• A. Eligibility

    1. Which enterprise is eligible to apply for EMF?

      An enterprise applying for funding support under EMF must fulfil the following requirements:

      • It must be a non-listed enterprise registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310)1.

      • It must have substantive business operations in Hong Kong at the time of making the application.  An enterprise holding a shell business registration or having its main business operation outside Hong Kong will not be regarded as having substantive business operations in Hong Kong.

      • If it has previously received funding support under EMF, the cumulative amount of funding received must not exceed the prevailing cumulative funding ceiling.  Applicant enterprises which have similar business registration details (e.g. nature of business, address, contact numbers, shareholder/directorship) will be treated as connected enterprises.  For the purpose of calculating the cumulative funding ceiling, connected enterprises are treated as if they are one enterprise, i.e. the cumulative amount of funding received by the connected enterprises concerned are aggregated and must not exceed the cumulative funding ceiling.

      • It must not be the organiser/co-organiser/service provider or a related company of the organiser/co-organiser/service provider of the promotion activity and the related services covered by the application.

      For the purpose of EMF, “enterprise” refers to a legal entity which is engaged in any form of business for the purpose of gain.  Non-profit-making or non-profit-distributing organisations are not eligible. 

      Moreover, Trade and Industry Department (TID) may request the applicant enterprise to provide relevant documents to prove that it has substantive business operations in Hong Kong at the time of making the application.  TID will make reference to various factors when considering whether the applicant enterprise has substantive business operations in Hong Kong.
       
      Notes:
      1. Effective from 30 April 2021 until 30 June 2026, the eligibility criteria is relaxed to cover non-SMEs.  Subsidiaries of listed enterprises if they themselves are not listed are also eligible.
       
    2. Is a non-profit distributing organisation eligible to apply for EMF?

      Non-profit-making or non-profit-distributing organisations are not eligible.

    3. Is an activity organiser eligible to apply for EMF?

      The organiser/co-organiser/service provider or a related company of the organiser/co-organiser/service provider of the promotion activity and the related services covered by the application is not eligible to apply for EMF.

    4. Which promotion activities are eligible for funding support under EMF?

      EMF provides funding support to enterprises for their participation in the following promotion activities to promote their own products and/or services2.  Such promotion activities/platforms must be organised/operated by organisations with good track record:

      1. Trade exhibitions held outside Hong Kong targeting markets outside Hong Kong.

      2. Trade exhibitions held in Hong Kong targeting markets outside Hong Kong.

      3. Trade exhibitions held in Hong Kong targeting the local market.

      4. Online trade exhibitions.

      5. Business missions outside Hong Kong.

      6. Online business missions.

      7. Advertisements on trade publications which mainly target markets outside Hong Kong.

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

      9. Setting up or enhancement of a corporate website/mobile application owned by the applicant enterprise for export promotion, which mainly targets markets outside Hong Kong.


      Notes:
      2. Effective from 30 April 2021 until 30 June 2026, the funding scope of EMF is expanded to cover large-scale exhibitions staged by organisers with good track record targeting the local market, as well as online exhibitions organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and reputable exhibition organisers with good track record; and the eligibility criteria is relaxed to cover non-SMEs.
       
    5. Which local exhibitions targeting markets outside Hong Kong are eligible for funding support under EMF?

      Trade exhibitions held in Hong Kong targeting markets outside Hong Kong should mainly target traders outside Hong Kong and locally.  In general, public admission should not be allowed.  However, if public admission is allowed, the total period which is open to the public should not exceed half of the total duration of the activity.  The organiser should also make arrangements to attract traders outside Hong Kong to participate in the exhibition concerned.  In considering the duration which is open for public admission and the total duration of the activity, only the opening hours between 9am and 5pm each day will be taken into account.  The opening arrangement beyond the said duration will not be subject to restriction.

      For an exhibition held in Hong Kong which is open to both the public and traders and whereby a “trade zone” (i.e. a dedicated zone for the admission of traders exclusively within the exhibition area) is instituted by the organiser, the applicant enterprise will be considered as participating in a trade exhibition targeting markets outside Hong Kong if its booth is located inside the “trade zone”.  However, the organiser must seek pre-approval from TID for such arrangement.  The “trade zone” will be assessed with reference to a number of factors. A list of pre-approved “trade zone” is available on the EMF website.

    6. Which trade exhibitions held in Hong Kong targeting the local market are eligible for funding support under EMF?

      Trade exhibitions held in Hong Kong targeting the local market should be of a large-scale and organised in accordance with a proper theme by Government-related organisations, non-profit distributing trade and industrial organisations or reputable exhibition organisers with good track record, and the participating exhibitors should be commercial enterprises.

      In considering whether a local exhibition targeting the local market is of a large-scale, TID will make reference to various factors, including the venue of the exhibition, the nature of the exhibition, the nature and the number of participants/visitors of the exhibition, and feedback of the trade on the same or similar exhibition(s) organised before, etc.  In general, trade exhibitions held in Hong Kong targeting the local market should be held in a proper and continuous exhibition area of at least 1,200 square metres.

      An organiser may seek advice from TID on the eligibility of its exhibition targeting the local market for funding support under EMF.  Information on the exhibitions preliminarily assessed as eligible for EMF will be uploaded to the EMF website.

    7. Which online trade exhibitions are eligible for funding support under EMF?

      Online trade exhibitions should be organised on a proper electronic platform in accordance with a proper theme by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, other Government-related organisations, non-profit distributing trade and industrial organisations or reputable exhibition organisers with good track record, and the participating exhibitors should be commercial enterprises.

