mra grant mra enterprise singapore market readiness assistance
Expand globally withMarket Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant
Up to 70% of eligible costs, capped at S$100,000 per company per new market from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023
In Proud Support of:
Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant
The government of Singapore encourages local companies to expand globally. International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore), a government agency has been set up to help Singapore incorporated companies establish a global presence. The government launched the mra enterprise singapore grant in 2015 to provide funding to companies who wish to internationalise and grow.
FUNDING SUPPORT:
- Up to 70% of eligible costs, capped at S$100,000 per company per new market* from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023 that covers:
- Overseas market promotion (capped at S$20,000)
- Overseas business development (capped at S$50,000)
- Overseas market set-up (capped at S$30,000)
QUALIFICATION CRITERIA:
- Business entity is registered/incorporated in Singapore
- New market entry criteria, i.e. target overseas country whereby the applicant has not exceeded S$100,000 in overseas sales in each of the last three preceding years
- At least 30% local shareholding
- Group Annual Sales Turnover of not more than S$100 million; OR Company’s Group Employment Size of not more than 200 employees
How can we help?
We currently support three main types of projects:
Overseas Market Promotion
Supportable Activities:
- Overseas marketing and PR activities (promotions, road shows, trade conferences, etc)
- Online marketing activities (SEO optimisation, online campaigns, etc)
- Participation in overseas trade fairs (space rental, booth design, etc)
POSSIBLE SCOPE OF WORK:
- Event write-up attached with corresponding materials such as photographs and publicity materials
- Invoices/receipts/bank statements for payment made to third-party vendor such as proof of payment for costs incurred
Overseas Business Development
Supportable Activities:
- Business matching (identifying business partners, joint venture partners, agents and distributors, etc)
- Market entry (name search, Intellectual Property (IP) search and application, drafting of franchising, licensing, agency, distributorship and joint venture agreements, etc)
- In-depth FTA consultancy (assessment to identify opportunities, analysis of supply chain, application procedures for Customs rulings with issuing authority, etc)
POSSIBLE SCOPE OF WORK:
- Detailed profile report of potential customers/partners for the company in the selected market and business matching outcomes
- Relevant filing documents submitted to authorities
- Report on assessment of financial and recommendation
- Assessment/Analysis report
Overseas Market Setup
Supportable Activities:
- Market entry (name search, Intellectual Property (IP) search and application, drafting of franchising, licensing, agency, distributorship and joint venture agreements, etc)
- In-depth FTA consultancy (assessment to identify opportunities, analysis of supply chain, application procedures for Customs rulings with issuing authority, etc)
POSSIBLE SCOPE OF WORK:
- Relevant filing documents submitted to authorities
- Report on assessment of financial and recommendation
- Assessment/Analysis report
Why should you work with us?
You need a management consultant with the Enterprise Singapore-recognised certification
A necessary criteria to apply for the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant, which our consultants fulfil. As Registered Management Consultants from the Institute of Management Consultants (Singapore), we embrace high standards of ethical and professional conduct, so you can be rest assured that your project is in good hands.
We offer end-to-end support for your project
Grant application may seem like a complicated process. That’s why we’ll be there to guide you throughout the entire process — from the initial project planning and proposal, to grant application, project delivery, and submission of claims.
We’ve been delivering results for our clients since 2014 — here’s what some of them have to say:
FAQs
- Business entity that is registered/incorporated in Singapore
- At least 30% local shareholding
- Company’s Group Annual Sales Turnover of not more than S$100 million, or Company’s Group Employment Size of not more than 200 workers
- New to target overseas market
This is defined as a new overseas country that the company is expanding to, where its annual overseas sales in the country has not exceeded S$100,000 in each of the preceding three years.
Companies that have previously benefited from MRA, but whose overseas sales for that market has not exceeded S$100,000, can continue to be supported during the enhancement period of 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023.
Companies that have used up the maximum S$100,000 support for a particular market between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2023 will not be eligible for any more MRA grants for that market.
There is no limit to the number of MRA applications that a company can apply. This is to allow companies the flexibility to determine their pace of entry into the overseas market.
The MRA support for FTA consultancy scope is accessible to local SMEs. If the applicant company manufactures overseas, the consultant will advise the company on the relevant FTAs and help the company assess the potential benefit of leveraging on the FTAs, including those that Singapore is not a member of.
The S$100,000 grant cap is applicable over the enhancement period of 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023, comprising activity sub-caps of:
- S$20,000 for Overseas Market Promotion
- S$50,000 for Overseas Business Development
- S$30,000 for Overseas Market Set-up
The grant cap of S$100,000 is applicable to each unique entity/company over the enhancement period. Enterprise Singapore will review the applications based on applicant company’s internationalisation plans. Different applicant companies with similar business registration details (including nature of business, address, shareholder/directorship, etc.) will be treated as connected enterprises and subjected to the cumulative grant ceiling of S$100,000 over the enhancement period.
