The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau today announced arrangements for the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE) 2.0.

As stated in the 2024 Policy Address, the Government will allocate an additional provision of $500 million to implement the ISRE 2.0, in light of the convention and exhibition (C&E) industry’s strong support for the existing scheme.

The 2.0 edition will aim to attract more new and recurrent international exhibitions of large scale, with a view to boosting the vibrancy of the C&E industry in Hong Kong.

As with the existing scheme, the ISRE 2.0 will only subsidise venue rentals for eligible exhibitions organised by private organisers at specified venues.

Under the new arrangements, only international exhibitions attracting at least 1,500 non-local exhibitor and buyer participants will be covered. The maximum incentive for each eligible exhibition will be capped at $10 million.

Thirdly, the Central Harbourfront Event Space and relevant parts of the West Kowloon Cultural District will be designated as specified venues, alongside the Convention & Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo, thereby offering organisers more venue options.

The ISRE 2.0 will be launched on July 1 this year subject to funding approval by the Legislative Council’s, while the existing edition will terminate on the same day.

Application guidelines for the ISRE 2.0 will be announced in due course.

Eligible exhibitions which will begin on or before June 30 this year should apply for incentives under the existing ISRE.