Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13
Question : It is mentioned in the Budget that the Bureau will work with the Trade and Industry Department (TID) to seek an increase in the total loan guarantee commitment under the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme from $20 billion to $30 billion, and the total commitment for the SME Export Marketing Fund and SME Development Fund from $2.75 billion to $3.75 billion. How many applications associated with travel agencies and tourism have been processed by the above scheme and funds in the past two financial years? How many applications have been approved? What is the total amount involved? What are the projected changes in the number of applications associated with travel agencies and tourism and the amount of loan guarantees/grants in the new financial year? Asked by : Hon. TSE Wai-chun, Paul Reply : The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved an increase in the total loan guarantee commitment under the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme (SGS) from $20 billion to $30 billion, and an increase in the total commitment of the SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) and SME Development Fund (SDF) from $2.75 billion to $3.75 billion in July 2011. The above- mentioned support schemes are administrated by the Trade and Industry Department. In 2010-11 and 2011-12 (up to end of January 2012), 17 and 28 applications from the tourism, restaurant and hotel sector had been received under the SGS. 12 and 25 applications involving total loan amount of around $39.6 million and $58.7 million were approved respectively. For the EMF, in 2010-11 and 2011-12 (up to end of January 2012), 51 and 49 applications from the tourism, restaurant and hotel sector had been received. 39 and 35 applications involving total funding of around $550,000 and $650,000 were approved respectively. No applications relating to travel agents or tourism-related projects were received during the same period under the SDF. We expect that the number of applications and the loan guarantee/funding amounts involved in 2012-13 under the above-mentioned schemes will be similar to those in 2011-12.
Question : How will the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau promote and introduce the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme and SME Development Fund to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of various industries in the new financial year? What are the estimated manpower and resources required for the promotion and briefing work? What are the changes when compared with those of the past two financial years? Asked by : Hon. TSE Wai-chun, Paul Reply : The SME Loan Guarantee Scheme and the SME Development Fund are administered by the Trade and Industry Department (TID). TID has been promoting the two schemes through various channels, including TID’s website and publications (e.g. “SME Pulse” published biennially), pamphlets, TV and radio advertisements, etc. TID also conducts briefings and seminars, and participates in relevant activities organised by other organisations, with a view to promoting the schemes to SMEs and introducing to them the content and application details. TID also participates in relevant exhibitions, such as the annual World SME Expo, so as to reach out to more SMEs of different sectors and promote the schemes to them. TID will continue to review from time to time the publicity efforts, with the aim of promoting the schemes more effectively. The manpower and expenditure of the work involved have been subsumed within the establishment and recurrent expenditure of TID.
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