      Online exhibition may include business matching activities (e.g. arranged through instant messaging functions and online meetings) and online speaking sessions conducted in line with the objective, the theme and the target market(s) of the exhibition, in addition to the display of the own products and/or services of the participating exhibitors. Market promotion activities conducted on electronic platforms intended primarily for retail or meeting purposes and livestreaming sales activities are not considered as online trade exhibitions.  Participation primarily as a conference/seminar speaker in an online exhibition without a paid online booth of the applicant enterprise is also not eligible.

      In considering whether an online exhibition is eligible for funding support under EMF, TID will make reference to the various factors including the domain name of the exhibition platform, the nature of the exhibition, the structure and the presentation of the exhibition, the nature and the number of participants/visitors of the exhibition, feedback of the trade on the same or similar trade exhibition(s) organised before in physical or online form, etc.

      In considering whether an electronic platform is proper for conducting an online exhibition, TID will make reference to various factors, including how the electronic platform can facilitate the applicant enterprise in promoting its own products and/or services, the domain name of the platform, type of language used, content, function, type of target visitors, number and geographical distribution of visitors/downloads, nature/number/type of similar activities organised on the platform before, feedback of the trade on the same/similar activities organised on the platform before, etc.  The domain name of the platform should generally be owned by the organiser of activity.  The operator of the platform should provide statistics on the visitors/downloads of the relevant platform to substantiate the credibility of the platform.

      An organiser may seek advice from TID on the eligibility of its online exhibition for funding support under EMF.  Information on the exhibitions preliminarily assessed as eligible for EMF will be uploaded to the EMF website.

    8. Which business missions are eligible for funding support under EMF?

      To be eligible for EMF, the itinerary of the business mission must demonstrate that the mission is mainly targeting markets outside Hong Kong.  For physical business missions organised by the Government, Government-related organisations or non-profit distributing trade and industrial organisations for the purpose of market expansion, the itinerary must include business meetings with the local government, the local trade and industry or the local trade and industrial organisations of the destination city/include factory or site visits in the destination city.

      For other physical business missions, the itinerary of business missions must include one-on-one business matching sessions for enterprises to meet with foreign buyers so as to provide ample opportunities for participants to meet potential customers directly to explore export promotion opportunities.

      Online business missions should be organised in accordance with a proper theme by Government, Government-related organisations or non-profit distributing trade and industrial organisations of Hong Kong in a single local venue for participation of all delegates at a fixed time and duration of the business mission, and the participating delegates should be Hong Kong commercial enterprises.

      Online business missions must include business matching activities (e.g. arranged through instant messaging functions and online meetings) conducted in line with the objective, the theme and the target market(s) of the online business mission, in addition to business meetings with the local government, the local trade and industry or the local trade and industrial organisations of the destination city, or virtual tour of the factory or site in the destination city.

      The business missions must be organised/operated by organisations with good track record.  TID will evaluate the overall arrangement for the business mission including the aim, the number of participants and other relevant details to determine its eligibility for EMF.  Individual activity on the itinerary with export promotion element may not necessarily enable the mission meeting the eligibility requirements for EMF.  Business mission comprising tours only will not be considered.  Conferences, workshops and seminars that mainly assist enterprises to understand relevant development in their businesses or in technology exchange are not within the scope of funding support under EMF. 

      In addition, business trip outside Hong Kong including visiting an exhibition or a business partner(s)/client(s) organised/attended by an enterprise, regardless of whether arrangement for air-ticket and hotel accommodation is made by the enterprise concerned or through a travel agent/business partner/client, will not be regarded as an eligible business mission.

    9. Which electronic platforms/media and which export promotion activities conducted through electronic platforms/media are eligible for funding support under EMF?

      To be eligible for EMF, export promotion activities should be conducted on proper electronic platforms/media (including trade portals, search engines, social media and electronic publications) which mainly targeting markets outside Hong Kong.  Export promotion activities, such as advertising, product information listing, keyword searching, setting up or enhancing online shop are eligible for funding support under EMF.

      In considering whether an electronic platform/media is proper for conducting the export promotion activity and mainly targets markets outside Hong Kong, TID will make reference to various factors, including how the electronic platform/media can facilitate the applicant enterprise in export promotion, the domain name of the platform/media, type of language used, content, function, type of target visitors and geographical distribution of visitors/downloads, etc.  In general, for a platform/media to be considered as mainly targeting markets outside Hong Kong, the number of local visitors/downloads of the platform/media should not exceed 30% of its total number of visitors/downloads.  The electronic platform/media must be operated by organisation with good track record.

    10. Which corporate websites/mobile applications are eligible under EMF?

      Corporate website/mobile application owned by an applicant enterprise must be mainly targeting markets outside Hong Kong.  In considering whether a corporate website/mobile application owned by the applicant enterprise mainly targets markets outside Hong Kong, TID will make reference to various factors, including how the corporate website/mobile application can facilitate the applicant enterprise’s export promotion, type of language used, content, function and proof of the applicant enterprise’s export business, etc.

      In addition, for corporate website, the domain name of the website in question must be owned by the applicant enterprise.  For corporate mobile application, the mobile application must be published by the applicant enterprise on app store(s) and available for download in overseas markets.  The corporate website/mobile application under application must contain information about the applicant enterprise, its products and/or services, as well as its full company name and Hong Kong contact information.  The service provider for the setting up/enhancement of the corporate website/mobile application must be an information technology company with good track record.

    11. How can an enterprise check if an activity/ trade publication/ electronic platform or media has previously been approved by EMF?

      An applicant enterprise can make use of the online service “List of Previously Approved Activities / Trade Publications / Electronic Platforms or Media” to search for information on the promotion activities, including local and overseas exhibitions, business missions, trade publications as well as electronic platforms/media which were approved under EMF in the last 12 months.  The List of Previously Approved Activities is for reference only.  Applications in connection with participation in these activities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

    12. Will a previously approved promotion activity likewise be eligible for funding support under EMF in the future?

      No.  All promotion activities will be evaluated independently in accordance with the terms and conditions prevailing at the time of processing an application.  Previous approval of activities receiving funding support under EMF should not be taken as any guarantee of approval for the same/similar activities in future.

