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Non-profit-distributing professional, trade or industrial organisations as well as research institutes are invited to apply for funding from the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme (PSDAS).
The scheme, started in February 2002 with an allocation of $100 million, finances projects which are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services in the Mainland and other markets, and enhancing the standard of the local professional services.
Grants are given on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis. The maximum amount of grant for a project is $2 million.
A vetting committee, comprising professionals and representatives from the business and academic sectors and the Government, will assess the applications and monitor approved projects.
Detailed information on the scheme and the application form are available on the PSDAS website www.cedb.gov.hk/citb/psdas. Interested parties can also call the enquiry hotline 2918 7593 for details.
Applications should reach the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) on or before March 31.
To facilitate interested organisations in preparing their applications, the CEDB will organise a briefing session on February 24. Helpdesk services will also be available from the same day. Organisations can call the enquiry hotline for details or registration.
In the past six years, the scheme had approved 209 projects ranging from conferences and training programmes to exchange visits and promotional activities with an amount totalling $82.34 million. Of them, 86 projects, involving funding of $35.32 million, are related to enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services in the Mainland market.
Applications received in the last round of application are being processed and the results will be available in mid-March. So far, a total of 22 rounds have been invited.
Ends/Friday, January 2, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:00
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