Positions

Expanding trade fair promotion programmes

Trade fair promotion programmes such as the Foreign Trade Fair Programme (AMP) and the Young Innovators Programme support German companies in their trade fair participations at home and abroad. They are among the most efficient business promotion instruments and provide a strong impulse for growth. In view of rising costs worldwide, the budget for trade fair promotion programmes must be increased from the current level of around 57 million to 66 million euros.

Accelerating the issuing of visas

German trade fairs' high level of internationality is a decisive factor in the success of the German export economy. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular, important business potential remains untapped if exhibiting and visiting companies are unable to send their employees to the trade fair in time. Visa procedures for trade fair participants must be simplified, digitalised and accelerated so that SMEs can continue to meet their global competitors on their doorsteps.

Designing reporting obligations in a practicable way

The expansion and increasing complexity of reporting obligations pose major challenges, particularly for SMEs, which account for 87 per cent of exhibiting companies at trade fairs in Germany. In the area of sustainability reporting, a more pragmatic approach is necessary to keep its bureaucratic costs proportionate.

Reducing location costs

High energy prices, rising ancillary labour costs and internationally uncompetitive taxes reduce the attractiveness of Germany as a business location. In order to secure Germany's competitiveness in the long term, location costs must improve significantly.

Investing in mobility infrastructure

An efficient mobility infrastructure is essential for the success of trade fairs. While the demands on modern mobility grow, Germany is only managing an increasingly overloaded and partly ailing infrastructure instead of broadly modernising it. Investments in the expansion and modernisation of the mobility infrastructure are necessary to ensure reliable and punctual travel to trade fairs.

Signing free trade agreements

The leading international trade fairs in Germany provide the leading platforms for innovations, products and services where sustainable foreign trade relations are established, as evidenced by the many partner countries at German trade fairs. As an export nation, it is therefore in Germany's interest to realise the full potential of Germany as a leading trade fair venue through free trade agreements at EU-level.

Modernising labour market policy

Demographic change and inflexible working time regulations pose major challenges for companies in the trade fair industry. A modern and practical labour market policy, which makes existing working time regulations more flexible and facilitates the recruitment of international skilled workers, is essential to ensure Germany's long-term competitiveness.