Many Italian Regions and Chambers of Commerce issued a “Call for exhibition vouchers” to support export and promotion strategies of local businesses, encouraging greater participation in trade fairs in Italy and abroad, by granting, through tailored vouchers, a partial cover of attendance costs.
This form of incentive is particularly interesting, since it still requires the company to figure a proper budget (travel and accommodation expenses are not covered), thus carefully focusing on this activity. At the same time, counting on practical support to bring down the costs of participation allows each company to deal with these events with greater peace of mind, devoting time and resources to developing contacts and trade relations.
A public-private synergy is possible – you just have to find the right mix for a proper use of public and private resources, first identifying the right exhibitions and then performing a minute control of any reported expense for which the contribution is sought.
Facilitating business, especially at a time of economic stagnation and therefore of high unemployment, helps run the economy and create new jobs, temporary though they may be.
Also, exchanging views on international markets makes (or at least should) small and medium Italian industry consider foreign competitors, often very different both in size and operational procedures.
To sum up, it is positive action, allowing companies to expand horizons as well as to better involve their staff and hire new ones.
The room for improvement is considerable, primarily for spread, now patchy, and communication, often entrusted to official publications seldom read by the majority of entrepreneurs.
Initiatives like this still deserve applause and wider deployment. Good exhibition to you all!