Market Access Initiative Scheme to promote exports

08 Dec '06

2 min read

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) cleared proposed amendments to the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme to enhance its scope and effectiveness. The MAI Scheme is implemented by the Commerce & Industry Ministry (Department of Commerce) to act as a catalyst to promote India's exports on a sustained basis.

The existing scheme was formulated on focussed product -- focussed country approach to evolve specific strategy for specific market and specific product.

Financial assistance under the existing Scheme is provided to export or trade promotion organisations / exporters etc. for enhancing India's exports through accessing new markets or through increasing the share in the existing markets. Financial assistance is also provided under the scheme for various activities such as participation in trade fairs abroad, opening of showrooms and warehouses etc.

Based on the feedback and suggestions received from all the stakeholders, the MAI scheme is now amended to include the following:

i) The scope of the scheme is being widened by allowing, inter-alia, the following additional activities to be eligible for financial assistance under the scheme: (a) Organising “Trade Festival of India” in select centres abroad to promote “Brand India” by showcasing India's strength in services like health (Ayurveda and Yoga), Indian cuisine, tourism, culture etc., besides merchandise; (b) Capacity building and imparting training, upgradation / improvement of laboratories, universities, research institutions etc. for fulfilling sanitary & phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures; (c) Providing assistance for all trade related studies including Free Trade Agreement (FTA) / Regional Trade Agreement (RTA) etc.; and (d) Developing foreign trade facilitation web portal as well as to support cottage and handicraft units.

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