Messe Dusseldorf has been trying to unsuccessfully exit Brno Exhibitions (BVV), where it is the majority stakeholder, for more than two years. The company says it hasnât made a profit. However, Messe Dusseldorf canât simply offload BVV to the highest bidder, as the City of Brno has first rights to the German companyâs shares, and the two sides must come to an agreement. An agreement must be reached by the end of the year, writes Brnensky denik. If Messe Dusseldorf were to sell its share to an investor that wasnât interested in exhibitions, it would be a major blow to Brno, as the exhibition grounds are a key component of the cityâs economic activity.
Brnoâs mayor, Petr VokĆĂĄl, insists the city must retain control over BVV to ensure the exhibition business isnât hurt. âTurning the exhibition grounds into an entertainment park makes no commercial sense, and in order for a development project to move forward, the city would have to agree, and we donât expect that to happen,â said the BVV director JiĆĂ KuliĆĄ.
