subscribe to news Participants in 5pEXPO 2022 discussed measures to support the congress and exhibition industry

The 12^th edition of the International Forum of the Exhibition Industry, 5pEXPO 2022, has opened today at EXPOCENTRE Fairgrounds with four experts sessions.

The Session on Finances for Business: State Support Measures and Instruments for the Exhibition Sector was moderated by Sergey Selivanov, Deputy Chair at the Committee on Exhibition, Fair, and Convention Activity of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and First Deputy Director General at EXPOCENTRE AO. He spoke about the need for state support for the congress and exhibition industry, as it is not just a promotional tool, but also a mechanism for economic recovery, the establishment of broken supply chains and cooperation ties, given the departure of a number of foreign manufacturers from the Russian market. It is also a tool for implementing the import substitution activities. 

Elena Ublieva, Executive Director at the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs, spoke about a prepared list of support measures and strategic development of the industry. The document has been sent to the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade. As of today, it contains 18 support measures. These include the adoption of a federal law on congress and exhibition activities, reduction of the tax burden, and others. In the near future, the document should be submitted to the Russian Government. Elena Ublieva also believes that it is important to increase subsidies for companies to participate in specific congresses and trade shows.

Natalia Rogotskaya, President at the Union of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Yaroslavl Oblast, said that the industry needed not only some help, but rather systemic measures to save it. The demand market is now shrinking and will continue to shrink. Enterprises, as subjects of exhibition activities, do not have participation in congresses and shows at the top of their agenda. That is why we want to see support measures from the state that will make it possible to include congress and exhibition activities into the general list of instruments for supporting the economy as a whole. 

Andrey Usenko, President at the Union Vyatka CCI, believes that the best measure of support is proving an opportunity to work. Each region has its own competences and advantages. If we supplement the potential of the regions with a kind of a government contract, it will be much more effective for the development of the state economy than granting benefits to the exhibition industry. The government contract in this case is understood as holding major federal events in the regions. 

Pavel Shabalov, Director of Business Missions at Russian Export Center, reported on measures and figures to support the participation of Russian companies in congresses and trade shows in Russia and abroad. 

Anton Kuprinov, Executive Director at the Moscow Small Business Loan Assistance Fund, spoke about a lending system for companies in Moscow, including for participation in congresses and trade shows. 

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Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO