The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) announced today (March 31) that the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE) 2.0 is expected to conclude in April, having benefited more than 80 international exhibitions thus far.
 
     A CEDB spokesman said that the convention and exhibition (C&E) industry plays a vital role in consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international trade centre. The Government has been supporting the development of the C&E industry through diverse measures. Following the allocation of $1.4 billion in 2023 to launch the original ISRE, the Government allocated an additional provision of $500 million to launch ISRE 2.0 in July last year, which received strong industry support and an overwhelming response. In addition to benefitting the C&E industry, the scheme has helped attract high-spending business visitors to Hong Kong, driving economic activities in related sectors such as accommodation, catering, retail and entertainment, thereby bringing positive benefits to the overall economy.
 
     ISRE 2.0 provides venue rental incentives to attract new and recurrent international exhibitions of a large scale to Hong Kong. Having taken into account the operational experience of the original scheme, ISRE 2.0 has refined the relevant arrangements by focusing on international exhibitions, benefitting more eligible exhibitions by adjusting the funding cap, and offering organisers more venue options (including the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, AsiaWorld-Expo, Central Harbourfront Event Space, and West Kowloon Cultural District).
 
     According to the application guide promulgated last year, ISRE 2.0 will conclude upon exhaustion of funds. The CEDB has also explained the relevant arrangements to the industry on various occasions and maintained close communication with venue operators. Based on the latest spending position and projection, the fund under ISRE 2.0 is expected to be exhausted by April. The CEDB has earlier encouraged venue operators to proactively communicate with relevant organisers to enable the industry to make necessary preparations for the scheme's conclusion.
 
     The spokesman continued, "Since 2020, the Government has allocated over $3.1 billion to implement various support measures for the C&E industry, including the Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund, the original ISRE, and ISRE 2.0, successfully assisting the industry to cope with the epidemic, promoting post-epidemic recovery and injecting momentum to the sustainable development of the industry."
 
     The Government will continue to strongly support the development of the C&E industry in Hong Kong. As recently announced in the 2026-27 Budget, the Government will earmark $100 million for attracting large-scale international exhibitions with new elements to Hong Kong through collaborating with relevant organisations on a pilot basis, with a view to developing Hong Kong into the first-choice platform for showcasing Mainland and international brands, while attracting high-spending business visitors to Hong Kong and driving high value-added economic activities. The CEDB is formulating the relevant arrangements and implementation details.
 
     The spokesman expressed gratitude to the C&E industry for its continued support and co-operation with the Government in implementing various measures to promote the industry's development, and looked forward to close collaboration with the industry to drive innovation, attract more top-tier international exhibitions to Hong Kong, and jointly tap into new economic growth opportunities.

Ends/Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:00

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