The Shanxi Department of Commerce announced on July 30 that the application channel for the special fund for the development of the exhibition and convention industry in 2021 is now open to the public.

The special fund supports large-scale, high-quality, high-benefit, and wide-influence exhibitions held in Shanxi, and provides support to enterprises innovating the holding of online exhibitions and developing a new model of the integrated development of online and offline exhibitions. 

Priority is given to self-owned brand exhibitions that have industrial and market foundations, strong social benefits, development potential, and promote the transformation and upgrading of Shanxi's industrial development.

The fund also promotes exhibitions themed around economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between Shanxi and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. 

Enterprises, public institutions and social organizations registered in Shanxi that have held exhibitions lasting two days or more and conventions lasting at least one day between Oct 1, 2020 and July 30 in the province can apply for the fund. 

A subsidy of up to 300,000 yuan ($46,390.38) will be offered to exhibition organizers that held self-organized exhibitions with an area of 4,000 square meters or more, or at least 100 exhibitors. 

For exhibition organizers that have introduced international brand exhibitions with a display area of 20,000 sq m or more and at least 50 percent of exhibitors coming from outside Shanxi, a bonus of up to 1 million yuan will be provided. 

In addition, a subsidy of up to 500,000 yuan will be given to each convention organizer that has introduced international conferences and a subsidy of up to 300,000 yuan will be given to those who have introduced national conferences in the province.