Market Development Assistance (MDA) for MSME Exporters — 75% of Economy Airfare and 50% of Stall Rent at International Trade Fairs (100% for Women, SC/ST and North-East Entrepreneurs), Capped at ₹1.25 Lakh per Unit
Video Explanation & Insights
75% subsidy for participating in international trade fairs — MDA for MSME exporters
3 videos on this topic
Why the government pays for your stall
International fairs are where importers meet new suppliers, and the government wants MSMEs at them. The Ministry of MSME's International Cooperation scheme has a Market Development Assistance component that reimburses a large share of the two big costs — the economy-class airfare of one representative and the stall or space rent — when an MSME participates in an international exhibition, fair or buyer-seller meet abroad. The Department of Commerce's Market Access Initiative separately funds export promotion councils and industry bodies to organise India pavilions, so an exporter often gets subsidised space through its council and MDA on travel.
| Support | Who runs it | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| MDA — international trade fairs component | Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME) through the MSME-Development Institutes; participation under the MSME India stall | 75% of economy-class airfare for one representative and 50% of space rent for general-category micro and small manufacturing enterprises; 100% of space rent and airfare for women, SC/ST and North-East entrepreneurs; total subsidy capped at ₹1.25 lakh per unit; one fair per unit per year |
| International Cooperation (IC) scheme | Ministry of MSME through State/Central government organisations and registered industry associations | Reimbursement of airfare and space rent for delegations of MSMEs to fairs and buyer-seller meets abroad, and for international conferences in India — the association applies, not the individual unit |
| Market Access Initiative | Department of Commerce through export promotion councils | India pavilions at fairs, buyer-seller meets, publicity, market studies — the council allots subsidised stalls to members |
| RAMP-linked state support | State MSME departments under RAMP | Fair participation and, in some states, freight support — as the natural-stone video describes |
| Council-specific schemes | EPCs (EEPC, CAPEXIL, APEDA, GJEPC and others) | Reimbursement of stall costs at their own events; APEDA and MPEDA fund packaging and market development for their sectors |
Who can apply
- •Micro and small manufacturing enterprises with valid Udyam (earlier EM Part-II) registration; selection by the MSME-DI on product profile, fair theme and space.
- •Participation under the MSME India stall at the international trade fair or exhibition approved for the year; minimum 6 sq m, more space pro rata.
- •One permanent employee, director, partner or proprietor travels in economy class; only that person's airfare is subsidised.
- •One fair per unit per year; the unit carries and manages its own samples including customs clearance.
- •Higher support (100% of airfare and space rent, within the ₹1.25 lakh cap) for women, SC/ST and North-East entrepreneurs.
From fair selection to reimbursement
- 1Step 1 — Choose the fair from the year's MSME India stall calendar (and check whether your export promotion council runs an India pavilion under MAI).
- 2Step 2 — Apply through your MSME-DI to the Office of DC (MSME) at least one month before the event: Udyam certificate, demand draft for 50% of the space rent in favour of PAO (MSME) New Delhi, passport copies of one or two representatives.
- 3Step 3 — Participate; keep the original air ticket, boarding passes, passport with departure/arrival stamps, and a record of enquiries and orders.
- 4Step 4 — Claim within one month of returning: pre-receipted bill in duplicate, passport copy showing the journey, original ticket (or airline certificate if lost), and a feedback report of business generated. Reimbursement is credited to the unit; space rent already paid is not refunded separately.
MDA and trade fair subsidy: questions we are asked
75% of economy airfare for one representative and 50% of space rent for general-category micro and small manufacturers; 100% of both for women, SC/ST and North-East entrepreneurs — capped at ₹1.25 lakh per unit.
Not under this component. Some state RAMP schemes and councils support domestic and regional fairs.
No. The application must reach the Office of DC (MSME) through your MSME-DI at least one month before the event; the claim is filed within a month of your return.
One international fair per unit per year under MDA.
The Department of Commerce scheme that funds export promotion councils to organise India pavilions and buyer-seller meets; members get subsidised stalls.
The trade-fair component is for micro and small manufacturers. Service and medium enterprises go through their council's MAI events or through an industry association under the IC scheme.
Fair selection, the advance application through the MSME-DI, coordination with your council, and the reimbursement claim with the fair report.