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The Trade and Industry Department (TID) today (January 10) hosted a reception to mark the successful conclusion of the seventh round of the SME Mentorship Programme. The Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Kenneth Mak, expressed his gratitude to programme co-organisers, mentors and other supporting parties for their dedication and commitment. Some mentors and mentees also shared their experiences with participants at the reception.
Since its inception in 2000, the SME Mentorship Programme organised by TID has been supported by major industrial and trade organisations as well as by various professional and academic bodies in Hong Kong. The SME Mentorship Programme matches each participating SME owner with a suitable mentor from one of these supporting bodies, and the SME owner may consult his or her mentor on entrepreneurial skills within a 12-month period free of charge. The number of programme co-organisers rose significantly from nine in the first round to 65 in the latest round. The total number of mentors from the various rounds now exceeds 500, benefitting about 1,100 participants.
SMEs confront many challenges and difficulties during the start-up stage. Under the SME Mentorship Programme, accomplished entrepreneurs, professionals and academics render expert advice to SME owners through one-on-one counselling, helping them lay a good foundation to develop their business, widen their exposure and expand business connections, thereby raising their competitiveness.
In addition, the TID's Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) tailor-makes various business management activities for mentees under the programme. The mentees are also encouraged to participate in other seminars and workshops organised by the TID with a view to helping them broaden their business knowledge and enhance their entrepreneurial skills.
SME entrepreneurs who own and actively run a company that is legally registered in Hong Kong, has been established for less than five years and employs fewer than 20 employees in Hong Kong, are eligible for the SME Mentorship Programme.
Ends/Thursday, January 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:40
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