Organisation of National Pavilions in the Manufacturing & Product Trading Sector
The Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry announces a new De Minimis Aid Scheme that supports Cypriot enterprises participating in international trade fairs abroad, in which the Ministry participates with a national pavilion. The Scheme aims to strengthen the extroversion of Cypriot businesses, promote Cypriot products and services, and facilitate access to international markets.
Eligible Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries may include:
- Micro, small, medium and large enterprises established in the Republic of Cyprus
- Recognised Producer Groups and Organisations, provided activities are not already funded by other programmes
- Enterprises active in one of the following sectors:
- Manufacturing or trading of industrial products
- Processing or trading of agricultural products, fisheries & aquaculture
- Service providers, provided the services are permitted by the organizers of each fair
Additional eligibility requirements include:
- Registration with the Cyprus Registrar of Companies
- Submission of NACE activity codes
- Carrying out production/trading activities in Cyprus
- Having generated turnover in the previous year
- Minimum staffing: 1 employee for product-based businesses, 2 employees for service providers
Eligible Costs
Depending on whether the enterprise has received support from other Ministry schemes during the last 3 years, the following costs may be covered:
- Costs covered 100% for enterprises with no prior support
- Booth rental
- Construction & equipment of the pavilion (e.g., refrigerators, ovens, display furniture)
- Participation fees
- Installation, electricity & water consumption
- Operating expenses of the pavilion
- Shipment, transportation & customs clearance of exhibits
- Up to €800 for small-volume products
- Up to €4,000 for large-volume products
- Costs for enterprises that have previously received support
Costs as above, minus the exhibitor’s contribution:
- €1,600 for small-volume exhibits
- €1,800 for small-volume exhibits requiring additional equipment
- €3,000 for large-volume exhibits
- Additional eligible costs
- Up to €700 per fair for promotional material or TV rental
Subsidised Booth Area
The Ministry determines the final subsidised exhibition area. Indicative limits:
- 9 m² for small-volume exhibits
- 12 m² for small-volume requiring refrigeration/oven equipment
- 30 m² for large exhibits
Co-exhibiting (two enterprises in the same booth) is permitted under certain conditions.
Participation Requirements
Applications must include:
- Fully completed Application Form (Annex I)
- List of fairs (Annex II)
- Participation guarantee or exhibitor contribution, depending on category
- Company Profile (Annex IV)
- Required declarations (Single Enterprise, De Minimis, PDO Halloumi compliance where applicable)
- Certificates of settled obligations to Social Insurance & Tax Department
- NACE activity certificates
- Bank details when required
Evaluation Process
- Applications are evaluated according to available funding and number of submissions.
- Approval is granted only if at least five beneficiaries participate in each fair.
- Applicants will be informed about the fairs for which they have been approved.
Payment of the Grant
The grant is paid after the fair, provided the beneficiary submits:
- Invoices & proof of payment
- Bank transfer receipts
- Shipping and customs documents
- Promotional material samples
- Photographic evidence
- Completed evaluation questionnaire
Additional conditions:
- A company representative must attend the fair for its entire duration
- All payments must be made through the company’s bank account
- Invoices must be issued in the name of the beneficiary enterprise
Sanctions
Sanctions may be imposed in cases of:
- False or misleading statements
- Failure to submit required documentation
- Violation of exhibition rules
- Displaying products without required certifications (e.g., Halloumi PDO requirements)