EMECA Press Releases
European Major Exhibition Centres Association:
From the Principle of Hope to a beacon of hope
Heightened self-confidence, a favourable production environment - Latin America is playing an increasingly important world role. Reason enough for EMECA to renew its commitment to implementation of the economic support programme AL-Invest. It is the first time that an exhibition association has participated in an EU programme in this form. EMECA Secretary General Jörn Kronenwerth talks about the programme’s key elements, investments and the sectors that benefit.
A crisis-ridden continent on the one hand, the rest of the world as investor and trade partner on the other - for decades the roles were clearly cast. In the process Latin America has developed dynamically, is acting increasingly self-confidently - and is becoming more and more interesting in terms of international trade. Its role, a minor one by global standards, is steadily being beefed up. In the past two years Latin America’s export industry alone turned in double-digit rates of growth.
Mr. Kronenwerth, the AL-Invest programme was launched in 1994 and is now in its fourth (2009-2012) phase. What does this mean exactly?
Jörn Kronenwerth, EMECA Secretary General: The America Latina (AL)-Invest programme aims to promote trade and the exchange of technology between Latin American and European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A pivotal element of the programme consists of giving Latin American companies market access by enabling them to take part in trade fairs in Europe, forge contacts with European firms and build up lasting business relationships. To date more than 87,000 SMEs have participated in the scheme.
AL-Invest IV continues on from previous phases of the support programme and runs until 2012. The explicit cornerstone of the current round is the promotion of trade relations through trade show appearances, because SMEs can seldom afford to take part in fairs abroad for financial and logistical reasons.
How is EMECA involved in the EU support programme?
The activities that take place under the AL-Invest IV scheme are handled and conducted by a European consortium lead-managed by Eurochambres. EMECA is a member of this consortium. Within the consortium it is our task to organise the exhibition participations so as to provide the Latin American companies an optimal platform on which to present their products. As part of their exhibition participation the companies receive further support from EMECA members. At the trade shows they are offered a wide range of information and assistance with their exhibition presentations. This ranges from seminars and training to personal support. Activities such as matchmaking, networking events and the organisation of guided tours form part of these measures. It is, incidentally, the first time that an exhibition association has participated in an EU programme in this form.
How big is the budget and how are the funds accessed? How high are the subsidies on average?
The total investment under the programme is EUR 62 million over the four-year period. EUR 50 m of this is funded directly by the European Commission. The Latin American SMEs benefit from this, for instance by having their participation in European trade fairs paid for out of the budget.
Fixed subsidies are not granted as such for all activities. For instance, for each trade show participation a budget is tailored to the recipients’ individual needs. That varies by sector, interest in participation and the number of participants. For Cebit 2010, for example, a budget of roughly EUR 100,000 was put together, of which EUR 32,000 alone was made available for stand construction.
Grants are made to Latin American companies only, not to European firms, is that correct?
The aim is to enable Latin American companies to access the European market, which is why they are the only ones to benefit from the financial support.
Which sectors benefit most?
The sectors that benefit most are those that are strongly developed, or in the process of development, in Latin America. Latin American industrial associations from these sectors seek exchange and internationalisation opportunities for their members. Examples are consumer goods, the agro-industry, food, tourism, agriculture, information and communication technologies, construction and the automotive industry
What does the programme mean for EMECA members?
As far as EMECA members are concerned, the programme represents a great opportunity to promote themselves to Latin American companies as efficient exhibition organisers capable of bringing together the right players in a business context. Conversely, the exhibiting companies benefit from being able to use some of the foremost exhibition platforms for their entry into the European market.
What does EMECA have planned for 2010 and what is already going on?
In 2009 EMECA organised Latin American companies’ participation in Macef in Milan and Anuga in Cologne. Within the AL-Invest IV framework programme companies also showcased their products at Biofach in Nuremberg.
In 2010 EMECA organised the AL-Invest IV participation at Cebit in Hanover. Within the framework programme Latin American SMEs presented at Fitur in Madrid, Ambiente in Frankfurt, Alimentaria in Barcelona and recently at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels. For the second half of the year participations are scheduled at Intergift in Madrid and Sial in Paris.
The programme of exhibition participations in 2011 is just being drawn up. For every programme period EMECA, as the contact partner for the selection of trade shows, proposes fairs that dovetail with the Latin American associations’ main focus of interest.
And what about the funding for these activities?
Part of the activities is funded directly by the European Commission, which contributes a total of EUR 50 m, and part by the Latin American consortia (EUR 12 m).
Has this commitment impacted EMECA’s position as a contact partner for both the EU and industry?
Most definitely; within the consortium and in terms of the programme objectives, EMECA has become a valuable and reliable partner for both Eurochambres and the European Commission. In the long run EMECA will be an important partner for Latin American industry associations.
