Remote working or service has become a new trend against the backdrop of the epidemic. Under the Anti-Epidemic Fund, the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) has launched the Distance Business (D-Biz) Programme to support enterprises to continue their business and services during the epidemic, the Programme provides funding support through fast-track processing for enterprises to adopt IT solutions for developing distance business. 


Funding Amount

• For each IT solution and the relevant training expenses for the employees, the funding ceiling is HK$100,000 (with funding for the relevant training expenses capped at 10% of the IT solution cost). 

• Each enterprise may receive total funding of up to HK$300,000 to undertake a project to be completed within six months.

• An enterprise will be disbursed a payment of 30% of the funding amount after the application has been approved. Upon completion of the project and after the supporting documents are accepted, the remaining funding amount will be disbursed to the enterprise.

• IT solution(s) must only be implemented after approval is granted.

 
Funding Scope
 
12 categories of IT solutions for distance business are covered:
 

 
 
Eligibility

• All private enterprises (excluding publicly listed companies, statutory bodies and non-government organisations funded by the Government) with a valid Business Registration Certificate, ongoing business commenced before 1 January 2020 and substantive business operation in the industry related to the project in the application at the time of application are eligible.
   
• One entity can submit one application only. Related entities* would be treated as one single entity. Applicants are required to indicate and declare in the funding application as to whether any of their related entities have applied for or received funding support under the D-Biz Programme at the time of application.

*Entities set up as different legal entities but having the same individual(s) each holding 30% or more ownership in such entities (up to the ultimate level of natural person(s) if the entities are held by corporate shareholder(s).

Application Period

Application is open from 18 May 2020 (9 am) to 31 October 2020 (6 pm).
 
Please refer to Application Form Sample for filling out the application form.
 
For more information, please contact Ms. Amie Cheung at amie.cheung@lccpa.com.hk