Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme
Financial assistance for export promotion activities on a focus-country/focus-product basis (market studies, trade fairs abroad, buyer-seller meets, reverse buyer-seller meets, publicity, capacity building). Funding on cost-sharing basis, with sharing pattern ranging from about 50% to 65%. MSMEs, start-ups, North-East/J&K/Ladakh/hill-area exporters and SC/ST/Women/Youth exporters are given preference.
Eligibility
- Export Promotion Councils, Industry and Trade Associations, state government agencies, Indian Commercial Missions and other notified national-level institutions
- Exporters (including MSMEs and start-ups) participating via these eligible entities
- Must hold a valid IEC (Import Export Code)
How to apply
Eligible entities (Export Promotion Councils, Industry & Trade Associations, state government agencies, Indian Commercial Missions, and other notified national-level institutions) submit project proposals to the Department of Commerce for approval. Individual exporters benefit by participating through these bodies; funding is on a cost-sharing basis.
Required documents
- IEC (Import Export Code)
- Project proposal in prescribed format (submitted by eligible entity)
- Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) with an EPC
Official sources
Verification notes
Verified on commerce.gov.in guideline PDFs. Scheme revised effective 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2026. Assistance is cost-share/project-based (no fixed per-exporter cap), so maxValueInINR omitted. [AI-gathered from official sources on 2026-07-05; needs team review]