International Cooperation Scheme- Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters
First-time MSE exporters can get reimbursements on three types of export startup costs: EPC membership fees, export insurance premiums, and product testing/quality certifications needed to enter global markets. Run by the Ministry of MSME, this scheme targets small businesses whose export code (IEC) is less than 3 years old. Apply at ic.msme.gov.in.
About This Scheme
First-time MSE exporters can get reimbursements on three types of export startup costs: EPC membership fees, export insurance premiums, and product testing/quality certifications needed to enter global markets. Run by the Ministry of MSME, this scheme targets small businesses whose export code (IEC) is less than 3 years old. Apply at ic.msme.gov.in.
Full official description
The scheme “International Cooperation Scheme” was launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India with the aim to capacity build MSMEs for entering the export market by facilitating their participation in international exhibitions/fairs/conferences/seminars/buyer-seller meets abroad as well as providing them with actionable market-intelligence and reimbursement of various costs involved in export of goods and services. The Scheme provides opportunities for MSMEs to continuously update themselves to meet the challenges emerging out of changes in technology, changes in demand, emergence of new markets, etc. Thus, in totality, all components of the scheme aimed at various aspects required to advance MSMEs' position as emerging export players. The Scheme would cover the following sub-components:
- Sub-Component-I: Market Development Assistance of MSMEs (MDA)
- Sub-Component-II: Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters (CBFTE)
- Sub-Component-III: Framework for International Market Intelligence Dissemination (IMID) As on date, Sub-Component–I and Sub-Component-II are in operation. Sub-Component-III will be in operation soon.
Sub-Component II: Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters (CBFTE):
The key interventions proposed under the scheme are highlighted below:- Reimbursement of costs incurred by first-time MSE exporters on export shipments –
Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) paid by the first-time exporters for registration with EPCs.
Export insurance premiums paid by MSEs.
Fee paid on Testing and Quality Certification acquired by MSEs to export products. This will encourage MSEs to produce and offer products and services of international standards for the export markets.
Benefits
- EPC membership (RCMC) fee: reimbursement of 75%, up to ₹20,000 per year
- Export insurance premium (ECGC Small Exporter's Policy): up to ₹10,000 reimbursed per financial year
- Testing and quality certification fees: 75% reimbursed, up to ₹1,00,000 per year (maximum 3 certificates per year)
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a Micro or Small Enterprise (MSE) with valid Udyam Registration
- Importer Exporter Code (IEC) must not be older than 3 years from the date of the export shipment
How to Apply
Step 01: The applicant Organisation will submit an online application for financial assistance, along with the relevant documents in the proforma (prescribed on the IC Scheme portal: https://ic.msme.gov.in) giving full details of expenditure. Step 02: To apply under the scheme, the applicant organization needs to visit the official website/portal. (https://ic.msme.gov.in/IC_APP/IC_Welcome.aspx) Step 03: On the home page, select the “Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters” to Login, if Already Registered. If the applicant Organization is a new user, click on “New User Register Here” to register under the scheme by selecting the type of Organization. Step 04: After successful registration, the applicant organization can login with valid credentials. After login, the user will be redirected to their Dashboard where multiple action has to be done. Note: The admissible financial assistance would be worked out in accordance with the criteria/scale. Process of seeking financial assistance under the Scheme:
- RCMC certificate: Ministry of MSME to sign MoU with EPCs. These EPCs will then be eligible to apply for financial assistance under the IC scheme. They will be required to apply for financial assistance claims on behalf of MSEs along with all prescribed documents on the IC Scheme portal.
- Export Insurance Premium: Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) Ltd. provides insurance to Exporters. The Ministry of MSME will sign a MoU with ECGC Ltd. and claims for financial assistance for the first-time MSE exporters will be released from the IC Scheme to ECGC upon receipt of the application on the updated portal of the IC Scheme.
- Testing and Quality Certification: The Ministry of MSME to sign an MoU with National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. Financial assistance on certifications defined under the scheme will be released to NSIC Ltd. for further dissemination of funds to eligible MSEs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “International Cooperation Scheme”?
The scheme aims to capacity build MSMEs for entering export market by facilitating their participation in international exhibitions/fairs/conferences/seminar/buyer-seller meets abroad as well as providing them with actionable market-intelligence and reimbursement of various costs involved in export of goods and services. The Scheme provides opportunities to MSMEs to continuously update themselves to meet the challenges emerging out of changes in technology, changes in demand, emergence of new markets, etc. Thus, in totality, all components of the scheme aim at various aspects required to advance MSMEs position as emerging export player.
Which department has launched this scheme?
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has launched this scheme.
What are the benefits provided under the scheme?
Under the scheme, financial assistance will be provided for the following:
- Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) paid by the first-time exporters for registration with EPCs.
- Export insurance premium paid by MSEs.
- Fee paid on Testing & Quality Certification acquired by MSEs to export products.
Who can apply under this scheme?
The Micro and Small Enterprises with valid Udyam Registration are eligible to apply under the scheme.
What is the criterion for Importer Exporter Code for claiming benefits under the scheme?
To claim the benefits under the scheme, the applicant's Importer Exporter Code (IEC) must not be older than 3 years on the date of export shipment.
What is the quantum of assistance for Registration cum Membership certification (RCME)?
75% of the cost paid subject to a maximum of [?]20,000/- or actual, whichever is lower subject to quarterly reporting by EPCs as per the prescribed format.
What is the quantum of assistance for Export Insurance Premium?
Maximum financial assistance in a financial year of [?]10,000/- or actual, whichever is lower subject to quarterly reporting by ECGC Ltd. as per prescribed format.
How to apply under this scheme?
The applicant Organisation will submit an online application for financial assistance, along with the relevant documents in the proforma (prescribed on the IC Scheme portal: https://ic.msme.gov.in) giving full details of expenditure.
How will the grant be released under the scheme?
Grants under the Scheme will be released on a reimbursement basis on submission of the reimbursement claim in the proforma (uploaded on the IC Scheme Portal). The claim must be accompanied with the documents, as prescribed by the Ministry.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- IEC Code not more than 3 years old on the date of export shipment
- RCMC fee receipt
- Proof of export carried out in the same financial year for which RCMC is claimed
- IEC code not more than 3 years old on the date of export shipment
- Receipt of Insurance Premium
- Proof of export shipment carried out in the same financial year for which insurance is claimed
- IEC code not more than 3 years old on the date of export shipment
- Testing and quality certification
- Proof of export shipment of product for which testing and quality certification is claimed.
- Proof of mandatory requirement of Testing and Quality Certification for such export.
- Self-certification by MSE that he/she has not availed benefits under the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme of the Department of Commerce, for the same purpose (As at [Annexure-N](https://ic.msme.gov.in/IC_APP/WriteReadData/GuideLine/FinalCBFTEComponentofICScheme.pdf)).