A finance scheme for small and medium-sized firms will stop operating at the end of the week, Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry Yvonne Choi Ying-pik says.
The Special Finance Scheme, run by the Industry Department and the Treasury, was set up in 1998 to provide relief for such firms during the financial crisis.
Ms Choi said yesterday the Government had provided guarantees of more than $5.5 billion to help firms get loans from financial institutions amounting to about $8.8 billion.
New applications for assistance will not be considered after tomorrow.
Ms Choi said the decision was prompted by an improvement in the business climate since the economy made a comeback last year.
The overall business environment was improving, which was favourable to firms in terms of operations and movement of funds.