    13. What expenditures incurred by an enterprise in an eligible promotion activity will be funded by EMF?

      The following expenditure items are eligible for funding support under EMF:

      Trade exhibitions held outside or in Hong Kong

      1. Rental fee for exhibition booth charged by organiser/co-organiser for exhibitions, or rental fee charged by organiser/co-organiser for other forms of participation for exhibits to be displayed at a fixed location throughout the whole period of the activity concerned, including showcase, table-top display and mannequin/garment rack (viz. “other forms of participation”).  The applicant enterprise must be listed as an exhibitor on the exhibitors’ list with its full company name and Hong Kong contact information.

      2. Construction, set-up and design fee of booth, transportation expenses for the components of booth and exhibits (but excluding goods intended for sales purpose), and rental charges for booth furniture for exhibitions.  Expenses for purchasing reusable items and the operation costs of booth (such as salaries of employees) will not be funded.

      3. Participation fee charged by organiser/co-organiser for taking up a speaking session at an exhibition, including exhibition-cum-conference, by booth exhibitors participating throughout the whole period of the activity concerned.  The speaking session must be offered by the organiser of the exhibition concerned.

      4. Fee for placing advertisement in the catalogue of an exhibition and fee for printing of brochures/leaflets (excluding souvenirs) bearing the full company name of the applicant enterprise and the activity concerned; those brochures/leaflets must be solely for use in that activity.

      5. Fee charged by organiser/co-organiser for exhibitors of an exhibition to place on-site advertisements[1], including hanging banner, poster, promotional sticker and electronic panel at a fixed location inside the contracted exhibition venue throughout the whole period of the activity concerned.  The on-site advertisement must show the full company name and Hong Kong contact information of the applicant enterprise.

      6. Fee charged by the organiser/co-organiser for advertising through the use of mascot inside a specific area of the contracted exhibition venue of an exhibition during specific timeslot(s) of the exhibition period as assigned by the organiser.  The mascot should solely be engaged for the purpose of promoting the products and/or services of the applicant enterprise at the activity, and must show the full company name and Hong Kong contact information of the applicant enterprise. The design of the mascot must be registered by the applicant enterprise, or authorised to be used by the applicant enterprise.

      7. Travelling expenses of the proprietors/partners/shareholders and/or Hong Kong-based salaried employees of the applicant enterprise participating as booth exhibitors incurred between Hong Kong and the city where the activity takes place, but excluding expenses for in-town transportation and travelling expenses not related to the participation of the activity concerned.  In general, only travelling expenses incurred 5 days before the start of the activity to 5 days after the end of the activity are considered as related to the participation of the activity concerned.

      8. Hotel accommodation expenses of the proprietors/partners/shareholders and/or Hong Kong-based salaried employees of the applicant enterprise participating as booth exhibitors incurred during the period of the activity concerned at the activity city, but excluding expenses of stay not related to the participation of the activity concerned.  In general, only hotel accommodation expenses incurred 2 days before the start of the activity to 2 days after the end of the activity are considered as related to the participation of the activity concerned

      Online trade exhibitions

      1. Fee charged by the organiser/co-organiser for participating as an exhibitor in an online exhibition, including the fee for joining the business matching activities and the participation fee for taking up a speaking session during the exhibition.  The business matching activities and the speaking session must be ancillary to the online exhibition.
       
      1. Fee charged by the organiser/co-organiser for the design of a virtual booth for a booth exhibitor in the online exhibition.  The virtual booth should show the full company name and Hong Kong contact information of the applicant enterprise.
      2. Fee charged by organiser/co-organiser for exhibitors of an online exhibition to place advertisements, including advertisement on online exhibition catalogue, banners, pop-ups, etc. on the online exhibition website throughout the whole period of the activity concerned.  The advertisement must show the full company name and Hong Kong contact information of the applicant enterprise.

      Business missions outside Hong Kong

      1. Participation fee of business mission charged by organiser/co-organiser.

      2. Travelling expenses of the proprietors/partners/shareholders and/or Hong Kong-based salaried employees of the applicant enterprise participating as mission delegates incurred between Hong Kong and the city where the activity takes place, but excluding expenses for in-town transportation and travelling expenses not related to the participation of the activity concerned.  In general, only travelling expenses incurred 5 days before the start of the activity to 5 days after the end of the activity are considered as related to the participation of the activity concerned.  The maximum stay in city of transfer for connecting flight/transport is 24 hours.

      3. Hotel accommodation expenses of the proprietors/partners/shareholders and/or Hong Kong-based salaried employees of the applicant enterprise participating as mission delegates incurred during the period of the activity concerned, but excluding expenses of stay not related to the participation of the activity concerned.  In general, only hotel accommodation expenses incurred 2 days before the start of the activity to 2 days after the end of the activity are considered as related to the participation of the activity concerned.

      Online business missions

      1. Participation fee of business mission charged by organiser/co-organiser.

      Advertisement on trade publications

      1. Fee for placing advertisement on trade publications which mainly target markets outside Hong Kong.

      Export promotion activities conducted through electronic platform/media

      1. Fee for placing advertisement and keyword searching on electronic platforms/media.

      2. Non-recurrent fee for product information listing for sales purpose, setting up/enhancing and promoting online shop on electronic platforms/media.  Expenses related to the operation and sales (such as fees for daily maintenance service of online shop, salaries of employees related to daily operation of the online shop, commission based on sales volume, etc.) will not be funded.

