Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008

Description
Launched in 2008, the scheme "Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008" by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa aimed to encourage Goan industries to improve export markets and support them in establishing their goods firmly in the export market, thereby generating growth and employment. The scheme provided interest-free loans up to ₹5,00,000/- for participating in shows/exhibitions outside India and for market study tours abroad. The scheme was implemented by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa. The scheme remained in force until 31st March, 2011.

Benefits
• Interest-free loan up to ₹5,00,000/- was provided for participating in shows/exhibitions outside India.
• Interest-free loan up to ₹5,00,000/- was also provided for market study tours outside India.
• The loan was repayable over five years in equal half-yearly installments.
• *Delay in payment carried an interest at 14% per annum.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - Only those units set up in Goa and permanently registered or acknowledged with Entrepreneurs Memorandum II by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce were eligible.
2. - The unit had to be in operation for a minimum period of three years.
3. - The unit had to have an import/export code issued by the Reserve Bank of India/Government of India or by any competent authority of the Government of India.
4. - The total turnover of the unit for the last three preceding financial years should not have exceeded ₹10,00,00,000/-.
5. - One unit could avail this facility only once under this Scheme in its lifetime.
6. - If the original unit had already taken benefits under this Scheme, then the sold/transferred unit was not eligible to derive any benefits under this Scheme.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The interested applicant had to obtain the specified proforma from the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce. Alternatively, the prescribed format could also be downloaded from the official website of the Directorate.
Offline
Step 1: The interested applicant had to obtain the specified proforma from the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce. Alternatively, the prescribed format could also be downloaded from the official website of the Directorate.

Step 2: Step 2: The applicant was required to take a print of the form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste a passport-sized photograph, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attested, if required).
Offline
Step 2: The applicant was required to take a print of the form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste a passport-sized photograph, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attested, if required).

Step 3: Step 3: The duly filled and signed application form, along with the documents, had to be submitted to the Director, Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce.
Offline
Deadline: The interested units had to apply to the Directorate at least 30 days prior to the study tour or exhibition.
Post-Application Processes
The Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce intimated the decision within two weeks to the unit. If approved, the loan was disbursed by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce. The promoter of the unit who had availed the facility under this Scheme had to submit a detailed report within 30 days of return from the visit.

Required Documents
• Copy of Permanent Registration Certificate.
• Copy of Import/Export Goods Certificate.
• Financial Statement duly certified by a Chartered Accountant for the last preceding three years.
• Collateral Security, equal to the quantum of contribution sought or equal to the amount the unit was eligible for.
• Post Dated Cheques, for repayment of the installments so fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long did a unit need to be operational to qualify for the scheme?
A: A unit had to be in operation for a minimum period of three years to be eligible for the scheme.

Q: What documentation was required to prove a unit’s import/export activities?
A: Units had to provide an import/export code issued by the Reserve Bank of India or the Government of India or any competent authority of the Government of India.

Q: What was the maximum turnover limit for units to be eligible under the scheme?
A: The total turnover of the unit for the last three preceding financial years should not have exceeded [?]10,00,00,000/-.

Q: What happened if a unit that had already availed benefits under the scheme was sold or transferred?
A: If the original unit had already taken benefits under the scheme, the sold or transferred unit was not eligible to derive any benefits.

Q: What was the maximum loan amount provided under the scheme?
A: The scheme provided an interest-free loan of up to [?]5,00,000/- for eligible units.

Q: What were the purposes for which the interest-free loan could be used?
A: The loan could be used for participating in shows or exhibitions outside India or for market study tours abroad.

Q: What was the interest rate charged for delayed loan repayments?
A: Delay in payment carried an interest rate of 14% per annum.

Q: What collateral security was required to avail the loan under the scheme?
A: Units had to submit collateral security equal to the quantum of contribution sought or equal to the amount the unit was eligible for.

Q: What happened if a unit failed to repay the loan under the scheme?
A: In case of failure to repay, the collateral security provided by the unit was forfeited.

Q: What additional repayment assurance was required from the loanee?
A: The loanee had to furnish Post Dated Cheques for repayment of the installments, and non-realization of any cheque could lead to prosecution.

Q: How long did it take for the Directorate to intimate its decision on the application?
A: The Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce intimated the decision within two weeks of receiving the application.

Q: How much time in advance did units need to apply before a study tour or exhibition?
A: Units had to apply at least 30 days prior to the study tour or exhibition, unless agreed otherwise by the Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce.