Microfinance Scheme Booklet Release Ceremony

The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) today (Monday) held a ceremony to announce the release of a new booklet namely “Tips for start-up companies” published under its Microfinance Scheme (the Scheme).  The ceremony, officiated by the Chairman of the HKMC and Financial Secretary Mr John Tsang Chun-wah, had around 80 attendees comprising article contributors, the Scheme’s borrowers and mentors, representatives from the Scheme’s participating banks and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), other partnering organisations as well as members of the media.

Since most of the Scheme’s borrowers are business starters, the booklet aims to provide insights to business starters on how to successfully run a business.  Article contributors include well known entrepreneurs, industry leaders and professionals, participating banks and NGOs, the Scheme borrowers and mentors.  Starting from 20 May 2014, free copies of the booklet will be available to the general public at the Scheme’s participating banks and NGOs while stock lasts (distribution channel at Annex A).  
 
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr John Tsang Chun-wah welcomes the release of the booklet.  He said, “I hope the booklet can provide useful insights to business starters.  I am pleased to see that over 100 entrepreneurs had started their own business with the assistance of the Scheme which was introduced in June 2012.  Successful applicants cover a wide variety of industries including service, retail, wholesale, information technology, environmental protection, logistics and manufacturing.  The age group and the background of the borrowers are also very diverse.”

To strengthen the social capital in Hong Kong, the HKMC launched the Scheme in collaboration with six banks and five non-governmental organisations in June 2012.  The Scheme offers three types of loans, namely Micro Business Start-up Loan, Self-employment Loan and Self-enhancement Loan (see Annex B).  The Scheme has approved 123 cases as of end-April 2014, with a total loan amount of HK$32.2 million. 

For enquiries about the Scheme, please call the hotline:  2536 0707.

The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited
19 May 2014

The Chairman of the HKMC and Financial Secretary Mr John Tsang Chun-wah (third from right in the first row), today officiates at the Microfinance Scheme Booklet release ceremony.  The ceremony is also attended by representatives of the Scheme’s participating banks and NGOs.

The ceremony is attended by the article contributors.

A panel discussion entitled “Sharing of business start-up experience” is arranged with four panel speakers.  Mr Raymond Li, the Chief Executive Officer of the HKMC, is the facilitator of the panel discussion.