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Logistics R&D43,44,45With technological advancement, new solutions have appeared for digitalising SMEs’ operations and enhancing their efficiency. For instance, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) allows the real-time transmission of product information without human scanning items one by one. The technology is very useful in warehouse management and inventory control. To enhance the operation of logistics service providers, the Government announced in the 2020–21 Budget that it will introduce a pilot subsidy scheme with HKD 345 million. Each eligible logistics service provider will receive subsidies subject to a cumulative ceiling of HKD 1 million for projects concerning technology application. However, the industry has shown meagre interest in applying for the fund or carrying out technological upgrades, since SMEs that form the major part of the industry lack the expertise or risk appetite to roll out R&D projects on their own. In light of this, the Government should consider implementing policies to facilitate technological upgrading by SMEs, for instance, by encouraging research institutes or universities to research technological solutions specifically for SMEs. In addition, the Government should provide more targeted incentives, such as subsidising SMEs to employ IT consultants, so as to stimulate deployment of new technology in SMEs.7. Offer sufficient funding to incentivise SMEs to deploy new technology 43 Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies. (2013). 香港物流業中小企業挑戰、機遇與應對策略. 44 Cheung. W. (2015, February 5). 香港物流業仍有競爭力. Hong Kong Economic Journal. 45 《財政預算案2020》物流業批資助額「杯水車薪 」盼有緊急援助補貼. (2020, February 6). Hong Kong Economic Times. 46 Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong. (2017). 對「發展香港貿易單一窗口」的意見. 47 倡建「貿易單一窗口」增通關效率. (2019, March 1). Ta Kung Pao. 48 Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. (2020). Smart City Consortium Advisory Report on Smart City Blueprint 2.0.Trade Single Window46,47,48The industry has advocated that the Government should actively explore the interconnectivity between Hong Kong’s TSW with those of other economies and B2B systems. It has been suggested by the industry that the TSW should allow the use of open application programming interface (API). This would allow SMEs to connect their systems to the TSW seamlessly, avoiding the laborious task of inputting the same information on multiple systems and reducing compliance costs. We advocate that the Government should actively liaise with the relevant authorities and explore the compatibility of Hong Kong’s TSW with other systems.8. Explore compatibility of Hong Kong’s Trade Single Window with those of other economies and with B2B systems99