TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
Launch of Market Access Support (MAS) under EXPORT PROMOTION MISSION - NIRYAT DISHA
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....ough the Trade Connect ePlatform (https://www.trade.gov.in/). Eligible Organising Agencies may submit proposals for activities in accordance with the enclosed guidelines. Organising Agencies shall be required to submit applications for participation in approved events, in the manner and format as prescribed from time to time. Registration Process on the Trade Connect ePlatform To ensure transparency and an audit trail, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and other eligible Organising Agencies shall be required to undertake the following steps: • All organising agencies shall identify and authorise an administrator for all EPM related activities who shall register on https://www.trade.gov.in/pages/register. The administrator registration can be made by selecting function as "Export Promotion Mission (EPM)" and role as "Administrator". • If the identified EPM administrator is already registered on Trade Connect, they need not re-register. Email intimation may be sent to [email protected] with copy to [email protected] indicating name and email address of already onboarded user for due mapping. • Once approved/mapped, the EPM administrato....
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....FT PROVISIONS FOR FOREIGN TRADE POLICY (FTP) Chapter X - MARKET ACCESS SUPPORT X.1. Objective a. The objective is to enhance the global reach, visibility and competitiveness of Indian firms by facilitating participation in international Business-to-Business(B2B) or Business- to-Consumer(B2C) buyer-seller meets (BSMs), reverse buyer-seller meets (RBSMs), trade delegations, or other similar initiatives, across both goods and services sectors. b. The initiative seeks to strengthen India's engagement in international markets through structured activities, enabling entities-particularly MSMEs (as per the MSME classification specified by Ministry of MSME)-to explore diversified markets, establish long-term trade linkages, and integrate into global value chains. c. The initiative also aims to position India as a preferred destination for international meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), thereby strengthening India's role as a hub for global trade related engagements. X.2. Scope and Coverage a. The initiative shall provide financial and institutional support to eligible organisations and agencies for conducting market access and internati....
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....et Access The Sub-Committee on Market Access shall monitor implementation and evaluate outcomes of the Market Access Support Initiative X.4. Submission of proposals: a. Eligible agencies as per Para 3.X.1 must ensure that their concerned activities as per Para X.2 of the HBP are listed in the online system. The applicant shall either update the activity details directly or submit a request to have them updated. b. The Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) details of Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards, or membership data of other eligible agencies, shall be duly integrated with the IEC of the participating firm within the online system. c. Eligible agencies are required to file an Intent-to-claim application online. d. For State specific events, State Governments may nominate a nodal department for seeking assistance under the initiative. e. Only members of eligible agencies shall be eligible for support under the intervention. f. The participating firm/entity shall express interest online for support against the activity. New IEC Holders should be registered with the concerned agency for at least 6 months to be eligible for the given sup....
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....n delegation to a BSM. Such joint delegations are recommended to avoid duplication and to maximise participation. r. Separate pavilions shall not be created except where a clear justification exists-such as distinct product categories, sector-specific requirements, or other adequate justification duly examined and recommended by the Sub-Committee on Market Access. s. Where multiple agencies participate in the same BSM, a lead agency-identified based on maximum participant mobilisation or other adequate justification examined by the Sub-Committee on Market Access -shall be responsible for coordinating common pavilion arrangements, publicity and branding activities. B. Reverse Buyer-Sellers Meets (RBSMs) X.6. Criteria for support for RBSM participation a. RBSMs may be organised at national or state levels focusing on sectoral or regional themes. b. It is recommended that RBSMs shall integrate full product value chains, with dedicated sessions for product demonstrations and factory or cluster visits. c. A minimum of 100 overseas participants is required for RBSMs. Overseas delegates requesting support must not be related to Indian entities. d. List of overseas ....
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....commendation of activities and monitoring of implementation under Market Access Support. The composition of the Sub-Committee shall be as follows: SI. No. Officer Concerned Position 1. Joint Secretary or Equivalent, EPM Section, DGFT Co-Chair 2. Joint Secretary or Equivalent, E&MDA Division, DoC Co-Chair 3. Joint DGFT, EPM Section, DGFT Convenor 4. Representative of IFD, Department of Commerce Member 5. Representative of Ministry of MSME (not below the rank of Deputy Secretary) Member 6. Representative of Economic Diplomacy Divion, Ministry of External Affairs (not below the rank of Deputy Secretary) Member 7. Representatives of Commodity Divisions & Territorial Divisions, Department of Commerce (not below the rank of Deputy Secretary) Member 8. Representative of Trade Promotion-A Division, Department of Commerce (not below the rank of Deputy Secretary) Member 8. Representatives of stakeholder line Ministries/Departments (not below the rank of Deputy Secretary) Invitees b. The Sub-Committee may co-opt members or invite any other pa....
