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Trade and Industry DepartmentSuperseded

SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF — superseded)

EMF was consolidated into the BUD Fund on 1 July 2026; new exhibition and export-promotion support should be checked under Easy BUD.

Visit official websiteLast verified: 2026-08-25
Superseded

This programme is not currently an open application route. The page is retained for policy research; check its status, closure date and replacement.

2026-07-01Replacement programme: BUD Fund

Official facts

Quick Facts

Provider
Trade and Industry Department
Programme type
Market expansion / Subsidy / rebate
Target stage
Seed / Early growth / Series A / Scale-up
Maximum support
Up to HK$100,000 per eligible application under the final rules before consolidation
Duration
Final eligible promotion activities had to finish by 30 June 2026
Matching required
Government funding up to one-quarter of approved expenditure (1:3 government-to-enterprise)
Equity required
No
Hong Kong company required
Yes
Company age limit
Not publicly specified
Team requirement
Not publicly specified
Application status
Superseded
Application model
Not specified

Editorial analysis

Who is it for?

This fit analysis is based on published eligibility and programme positioning. It is not an admission guarantee.

Researching legacy EMF cases or identifying the current replacement route.

Founder profile
Existing business ownerFounder team
Stage fit
SeedEarly growthSeries AScale-up
Sector fit
E-commerceConsumerProfessional ServicesConsultingEducationLogisticsSupply ChainOther
These fit tags are our interpretation of published eligibility, not an official commitment.

Who is probably not a good fit?

Teams outside the published applicant, sector, stage or company conditions should not apply solely because of the headline support. Check the current guide and weigh administration, cash-flow and reporting costs.

Financial and operating support

Maximum support
Up to HK$100,000 per eligible application under the final rules before consolidation
Payment model
Not publicly specified
Stackability
Use Easy BUD for current exhibition and export-promotion applications after consolidation.
Double funding and cash flow
The same expenditure item could not also receive other government funding.

Eligibility

Published requirements

  • Hong Kong SME with substantive local business operations under the final EMF rules
Practical recommendation

Before investing in an application, verify applicant entity, company age, team, IP, budget, matching cash and eligible costs. Ask the programme directly about anything not published.

Editorial analysis

Application process

Unless an official guide says otherwise, this is an application-preparation framework, not an official assessment sequence or timing promise.

  1. 1

    Read the latest programme page and guide

  2. 2

    Confirm applicant, stage and sector eligibility

  3. 3

    Prepare project, team, budget and supporting evidence

  4. 4

    Apply through the official channel and answer assessment requests

  5. 5

    After admission, follow the agreement for milestones, reporting and claims

Sources

Official Resource Library

We provide official links, versions and structured explanations only. Original documents are not rehosted.

This page provides a plain-language interpretation of official materials. The official source remains authoritative.

Official webpage

SME Export Marketing Fund official programme source

The retained official page for checking programme history, intake closure and rules that may still govern existing awards.

Original language
English
Version
Final EMF arrangements
Published
2026-07-02
Last verified
2026-08-25
View official document
Application guide

SME Export Marketing Fund Guide to Application

Supplementary official material. Check the source document, version and latest programme notice before applying.

Original language
English
Version
May 2025 revision
Published
2025-05-01
Last verified
2026-08-25
View official document

Related programmes

BUD FundMatching support for branding, business upgrading and market development by Hong Kong enterprises.Overseas/Mainland Market Development Support SchemeReimbursement support for eligible Cyberport companies expanding beyond Hong Kong.HKPC SME One / ReachOutA central advisory point for public funding, digital transformation and SME support; it is not an award itself.

Relevant strategies

Related official updates

HYAB launches Youth Start-up Internship Programme 20262026-01-15 · Home and Youth Affairs BureauGovernment reply outlines startup support available to one-person companies2026-06-17 · Innovation, Technology and Industry BureauGovernment launches Pilot Innovation and Technology Accelerator Scheme2026-01-29 · Innovation and Technology Commission

Related visa and status guides

Starting a company or receiving support does not automatically create visa, extension or permanent-residence eligibility. Immigration decisions remain case-specific.

General Employment PolicyAn employment route generally based on a genuine professional role with a Hong Kong employer.Quality Migrant Admission SchemeAn admission route for highly skilled or talented applicants.Hong Kong permanent residence and right of abodeUnderstand ordinary residence, the seven-year requirement and long-term status planning.

Sources and maintenance

Each programme links to a primary source and records the current page or guide version. Editorial strategy is maintained separately from official facts.

This knowledge base provides general business information, not legal, tax, accounting, investment or immigration advice. Obtain professional advice before signing shareholder, investment, IP, employment or funding documents.