With an intention to highlight various challenges being faced by the Exhibitions Industry, the Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) organized an e-interaction with Sh. Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of MSME, Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India on May 15, 2020. The e-interaction was attended by industry captains from all over India.
The session was moderated by Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Honorary Secretary- IEIA & CEO- Messe Muenchen India, and other panelists included Mr. S. Balasubramanian President- IEIA and ED- IMTMA & COO- BIEC; Mr. Ravi Boratkar, MD- Asian Conventions & Expositions Pvt. Ltd. & President- MEDC; and Mr. V. Anbu, DG- IMTMA & CEO- BIEC and Incoming President UFI; and Mr. Rakesh Kumar, DG- EPCH & Chairman- IEML and Past President- IEIA.
Welcoming Sh. Nitin Gadkari, Mr. Singh thanked the minister for the recent move to enhance MSME definition and assured that the exhibitions industry would make efforts to get registered under the modified scheme.
Mr. Singh also highlighted the fact that ‘Exhibitions’ should not be considered as Normal mass gatherings, but should be given the status of structured and organized gatherings.
Hon’ble Minister of MSME, Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India Sh. Nitin Gadkari stated that “With the recent expansion and change in the definition of ‘MSME’, I am sure the majority of the stakeholders of the exhibitions sector will be benefitted by coming in the purview of MSME. Exhibitions are surely important economy boosters and cities like Frankfurt are big examples of how the whole economy of the city revolves around exhibitions conducted there. India should also have more purpose-built exhibition and convention centers in small tier II cities where co-located shows could be held, which will give a big momentum to the country’s economic growth. IEIA should submit a proposal for conducting safe exhibitions considering all important safety measures and adequate distancing during the showtimes, which may be considered by the Govt.”
He also invited all eligible enterprises to get themselves registered under MSME so as to get the benefits of the recent COVID relief package announced by the Govt. of India.
During the session, Mr. S. Balasubramanian, President, IEIA emphasized the sufferings and loss incurred by the sector due to COVID 19 and stated that “Exhibitions should be allowed to take off soon as it is a major revenue generator for the country. IEIA has prepared the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for conducting exhibitions in a safe manner and request adoption of the same by Govt. of India.” He also urged the Govt. to provide ‘Industry’ status to the exhibitions domain as it is a potent catalyst for the economy.
Minister receptively heard the appeals of the association and advised the industry to come up with appropriate guidelines and protocols that would align with the current time and promulgate the art of living with Coronavirus. He assured that he would forward the request to the Ministry of Home Affairs for re-opening of exhibitions in a safe environment. He also mentioned that exhibitions can surely be recognized under the ‘Service providers’ cluster of the Ministry of MSME and his office will consider creating a separate category for the exhibition sector for registrations under MSME.
During the discussions, Sh. Gadkari positively acknowledged IEIA’s request for allowing collateral-free loans for the sector to meet the working capital requirements towards meeting the staff salaries, fixed expenses, etc. in this crisis time. He stated that the exhibitions sector will be allowed to take such collateral-free loans without levying of any fee and the stakeholders can avail 20% additional collateral-free loans on the existing working capital of the respective organizations.
Hon’ble Minister also invited the office bearers of IEIA to bring a delegation to the Ministry of MSME once the lockdown gets over for further discussions and assured full support for uplifting the sector under the purview of MSME Ministry.