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....t it is not under investigation, charged, prosecuted, debarred, or blacklisted under the FT (D&R) Act or any other applicable law relating to international trade. If any such action is initiated or comes to notice at any stage, the applicant shall immediately inform the Sub-Committee Secretariat or the Organising Agency. In such cases, the proposal may be rendered ineligible or subjected to additional scrutiny. d. The Organising Agency shall undertake appropriate due diligence to verify the credentials of prospective buyers. This shall include preparation of a preliminary buyer list, sharing the same with the concerned Indian Mission(s) Abroad for due diligence, and undertaking coordination with recognised business organisations or counterpart agencies in the destination market. The objective is to ensure that bona fide buyers and sellers receive advance information and that the event attracts credible business participants. e. Depending upon the requirements specific to each component, the Organising Agency may associate any organisation or institution, following a duly transparent process. f. Organising Agencies shall aim to conduct events with reduced dependence on assi....
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....ons, and related branding activities, including coordination with overseas chambers of commerce, trade and industry associations, and relevant governmental or regulatory authorities. e. IMA shall assist in ensuring Brand India visibility, including providing guidance on local branding norms, venue suitability, and opportunities for strategic promotion in the destination market. f. IMA shall provide post-event assessments through the online system, including feedback on the quality of participation, market response, and recommendations for improvement. 2.4. Responsibilities of the Lead Organising Agency a. Hiring of total space after ascertaining requirements from other agencies. b. Ensuring a common design for pavilion/booth/fascia and branding, including a unified "Brand India" theme, in consultation with participating agencies. c. Coordinating with Indian Missions Abroad as the single point of contact for soliciting support and cooperation, with consultations held both pre-event and post-event. 2.5. Combined Responsibility of All Participating Agencies a. Ensure the event is marketed under a unified "Brand India" theme as a single unified participation. ....
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....all submit an outcome report 15 days post event/project on the online portal in addition to the final submission of documents for settling the accounts. The eligible agencies should submit photographs and video clippings of the events, including stalls and its surroundings and ensure documentation of complete utilisation of the Government grants. b. Agencies shall maintain audited accounts for a period 3 years from the date of final payments of financial assistance. Payment made under the initiative to the concerned agency shall be open to inspection and audit by the sanctioning authority as deemed fit, as specified by government from time-to-time. c. Post-event reports shall include metrics such as trade leads generated, MSME participation, buyer turnout, and export outcomes. d. Repeat proposals shall be considered only upon submission of satisfactory outcome reports. e. Sub-Committee Secretariat shall maintain a digital performance dashboard for transparency and public accountability. 3. Changes in Guidelines Changes to Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) or Handbook of Procedures (HBP) provisions shall follow paras 1.02 and 1.03 of the FTP. Any changes to implementation....
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....o the approval of the competent authority. d. Any advance grant released shall be refunded, along with applicable interest, in the event of default in meeting the objectives, conditions, or deliverables for which the assistance was sanctioned. e. Failure to submit post-event reports, UCs, or audited accounts within the stipulated timelines shall render the Organising Agency ineligible for further assistance under the initiative and may also result in debarment from future participation. f. In cases where the shortfall in participation arises from circumstances beyond the control of the eligible agency, including force majeure events such as natural calamities, pandemics, geopolitical disturbances, the concerned Territorial Division or line department shall examine the justification with reference to supporting documents and inputs from the Indian Mission Abroad and recommend appropriate relief to the Sub- Committee. g. In cases of ineffective participation-such as poor-quality display materials or publicity, improper conduct of participants, or any action adversely affecting India's image-the concerned Commodity/Territorial Division or line department shall examine ....
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....re eligible for support: i. Venue costs, including participation charges and organising expenses. ii. Publicity and marketing (print, digital, social media, buyer mobilisation campaigns). iii. Design and production of catalogues, brochures, digital promotional material (e- catalogues, online banners, etc.). iv. Translation and interpreter services. v. Freight charges for exhibits. vi. Any additional component specifically recommended by the Sub-Committee. vii. Large-scale BSMs abroad may be approved up to two years in advance. g. Airfare Support: Airfare support shall be governed by the following conditions: i. Support is available only for the Director / Partner / Proprietor or a full-time senior managerial officer of the entity and shall be extended to Indian nationals only. ii. Airfare support is capped at up to 35% of total delegates in an event. iii. Support is available only for economy class travel. iv. Claim forms must be submitted within 15 days of return to India. v. No retroactive claims shall be admissible. vi. Eligibility shall be limited to entities ....
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.... sectors: 80% Government - 20% private contribution i. Buyer Finalisation Timeline - Final overseas buyer lists shall be completed at least three weeks prior to the event. Preference may be given to events with above 200 overall overseas participants j. Non-Admissibility of Retroactive Claims - No retroactive or post-facto financial claims shall be permitted. k. Eligible Items of Expenditure - i. Venue cost, including hiring/setting up of physical or virtual space/platforms and associated organising expenses. ii. Publicity and marketing expenditure, including digital campaigns for buyer mobilisation. iii. Design and production of catalogues, e-catalogues, brochures, digital material, and similar promotional content. iv. Translation and interpreter services. v. Visits to Centres of Excellence vi. Hotel Stay for foreign buyers (ceiling to be notified) vii. Any additional item specifically recommended by the Sub-Committee. viii. Large-scale RBSMs may be approved up to 2-3 years in advance. I. Buyer Hospitality - Eligibility and Conditions Guidelines Ceiling No. of delegates e....