The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is offering an eight-point plan aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises win overseas business in these trying times, its Executive Director says.  

Speaking on RTHK's "Letter to Hong Kong" programme this morning, Michael Sze said the World Health Organisation's travel advisory, discouraging people from travelling to Hong Kong in the wake of atypical pneumonia, has wreaked havoc on SMEs' businesses.

Helping them find overseas buyers, to enable them to keep their businesses running, is the council's top priority, he said.

The TDC now offers a relief package that includes free webconferencing services for Hong Kong companies, allowing them to stay in touch with overseas customers "face-to-face" online.

It is also offering discounts on its services, virtual exhibitions, overseas catalogue shows and a business matching service.

Mr Sze noted that the council's overseas officers are explaining the truth about the virus in Hong Kong, to eliminate any misunderstandings. Some overseas buyers had mistakenly believed the virus could be spread by goods imported from Hong Kong. The World Health Organisation has confirmed this is not the case.

Mr Sze hoped to rebuild Hong Kong's reputation and international image as soon as possible, to see buyers' confidence in doing business with local companies return.