【2024 EMF Guide】EMF SME Promotion Funding: Eligibility, Approval Time, and Considerations
What is EMF?
The SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) is a crucial platform for assisting Hong Kong SMEs in expanding their presence in overseas markets. This fund aims to support various promotional activities for businesses and underwent significant updates in 2023, raising the cumulative funding ceiling to HKD 1 million per company and expanding the scope of assistance. In the following sections, we will delve into detailed information about this fund, including eligibility criteria, funding scope, and application process.
EMF SME Export Marketing Fund
The EMF was launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s Trade and Industry Department in 2001 with the aim of encouraging SMEs to engage in export promotion activities. Through these activities, SMEs can enhance the international recognition of their products and services, expand their businesses, and increase their revenue.
The primary objective of the EMF is to provide financial support to SMEs, enabling them to participate in various forms of export promotion activities. These activities include attending overseas exhibitions, conducting online marketing, and producing promotional materials. Through these initiatives, SMEs not only enhance the international recognition of their products and services but also gain access to a broader customer base, expanding their business and boosting revenue.
Since its inception, the EMF has funded numerous SMEs in implementing export promotion activities, yielding significant results. Many funded companies have reported that through the EMF, they were able to conduct market promotion more effectively and successfully explore new overseas markets. Therefore, it is evident that the EMF plays a crucial role in promoting the development of Hong Kong SMEs.
EMF SME Export Marketing Fund – Funding Amount
Maximum funding amount for each EMF application
The maximum funding amount for each EMF application is 50% of the approved expenditure incurred by the applicant company for the promotional activities or HKD 100,000, whichever is lower. In other words, if the total expenditure for the promotional activities exceeds HKD 200,000, the maximum funding amount the company can receive is HKD 100,000. If the total expenditure is below HKD 200,000, the funding amount will be 50% of the total expenditure.
EMF Funding Ceiling
The maximum cumulative funding amount per company from the EMF is HKD 1 million. This means that regardless of the number of applications made by a company, the total funding received from the EMF cannot exceed HKD 1 million.
EMF SME Export Marketing Fund – Funding Scope
In 2023, the EMF funding scope has expanded to include various forms of promotional activities. Here are the different activities and projects that can be eligible for funding:
EMF Funding Scope 1: Exhibition Activities
- Participation in overseas exhibitions targeting overseas markets.
- Participation in exhibitions held in Hong Kong targeting overseas markets.
- Participation in exhibitions held in Hong Kong targeting the local market, including large-scale exhibitions organized by reputable institutions.
EMF Funding Scope 2: Online Activities
- Participation in online trade exhibitions, including those organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and reputable exhibition organizers.
- Participation in online business missions.
- Undertaking export promotion activities targeting overseas markets through electronic platforms/media.
EMF Funding Scope 3: Other Promotional Activities
- Participation in business missions conducted outside Hong Kong.
- Advertisement placement in trade publications targeting overseas markets.
EMF Funding Scope 4: Websites and Mobile Applications
Establishing or enhancing company websites or mobile applications targeting overseas markets owned by the applicant company.
EMF SME Export Marketing Fund – Eligibility
For companies wishing to apply for the EMF (SME Export Marketing Fund), they need to meet the following eligibility criteria and requirements:
EMF Eligibility 1: Designated Business Types
Only non-listed companies registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Chapter 310) are eligible to apply. This includes general limited companies, unlimited companies, partnership businesses, and others.
EMF Eligibility 2: Actual Business Operations
At the time of applying for the fund, the company must have substantial business operations in Hong Kong. This means that shell companies or companies primarily operating outside Hong Kong are not eligible.
EMF Eligibility 3: Cumulative Funding Amount within the Limit
If the company has previously received funding from the EMF, the cumulative funding amount received cannot exceed the cumulative funding limit set by the fund, which is HKD 1 million.
EMF Eligibility 4: Associated Company Regulations
Applying companies with similar business registration information (such as nature of business, address, contact number, shareholders/directors) will be considered associated companies. In terms of calculating the cumulative funding amount limit, these associated companies will be treated as a single entity. Therefore, the cumulative funding amount received by these companies will be combined and cannot exceed the cumulative funding limit.
EMF SME Export Marketing Fund – Application Process
Here is the application process for the “EMF SME Export Marketing Fund”:
EMF Application Process Step 1: Fill out the application form
Firstly, the applying company needs to fill out the application form online. In the form, the company needs to provide its basic business registration information, including company name, business registration number, contact information, etc. Additionally, the company needs to provide a detailed description of the promotional activities it intends to undertake, including the type of activities, target markets, estimated expenses, etc.
EMF Application Process Step 2: Submit the required supporting documents
- Completed application form: Ensure that all the information has been filled out correctly.
- Copy of the applying company’s valid business registration certificate: Provide a copy of the company’s current valid business registration document.
- Company registration information：
- For unlimited companies: Provide a certified copy or electronic extract copy of the business register within the past two years, i.e., Form 1(a) or Form 1(c) from the Business Registration Office.
- For limited companies: Provide a complete copy of the latest Annual Return (NAR1 form) or Certificate of Incorporation (NNC1 form) from the Companies Registry.
- Copy of the valid identification document of the signatory: Provide a copy of the valid Hong Kong identity card or passport of the person signing the application form on behalf of the company.
- Receipts and payment proof: Submit original receipts or verified copies of all declared expenditure items for funding.
- Copies of relevant invoices or contract documents: Provide copies of all invoices, quotations, or contracts related to declared expenditure items for funding.
EMF Application Process Step 3: Submit the application
Once the application form is completed, and all the required supporting documents are prepared, the company can submit the application. The application can be submitted to the “SME Export Marketing Fund” Division of the Trade and Industry Department either through online electronic submission, by post, by courier, or in person.
EMF Application Process Step 4: Await approval and inquire about application progress
Once the application is submitted, the Trade and Industry Department will begin the review process. Under normal circumstances, the department aims to complete the review procedure within 30 full working days upon receiving the completed application form and all the required supporting documents. The company can inquire about the progress of their application using their application number through the department’s website.
The above is the application process for the EMF. It is important to note that the specific requirements may vary depending on the individual circumstances of each company, so it is advisable to refer to the actual situation.
EMF FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers bout the “EMF SME Export Marketing Fund”:
Conclusion: It is highly worthwhile to apply for EMF for market expansion
With the advancement of globalization, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to continually expand their overseas markets to enhance their competitiveness. In this context, the “SME Export Marketing Fund” (EMF), as an important funding program launched by the Hong Kong government, not only helps alleviate the financial burden on SMEs but also encourages active participation in various export promotion activities, including participating in overseas trade fairs and conducting online marketing. These activities not only enhance the international visibility of SMEs but also enable them to reach more potential customers, thereby expanding their business and increasing revenue.
Furthermore, the EMF in 2023 has undergone some significant adjustments, including raising the cumulative funding ceiling to HKD 1 million per enterprise and expanding the scope of funding. These changes provide SMEs with more opportunities and flexibility to carry out marketing activities.
In summary, the “SME Export Marketing Fund” is a highly valuable resource. Therefore, we encourage all eligible enterprises to actively apply and make full use of this resource to develop their business and embrace a brighter future.
EMF Inquiry – Contact Information and Resources
For further inquiries or assistance regarding the “SME Export Marketing Fund,” you can directly contact the “SME Export Marketing Fund” Division of the Trade and Industry Department. Here is their contact information:
- Phone: 2398 5127
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Room 1301, 13/F, Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong
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