18 banks involved in Hong Kong's SME Lending Taskforce have increased their SME loan funding to over HK$450bn, in part to help mitigate rising fuel prices.
A study has revealed settlement delays, disproportionate fees, and fragmented regulations are stifling SME growth across Asean despite their central role in trade.
Surveys show Hong Kong's SMEs facing rising costs, late payments, a tight credit stance from banks, and tariffs, despite an overall economic recovery in the SAR; bad weather has also been an issue this summer.
The Hong Kong government is supporting exporters with insurance and cash flow needs, with Donald Trump now, temporarily, exempting electronics from tariffs imposed on China and Hong Kong.
HK's financial secretary is injecting HK$1.5bn into a scheme that helps Hong Kong businesses expand into mainland China, as Paul Chan predicts 2% to 3% GDP growth this year.
The Singapore-headquartered loan platform Lendela, which works with multiple banks and uses a 'reverse auction model', sees growth in markets with a “high level of maturity".
As operational costs remain high, businesses are looking for funding relief from the SAR's upcoming budget, according to DBS; meanwhile, some firms are looking to expand abroad into Asia and the Middle East.
The 2025 Budget is bringing tax cuts, support for households, tax incentives for equities, more climate measures and support for AI; Singapore saw 4.4% GDP growth in 2024.
The SAR's chief executive announced policy support for SMEs, faster payments between HK and mainland China, companies re-domiciling, tourism, the property market, liquor and more.