Briefings by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs and the Secretary for Innovation and Technology on the Chief Executive’s 2017 Policy Address
Support for small and medium enterprises
Mr CHAN Chun-ying noted that the special concessionary measures under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (“SFGS”) administered by the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited would end at the end of February 2017, and asked whether the Administration would extend the relevant measures upon expiry.
SCED said that the extension of SFGS to end February 2017 was announced in the 2016-2017 Budget, and the Administration would consider extending the relevant measures having regard to the demand of SMEs.
Encouraging investment in Hong Kong
Mr CHAN Chun-ying asked whether the Administration would put in place specific policy measures, such as enhancing the provision of international school places and introduction of tax concessionary measures, to attract overseas companies and talents to Hong Kong to foster the development of the targeted industries and businesses, such as technology start-ups and aircraft leasing business.
SCED responded that Invest Hong Kong (“InvestHK”) strived to facilitate companies from the Mainland and overseas, including start-ups, to set up or expand their business operation in Hong Kong by offering one-stop holistic support services, including education-related assistance, to them. CEDB had also reflected to the relevant Government bureaux and departments the facilities, such as international school places, needed by overseas companies.