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Hong Kong Business Environment
SMEs (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) are the equivalent of the Midden- en Klein Bedrijf (MKB) in the Netherlands. The Hong Kong government defines an SME as a manufacturing enterprise with fewer than 100 employees or a non-manufacturing enterprise with fewer than 50 employees. By the end of 2005, there were around 300,000 SMEs registered in Hong Kong. Together they account for more than 98 per cent of the total establishments in the territory and employed about 1.34 million people or about 80 per cent of the workforce, excluding the civil service. Most SMEs are involved in import and export, followed by the wholesale and retail sectors, restaurants and hotels. SMEs in these sectors together account for more than 60 per cent of the total in Hong Kong and employ more than half of the SME workforce.
Dutch SMEs
How important are Dutch SMEs to DutchCham and Hong Kong?
A big share of the companies DutchCham represents are SMEs. Dutch SMEs are active across many sectors, including trading, transportation, retailing and business services.
Dutch Community
With more than 250 companies and over 4,000 residents, the Dutch community is the third biggest investor in Hong Kong and is also the biggest source of European investment in Hong Kong. The majority of Dutch companies choose Hong Kong because of its strategic location for doing business with mainland China. A number of Dutch companies also focus on the Hong Kong market.
Dutch companies have a notable presence in finance, trading, transportation and the wholesale/retail sectors of the economy.
At the end of 2007 direct investment from the Netherlands was US$ 68 billion.
DutchCham Support
How does DutchCham support SMEs?
DutchCham supports its SME members by providing information - often through meetings and seminars - and case-by-case assistance. Regularly updated information is available in the DutchCham Magazine, at events and seminars, and on the Chamber's website.
The SME Committee helps steer the Chamber's support for SME members. The SME Committee
The SME Committee aims to: - Ensure that SME members benefit from their DutchCham membership;
- Identify interests and assist in solving the obstacles faced by SMEs in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, or PRD;
- Assist the establishment and development of Dutch SMEs in Hong Kong and PRD;
- Provide SMEs with an opportunity to network with fellow DutchCham members; and
- Represent SME members at the Board level.
The SME Committee meets monthly to discuss new topics and events relevant to SME members.
SME Corner
Each edition of the DutchCham Magazine includes the latest SME-related news and reports. The Magazine regularly features interviews with SME members and events for the SME membership.
SME Events
DutchCham organises events, seminars and lunches for SME members on a regular basis. For more information, check the events calendar on this website.
SME Webpage
This page is the information platform for SMEs, where they can gather and research information relevant to their business. The SME Webpage is also designed to help potential entrepreneurs set up their business. Feedback is always welcome.
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