SMEs are the driving force of economic growth. There are about 280 000 SMEs in Hong Kong, representing about 98 per cent of all local enterprises. They employ more than 1.3 million people. The Government is committed to helping SMEs grow and develop.

Four SME funding schemes were established in December 2001/January 2002 to help SMEs secure loans for acquiring business installations and equipment, meet working capital needs, expand overseas markets, upgrade human resources, and enhance overall competitiveness. They are, respectively, the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme, the SME Export Marketing Fund, the SME Training Fund and the SME Development Fund. Over 38 700 SMEs have so far benefited from these schemes and the total government guarantee or grant involved is about $5.9 billion.

The Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) of the Trade and Industry Department is the Government's flagship SME support centre. It provides business starters and SME entrepreneurs with free, reliable and practical business information and consultation services. SUCCESS runs various activities, such as seminars, workshops and company visits; publishes publications for SMEs; operates a reference library and provides electronic database facilities to enhance the business knowledge and competitiveness of SMEs. SMEs may visit SUCCESS to seek experts' advice on their specific business problems through the 'Business Advisory Services' or join the 'Mentorship Programme' under which each participant will be assigned a mentor from whom to seek guidance on a business operation for a period of nine months.