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The “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” Opens Capitalise on Policy Benefits: Experts Share Tips to Help Businesses Seize Opportunities Sunny TAN: HKPC Supports SMEs by Enhancing Competitiveness and Exploring New Business Opportunities

(Hong Kong, 29 October 2024) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the Trade and Industry Department (TID) jointly present the “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” today. The two-day fair, held at the HKPC Building, brings together local SMEs, start-ups and various industries (including Mainland businesses) to connect and explore collaboration opportunities. The opening ceremony was officiated by Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; Hon Sunny TAN , Chairman of HKPC; Mr LIU Kong Cheung, Aaron, JP, Dir-Gen of TID; and Mr Mohamed Din BUTT, Executive Director of HKPC. Hon Sunny TAN , Chairman of HKPC, said that the fair is an important channel for HKPC to fulfil its commitment to SMEs, and expressed hopes to help SMEs upgrade and transform to seize market opportunities.

HKPC “SME ReachOut” Provides One-Stop Support Platform, Acting as the Strongest Backing for SMEs
Since its establishment in 2020, "SME ReachOut" has been trying its best to understand the needs of SMEs through 1-on-1 consultation services to over 63,000 instances. This fair gathers more than 80 booths from funding scheme secretariats and technology service providers, featuring five thematic zones, including "Funding Zone", "eCommerce LIVE show", "Go Digital", "Business Expansion - Mainland & ASEAN", and "ESG Zone", providing SMEs with one-stop resources, enabling them to understand the latest Government subsidies and technology solutions, as well as exchange ideas with industry experts to grab the opportunities brought by the development of the digital economy. SMEs can learn the details of over 40 Government subsidy programmes at the event.

Hon Sunny TAN , Chairman of HKPC: Support SMEs Tackling Challenges to Promote High-quality Development
Hon Sunny TAN , Chairman of HKPC, stated that "SME ReachOut” serves as an important bridge between HKPC and local SMEs. HKPC hopes the expo will provide SMEs with free assistance on funding programmes, technical consulting, training, and networking in a timely manner, enabling the Government, industry, and stakeholders to build a tighter cooperative ecosystem. HKPC aims to assist SMEs in upgrading and transforming, seizing market opportunities, and achieving sustainable development.

He highlighted that local SMEs face challenges like investing something unseen, when expanding to the ASEAN market. To address this, HKPC offers technical consulting services to help Hong Kong enterprises establish overseas production lines. Additionally, the HKSAR Government has expanded the "BUD Fund" to ASEAN countries, facilitating business upgrades, transformations, and brand promotions abroad.

Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: HKSAR Government is Committed to Supporting SMEs to Seize New Opportunities in the Digital Economy
Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development expressed his gratitude to HKPC's "SME ReachOut" for organising the large-scale expo, which assists SMEs in making good use of Government subsidies to promote digitalisation and ESG green transformation. He added, in line with the reform directions of the “2024 Policy Address”, the Government has injected one billion dollars into the BUD Fund, and expanded the "E-commerce Easy" subsidy scope to include all ten ASEAN countries to help SMEs explore new markets. Mr YAU also encouraged SMEs to leverage the information and resources provided at the expo for better development.

Applications of Innovative Technology and Thematic Seminars Guide SMEs in Digital Transformation, “Made in Hong Kong”, and Enhancing Business Knowledge 
The expo features a “Digital Interactive Zone” which showcases the latest technological applications such as augmented reality (AR) photography and commercial robots, and introduces new features such as e-commerce KOL live streams and AI-powered live broadcasts, leading SMEs towards digitalisation. Meanwhile, there are 10 thematic seminars covering hot topics namely digital marketing, cross-border e-commerce, ESG, and cyber security. These sessions are led by industry experts and successful entrepreneurs who share their experiences and offer free consulting services, allowing SMEs to have a deeper understanding of relevant Government funding schemes, including the “BUD Fund”, “E-commerce Easy”, “SME Export Marketing Fund”, “Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP)”, “Technology Voucher Programme (TVP)”, and “New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS)”.