      Setting up/enhancing the corporate website/mobile application owned by the applicant enterprise

      1. Non-recurrent fee for setting up/enhancing the corporate website/mobile application owned by the applicant enterprise.  Expenses related to the operation and sales (such as fees for daily maintenance service of the website/mobile application, salaries of employees related to daily operation of the website/mobile application, commission based on sales volume, etc.) will not be funded.

      All eligible promotion activities

      1. Fee charged for video/product shooting and editing services associated with the promotion of the product and/or services of the applicant enterprises at the eligible promotion activity it participated in.  The video/product should bear the full company name of the applicant enterprise and information on the activity where appropriate.  The service provider should be the organiser or the authorised agent of the organiser of the activity or a photography/videography company with good track record.  Standalone video/product shooting and editing services not related to the eligible promotion activity will not be considered.

      Only fees paid by an applicant enterprise  to the organiser/co-organiser/relevant operator/service provider of a promotion activity are eligible for funding support under EMF.  Fees paid by any third party on behalf of an applicant enterprise, regardless of its relationship with the applicant enterprise, are not eligible for EMF funding.  For fees paid by the proprietors/partners/shareholders/Hong Kong-based salaried employees of the applicant enterprise on behalf of the applicant enterprise and reimbursed by the applicant enterprise, the applicant enterprise has to submit the payment records (e.g. copy of bank records/credit card statements/bank cheque/cashier order/telegraphic transfer records showing the full name of the account holder and relevant transactions showing the full name of the payer).  TID may request for repayment records to substantiate the claims .  If the payer is a Hong Kong-based salaried employee of the applicant enterprise, employment proof (e.g. Mandatory Provident Fund records of the month when the relevant transaction(s) is/are made) is required.

    14. Can an enterprise hire a freelancer for setting up or enhancement of a corporate website/mobile application owned by its enterprise which mainly targets markets outside Hong Kong?

      No.  The service provider for setting up/enhancement of the corporate website/mobile application owned by an applicant enterprise must be an information technology company with good track record.  Hiring freelancers will not be accepted and the application concerned will not be considered.

    15. Can an enterprise apply for EMF solely for engaging video/product shooting and editing services?

      No.  In an application for EMF, the fee charged for the output of the video/product shooting and editing services covering the product and/or services of the applicant enterprises must be used at a promotion activity under the funding scope of EMF.  Standalone video/product shooting and editing services will not be considered.

    16. Can an enterprise hire a freelancer for video/product shooting and editing services for the promotion activity?

      No.  The service provider for video/product shooting and editing services for a promotion activity must be the organiser or the authorised agent of the organiser of the participated activity concerned or a photography/videography company with good track record.  Hiring freelancers will not be accepted and the expenditure item concerned will not be considered.

    17. Could an enterprise be funded under EMF as well as other public funding schemes in respect of the same activity?

      If an applicant enterprise has received or will receive any direct Hong Kong public funding (whether or not provided by the Government of the HKSAR direct) for any expenditure item(s) of its promotion activity, it should not apply for a funding support from EMF for the same funded/will be funded expenditure item(s) under the same activity.

    18. Could an enterprise commission a third party to attend a promotion activity?

      EMF aims at helping enterprises expand their businesses through active participation in promotion activities.  Applicant enterprises must be directly represented by their proprietors/partners/shareholders, and/or Hong Kong-based salaried employees for the whole period of the activity concerned (i.e. in online exhibitions, as booth exhibitors in physical exhibitions and in business missions).  Participation by any other means, including outsourcing or subcontracting to a third party or authorising a third party to participate in the activity will not be accepted.

  • B. Funding Ceilings

    1. What is the funding ceiling for an enterprise under EMF?

      The maximum amount of funding support for each successful application is 50% of the total approved expenditure incurred by the applicant enterprise or HK$100,000, whichever is the less.  The amount of funding support for video/product shooting and editing services for each application will be no more than the total amount of government funding approved for all other eligible expenditure items under the same application, i.e. capped at 50% of the total approved government funding per application.  There is no limit on the number of applications by an enterprise for funding support under EMF.  However, each enterprise may receive funding support under EMF up to a cumulative limit of HK$100,000 and a maximum of 50% of the cumulative limit per enterprise may be used for applications relating to setting up/enhancing the corporate website/mobile application owned by the enterprise.

    2. What is the funding ceiling of video/product shooting and editing services under EMF in each application?

      The maximum amount of funding support for video/product shooting and editing services for each application is no more than the total amount of government funding approved for all other eligible expenditure items for the activity concerned under each application, i.e. capped at 50% of the total approved government funding per application.  For example:

      Example 1

      Expenditure items Video/product shooting and editing fee All other eligible expenditure items of the activity (e.g. rental fee for exhibition booth, construction fee of booth, etc.)
      Amount incurred HK$5,000 HK$20,000
      Fundable amount HK$2,500
      (HK$5,000 x 50% = HK$2,500
      = within the total approved government funding of all other eligible expenditure items, i.e. HK$10,000)
      HK$20,000 x 50%
      = HK$10,000
      Total approved funding of the application HK$2,500 + HK$10,000
      = HK$12,500

      Example 2

      Expenditure items Video/product shooting and editing fee All other eligible expenditure items of the activity (e.g. rental fee for exhibition booth, construction fee of booth, etc.)
      Amount incurred HK$30,000 HK$20,000
      Fundable amount = HK$10,000
      (HK$30,000 x 50% = HK$15,000 
      = more than the total approved government funding for all other eligible expenditure items, i.e. HK$10,000)
      HK$20,000 x 50%
      = HK$10,000
      Total approved funding of the application HK$10,000 + HK$10,000
      = HK$20,000

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    3. How can an enterprise enquire about its available funding balance / previous applications?

      An applicant enterprise can make use of the online enquiry service “Enquiry on Previously Approved Applications/Application Status/Applicant’s Available Funding Balance” by keying in its Business Registration number and any one of its EMF application number(s) to check its previously funded promotion activity(ies) / available funding balance under EMF.

