International Trade

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme is an Export Promotion Scheme envisaged to act as a catalyst to promote India’s exports on a sustained basis. The scheme is formulated on focus product-focus country approach to evolve specific market and specific product through market studies/survey. Assistance would be provided to Export Promotion Organizations/Trade Promotion Organizations/National Level Institutions/ Research Institutions/Universities/Laboratories, Exporters etc., for enhancement of exports through accessing new markets or through increasing the share in the existing markets. Under the Scheme the level of assistance for each eligible activities has been fixed.

The following activities will be eligible for financial assistance under the Scheme:

  • Marketing Projects Abroad
  • Capacity Building
  • Support for Statutory Compliances
  • Studies
  • Project Development
  • Developing Foreign Trade Facilitation web Portal
  • To support Cottage and handicrafts units
Eligible Agencies
  • Departments of Central Government and Organisation of Central/
  • State Governments including
  • Indian Missions abroad
  • Export Promotion Councils
  • Registered trade promotion Organisation
  • Commodity Boards
  • Apex Trade Bodies recognized under Foreign Trade Policy of Govt of India
  • Recognized Industrial & Artisan Clusters
  • Individual Exporters (only for statutory compliance etc.)
  • National Level Institutions (e.g. Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), National Institute of design (NIDs), NIFT etc.)/ Research Institutions/Universities/ Recognized laboratories, etc.

Further details of the scheme may be accessed on the department’s website (www.commerce.nic.in)