Echoes the 2024 Policy Address, The Expo Assists SMEs in Upgrading and Transformation 
According to data from TID in June 2024, SMEs account for over 98% of the total number of business units in Hong Kong, providing more than 1.2 million jobs, acting as a crucial pillar of Hong Kong's economy and the livelihood of its citizens. However, with uncertainties of the global economy, local SMEs are confronted with multiple challenges, “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” echoes several support measures proposed by the Chief Executive in the “2024 Policy Address”, helping SMEs to enhance their operational efficiency and competitiveness.

As a strong support for the SMEs, HKPC closely follows industry needs and market development trends, strengthening its diverse services and support for SME by integrating six key support services. HKPC will work tirelessly with the HKSAR Government in developing new productive forces, supporting SMEs through a series of offers and support measures, along with the application of innovative technologies to transform, realise and commercialise research and development (R&D) outcomes, in order to accelerate Hong Kong's transformation into an international I&T centre.

About “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” 
Jointly organised by HKPC and TID, the annual “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” aims to help SMEs stay ahead in the ever-changing market by providing the latest updates on Government funding, technology applications, and business expansion solutions. This year's fair will take place from 29 to 30 October at the HKPC Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon and with free admission. Numerous exhibitors are offering gifts and discounts that worth over HK$100,000, including cash rebates, service discounts, online store promotion resources, and bank account opening offers, to help SMEs seize business opportunities and achieve business growth. An AI navigation system and “AR Check-in Zone” will be available on-site, allowing participants to collect photos from each zone and redeem exquisite gifts. Representatives of interested SMEs are encouraged to seize the opportunity to participate in this annual grand event.

Seminar details and schedule: http://u.hkpc.org/zh-edm-FUNDfair2024

- Ends -

The “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” ,jointly presented by HKPC and TID, opened on 29 October 2024.The “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” ,jointly presented by HKPC and TID, opened on 29 October 2024.

Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (second from right); Mr Aaron LIU Kong-cheung, JP, Director-General of TID (first from right); Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC (second from left); and Mr Mohamed Din BUTT, MH, Executive Director of HKPC (first from left), officiated the opening ceremony of the fair.

Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (second from right); Mr Aaron LIU Kong-cheung, JP, Director-General of TID (first from right); Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC (second from left); and Mr Mohamed Din BUTT, MH, Executive Director of HKPC (first from left), officiated the opening ceremony of the fair.Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (second from right); Mr Aaron LIU Kong-cheung, JP, Director-General of TID (first from right); Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC (second from left); and Mr Mohamed Din BUTT, MH, Executive Director of HKPC (first from left), officiated the opening ceremony of the fair.

Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, delivered the opening remarks.Mr Algernon YAU Ying-wah, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, delivered the opening remarks.

Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC, delivered the welcome speech.Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC, delivered the welcome speech.

The fair is also fully supported by representatives of Chambers of Commerce and supporting organisations.The fair is also fully supported by representatives of Chambers of Commerce and supporting organisations.

Over 80 booths from funding scheme secretariats and technology service providers interact with SMEs on-site.Over 80 booths from funding scheme secretariats and technology service providers interact with SMEs on-site.

The newly added features this year, such as e-commerce KOL live streaming and AI live streaming, which have introduced the latest technology solutions, leading SMEs towards digitalisation and achieving one-stop enterprise upgrade and transformation.The newly added features this year, such as e-commerce KOL live streaming and AI live streaming, which have introduced the latest technology solutions, leading SMEs towards digitalisation and achieving one-stop enterprise upgrade and transformation.

The fair features 10 thematic seminars, inviting experts from various industries, such as Chamber of Commerce leaders, banking and industry representatives, to share practical business knowledge and strategies, covering topics such as digital marketing, cross-border e-commerce, ESG, and cyber security, and providing on-site consultation and in-depth discussions with participants.The fair features 10 thematic seminars, inviting experts from various industries, such as Chamber of Commerce leaders, banking and industry representatives, to share practical business knowledge and strategies, covering topics such as digital marketing, cross-border e-commerce, ESG, and cyber security, and providing on-site consultation and in-depth discussions with participants.