  • C. Application Procedures

    What options are available for application under EMF?

    Applicant enterprises may choose to apply for an initial payment of the estimated amount of the expenditure eligible for EMF before the commencement of a promotion activity, to be followed by a corresponding application for final payment of the balance of the amount of the eligible expenditure after the completion of the activity concerned.

    Alternately, applicant enterprises may apply for reimbursement of all eligible expenditure items after the completion of the activity concerned.

    (I)  For Initial Payment cum Final Payment

    1. How to apply for initial payment?

      Applicant enterprises must submit a duly completed application form together with necessary documentation within 45 to 120 calendar days before the commencement date of the exhibition or business mission, the issue date of the trade publication containing the advertisement, the commencement date of the relevant 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 owned by the applicant enterprise.

      For exhibitions held in hybrid mode (i.e. physical and online exhibitions being held simultaneously), the application period will be counted with reference to the exhibition periods of both modes of exhibitions.  The first day of the whole exhibition period will be regarded as the commencement date of the activity.

      Applications may be lodged electronically through online e-Form, deposited in TID SME Export Marketing Fund’s Application Drop-in Box (located next to Enquiry Counter on G/F of Trade and Industry Tower), or submitted by post or in person to TID’s SME Export Marketing Fund Branch.  Applicant enterprises should indicate clearly on the Application Form that they are applying for initial payment for their promotion activities.

      First-time applicants must submit in duplicate a signed Funding Agreement on initial payment.  Please refer to the EMF Guide to Application for details regarding the procedures and documentary requirements.

      Successful applicant enterprises may receive up to 75% of the total preliminarily approved government funding as initial payment.  Successful applicant enterprises must also submit a corresponding application for final payment within 60 calendar days after the completion of the promotion activity (as in the case of submitting an application for reimbursement).

      In submitting the corresponding application for final payment, applicant enterprises should provide all necessary documentation, particularly original receipt or certified true copy of receipt of each expenditure item if the receipt(s) has/have not been provided before.  On top of the EMF Guide to Application, applicant enterprises should refer to the notice of the result of the application for initial payment for the supplementary information required for their application for final payment.

    2. What documents are required for applying for initial payment?

      Applicant enterprises are required to provide company registration documents and original receipts/certified true copy of each receipt of deposit paid, and certified copy of the relevant booking confirmation/signed contracts/invoices/quotations (showing detailed contact information of the issuing organisation) if payments for the declared expenditure items have not been made in full upon application for initial payment.  Information regarding the promotion activity is also required.  Please refer to the EMF Guide to Application for the detailed documentary requirements on different types of promotion activities.

      For first-time application for initial payment, a signed Funding Agreement on initial payment in duplicate is also required.

      If necessary, TID may require an applicant enterprise to provide additional documents and explanations to substantiate an application.

    3. What is the amount of initial payment per application?

      Under EMF, the funding ceiling for each successful application is 50% of the total approved expenditure incurred by the applicant enterprise or HK$100,000, whichever is the less.  Applicant enterprises may apply for an initial payment of up to 75% of the total preliminarily approved government funding.  Hence, the maximum amount of initial payment is HK$75,000 per successful application.  TID will determine the total final amount of government funding for the activity concerned upon receipt of a corresponding application for final payment.

      For example:

      If the applicant enterprise submits an application for initial payment with an estimated expenditure of HK$200,000 for a promotion activity and TID considers all expenditures are preliminarily eligible under EMF, the preliminarily amount of approved government funding would be HK$100,000 [HK$200,000 x 50%] and the applicant enterprise may receive HK$75,000 [HK$100,000 x 75%] as initial payment.

      Within 60 days after the completion of the promotion activity, the applicant enterprise must submit a corresponding application for final payment with relevant supporting documents.  If the actual expenditure is HK$195,000 and TID considers all expenditures as eligible, the applicant enterprise may receive the remaining balance of eligible expenditure claimed, i.e. HK$22,500 (the total final amount of government funding approved [HK$195,000 x 50%] minus the amount of initial payment [HK$75,000]).

    4. Can an application for reimbursement be submitted if an application for initial payment is rejected?

      Yes, unless the application for initial payment was rejected due to ineligibility of the applicant enterprise or the activity concerned.  The application for reimbursement must be submitted within 60 calendar days after the completion date of the promotion activity concerned.

    5. Can a corresponding application for final payment cover expenditure items not included or not approved in the application for initial payment?

      Yes, an applicant enterprise may apply for funding support for expenditure items not covered or not approved in the application for initial payment in its corresponding application for final payment.  TID will consider these expenditure items based on the supporting documents provided.

      For example, if the applicant enterprise obtains further document proofs for expenditure items declined in the application for initial payment or if there are eligible expenditure items newly incurred in the conduct of the promotion activity, the applicant enterprise may include these expenditure items in the corresponding application for final payment together with the relevant supporting documents.

    6. What if a corresponding application for final payment is not submitted?

      If an applicant enterprise fails to submit a corresponding application for final payment after having received an initial payment, TID may take administrative measures against the applicant enterprise including suspension of application services and cheque issuance (under other applications) for the applicant enterprise and its connected enterprises and/or related enterprises (i.e. enterprises of the same owner(s)/shareholder(s)/director(s) of the applicant enterprise).  Legal proceedings may also be taken to recoup from the applicant enterprise the full amount of initial payment together with any interest as required.

    7. When will refund of initial/excess payment be required?  What if the initial/excess payment is not returned?

      An applicant enterprise shall refund to TID the full amount of initial payment or the amount of payment in excess of the initial payment together with any interest as required, if the amount of initial payment is assessed to be in excess of the total final approved amount of government funding, or if the application is subsequently rejected due to non-compliance with the eligibility criteria and/or conditions of use of EMF, or if the applicant enterprise fails to complete the activity concerned, or if the applicant enterprise does not submit an application for final payment for the activity concerned.

