(26 November 2019, Hong Kong) According to Hong Kong Government statistics, the number of visitor arrivals in Hong Kong has declined significantly, and the impact continued to worsen in August and September with a further drop of 39% and 34% respectively. The prolonged plight has also deeply affected the hawkers’ livelihood. In context from discussions with industry representatives, LKSF will take a different approach as needed. ALL qualified SMEs in the travel industry and licenced hawkers will receive grants once their application is approved. Total grants available in Phase Three is HK$100 million.
Online application opens today.
Information as follows:
1) Travel Industry
Grants Options: 1) HK$50,000; 2) HK$25,000
Supporting Documents:
| HK$50,000 Grant | HK$25,000 Grant | |
| Valid Business Registration | ✔ | ✔ |
| Valid Travel Agents Licence commenced before 1 May 2019 | ✔ | ✔ |
| MPF Contributions Statement within three months | ✔ | |
| Bank Statement or Bank Passbook (showing account holder name and number for autopay purposes) | ✔ | ✔ |
Simple Step-by-step guide:
- Please visit lksfsme.hk, and press “Travel Industry Application Form”
- Please confirm that your business meets the below criteria:
- Member of the travel industry
- Employs fewer than 50 people
- In business since before 1 May 2019, and hold a valid Business Registration Certificate (valid as of date of application)
- Valid Travel Agents Licence commenced before 1 May 2019 (valid as of date of application)
- Bank account holder name must match Business Registration Certificate or Travel Agents Licence
- Please choose the appropriate category for your business
HK$50,000 Grant HK$25,000 Grant Hold a valid Travel Agents Licence and provide an MPF Contributions Statement within three months Hold a valid Travel Agents Licence but DO NOT provide an MPF Contributions Statement - Upload a copy of your valid Business Registration in JPEG format*. Review the OCR information and revise manually if necessary.
- If you’re choosing the HK$50,000 grant option, please upload an MPF Contributions Statement made in accordance with the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance within the previous three months before the application date. The Statement should show the name of the employer, last contribution date, and Employer Participation Number. Also, please enter other relevant information.
- Upload a copy of your valid Travel Agents Licence in JPEG format*. Review the OCR information and revise manually if necessary.
- Please upload a photo* of bank account proof, such as a bank statement that shows account holder name, account number and statement date. Kindly enter other relevant information.
- Please enter your contact details and mobile number. Results notification will be sent by SMS. Review all information and press “confirm” to complete the application process.
Application for the HK$25,000 grant is simpler and does not require an MPF Contributions Statement. The Foundation wishes to express appreciation to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong for its support and insights. A better understanding of the current situation in the travel industry led to our decision to cover all 1,650 SMEs in Phase Three of the Fund.
* IMPORTANT REMINDER：Please ensure that you upload documents in JPEG format and that all information is clear and legible; otherwise, your application may be considered unsuccessful.
2) Hawkers
Supporting Documents: Valid hawker licence, and a photo of bank account proof
Simple Step-by-step guide
- Please visit lksfsme.hk and press Hawker Application Form
- Please select the type of licence: Fixed Pitch Hawker or Itinerant Hawker
- Upload a copy of your Hawker Licence in JPEG format*. Review the OCR information and revise manually if necessary.
- Please upload a photo* of bank account proof, such as a bank statement that shows account holder name, account number and statement date. Kindly enter other relevant information.
- Please enter your contact details and mobile number. Results notification will be sent by SMS.
- Review all information and press “confirm” to complete the application process.
* IMPORTANT REMINDER：Please ensure that you upload documents in JPEG format and that all information is clear and legible; otherwise, your application may be considered unsuccessful.
Enquiry: Please email us at info@lksfsme.hk with your questions.
Results: Successful applicants of Phase Three (Travel Industry and Hawkers) will receive a notification via SMS. Grant disbursement will be made by autopay to the registered account.
Vetting: The Foundation aspires to the principle of “trust more, stress less”. Applications will be reviewed expeditiously and distribution fast-tracked. To comply with relevant regulations, a panel formed of professionals will support the reviewing process. Fraud or misuse of personal information have legal consequences.
Appendices:
- Slide Guide for application procedures and information (Travel Industry)
- Slide Guide for application procedures and information (Hawkers)
- How To Video Guide (Travel Industry)
- How To Video Guide (Hawkers). Special thanks to sand painting artist Ms. Tse Wai-chi for appearing in the video on a pro-bono basis.
Phase Two Updates
The Foundation has received more than 26,000 applications for Phase Two of the Instant Relief Fund. Applications are processed by computer. All eligible applicants have an opportunity to receive a grant. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the quota of the second phase, all allocations will be selected through a random computer process. HK$600 million in grants will be distributed before Mid-December 2019. Successful applicants will receive an SMS notification and the grant will be paid by autopay to the applicant’s registered bank account.
About the Li Ka Shing Foundation
The Li Ka Shing Foundation was established in 1980 to work on education, medical services and research initiatives. To date, Mr Li has invested over HK$26 billion across 27 countries and regions, with about 80% of the projects within the Greater China region. In 2006, Mr Li described his philanthropic effort as akin to having another son in the family. He called for a paradigm shift in our Asian culture of giving, through apportioning more of our wealth and means towards social capital so that we could bring forth great hope and promises for the future.