Organization of IBEX buyers' exhibitions

The European Commission, DG XVI, has published a call for expressions of interest relating to the organization of the IBEX buyers' exhibitions. In the context of regional policy, and the SMEs Community initiative, the Commission encourages and supports the organization of Int...

The European Commission, DG XVI, has published a call for expressions of interest relating to the organization of the IBEX buyers' exhibitions.

In the context of regional policy, and the SMEs Community initiative, the Commission encourages and supports the organization of International Buyers' Exhibitions (IBEXs) in areas eligible under the Structural Funds, and particularly in regions eligible under Objective 1.

An IBEX consists of pre-arranged meetings, on an international scale, between major firms and SMEs selected to match their precise requirements. This bringing together of firms usually takes place within the context of a trade fair and is aimed at a particular strategic area (e.g. cars, foodstuffs, textiles, wood). The aim is to promote contacts between major firms and SMEs by:

- Helping major firms in their international search for SME partners;
- Offering SMEs the opportunity to make direct contact with firms which are interested in their products, services or know-how.

The body organizing the exhibition, and taking financial responsibility for it, may be a regional or local authority or a regional professional body (chamber of commerce, industrial association or the like). The organizer must secure the support of the relevant regional and national authorities, and of the professional associations in various regions of Europe, for the designation of the small firms to take part in the exhibition.

Any organization which can demonstrate that it has established an effective partnership with other organizations representing small firms in disadvantaged areas at Union level may seek Commission support from DG XVI.

Community financial support may amount to up to 50% of the total costs of an IBEX organized in a region eligible under Objective 1 or 6 of the Structural Funds (exceptionally up to 75%, principally where the Member State is eligible under the Cohesion Fund). Support of up to 30% may be awarded if the event is held in an area eligible under Objective 2 or 5(b).
For further information, including detailed guidelines for submitting an application, please contact:

European Commission
DG XVI - Regional policy and cohesion
200 rue de la Loi
B-1049 Brussels
Fax [phone]

Information is also available on the EUROPA WWW server at:

http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg16/guide/guidhome.htm

For further details, or technical information, you may also contact:

European Commission
DG XXIII - Enterprise policy, distributive trades, tourism
Secretariat - DGXXIII/B-3
200 rue de la Loi
B-1049 Brussels
Tel. [phone]; Fax [phone]