      If the applicant enterprise fails to return the excess payment or full amount of initial payment as requested by TID within the specified period, TID may take administrative measures against the applicant enterprise including suspension of application services and cheque issuance (under other applications) for the applicant enterprise and its connected enterprises and/or related enterprises (i.e. enterprises of the same owner(s)/shareholder(s)/director(s) of the applicant enterprise).  Legal proceedings may also be taken to recoup from the applicant enterprise the excess payment or full amount of initial payment together with any interest as required.

    8. What is the Funding Agreement for initial payment?

      The Funding Agreement for initial payment is a legally binding agreement between the Government and the applicant enterprise covering the funding support provided to the applicant enterprise under an arrangement of initial payment for a promotion activity to be conducted by the applicant enterprise.

      Under the Agreement, the applicant enterprise agrees to the following in accepting an initial payment:

      • use the initial payment solely for conducting the promotion activity under application;
      • complete the promotion activity within the timeframe as declared in the application form;
      • submit all invoices, receipts and necessary documents to TID (under an application for final payment) for assessment of the final amount of funding support to be provided; and
      • refund to TID the initial payment or excess payment as required
       
    9. When should the Funding Agreement be signed?

      An applicant enterprise must sign in duplicate the Funding Agreement and submit it to the SME Export Marketing Fund Branch together with a duly completed application form and all necessary documentation when applying for initial payment for the first time.  If the application is successful, TID will sign the Funding Agreement and return a copy to the applicant enterprise for record by post together with a crossed cheque for the initial payment approved.

    10. Is the Funding Agreement required for each application for initial payment?

      Applicant enterprises are required to sign and submit in duplicate the Funding Agreement only for their first application for initial payment.  The Funding Agreement will apply to the first successful application for initial payment of the applicant enterprise as well as all subsequent successful applications for initial payment submitted by the same applicant enterprise.

    (II)  For Reimbursement

    1. How to apply for reimbursement under EMF?

      Applicant enterprises must submit duly completed application form together with all necessary documentation within 60 calendar days after the completion date of the exhibition or business mission, the issue date of the trade publication containing the advertisement, the completion date of the relevant 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 owned by the applicant enterprise.

      For exhibitions held in hybrid mode (i.e. physical and online exhibitions being held simultaneously), the application period will be counted with reference to the exhibition periods of both modes of exhibitions. The last day of the whole exhibition period will be regarded as the completion date of the activity.

      Applications may be submitted through online e-Form, by post, via drop-in box (located next to Enquiry Counter on G/F of Trade and Industry Tower) or in person to TID’s “SME Export Marketing Fund Branch”. Applicant enterprises should indicate clearly on the Application Form that they are applying for reimbursement of eligible expenditure items for their promotion activities. Please refer to the EMF Guide to Application for details regarding application procedures and documentary requirements.

  • D. Applications through Online E-Form

    1. What are the formats required for the supporting documents to be uploaded?

      Applicant enterprises applying through online e-Form should prepare the supporting document in accordance with the following requirements: 

      (i)  The file(s) must be in JPG, JPEG, PNG, PDF, DOC or DOCX format,

      (ii)  The information contained in the file(s) must be clear and legible (resolution no less than 200dpi), and

      (iii)  The e-Form supports 10 attachments at a total capacity of 10MB.  If the total number or size of files to be upload exceeds the limits, applicant enterprises should merge or compress the files beforehand, or upload them separately through “Submit Supplementary Documents” function.

      If necessary, TID may request for digital files of better resolution or the original of supporting documents for assessing the applications.

    2. How to use the “Submit Supplementary Document” function to upload files which exceed the supported limits, or submit supplementary documents?

      If the total number or size of files for uploading exceed the supported limits even after compression or merging (This e-Form supports 10 attachments at a total capacity of 10MB) in the submission of an application, or if provision of supplementary documents is required after the submission of an application, an applicant enterprise may upload the files concerned through the “Submit Supplementary Documents” function of the e-Form.

      Applicant enterprises may click here to re-enter the online e-Form system and click “Start Filling in a New Form” on the homepage , and then select “Submit Supplementary Documents”.

      Applicant enterprises should make ready the “e-Form Transaction No.” (with prefix “TID001”) or “Application No.” (with prefix “E”), Business Registration No., and the supporting documents prepared in the required format as mentioned in Frequent Asked Question D1 before using “Submit Supplementary Documents”.

      After successful submission, applicant enterprises may print or download the “Record of Submission of Supplementary Documents of Application for SME Export Marketing Fund” for future reference.

    3. Are original of the supporting documents required for e-Form submission?

      Applicant enterprises applying through online e-Form and opting to sign the Declaration for Application in paper form are required to submit a duly signed declaration (provided by the computer system in submitting the e-Form) with company chop.  Enterprises applying for initial payment for the first time are also required to submit in duplicate a duly signed Funding Agreement.

      As for supporting documents, they may be uploaded through the e-Form system but the images must be clear and legible (resolution no less than 200dpi).  Applicant enterprises must keep the originals of all the supporting documents.  If necessary, TID may request for digital files of better resolution or the original of the supporting documents for assessing the applications.  Failure to provide the required or legible supporting documents, or the duly signed Declaration/Agreement may cause delay in the processing of the applications.

    4. How to sign the Declaration for Application with digital signature for e-Form submission?

      If an applicant enterprise prefers to use digital signature, it should choose to sign the Declaration for Application with organisational digital certificate and provide the relevant information of the signatory while filling in the e-Form.  The organisation and authorised user as stated in the organisational digital certificate should match with the information of the applicant enterprise and the signatory inputted.

