The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) has welcomed the measures of the HKSAR government to support the convention and exhibition (C&E) industry announced in the latest Policy Address.
The existing Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme (CEISS), which originally was due to expire on 31 December 2022, will be extended to 30 June, 2023. In addition, the HKSAR government will launch a new HK$1.4bn (US$179.48m) scheme after the CEISS expires, to subsidise more than 200 exhibitions to be staged in Hong Kong over three years.
The AsiaWorld-Expo Phase 2 project and the Wan Chai North redevelopment project near the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will proceed to substantially increase large-scale convention and exhibition spaces to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as a premier venue for international C&E activities.
Stuart Bailey, HKECIA chairman, commented: “The HKECIA welcomes the government’s support to the convention and exhibition industry, helping ease financial burdens on the organisers who can therefore get ready for the industry revival. An additional HK$1.4bn scheme and the commitment to the development plans are a strong recognition of the significance of the exhibition industry to Hong Kong’s economy and government’s declaration of intention to reestablish Hong Kong as an exhibition hub of Asia, supporting numerous crucial industries and boosting commerce.
“While the HKECIA appreciates the government’s measures, our industry urges the government to lift travel restrictions and relax all social distancing measures as soon as possible. The exhibition industry and business sector need to be able to freely reconnect with the world to enable the economy to recover. Otherwise, the aforementioned new policies are not able to benefit the convention and exhibition industry, and our industry is unable to bounce back and Hong Kong will lose advantages to other Asian cities,” Bailey added.
