COVID-19–Government Assistance to Subvent the Extreme Emptiness of Cultural Exhibition Venues in Hong Kong Dictated by Social Distancing Restrictions

Since the onset of the first COVID-19 attack in February 2020, the Hong Kong Government has implemented very strict social distancing policies which in addition to the closing of all public music and theatre auditoria also included the closing of the two principal huge government convention centres at first the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai, Hong Kong and second the AsiaWorld-Expo near the Hong Kong Airport.  As the COVID-19 epidemic situation gradually stabilizes convention and exhibition activities can resume.

The Government has now implemented the Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme which will be launched on the 3rd October 2020.

Accordingly, the subsidy covers any exhibition which has been held in either of the two government venues in the past 5 years.  The organiser of a proposed exhibition can submit an application two months in advance before any coming event to obtain a subsidy equivalent to 50% of the venue rental.  Subsidy of the remaining 50% will be disbursed after completion of the exhibition concerned.

Foreign exhibitors can also apply for funding support under the SME Export Marketing Fund to cover their participation fees for exhibition events on a matching basis.

There is a total commitment of HK$1.02 billion to finance this subsidy which will also extend under the same scheme to exhibitors of exhibitions organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and participants of its major conventions.