    5. Which digital certificates can be used to sign the Declaration for Application?

      For the purpose of applying for EMF, TID accepts Hongkong Post e-Cert (Organisational), and "ID-Cert" Class 2 and Class 5 issued by Digi-Sign Certification Services Limited. 

      Please refer to the website of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer for more information about the digital certificate.

    6. How to save the application data for future use?

      During anytime in filling in the e-Form, applicant enterprises may press the “Save” button at the footer of the page to save the data entered as a GFD file to the local PC.  Applicant enterprises may upload the file to continue to fill in the form later, or retrieve the data to apply for funding support for another activity.  A password will be required to protect the data to be saved.  The e-Form system will not be able to open the file and import the saved data without the password.

      To use the saved data, click "Fill in a Saved Form" on the Front Page of the e-Form, upload the saved data from the GFD file, enter the password, and then click the "Open" button.  Once the saved data is imported into the e-Form, an applicant enterprise should check if the details are accurate and valid.

    7. How to review a submitted application?

      After the submission of e-Form, application enterprises may download a “Declaration for Application/Application Record” in PDF format.  The document will provide the e-Form Transaction No., the Date and Time of online submission, details of the application filed.  If applicant enterprises opt to sign the declaration in paper form, a “Declaration for Application” will also be provided for signature and submission by the applicant enterprises.

      Applicant enterprises may also contact “SME Export Marketing Fund Branch” of TID for review of their submitted e-Forms.

    8. Why can’t one proceed to the next page or submit the e-Form?

      This may be due to the following:

      • All the mandatory particulars have yet to be completed.  For example, Hong Kong Identity Card/Passport No. of the Owner /All Partners /Individuals holding >= 30% shares, and expenses of the promotion activity/declared expense items, etc.
      • Rectification required for incorrect data input.  For example, incorrect format of e-mail address, start date or end date of an activity fall(s) outside the relevant application period, etc.

      Please check and input/amend the data concerned.

    E. Amendment/Withdrawal of an Application

    1. Can an application be amended after submission?

      If there is any material change to the information contained in an application after its submission to TID, the applicant enterprise should promptly inform TID in writing.  The relevant application number, the Business Registration number, and information on the promotion activity concerned should be provided in the written request to facilitate the processing of the request and to avoid any confusion.  TID will not accept any amendment to an application which will render the application null and void.

    2. Can an application be withdrawn?

      An applicant enterprise wishing to withdraw an application already lodged with TID should submit a written request to TID to withdraw the application.  The relevant application number, the Business Registration number, and information on the promotion activity concerned should be provided in the written request to facilitate the processing of the request and to avoid any confusion.  For an application under which initial payment has been issued, the applicant enterprise is required to return the initial payment to TID upon withdrawal of the application together with any interest as required.

    F. Issuance of Deferment Notice by Email

    1. When will the TID start issuing the deferment notice by email?

      The TID will issue the deferment notice by email to notify applicant enterprises of the outstanding/ supplementary information/ documents required in Q2 2024.  We will announce on this website later the date when the TID starts issuing deferment notice by email.

    2. Can I change my email address provided in the application form after submitting the application?

      The EMF Branch will issue the deferment notice to the email address provided in the application form.  If an applicant enterprise intend to change the email address for receiving deferment notice, please fill in the new email address in the application form when submitting the next application.

      Under normal circumstances, the EMF Branch will not accept request(s) to change email address(es) during the processing of the same application so as to avoid any confusion and delay in funding disbursement.

    3. Can I reply the email direct to submit the supplementary documents by then?

      No.  Please submit the supplementary documents via one of the following means:

      (a) Online e-Form (https://emf.tid.gov.hk/eform)
      (b) By Post (Mailing address: “SME Export Marketing Fund Branch” Service Counter, Room 1301, 13/F, Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong)
      (c) Via Drop-in Box (Location: Next to the Enquiry Counter on G/F of the Trade and Industry Tower)
      (d) In Person (Address: “SME Export Marketing Fund Branch” Service Counter, Room 1301, 13/F, Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong)

    4. What should I do if I forget my email address provided in the application form?

      Applicant enterprise can click here to make use of the online enquiry service “Enquiry on Previously Approved Applications/Application Status/Applicant’s Available Funding Balance” with entry of its Business Registration number and any one of its EMF application number(s) to check its application status and email address provided in the application form.

    G. Others

    1. Will late applications be accepted?

      Late submission of an application will not be accepted unless there are exceptional circumstances or justified grounds substantiated with supporting documents.  TID will base on the date of receipt of an application by TID having regard to the commencement/completion date of the exhibition or business mission, the issue date of the trade publication containing the advertisement, the commencement/completion date of the relevant promotion activity conducted through an electronic platform/media, or the commencement/completion date of the relevant project on setting up/enhancing the corporate website/mobile application owned by the applicant enterprise, to determine whether an application is received within the application period as set out in the EMF Guide to Application and hence decide whether an application is late or not.  Under all circumstances, local calendar (i.e. Hong Kong time) will be used for determining the deadline regardless of any time zone difference in the case of export promotion activities outside Hong Kong.

      If an applicant enterprise has missed the deadline for submitting an application for initial payment before the commencement of a promotion activity, it may submit an application for reimbursement within 60 calendar days after the completion of the activity concerned.

    2. How to determine if an application submitted is late?

      TID will base on the date an application is received by TID having regard to the commencement/completion date of the exhibition or business mission, the issue date of the trade publication containing the advertisement, the commencement/completion date of the relevant promotion activity conducted through an electronic platform/media, or the commencement/completion date of the relevant project on setting up/enhancing the corporate website/mobile application owned by the applicant enterprise to determine whether an application is late or not.

