Market Access Initiative (MAI)

3.2

MAI scheme, intended to provide financial assistance for medium term export promotion efforts with sharp focus on a country / product, and is administered by DoC.

Financial assistance is available for Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Industry and Trade Associations (ITAs), Agencies of State Governments, Indian Commercial Missions (ICMs) abroad and other eligible entities as may be notified.

A whole range of activities can be funded under MAI scheme.

These include, amongst others,

(i) Market studies,

(ii) Setting up of showroom / warehouse,

(iii) Sales promotion campaigns,

(iv) International departmental stores,

(v) Publicity campaigns,

(vi) Participation in international trade fairs,

(vii) Brand promotion,

(viii) Registration charges for pharmaceuticals, and

(ix) Testing charges for engineering products.

Each of these export promotion activities can receive financial assistance from Government ranging from 25% to 100% of total cost depending upon activity and implementing agency.

Full text of guidelines is available at http://commerce.nic.in.