A tip-off from Brussels translates into euros and cents

The AUMA (Association of the German Trade Fair Industry) has had a representative in Brussels since 1990. From his office in the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), Lutwin Strauch deals with all issues concerning trade fairs at EU level. The AUMA representative in Brussels is also the head of the DIHK section for trade policy and relations between the Chambers of Commerce and the European Union. He says: "The DIHK traditionally categorises trade fairs as foreign trade. So the two functions go hand in hand." The DIHK has been given a structure that improves the exchange of information at federal and EU level and is useful to the exhibiting companies. For example, DIHK representatives have been sent to Berlin from the individual fields such as legal issues, services, regional policy, infrastructure, economic and SME policy. The German trade fair industry benefits from the exchange of information between Berlin and Brussels.85 % of all legislation relevant to industry is passed in Brussels, where Strauch feels close to events. "The earlier an interest group is informed about a piece of draft legislation, the more it can influence it", says Strauch. Almost as side effects contacts are made in the individual Directorates-General of the Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council, and networking is advanced - two further reasons why AUMA has an office in Brussels."Driving home what the trade fair industry does and why it is important for economic development to the commissions and European Parliament is also my job." Strauch succeeds time and again at getting AUMA members direct access to European institutions. For example, he brings together experts from the industry with EU commissioners and their civil servants or with MEPs. Direct communication is what advances the economy and the legislation. A platform that has proved its worth are the regular AUMA round tables. For example, this is where trade fair industry representatives were able to report that in China exhibitors from abroad have to pay much higher stand rents than their Chinese competitors. The EU commissioners used this information and addressed the issue in their bilateral talks with China. Often it is enough for the right people to know about a bad state of affairs to get conflicts and problems resolved.At one round table, the subject was the possible accession of Turkey to the EU from the viewpoint of trade fair experts: what prospects would that open up, what problems already exist, on so on. On March 7, the trade fair representatives will again meet in Brussels, this time with a representative of the European Parliament. The intention is to present and discuss the stance of the parliament on transatlantic trade relations with the participants. After all, wishes and recommendations of the parliament have to be taken into account by the commission in implementing European policy, including policy regarding the elimination of trade barriers. The promotion of foreign trade is the priority objective for all actions. Various support programmes are launched from there. The organisers that want to be included and draw grants, have to find out, for example, if they are eligible for a grant for a trade fair in Latin America. The monthly "Report from Brussels" lists all EU legal and service issues.

m+a report Nr.1 / 2006 vom 13.02.2006
m+a report vom 13. Februar 2006