What is Hong Kong EMF? What Can It Be Used For?

    Hong Kong EMF

     Hong Kong EMF, or the SME Export Marketing Fund, is a funding scheme launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and managed by the Trade and Industry Department. It aims to provide financial support to help SMEs expand into overseas markets and enhance their international competitiveness. Applicant enterprises must be registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance with a valid Business Registration Certificate, prove substantive business operations in Hong Kong (such as providing bank transaction records, lease agreements, etc.), and be non-listed companies (government or public organizations excluded). Manufacturing companies should have fewer than 100 employees, and non-manufacturing companies fewer than 50 employees (SME application restrictions have been relaxed from April 30, 2021 to end of June 2026).

    Funding Scope

     The funding scope includes participation in Hong Kong or overseas exhibitions and trade missions, advertising through electronic platforms (such as Google, Facebook, TikTok, etc.) or establishing websites and mobile applications for overseas markets, and printing product catalogs and promotional materials. The maximum subsidy per application is HK$100,000 or 50% of total project expenditure (whichever is lower). The cumulative subsidy cap per enterprise is HK$1 million, of which activities involving the establishment or optimization of the enterprise's own company website/mobile applications are subject to a funding cap of 50% of the cumulative funding limit.

    Eligibility

1. Must be registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) with a valid Business Registration Certificate. For example, a newly established Hong Kong local trading company, upon registration and obtaining a Business Registration Certificate, meets this basic requirement.

2. Must be a non-listed company; government or public organizations are not eligible. Must have substantive business operations in Hong Kong, such as having actual office premises (providing lease agreement), normal bank transaction records, client contract records, etc., to prove it is not a shell company.

3. Manufacturing companies with fewer than 100 employees, non-manufacturing companies with fewer than 50 employees. Since April 30, 2021, the requirement limiting applications to SMEs only has been relaxed until end of June 2026.

4. The applicant enterprise cannot be the organizer, co-organizer, service provider of the promotional activities involved in the application and related services, or a company associated with the above organizations.

    Application Process

1. Clarify promotional activity plans, such as participating in overseas exhibitions, determine the exhibition name, time, and location; for online promotion, plan advertising platform selection, website optimization direction, and develop a detailed budget with all costs clearly listed.

2. Fill out the application form and submit the application. Upload the completed application form, Business Registration Certificate copy, company registration documents (limited companies provide NAR1 or NNC1 form, unlimited companies provide Form1(a) or Form1(c)), valid identity document copies of signatories (Hong Kong ID card or passport), detailed promotional activity information (activity introduction, target market analysis, etc.), expense details, quotations or invoices, and other relevant documents.

3. After receiving the application, the Hong Kong Government conducts a preliminary check to confirm material completeness and compliance. If materials are incomplete, the enterprise will be notified to supplement. Approval is typically completed within 30 working days, evaluating the applicant enterprise's qualifications, promotional activity feasibility, and cost reasonableness. During this period, communication with the enterprise may be required for supplementary materials or explanations.

4. Approved enterprises will receive a "Letter of In-principle Approval" and must sign to accept the terms as required; if rejected, the enterprise may apply for a review within 14 days, supplementing materials for another attempt.

5. Approved enterprises carry out promotional activities according to plan, retaining all relevant receipts and supporting documents, such as payment vouchers, participation certificates, activity photos, media coverage, etc.

6. Within 60 days after the activity ends, submit the final financial report (actual expenditure vs. budget comparison) through the SUCCESS system, along with outcome proof documents and an auditor's report signed by an auditor (if the subsidy exceeds HK$100,000). After the materials are verified as complete and the activity is compliant, the subsidy will be disbursed to the enterprise's designated bank account.

    How to Apply

    Shenzhen Qianhai Gangchuang Consulting Co., Ltd.

Gangchuang Consulting is a professional firm deeply engaged in business agency services, with a wide range of services covering company registration, bookkeeping, business registration processing, and many other core businesses. Especially in policy subsidy applications, the company focuses on Hong Kong enterprises, leveraging deep insights into Hong Kong's local policies and market to provide quality services. Whether for domestic or Hong Kong subsidy applications, we accurately grasp policy key points to help enterprises unlock policy dividends.

The company gathers policy experts, financial professionals, and legal specialists to form a professional team, creating customized service plans for enterprises. From qualification assessment and document preparation to application submission, we provide full-process agency services, ensuring enterprises efficiently secure subsidy opportunities. With rich practical experience, Gangchuang Consulting maintains a high approval rate, having successfully helped 100+ enterprises across manufacturing, cross-border e-commerce, and other industries secure million-level subsidies, helping enterprises achieve equipment upgrades and market expansion. We are a reliable partner for enterprises seeking policy support.

If you harbor entrepreneurial dreams or plan to expand your market territory, welcome to contact us at any time — as your reliable partner on the entrepreneurial journey, we will empower you with professional services. From policy interpretation and customized solutions to resource matching, we are committed to providing you with one-stop quality services, helping you accurately seize opportunities and steadily advance in your entrepreneurial and market expansion journey. Choose us to make every step more valuable, and together let's open a new chapter in your career!