Hongkong Government has announced on 14 june that, in response to the trade’s request, the Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme will be extended for six months to June 30, 2022, to benefit more convention and exhibition activities and to enhance confidence of event organisers in staging such activities in Hong Kong, thereby reinvigorating the reputation of Hong Kong as a premier international convention, exhibition and sourcing hub.
The Government established the Scheme with a commitment of $1.02 billion under the Anti-epidemic Fund. The Scheme consists of two parts: one subsidises organisers 100 per cent of the venue rental of exhibitions and international conventions held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo starting from October 3, 2020, while the other subsidises exhibitors and major conference participants 50 per cent of the participation fee at events organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council starting from November 30, 2020. The entire Scheme was originally set to end on December 31, 2021. Despite the epidemic, the Scheme has been well received by the industry since its launch. As at May 31, 2021, it had subsidised 31 exhibitions, involving a total subsidy of about $61 million.
