THE ITALIAN EXHIBITION AND TRADE FAIR ASSOCIATION SIGNS A STRATEGIC AGREEMENT WITH LEBANON
The AEFI’s work of internationalising the Italian trade fair system continues: in the last few days, the Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the LECA – Lebanese Exhibitions & Conferences Association. The signature was provided by Elie Rizk, LECA President, and by Ettore Riello, AEFI Chairman.
LECA is the only association in Lebanon that represents organisers, suppliers and venues in the MICE sector.
“Internationalisation remains of pivotal importance within AEFI operations, representing an important driver for the growth of our businesses,” comments Ettore Riello, Chairman of the AEFI. “Lebanon represents a great opportunity for our exports. Trade between the two countries is already significant. With exports worth 667 million dollars, in the first half of 2015, and a share of 7.4%, Italy holds second place in the list of Lebanon’s major business partners, after China. But there are still many opportunities for development in Lebanon.
Through this agreement, the AEFI intends to intensify the commercial promotion activities developed to date and offer also to small and medium enterprises the chance to find the right partner for growing their business.”
Signing this agreement represents another important result for the AEFI in supporting the Italian trade fair system, achieved thanks to constant dialogue with the institutions with the aim of effectively communicating the value and potential of the sector.
The aim of the agreement is to exchange information on the situation and development of the two economic systems, reciprocal communication of information and promotion of the respective exhibitions, organisation and promotion of missions, meetings and seminars to promote networking and making new contacts and carrying out studies and research on issues of mutual interest.
“This agreement is of great importance from the point of view of commercial relations between Italy and Lebanon, since there is considerable trade between our two countries, above all from the perspective of imports and exports, and this provides us both with extensive benefits at an economic and political level,” adds Elie Rizk, President of the LECA. “The agreement between the AEFI and LECA will serve to boost participation of Lebanese and Italian companies in the fairs organised in both countries, further enhancing the economic relationship between Italy and Lebanon.”
AEFI – the Italian Exhibition and Trade Fair Association – was set up in 1983 with a view to generating synergies between the most significant Italian exhibition districts. Specifically, AEFI would like to be seen as a privileged partner for operators and institutions alike, and its role is to support members through the development of activities and programmes in the sphere of training, marketing, promotion and research, as well as to provide services for trade fairs through the activities of its Committees: the Exhibition Hub Technical Committee, the Administrative-Legal Committee, the Trade Fairs Network Committee, the IT and Technical Innovation Committee, and the new Initiatives and Programmes Committee.
On an international scale, AEFI represents Italian trade fairs in UFI – Union of International Fairs. Chaired by Ettore Riello, AEFI includes 34 member exhibition districts, which organise over 1,000 events a year over an overall exhibition area of 4.2 million square metres. Most international trade fairs, and 85% of all trade fairs, which take place each year in Italy, are held in AEFI-member exhibition districts.
LECA – the Lebanese Exhibitions & Conferences Association – is the only association in Lebanon, specifically set up to represent organisers, venues and suppliers in the M.I.C.E industry. LECA is non-profit organization formed in 2013.
The Association represents the industry at the highest levels of Government, in industry forums in Lebanon and internationally and in the media.
Trade and consumer events cover every conceivable industry category, from mining, energy, resources, tourism, motoring, aviation and maritime, banking, retailing and information technology to new industries around health and medical science, fitness, beauty, fine food, home renovation and design.
Benefits of LECA Membership include professional development, industry news and publications, industry and professional resources, advocacy before government and media, leadership development and local chapter membership.
Members of LECA will also benefit from the following international associations that LECA is member of: IAEE, BusinessMed, and UFI. Chaired by Elie Rizk, LECA includes 8 members.