Professional, trade, or industrial organisations and research institutes of a non-profit-distributing nature are invited to submit applications for the twelfth round of funding from the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme.

It finances projects aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services on the Mainland and other external markets, and enhancing the standard of local professional services.

Grants are given on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis, up to $2 million. In the first 10 rounds 132 applications were recommended involving $50.78 million. Among the approved projects, 61, involving funding of $24.05 million, relate to enhancing competitiveness in the Mainland market.

Applications in the eleventh round are being processed and the results will be available next month. Applications for the twelfth round should reach the Commerce, Industry & Technology Bureau by June 15. It will organise a briefing session on May 16 and a helpdesk service will be available from that date.