Hong Kong will extend the application period for 80% of the credit guarantee products under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme for two years, and further extend the "interest only, principal repayment deferred" arrangement for another year.

According to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced in the "Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address" today (September 17th) that the application period for 80% of credit guarantee products under the "SME Financing Guarantee Scheme" will be extended by two years until the end of March 2028. The total credit guarantee commitment under the scheme will be increased by an additional HK$20 billion to a total of HK$310 billion, and the "interest-only" repayment arrangement will be extended for another year. The application period for the "interest-only" repayment arrangement will be extended from the original deadline of November 17, 2025 to November 17, 2026. Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited will work with lending institutions to implement the following arrangements: 1. Eligible borrowing companies can apply for up to 12 months of "interest-only" repayment period with lending institutions on or before November 17, 2025, and/or apply for up to 12 months of "interest-only" repayment period from November 18, 2025 to November 17, 2026, with a maximum total "interest-only" repayment period of 24 months; and 2. For new loans made from November 18, 2025, eligible borrowing companies can apply for up to 12 months of "interest-only" repayment period with lending institutions on or before November 17, 2026. Borrowing companies can contact lending institutions from November 1, 2025 to inquire about the specific arrangements.