Market Development Assistance for MSME Exporters — Up to 75% of Airfare and Stall Rent at International Trade Fairs, Plus MAI and RAMP Support
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 (IC scheme of MSME Ministry) | Ministry of MSME through industry associations and the MSME-DFOs | Reimbursement of economy airfare and space rent for international fairs abroad; 75% for micro enterprises as the video explains, with higher support for women, SC/ST and North-East entrepreneurs; capped per event |
| 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
- •Udyam-registered micro, small and medium enterprises with export potential; IEC held.
- •Participation as an exhibitor in an international fair or buyer-seller meet abroad, generally through an industry association or the council that has the event approved under the scheme.
- •One representative's travel — a proprietor, partner or director — and the space rent.
- •Application before the event; claim after it, with proof of participation.
- •Higher support categories: women entrepreneurs, SC/ST entrepreneurs, enterprises from the North-East and aspirational districts.
From fair selection to reimbursement
- 1Step 1 — Choose the fair: the sector's flagship event where your buyers actually come; check whether your export promotion council is organising an India pavilion.
- 2Step 2 — Apply in advance: MDA application through the association / MSME-DFO with Udyam, IEC, the fair's brochure and cost estimate; MAI stall through the council.
- 3Step 3 — Participate: keep boarding passes, air tickets, stall rent invoice and payment proof, photographs and the visitor / enquiry register.
- 4Step 4 — Claim: file the reimbursement claim with the fair report and documents within the deadline; the amount is released to the enterprise's bank account.
MDA and trade fair subsidy: questions we are asked
A large share of economy airfare and space rent — 75% for micro enterprises as the video explains, with a per-event cap (₹3 lakh typically). Confirm the current guideline figures before booking.
Not under MDA. Some state RAMP schemes and councils support domestic and regional fairs.
No. The application must be made before the event; the claim is filed after it.
The Department of Commerce scheme that funds export promotion councils to organise India pavilions and buyer-seller meets; members get subsidised stalls.
Yes, in practice — subsidised space through the council and MDA on your travel, as long as the same cost is not claimed twice.
Fair selection, advance applications to the MSME agency and your council, and the reimbursement claim with the fair report.