Powering SMEs Development Programme 2010-11
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| Officiating at the launch of this year’s Powering SMEs Development Programme are HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau (left) and Kelvin Au, General Manager, Hong Kong and South China Region, SME Banking, Standard Chartered Bank ( Hong Kong ) Limited. | |
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Speaking at the launch, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said programme offers comprehensive assistance to SMEs to create business opportunities.
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13 April 2010 – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited have extended the Powering SMEs Development Programme for another year to help local SMEs explore business opportunities in emerging markets. Since its inception in 2008, the programme has helped nearly 3,000 SMEs enhance their competitiveness through workshops, seminars and study and exchange tours.
“The HKTDC and Standard Chartered have taken a proactive role in supporting the development of SMEs, which make up more than 90 per cent of Hong Kong-registered companies,” said HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau. “In the wake of the financial tsunami, SMEs face an increasingly complex business climate and greater challenges ahead. The Powering SMEs Development Programme provides comprehensive support for local SMEs, helping them to stay ahead of the competition and create new business opportunities amid adversity.”
“The primary objective is enabling SMEs to tap market opportunities,” said Kelvin Au, General Manager, Hong Kong and South China Region, SME Banking, Standard Chartered Bank ( Hong Kong ) Limited. “The launch of this year’s programme coincides with the signing of the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation. Backed by Standard Chartered’s wide range of renminbi services and its long history and comprehensive network in the Chinese mainland, SMEs can crack open that huge consumer market. We expect about 1,000 SMEs to benefit from this year’s scheme, which runs until March 2011. Through our cooperation with the HKTDC, we are dedicated to the sustainable growth of SMEs.”
Aimed at helping SMEs hone their competitiveness and add value, the Powering SMEs Development Programme provides the latest market intelligence via eight workshops and seminars focused on the role of the mainland and other emerging markets as the engine of the global economic recovery.
The scheme also features two rounds of business matching and networking functions to facilitate contacts, exchanges and partnership opportunities between local manufacturers and overseas buyers. These include a Joint Networking Reception on the first day of the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) today, and another Networking Reception in July during the HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer.
Media Enquiries
HKTDC’s Corporate Communication Department:
Joe Kainz Tel: 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Gabriel Kwan Tel：2820 3036 Email：gabriel.kwan@sc.com
Pandora Yeung Tel：2820 3083 Email：pandora.yeung@sc.com
About the HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With 40 offices worldwide, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more, visit www.hktdc.com.
About Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered PLC, listed on both London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, ranks among the top 25 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation. The London-headquartered Group has operated for over 150 years in some of the world's most dynamic markets, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. We have produced seven years of record income and profit, primarily as a result of organic growth.
Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank for its customers across its markets. The Group earns around 90 per cent of its income and profits in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, from its Wholesale and Consumer Banking businesses. The Group has over 1700 branches and outlets located in over 70 countries. The extraordinary growth of its markets and businesses creates exciting and challenging international career opportunities.
Leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders, the Group is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. It employs around 75,000 people, nearly half of whom are women. The Group's employees are of 125 nationalities, of which about 70 are represented in the senior management.
The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the SAR’s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC.
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited has been named the “Employer of Choice” at the prestigious Hong Kong HR Awards for two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009, and by The Gallup Organisation as a winner of the Gallup Great Workplace Award for three consecutive years from 2008 to 2010.
For more information, please visit: www.standardchartered.com