      Applicant enterprises should take note of the lead-time required for submitting applications by post.  Local calendar (i.e. Hong Kong time) will be used for determining the deadline regardless of whether the activity concerned is held in Hong Kong.  In case the deadline for submission falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, applicant enterprises should ensure that their application is properly received by TID by the nearest working day before the deadline.  Otherwise the applications will be regarded as late submission.

      Applications deposited in drop-in box for EMF outside office hours will be considered as properly received by TID on the next working day.

    3. How to determine priority in processing applications?

      Applications will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis according to the time and date of receipt of a complete and valid application by TID.

    4. How to complete the column "Form of Business" in the application form?

      For sole proprietorship, please provide the owner's name and other relevant information.  In the case of a partnership, please provide the names and relevant information of all partners.  For a limited company, please provide the names and information of the individuals having 30% and/or more share holdings.  If there is no individual having 30% and/or more share holdings of a company in question, please provide the names and information of all shareholders.  If an applicant enterprise is held by corporate shareholder, please provide the names and relevant information of all directors of the applicant enterprise.  An applicant enterprise is required to submit documentary evidence in this regard (e.g. For unlimited company: Certified Extract/Electronic Extract of Information on the Business Register, i.e. Form 1(a) or Form 1(c) of the Business Registration Office, issued within the past 2 years; For limited company: full copy of the most recent Annual Return (i.e. Form NAR1) or Incorporation Form (i.e. NNC1) of the Companies Registry).

    5. Can an enterprise apply for EMF for exhibitions that are held regularly?

      Each application under EMF should cover one promotion activity.  Exhibitions held at regular intervals, such as annually or quarterly, are regarded as individual and separate activities.  An applicant enterprise may submit an application each to cover these activities.

    6. Can one application form cover several advertisements placed on different issues of the same trade publication?

      No.  One application form can only apply for funding support for one advertisement on a single issue of a publication.  If an advertisement is placed on several issues of the same trade publication, an applicant enterprise should submit an application for funding support for each issue of the publication, together with relevant documents.

    7. If there is no issue date on a publication, when should an enterprise submit an application?

      For advertisement in a trade publication, if there is no issue date on the publication or the publisher does not inform TID of the issue date, the first day of the month/quarter of issue of the trade publication will be taken as the issue date.

    8. Regarding promotion activity conducted through an electronic platform/media, how should an enterprise calculate the activity period to avoid late submission of reimbursement application?

      In general, applicant enterprise should submit a copy of the service contract of the relevant activity showing the activity concerned, the activity period and other details.  The application deadline should be calculated accordingly.
       
      In view of the various modes, implementation period and charging methods of different electronic platforms/media, if the operator of the relevant electronic platform/media does not issue a contract to the applicant enterprise, the covering period on invoice and/or receipt issued by individual operator of the relevant electronic platform/media will be used for calculating the deadline of application submission.
       
      If an enterprise conducts the promotion activity on the same electronic platform/media in different periods, the operator concerned may issue separate invoices and/or receipts covering the corresponding periods for the same promotion activity.  Applicant enterprise may submit one application form to apply for funding support for more than one invoice and/or receipt of the corresponding activity.  However, applicant enterprise should ensure that the activity period stipulated on each invoice/receipt observe the application deadline (i.e. within 60 calendar days after the completion date of the activity).  TID will consider the activity period stipulated on each invoice/receipt separately in determining whether the application is submitted late.  The declared expenditure related to the invoice and/or receipt which is submitted late will not be considered.
       
      Example
      Application Date: 30 June 2021
      Applicant enterprise conducted a promotion activity on a large-scale electronic platform for the following periods. The operator of the electronic platform concerned only issues three invoices covering the relevant periods.  Applicant enterprise submitted all three invoices concerned in one application.  In processing the application, TID will only consider the expenditure on the second and third invoices as the first invoice was submitted late.

        Activity period stipulated on invoice Remarks
      1. 20 – 28 April 2021 Late for 3 days. Relevant expenses will not be considered.
      2. 29 April – 9 May 2021 Not late.  Relevant expenses will be considered. 
      3. 10 – 28 May 2021
    9. Is it compulsory to include the company name and contact information of an applicant enterprise in an advertisement placed on trade publication, electronic platform/media or a corporate website/mobile application owned by the applicant enterprise?

      Yes.  An applicant enterprise must place an advertisement in the capacity of a Hong Kong enterprise.  Name of the enterprise and its Hong Kong contact information (including address, telephone number and fax number) must appear on the relevant advertisement.  With regard to setting up or enhancing the corporate website/mobile application owned by an applicant enterprise, the website/mobile application under application must contain information about the applicant enterprise, its products and/or services, as well as its full company name and Hong Kong contact information under the requirement.

    10. What documents will be accepted as status proof of employers and/or employees?

      Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) records issued by the trustees will normally suffice.  Other documentary evidence (e.g. for employer: Certified Extract/Electronic Extract of Information on the Business Register, i.e. Form 1(a)/Form 1(c) of the Business Registration Office (issued within the past 2 years) or the most recent Annual Return (i.e. Form NAR1) or Incorporation Form (i.e. NNC1) of the Companies Registry; for employees: employment contract, salary payment record, and Employer’s Return of Remuneration and Pensions for the Inland Revenue Department) will be required if no MPF records are available.

    11. Under what circumstances will an applicant enterprise be required to provide additional documentary proof?

       

      To ensure the proper use of public money, TID will review applications received at random.  An applicant enterprise may be required to provide additional supporting documents (e.g. invoice, receipt, business contract, letter of credit, shipping document, bank statement, tax return, etc.) to demonstrate that it has substantive business operations in Hong Kong.  TID will also contact third parties including the organiser of the relevant promotion activity and the MPF trustees to verify the authentication of the information provided by an applicant enterprise.  Applications without sufficient supporting documents will not be considered.