Government cuts funding for overseas trade fairs: Fewer and fewer export opportunities for SMEs

Berlin, 28 October 2026 | The draft federal budget for 2027 proposes cutting fundingfor German companies’ participation in international trade fairs by 2.6 million to 41.4 million euros. This would result in the loss of important export opportunities for the German economy. The Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA), together with other sectors of the export industry, is calling on the German Bundestag to withdraw the proposed cuts and instead increase funding for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs’ Overseas Trade Fair Programme (AMP).

With federal funding of 44 million euros, 237 joint stands at international trade fairs were planned for this year. Under the AMP 2027, only 217 so-called German Pavilions would be feasible. This would result in the loss of 20 joint stands and around 13,500 business opportunities for German companies.

• Philip Harting, Chairman of the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA): “Cutting the Overseas Trade Fair Programme weakens our nation as an exporter. German joint stands at trade fairs worldwide are a form of location marketing with political significance. The planned budget cut for 2027 sends a devastating signal. Against a backdrop of a weak economy, increasing geopolitical uncertainty and growing competition between business locations, the federal government must strengthen export-oriented companies, not cut them back.”

The costs of participating in international trade fairs have risen by up to 40 per cent worldwide in recent years. Since 2017, federal funding has never been adjusted accordingly – meaning the funding programme has been gradually cut. AUMA warns of the long-term consequences for the export-oriented economy and calls for the programme to be increased to 49 million euros.

The cuts are hitting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) particularly hard. They account for 85 per cent of AMP users. For many of them, shared stands are the most important means of accessing international customers, distribution partners and new markets. According to the federal government, 84 per cent of participating companies are able to secure or expand their exports through their trade fair participation.

Asia particularly affected

The cuts will be felt most acutely in those regions that are currently among the most dynamic growth markets. In South, East and Central Asia, the number of German joint trade fair stands is set to fall from 95 in 2026 to 78 next year. Reductions are also planned in the Near and Middle East and in North America.

Every euro of funding pays for itself many times over

The benefits of the AMP are well established: according to an evaluation by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), every euro invested in the programme generates around 216 euros in added value in Germany.

The AMP was launched in 1949, shortly after the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany, to support companies making their first appearances at trade fairs abroad. Since then, more than 210,000 German companies have received funding through the programme. Around 5,000 companies make use of the support each year.

Widespread support from export-oriented sectors

The call to strengthen the AMP is receiving support from numerous export-oriented sectors. These include members of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), the German Industry Association for Optics, Photonics, Analytical and Medical Technology (Spectaris), the Didacta Association of the Education Industry, the Main Association of the German Timber and Plastics Processing Industries (HDH), the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW), the German Railway Industry Association (VDB) and the General Association of the German Textile and Fashion Industry (textil+mode).