Hong Kong Government Export Grants
Leverage Up to HK$7,000,000 in Matching Subsidies
Official guide for Hong Kong incorporated enterprises to leverage the BUD Fund (1:3 matching basis (Government covers up to 25%, enterprise funds 75%)up to HK$7M, max HK$1M/project), Easy BUD (电商易), and TVP (3:1 matching up to HK$600K) for Alibaba.com store expansion, global advertising, and AI automation.
1. Substantive Operations Required: Under Section 3.1 of the BUD Fund Guide, the applicant company must have substantive business operations in HK with genuine commercial records, physical lease agreements, and employee MPF contributions.
2. Zero Tolerance for Shell Fraud: Unlawful schemes involving fictitious MPF strawmen, virtual shell company billing, or fake invoices constitute criminal fraud under the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210).
3. Statutory CPA Audit: Final project disbursements require independent statutory audit by a Hong Kong Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
5 Major Hong Kong Government Funding Schemes
| Scheme Name | Funding Ceiling & Project Limit | Matching Ratio | Eligible Expense Scope | Official Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BUD Fund (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Developing Markets) Includes 「Easy BUD」(电商易) |
Up to HK$ 7,000,000 cumulative (Max HK$800K/project (Easy BUD / General: HK$800K, ESP Easy: HK$150K), up to 70 projects) |
1 : 3 (25% Government) | Alibaba.com store fees, keyword advertising (P4P), overseas exhibitions, trademark filing | HKPC (bud.hkpc.org) |
| TVP (Technology Voucher Programme) | HK$ 600,000 (Up to 6 projects) |
3 : 1 (75% government) | Cross-border ERP, Accio Work AI deployment, IT cybersecurity upgrades | ITC (tvp.itf.gov.hk) |
| EMF (SME Export Marketing Fund) | HK$ 1,000,000 (Max HK$100K/project) |
1 : 3 (25% Government) | Overseas physical trade shows, export website building, search ads | TID (Trade and Industry Dept) |
| PAG (Patent Application Grant) | HK$ 250,000 | 90% Government | Patent search fees, overseas patent attorney drafting, official filing | ITC (Innovation and Tech Commission) |
| NITTP (Technology Training Programme) | HK$ 500,000 | 2 : 1 (67% government) | Advanced cross-border AI staff training and digital skills upgrading | VTC (Vocational Training Council) |
Government Funding FAQ
❓ What is the official scope and ceiling of the BUD Fund?
The BUD Fund (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Developing Markets) provides up to HK$7,000,000 in cumulative matching grants (1:3 matching basis (Government covers up to 25%, enterprise funds 75%), up to HK$800,000 per approved project (Easy BUD / General: HK$800K, ESP Easy: HK$150K), maximum 70 approved projects per enterprise) covering Alibaba.com store fees, digital keyword ads (P4P), trade shows, and overseas trademark filings across Mainland China and 39 FTA/IPPA economies.
❓ What is 「Easy BUD」(电商易) and how does it expedite e-commerce projects?
Launched in 2024 by the HKPC, 「Easy BUD」(电商易) is a streamlined fast-track application channel supporting up to HK$800,000 per project for third-party B2B/B2C store setups (e.g. Alibaba.com), online ads, and e-commerce systems, featuring an expedited vetting cycle of approximately 30 working days.
❓ What are the statutory 'Substantive Business Operation' requirements?
Under Section 3.1 of the official BUD Fund Guide, the applicant company must possess substantive business operations in Hong Kong (valid Business Registration, genuine commercial transactions, local employees with MPF contributions, and a physical commercial office lease). Virtual shell addresses or shelf companies are strictly prohibited.
❓ How is the 1:3 matching basis (Government covers up to 25%, enterprise funds 75%)funding and initial disbursement paid?
Under the 1:3 matching basis (Government covers up to 25%, enterprise funds 75%)mechanism, the government subsidizes up to 25% of approved costs, with the enterprise providing 75% in cash. Enterprises can apply for an initial advance payment of up to 20% of the approved government funding, which is wire-transferred directly into a designated project bank account upon depositing the matching funds.
❓ What does the TVP (Technology Voucher Programme) cover?
TVP provides up to HK$600,000 (3:1 matching ratio, government covers 75% of costs) for digital IT solutions, cross-border ERP systems, and Accio Work AI commercial team deployments.
❓ What is Corpable's official advisory role regarding government grants?
Corpable Marketing Limited provides informational guidance on platform documentation, Alibaba.com official contracts, and compliance standards. Official grant applications are administered independently by the HKPC (bud.hkpc.org) and TID.
