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The Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme (PSDAS) today (January 3) invited a new round of applications from non-profit-distributing professional, trade or industrial organisations and research institutes.
The scheme, started in February 2002 with an allocation of $100 million, finances projects aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services on the Mainland and in other markets, and enhancing the standard of the local professional services.
Grants are given on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis. The maximum grant amount 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 3655 5952 for details.
Applications for the new round should reach the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) on or before March 31.
To assist interested organisations in preparing their applications, the CEDB will organise a briefing session on February 21. Helpdesk services will also be available from that day until March 31. Organisations can call the enquiry hotline for details or registration.
In the past nine years, the scheme has approved 273 projects ranging from conferences and training programmes to exchange visits and promotional activities with total funding of $91.75 million. Of these, 96 projects were related to enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services in the Mainland market.
Applications received in the last round of applications are being processed and the results will be available in mid-March. So far, a total of 34 rounds have been held.
Ends/Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:01
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