China’s State Council, headed by Premier Li Keqiang, has release an official directive which aims to boost development of the country’s exhibition industry. According to the lengthy guidelines, a ministerial joint conference, including a dozen central government departments, will be established to coordinate the formulation and implementation of new market rules.
The Chinese government has set a target to turn the country into a centre for exhibitions “with a sound development environment and a high level of internationalisation” by 2020. It also stated that licensing of economic and technological exhibitions will be gradually delegated to provincial-level commercial authorities.
Highlighting its desire to marketise the exhibitions industry, the government stated its aim to reduce the number of state-funded exhibitions, and encourage private organisers to take up the slack. It will also provide guidance to large-scale exhibition enterprises in partnerships, joint-ventures, mergers and acquisitions to establish industry-leading multinationals. Meanwhile, tax breaks and streamlined customs procedures will target small-scale exhibition companies to facilitate cross-border events.
Source: Business Strategies Group Hong Kong – www.bsgasia.com