No, we do not allow both companies to apply under one application. Each company can apply for one activity in a single application.
Enterprise Singapore seeks to understand the overseas expansion plans for sole proprietors and partnerships. Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Yes, eligible companies may apply for support under both EDG and MRA grant as long as it is not for the same scope of work/services/activities supported.
Companies can proceed to sign the contract with the third-party consultant/vendor after submitting the application via Business Grants Portal. Project commencement and completion dates must be in accordance to the project support period stipulated in the Business Grants Portal.
Applications must be made 6 months before the start of the project/activity at the earliest.
Yes, as long as there are legitimate business relationships between your company and the manufacturing base – including but not limited to:
- Manufacturing base as a wholly-owned entity under Singapore company, or;
- Manufacturing base as a joint venture with overseas partner, or;
- Manufacturing base operating as a contract manufacturer.
Please note that only eligible expenses stated in the scope of the MRA Grant are supported. The following expenses are not supported under the MRA Grant (please note that the list below is not exhaustive):
For all scopes:
- Out of pocket expenses (Singapore GST, exchange rate losses, etc.)
- Logistics, airfare, accommodation, in-house manpower, maintenance, security deposit, sales commission and success fees
- Costs charged by other Singapore Government Agencies (e.g. Singapore Customs, IPOS)
Overseas Market Set-up
- Application of work permit/visa
- Appointment letter for employees
- Due diligence conducted on M&A target
- Drafting of rental agreement for residency and office rental
- Drafting of management contracts
- Drafting of sales agreements
- Drafting of franchising and licensing agreements where applicant is franchisee or licensee
- Engagement of HR Recruitment firms and head-hunters
- Product certification costs
Overseas Business Development
- Purchasing/Subscribing to directory listing, databases (including online)
- Costs related to sourcing for suppliers, investors, capital raising, selling of company’s shares
Overseas Market Promotion
- Prototyping
- Production of corporate brochures
- Costs incurred for the purpose of fulfilling contractual obligation with clients
- Costs incurred for in-house PR project executed by the company (e.g. venue booking, F&B and manpower).
Participation in non-LEAD supported tradeshows
- Participation in consumer fairs
- Pull-up banners
The maximum support period for an approved activity is 12 months and companies can take up to a maximum of 3 months to submit its claims upon completion of the activity. Companies with valid reasons may request for an extension from Enterprise Singapore via the BGP before the project end date. The request will be subjected to approval.
For all claims, the companies must appoint an Enterprise Singapore auditor to verify the eligibility, authenticity and accuracy of the items listed in the Statement of Claim. Companies can be eligible for an audit fee grant, capped at S$500 or the prevailing support level of the audit fee as stated in Annex 1 of the Letter of Offer in the Business Grants Portal, whichever is lower.
Companies may be required to submit additional claim documents at the request of the processing officer to substantiate the validity of the approved activities. Please be informed that the list below is non-exhaustive.
Project Scopes
- Deliverables to be provided during claims
Market Entry
- Proof of Intellectual Property (IP) or trademarks that have been filed which includes relevant filing documents submitted to authorities
- Incorporation Certificate
- Copy of permit/licenses/franchise agreement
- Final assessment reports
In-depth FTA consultancy
- Detailed report on assessment of current situation, potential benefits from specific FTA(s), if any, and the related FTA information
- Plans/strategy to leverage on FTAs
- Relevant filing documents submitted to authorities
- Copies of certificates, permits and licenses obtained
- Written ruling / opinion for classification of goods, origin determination of goods and/or Customs valuation
- Standard Operating Procedure manuals
- Copies of certificate/permit/license/official submissions transacted with Customs authorities
Overseas Business Development
- Detailed report on the profile of the potential customers / partners for the company in the selected market and business matching outcomes
- Photocopy of potential customer’s or partner’s name cards
Overseas Market and PR Activities
- Event write-up attached with corresponding materials such as photographs and publicity materials. The write-up should include the number of attendees for the event/campaign and profile of target audience
- Overall roadmap/communications plan of activities that have been completed
Participation in Overseas Trade Fair
- Photographs and exhibitors’ listing which reflects applicant company’s name at the booth
- Event write-up using word document to include 3-4 paragraphs on the environment of the booth, experience as well as how the participation has benefited applicant company
Submit your interest
Fill in the form if you’d like our certified consultants to guide you on you Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant application
