Italy has introduced a ‘trade fair bonus’ scheme which allows companies headquartered in the country to claim USD 10,000 to put towards the cost of exhibiting at international shows in Italy. The programme is open until the end of the year and is valued at USD 34 million with a maximum grant of up to USD 10,000 per company. The fairs included in the scheme are identified in the fair calendar and must take place before 31 December 2022. The new incentive falls under the framework of interventions outlined by Italy’s so-called ‘Aid Decree’ of 17 May published in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, 15 July 2022. Procedures for submitting the subsidy applications online are defined in the directorial decree of 4 August 2022. Italian exhibition industry association AEFI also welcomed the initiative, telling EW it was “extremely satisfied” with the Ministry of Economic Development’s plan, describing it as “the latest in a series of important actions envisaged by the Italian Government for our sector because it recognises the role of trade fairs in support of businesses, in favour of restarting”.
AEFI reminded the sector that, in order to apply for the new voucher, a company must have submitted an application and obtained confirmation of trade show participation, adding: “The temporary framework envisaged for Covid-19 is no longer operational, therefore this intervention falls within the limits of ‘de minimis’ that allows European firms to have support of USD 200,000 in a three-year period.” AEFI also noted the subsidy could cover up to 50% of expenses incurred. “Our satisfaction comes from the fact that exhibitions are considered productive investments for the whole economy,” the association told EW. “Furthermore, a rather curious disparity is eliminated for our country which supports the participation of companies at international trade fairs which took place on foreign markets involving the activity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ITA. Of course, such support also has had much merit in bringing companies to international markets.
