Hong Kong Productivity Council: Extend the reduction measures for small and medium enterprises, providing 50% reduction in fees.

Building on the spirit of this year's National Two Sessions and the "Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan," the Hong Kong Productivity Council will continue to assist local small and medium-sized enterprises in seizing the development opportunities of the 15th Five-Year Period. This includes accelerating their transformation and market expansion through innovative technological upgrades. To this end, the Productivity Council has announced an extension of cost reduction measures for small and medium-sized enterprises, offering discounts to companies applying for new industrialization-related programs (discounts subject to terms and conditions). The validity period is from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Details are as follows: Hong Kong SME Cost Reduction: Providing a 50% reduction in fees, including consultant project personnel fees and testing services personnel fees. Discount for Applicants of New Industrialization Funding Programs: Providing a 30% fee reduction to companies that have applied or intend to apply, applicable to consultant services, application technology projects, and one-stop solutions. Discount for Applicants of New Industrial Acceleration Programs: Providing a 30% fee reduction to companies that have applied or intend to apply, applicable to consultant services, application technology projects, and one-stop solutions. Mr. Willy Lin, President of the Productivity Council, stated that SMEs are one of the pillars of Hong Kong's economic development. The "2026-27 Budget" announced multiple measures to address the funding needs of SMEs for upgrading, transformation, and market expansion, as well as to strengthen support for enterprise transformation through the application of artificial intelligence (AI). The Productivity Council has always worked with the SAR Government to provide appropriate support to local SMEs. We understand the importance of technological transformation for companies to expand into international markets. Through the extension of cost reduction measures, we aim to encourage SMEs to achieve transformation and upgrade, and to fully utilize the opportunities for going global, in conjunction with The Cradle's overseas service center and the Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Center (HKTISC) patent and intellectual property services, injecting momentum into Hong Kong's long-term economic development.