The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government (HKSAR) is inviting applications from genuine charitable organizations for grants to create and run small businesses or enterprises employing people with disabilities.
HKSAR Assistant Director of Social Welfare Ophelia Chan Chiu Ling said Tuesday in a press release issued by the HKSAR Government Services Department.
Chan explained that the objectives of the "Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities Through Small Enterprise" project are to enhance the employment of people with disabilities through market-driven approach and direct creation of more work opportunities for them.
"It is expected that the project will benefit a considerable number of disabled clients now using the sheltered workshops or supported employment services," Chan said.
Successful applicant organizations will be given a grant of two million Hong Kong (US$256,400) at the maximum for each business, which is offered in the form of a non-recurrent grant to support the initial capital expenditure and the first-year operation.
The project was set up with a one-off provision of 50 million (US$6.4 million), as announced by the Financial Secretary in his 2001/02 Budget Speech.
(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2003)
