The government promotes 100% of the exhibition industry rent to subsidize the industry to extend the plan to cover the peak exhibition season in November

Political situation

Written by: Zhou Lixi

2020-10-26 07:00

Last update date: 2020-10-26 07:00

Under the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, a number of conference and exhibition projects have been postponed or cancelled. The government announced earlier that it would launch the "Convention and Exhibition Industry Funding Scheme" to provide the organizers with percentage points for exhibitions and international conferences held at conventions, exhibitions and AsiaWorld-Expo. Hundreds of rent subsidies, no upper limit, for a period of 12 months to October 2, 2021.

Zhang Ruifu, vice chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association, pointed out that since the third wave of the epidemic broke out in July this year, many exhibitions and conferences have to be postponed, and the industry is facing a very heavy blow.

He pointed out that although the government is welcome to introduce measures, the extension of the exhibition industry also has to match the entire year of the exhibition cycle. Many major exhibitions will not be held until October to mid-November next year. Therefore, he hopes that the government will extend the time for rent subsidies. , Emphasizing that it is not a requirement to increase the government’s allocated items.

The executive vice president of the association, Li Keyi, said that at the moment when the government started the funding program in October, the port has not yet been opened on a large scale, which is not ideal for attracting foreign businessmen to Hong Kong.

She mentioned that many exhibitions will start in the near future, but they need to be cancelled under the epidemic situation and hope they can be restarted at the same time next year.

Zhang Ruifu, who is the executive director of Conya Co., Ltd., pointed out that the government's announcement of the launch of support was too sudden. For the industry, the details of the measures may not be too appropriate for them, because many larger exhibitions are not included. It is mentioned that the AsiaWorld-Expo was used as a facility to build a hospital. It is reported that it will not reopen until January 7 next year.

Zhang Ruifu said that the exhibition from October to November every year will use all the exhibition halls of the convention and exhibition hall, so the fourth quarter of each year is very important to the exhibition industry. It is recommended that the government consider extending the funding period.

Lai Keyi (right) emphasized that extending the subsidy scheme is highly feasible for the government, because it is expected that the government has approved 1.02 billion yuan in the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council to implement the convention and exhibition industry subsidy scheme, which is expected to be within a 12-month period Will not run out by itself.

(Photo by Zhou Lixi)

Said that extending the subsidy scheme will not increase the pressure of the Hong Kong government

Lai Keyi emphasized that extending the funding scheme is highly feasible for the government.

She explained that the government has approved a subsidy of 1.02 billion yuan in the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, and it is expected that the funds will not be used up within a 12-month period. They are only proposing to extend the application, not asking for an "increased".

Li Keyi quoted statistics as saying that the convention and exhibition economy accounts for 2.3% of Hong Kong's GDP. He believes that with the restart of exhibition hosting, related security, construction and other industrial chains can also benefit, and it can also drive foreign tourists to Hong Kong for tourism and the catering industry.

She also said that exhibitors need to provide discounts from time to time to attract overseas buyers and establish partnerships, including cash and hotel expenses. With subsidies, the industry will have more flexibility in spending.

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