Frequently Asked Questions

HKTDC Launches HK$120 Million SME Assistance Package
Includes Buyer Incentive Programme, Cash Coupons and Other Special Offers

9 November 2008 – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will launch a HK$120 million assistance package to help Hong Kong companies during the current financial turmoil.

The package includes an incentive programme to bring more new trade buyers to the HKTDC’s international trade fairs in Hong Kong. It also provides subsidies to Hong Kong exhibitors participating in these trade shows to assist them in strengthening their marketing efforts. The special initiatives include:

1. Trade buyers’ incentive programme

Working with airlines and hotels, the HKTDC will offer various subsidised packages to bring increased numbers of trade buyers to the more than 30 international trade fairs organised by the Council in Hong Kong.

The initiative, which begins in January 2009, represents a HK$80 million investment by the HKTDC and targets buyers from emerging markets such as Russia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia and the Chinese mainland.

2. Subsidies to all local exhibitors at HKTDC trade fairs in Hong Kong

Each Hong Kong company participating in a HKTDC trade fair in Hong Kong next year will receive a HK$2,000 cash coupon, irrespective of the company’s scale of participation.

The coupons can be redeemed for a wide range of HKTDC services, including additional facilities for booths at trade fairs, online promotions and advertisements in product magazines, promotions to overseas and mainland markets, practical workshops and training courses. The cash subsidy will help Hong Kong companies, especially SMEs, strengthen their marketing efforts in order to reach out to more potential buyers and customers.

About 20,000 Hong Kong companies are expected to benefit from the subsidy, which represents a HK$40 million investment on the part of the HKTDC.

3. Special offers to help SMEs market their products and services through the HKTDC’s online platform and its product magazines

The HKTDC has developed a series of special offers for SMEs, allowing them to market their products and services to trade buyers worldwide through the HKTDC’s online platform – hktdc.com – and its 15 product magazines. These offers provide significant value to SMEs wishing to widen their marketing reach, while reducing traveling expenses.

HKTDC Executive Director Fred Lam said that Hong Kong companies can expect to face a tough business environment in the coming 12 to 18 months because of the increasingly turbulent financial landscape and a worsening market environment worldwide.

“It is during these difficult times that the HKTDC has a duty, more so than ever, to help Hong Kong companies, SMEs in particular, prepare for the challenges ahead,” Mr Lam said.

“We believe the best way to help SMEs is to bring these business opportunities right to their door, since international trade fairs have proven to be the most direct and cost-effective promotional and marketing channel,” Mr Lam said. “The additional business prospects created by bringing more trade buyers to Hong Kong will also have a long-term multiplying effect for the city as a whole.”

Mr Lam added that, given the slackening economy in mature markets such as the United States and Western Europe, the HKTDC encourages SMEs to look to emerging markets, where economies have been less affected by the current financial turmoil.

He said that the HKTDC would use its reserves to finance most of the assistance package.


 Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why is HKTDC launching this cash coupon sponsorship initiative?

    The “HKTDC Promotional Cash Coupon for SMEs” initiative is part of the HK$120 million SME Assistance Package launched by HKTDC, offering Cash Coupons worth up to HK$2,000 to all local exhibitors participating in HKTDC trade fairs in a bid to strengthen their marketing efforts in order to reach out to more potential buyers and customers amid the current financial turmoil.

  2. What kind of services can I redeem with the Cash Coupon?
    The Cash Coupon can be redeemed as:
    a. Participation fees for applying the next HKTDC’s TRADE fairs in Hong Kong (either other fairs in 2009 or in the 2010 edition of all fairs) 
    b. Charges for additional facility orders in trade fairs placed with HKTDC Exhibition Services Department, and all kinds of on-site promotion services such as printed advertisement in the fair catalogue, lightbox, showcase, hanging banner, etc. 
    c. Participation fees for overseas exhibitions or missions organised by HKTDC Product Promotion Department and HKTDC Service Promotion Department 
    d. Advertising fees on HKTDC full range of Product Magazines and Online e-Marketplace at hktdc.com 
    e. Participation fees for SME training courses and seminars organised by HKTDC Customer Service Department 

  3. Who are eligible to receive the Cash Coupons?

    The Cash Coupons shall be issued to all HONG KONG exhibitors participating in HKTDC’s TRADE fairs (excluding public fairs) in Hong Kong with full fee and full-fledged participation, i.e. with products & stand attendants, during the year of 2009.

  4. How are the Cash Coupons issued?

    Two Cash Coupons will be issued to a company at a time. The stated face value of each Cash Coupon is HK$1,000.

  5. Will the Cash Coupons expire?

    Yes. The Cash Coupon is only valid for redemption of specified HKTDC services to be rendered or completed on or before the designated validity date as printed on the coupon.

  6. The value of service I redeem is below HK$1,000. Can I obtain a change in cash for the remaining balance or keep it as credits for my future orders?

    No. Each Cash Coupon can only be used once and no change and/or credit for the unused balance will be given on redeeming services worth under HK$1,000. In addition, the Cash Coupon has no cash equivalent and is not redeemable or exchangeable for cash.

  7. My company placed an advertisement in a HKTDC Product Magazine that was published last month. Can I use the Cash Coupon to offset my advertising fees paid and claim for a refund now?

    No. The Cash Coupon is only applicable to new applications for the above mentioned services specified by HKTDC. It therefore cannot be used as a refund coupon or credited against or used as payment for any service already paid for by the Coupon-holder and delivered by HKTDC.

  8. Can I use more than one Cash Coupon for redemption?

    Yes. There is no limitation on the number of Cash Coupon you use in each redemption. However, the original Cash Coupon(s) must be presented or submitted together with the application and/or order for service.

  9. Can I pass the Cash Coupon for use by another company also owned by myself?

    No. Each Cash Coupon is company-specific and cannot be transferred. All transactions must be made by the same company as designated on the Cash Coupon.

  10. I have lost my Cash Coupons. Can I request HKTDC to issue them again?

    No. HKTDC is not responsible for the theft, loss, or damage of the Cash Coupon given out. The Cash Coupon cannot be reissued under any circumstances.

For enquiries, please call Customer Service Line at (852) 1830 668, or email us at hktdc@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 offices worldwide, including 11 in the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, visit: www.hktdc.com

HKTDC reserves the right to change the content of the scheme without prior notice.