Business funding schemes enhanced

The Trade & Industry Department today announced enhancements to the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading & Domestic Sales (Bud Fund) and the SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF).

The improvements launched will further support local enterprises in enhancing their competitiveness and developing diversified markets, the department explained.

For the Bud Fund, the cumulative funding ceiling per enterprise has been raised from $6 million to $7 million, and the maximum number of approved projects per enterprise has been increased from 60 to 70.

As for the EMF, the cumulative funding ceiling per enterprise has been raised from $0.8 million to $1 million.

Moreover, the special measure to expand the funding scope has been extended to June 30, 2026, to continue to cover exhibitions and online exhibitions targeting the local market.

The department added that it has also relaxed the eligibility criteria to include non-small and medium-sized enterprises.