International Cooperation Scheme- Market Development Assistance
Reimbursement on airfare & stall costs for international trade fairs · MSMEs · MSME ministry
International Cooperation Scheme – Market Development Assistance reimburses MSMEs for costs incurred while participating in international trade fairs and buyer-seller meets abroad, helping small businesses enter export markets.
About This Scheme
International Cooperation Scheme – Market Development Assistance reimburses MSMEs for costs incurred while participating in international trade fairs and buyer-seller meets abroad, helping small businesses enter export markets.
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 the 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 I: Market Development Assistance of MSMEs (MDA):
Under this component, the following activities are covered: Physical Medium:
Participation (as exhibitors) of MSME delegations of industry associations and government organizations, involved in the promotion of MSMEs, in international exhibitions, trade fairs and buyer-seller meets in foreign countries for exploring potential markets for exports, seeking joint ventures, awareness about latest technologies, etc.
Organizing international conferences/summits/workshops/seminars in India on themes relevant to MSMEs by the Industry Associations and Government organizations.
Organizing Mega international exhibitions/fairs/buyer-seller meets, conferences/summits/ workshops/ seminars abroad by the Ministry of MSME, its organizations solely or in partnership with industry associations for the promotion of the MSME sector.
Organizing Mega international conferences/ summits/ workshops/ seminars, bilateral/multilateral Government to Government Events in India by the Ministry of MSME, its organizations solely or in partnership with industry associations for promotion of the MSME sector.
Participation of Ministry-led Industrial delegations to International Exhibitions/Fairs/Conferences in foreign countries.
Virtual Medium:
Participation (as exhibitors) of MSME delegations of industry associations and government organizations, involved in the promotion of MSMEs, in international exhibitions, trade fairs and buyer-seller meets by foreign organizers for exploring potential markets for exports, seeking joint ventures, awareness about latest technologies, etc.
Organizing international conferences/ summits/ workshops/ seminars on themes relevant to MSMEs by the Industry Associations and Government organizations.
Organizing Mega international exhibitions/fairs/buyer-seller meets, conferences/summits/seminars/ workshops, bilateral/multilateral Government to Government Events by Ministry of MSME, its organizations solely or in partnership with industry associations for promotion of MSME sectors.
Benefits
- Reimbursement for: airfare, stall charges, duty allowance, freight charges, advertising, registration fees
- Helps MSMEs exhibit at international fairs and access global buyers
- Administered by: Ministry of MSME on a reimbursement basis
💡 Why Startups Should Care
International exhibitions are where export relationships begin — but stall costs in Germany or Japan can run ₹5–20 lakh easily. This scheme reimburses airfare, stall rental, freight, and publicity costs, effectively making your first export market entry much more affordable. For a B2B product startup, this could be the catalyst for your first foreign customer.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
MSMEs registered under MSME/Udyam participating in international trade fairs, exhibitions, or buyer-seller meets organised by eligible bodies (Ministry of MSME, state agencies, industry associations, or export promotion councils).
How to Apply
- Your organisation submits an online application for financial assistance to MSME Ministry before or after participation (check scheme guidelines for timing).
- Include a budget estimate and relevant registration documents.
- Submit the application along with copies of audited accounts, MOA/AOA, and registration certificate.
- After participation, submit expense receipts, invoices, and participation certificates for reimbursement.
- MSME Ministry processes the reimbursement after document verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "Market Development Assistance of MSMEs (MDA)" scheme?
The scheme aims to build the Capacity of 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 the export of goods and services.
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, the financial assistance is provided on reimbursement basis for airfare, space rent, freight charges, advertisement & publicity charges, entry/registration fee, etc.
Who can apply under this scheme?
State/Central Government Organisations/Institutions, Registered Industry/Enterprise Associations, Export Promotion Councils associated with promotion and development of MSME sector.
What are the eligibility criteria to apply under the scheme?
- The applicant organization should be suitably registered under the relevant Act (i.e., companies under the Companies Act, Societies under the Societies Act, etc.) with the primary objective of promotion and development of MSMEs.
- The applicant organization should have regular audited accounts for the past 3 years.
- Events, for which financial support under the Scheme is sought, must be from the list of approved exhibitions/ events/ buyer-seller meets finalized by the Ministry of MSME in each financial year.
- The organization must be engaged in such activities for at least the last 3 years and have a good track record.
How many times the applicant organization can participate in the events in a financial year under the scheme?
The applicant organization cannot participate in more than 2 events in a financial year under the scheme.
How to apply under this scheme?
The applicant organization will submit an online application for financial assistance, along with the relevant documents and the budget estimate of the expenditure on the proposed event in the proforma online giving full details of expenditure. (https://ic.msme.gov.in/IC_APP/IC_Welcome.aspx)
How will the grant be released under the scheme?
Grants under the Scheme will be released on basis of the following two categories: I. Category A: Applicant Organisations having EPC Status and Organisations under the Ministry of MSME a. All organisations having the status of Export Promotion Councils (Annexure-III) under the Foreign Trade Policy and Government Organisations of the Ministry of MSME namely- National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NIMSME) and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) are eligible for drawing advance b. 50% of the expected expenditure will be released as advances and the remaining 50% on submission of Utilisation Certificate (UC). c. Advance grants, if any released, have to be refunded with interest in case of default in meeting the objectives and the conditions with which the funds were released. Repeat defaults in the submission of UCs will make EPCs/Organisations ineligible to receive assistance under this Scheme and will be considered for debarring from participating in the Scheme II. Category B: Applicant Organisations with non-EPC Status a. The total amount will be reimbursed after the event is over. b. All other applicant organizations/associations involved in the promotion and development of MSMEs will submit claim documents for reimbursement of claims in the online proforma as uploaded on the IC Scheme Portal.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Budget estimate for the event
- Registration certificate of the applicant organization
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Copies of audited accounts (2–3 years)
- Participation certificates from the international event
- Invoices for airfare, stall charges, freight, and other eligible expenses