May 21, 2010
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Heightened self-confidence, a favourable production environment - Latin America is playing an increasingly important world role. Reason enough for EMECA to renew its commitment to implementation of the economic support programme AL-Invest. It is the first time that an exhibition association has participated in an EU programme in this form. EMECA Secretary General Jörn Kronenwerth talks about the programme’s key elements, investments and the sectors that benefit.
A crisis-ridden continent on the one hand, the rest of the world as investor and trade partner on the other - for decades the roles were clearly cast. In the process Latin America has developed dynamically, is acting increasingly self-confidently - and is becoming more and more interesting in terms of international trade. Its role, a minor one by global standards, is steadily being beefed up. In the past two years Latin America’s export industry alone turned in double-digit rates of growth.
Mr. Kronenwerth, the AL-Invest programme was launched in 1994 and is now in its fourth (2009-2012) phase. What does this mean exactly?
Jörn Kronenwerth, EMECA Secretary General: The America Latina (AL)-Invest programme aims to promote trade and the exchange of technology between Latin American and European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A pivotal element of the programme consists of giving Latin American companies market access by enabling them to take part in trade fairs in Europe, forge contacts with European firms and build up lasting business relationships. To date more than 87,000 SMEs have participated in the scheme.
AL-Invest IV continues on from previous phases of the support programme and runs until 2012. The explicit cornerstone of the current round is the promotion of trade relations through trade show appearances, because SMEs can seldom afford to take part in fairs abroad for financial and logistical reasons.
How is EMECA involved in the EU support programme?
The activities that take place under the AL-Invest IV scheme are handled and conducted by a European consortium lead-managed by Eurochambres. EMECA is a member of this consortium. Within the consortium it is our task to organise the exhibition participations so as to provide the Latin American companies an optimal platform on which to present their products. As part of their exhibition participation the companies receive further support from EMECA members. At the trade shows they are offered a wide range of information and assistance with their exhibition presentations. This ranges from seminars and training to personal support. Activities such as matchmaking, networking events and the organisation of guided tours form part of these measures. It is, incidentally, the first time that an exhibition association has participated in an EU programme in this form.
How big is the budget and how are the funds accessed? How high are the subsidies on average?
The total investment under the programme is EUR 62 million over the four-year period. EUR 50 m of this is funded directly by the European Commission. The Latin American SMEs benefit from this, for instance by having their participation in European trade fairs paid for out of the budget.
Fixed subsidies are not granted as such for all activities. For instance, for each trade show participation a budget is tailored to the recipients’ individual needs. That varies by sector, interest in participation and the number of participants. For Cebit 2010, for example, a budget of roughly EUR 100,000 was put together, of which EUR 32,000 alone was made available for stand construction.
Grants are made to Latin American companies only, not to European firms, is that correct?
The aim is to enable Latin American companies to access the European market, which is why they are the only ones to benefit from the financial support.
Which sectors benefit most?
The sectors that benefit most are those that are strongly developed, or in the process of development, in Latin America. Latin American industrial associations from these sectors seek exchange and internationalisation opportunities for their members. Examples are consumer goods, the agro-industry, food, tourism, agriculture, information and communication technologies, construction and the automotive industry
What does the programme mean for EMECA members?
As far as EMECA members are concerned, the programme represents a great opportunity to promote themselves to Latin American companies as efficient exhibition organisers capable of bringing together the right players in a business context. Conversely, the exhibiting companies benefit from being able to use some of the foremost exhibition platforms for their entry into the European market.
What does EMECA have planned for 2010 and what is already going on?
In 2009 EMECA organised Latin American companies’ participation in Macef in Milan and Anuga in Cologne. Within the AL-Invest IV framework programme companies also showcased their products at Biofach in Nuremberg.
In 2010 EMECA organised the AL-Invest IV participation at Cebit in Hanover. Within the framework programme Latin American SMEs presented at Fitur in Madrid, Ambiente in Frankfurt, Alimentaria in Barcelona and recently at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels. For the second half of the year participations are scheduled at Intergift in Madrid and Sial in Paris.
The programme of exhibition participations in 2011 is just being drawn up. For every programme period EMECA, as the contact partner for the selection of trade shows, proposes fairs that dovetail with the Latin American associations’ main focus of interest.
And what about the funding for these activities?
Part of the activities is funded directly by the European Commission, which contributes a total of EUR 50 m, and part by the Latin American consortia (EUR 12 m).
Has this commitment impacted EMECA’s position as a contact partner for both the EU and industry?
Most definitely; within the consortium and in terms of the programme objectives, EMECA has become a valuable and reliable partner for both Eurochambres and the European Commission. In the long run EMECA will be an important partner for Latin American industry associations.
May 21, 2010
