Objectives:
- Support individual non-listed Hong Kong enterprises to develop brands, upgrade and restructure business operations, and promote domestic sales in the Mainland.
- Enhance competitiveness and facilitate business development in the Mainland market.
- Encourage enterprises to capture opportunities from Mainland’s National Five-Year Plans and diversify markets.
- Provide flexible funding including “Easy BUD” for expedited small projects and “E-commerce Easy” for e-commerce initiatives.
Target Beneficiaries:
- Non-listed enterprises registered in Hong Kong with substantive business operations in Hong Kong.
- Enterprises from manufacturing or service sectors, regardless of existing Mainland operations.
- Applicants must prove eligible investment relationships with Mainland entities if involved.
- Subsidiaries of listed companies (if themselves non-listed) are eligible.
- Priority given to SMEs (manufacturing with fewer than 100 employees; non-manufacturing fewer than 50 employees).
Key Features:
- Funding covers three main areas: branding, upgrading and restructuring, and domestic sales.
- Two types of projects:
- Type (i): Engage qualified service providers to develop holistic business plans.
- Type (ii): Implement specific measures based on existing business plans.
- Funding ratio: Government funds up to 25% of total approved project cost; enterprise contributes at least 75% in cash.
- Maximum funding ceiling per enterprise: HK$7,000,000; maximum per project: HK$800,000.
- Maximum 70 approved projects per enterprise.
- Project duration up to 24 months.
- Funding supports costs such as:
- consultancy fees
- manpower recruitment
- machinery/equipment procurement
- advertising
- travel
- patent/trademark registration
- online sales platform setup
- and more
- Excludes normal operating expenses and costs funded by other government schemes.
- Application accepted year-round via online portal; processed quarterly.
- Applicants must submit detailed project proposals, budgets, and supporting documents proving eligibility.
- Assessment by Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), Inter-departmental Committee, and Programme Management Committee based on project merit, feasibility, and economic benefit to Hong Kong.
- Requires appointment of project coordinators for liaison and monitoring.
- Funding disbursed in installments based on project progress and audited accounts.
- Strict procurement and anti-collusion requirements apply.
- Intellectual property rights from projects belong to applicants.
- Reporting requirements include progress and final reports with audited accounts.
- Projects may be suspended or terminated for non-compliance or other serious issues.
- Applicants must comply with Hong Kong laws including national security legislation.
Application Process:
- Register and submit applications online at www.bud.hkpc.org.
- Submit application form with company and project details, budget, and supporting documents.
- For Type (i) projects, engage qualified service providers meeting specified criteria.
- Applications processed in batches with cut-off dates quarterly.
- HKPC may request clarifications; incomplete applications may be rejected.
- Successful applicants sign funding agreement with HKPC.
- Projects commence after application submission date and approval.
- Submit progress and final reports with audited accounts for fund disbursement.
- Non-compliance or false information may lead to rejection or termination of funding.
This comprehensive funding program aims to empower Hong Kong enterprises to expand and strengthen their presence in the Mainland market through strategic branding, operational upgrading, and enhanced domestic sales capabilities. It offers substantial financial support with structured oversight to ensure effective use of funds and measurable business outcomes.
