in Hong Kong; and if it is engaged in non-manufacturing business, it must employ fewer than 50 persons in Hong Kong)

– It must have substantive business operations in Hong Kong at the time of making the application

– It must not be the organizer/co-organizer/service provider or a related company of the organizer/co-organizer/service provider of the export promotion activity and the related services covered by the application (Applicant enterprises which have similar business registration details (e.g. nature of business, address, contact numbers, shareholder/directorship) will be treated as connected enterprises, sharing max. HK$800,000 funding support)

Application Tips

– Each application should cover expenditure related to one export promotion activity only. The maximum amount of funding support for each successful application is 50% of the total approved expenditure incurred by the applicant enterprise or $100,000, whichever is the less

– Maximum of 50% of the cumulative limit may be used for applications relating to setting up/enhancing the corporate website/mobile application of the applicant enterprise (=HK$400,000)

– Operations and sales related cost are not subsidized (e.g. daily maintenance of online stores, management of e-shop staff expenses, commissions based on sales, etc.)

Other important notice:

https://www.smefund.tid.gov.hk/english/emf/files/EMF_Guide_Eng.pdf

Other References & Websites

EMF Official Website:

https://www.smefund.tid.gov.hk/tc_chi/emf/emf_objective.htmlhttps://budfund.dtinaction.org/homepage.php##

Application Guideline:  EN Version

https://www.smefund.tid.gov.hk/english/emf/files/EMF_Guide_Eng.pdf