Eligibility criteria applicable to local trade fair/exhibition

The following criteria will be used in determining whether a local trade fair/exhibition will be considered as “export-oriented” and hence eligible for EMF:

(a) the event should mainly target at overseas/local traders. In general, public admission should not be allowed. However, if public admission to the event is allowed, it should be restricted to the last day of the event, and the total period open to the public should not exceed one-third of the duration of the event ;

(b) whether arrangements have been made to attract traders from overseas;

(c) for a fair/exhibition which is open to both the public and traders and whereby a “trade zone” (i.e. a dedicated zone for the admission of traders exclusively within the exhibition area) is instituted by the organiser, it is necessary to seek pre-approval from TID for such arrangement.

Please click here for the list of local trade fairs/exhibitions with pre-approval for their “trade zone” arrangements.

TID at all times has the absolute right to determine whether participation in a local trade fair/exhibition is eligible for EMF.

Please note that each exhibition/ fair will be evaluated independently subject to the terms and conditions prevailing at the material time. Previous approval of EMF grants should not be taken as guaranteed approval for the same/similar activity in future.

In case of doubt, applicants are advised to consult the EMF unit (emf_enquiry@tid.gov.hk) regarding the eligibility of a particular fair/exhibition.

Duration of the event:

For the purpose of calculating the duration for public admission, only the opening hours between 9am and 5pm each day will be taken into account. If an exhibition is open to the public after 5pm each day, such period will not be subject to restriction.

Trade zone arrangement:

Exhibition organisers that wish to set up a “trade zone” in an exhibition are required to seek TID’s pre-approval. TID will consider the following factors in determining the eligibility of exhibitors within the “trade zone” for EMF:

a. the “trade zone” is segregated from the “public zone” and has a clear separate entrance and signage indicating that admission is restricted to traders only. Also, effective measures should be put in place by the organiser to ensure that visitors to the “public zone” will not be allowed to enter the “trade zone”;

b. the opening hours and admission arrangements for the “trade zone” should be publicized to all exhibitors and visitors before and during the exhibition. The exhibitors within the “trade zone” should be well informed of the admission arrangements for the “trade zone” before they agree to join the exhibition;

c. in seeking TID’s pre-approval, the organiser will be required to provide the pricing schedule for the exhibitors in both the “trade zone” and “public zone” to TID. After the exhibition is completed, the organiser will be required to provide a list showing all the exhibitors in both zones to TID. EMF applicants with booths in the “trade zone” or both zones have to submit all related invoices and receipts as supporting documents for their applications, and

d. exhibition organisers are advised to seek pre-approval from TID as early as possible. No retrospective approval will be given for exhibitions already commenced.

TID officials may conduct site visit to the exhibitions to ensure that the conditions for “trade zone” are properly enforced.