International Cooperation Scheme- Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters

Description
The scheme “International Cooperation Scheme” was launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India with the aim to capacity build MSMEs for entering the export market by facilitating their participation in international exhibitions/fairs/conferences/seminars/buyer-seller meets abroad as well as providing them with actionable market-intelligence and reimbursement of various costs involved in export of goods and services. The Scheme provides opportunities for MSMEs to continuously update themselves to meet the challenges emerging out of changes in technology, changes in demand, emergence of new markets, etc. Thus, in totality, all components of the scheme aimed at various aspects required to advance MSMEs& 39; position as emerging export players. The Scheme would cover the following sub-components: • Sub-Component-I: Market Development Assistance of MSMEs MDA • Sub-Component-II: Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters CBFTE • Sub-Component-III: Framework for International Market Intelligence Dissemination IMID As on date, Sub-Component–I and Sub-Component-II are in operation. Sub-Component-III will be in operation soon. Sub-Component II: Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters CBFTE : The key interventions proposed under the scheme are highlighted below:- Reimbursement of costs incurred by first-time MSE exporters on export shipments – 1. Registration-cum-Membership Certificate RCMC paid by the first-time exporters for registration with EPCs. 1. Export insurance premiums paid by MSEs. 1. Fee paid on Testing and Quality Certification acquired by MSEs to export products. This will encourage MSEs to produce and offer products and services of international standards for the export markets.

Benefits
• Financial assistance towards costs incurred by first-time MSE Exporters on export shipments:-

Eligibility Criteria
1. The Micro and Small Enterprises with valid Udyam Registration are eligible to apply under the scheme.
2. To claim the benefits under the scheme, the applicant's Importer Exporter Code (IEC) must not be older than 3 years on the date of export shipment.

Required Documents
• IEC Code not more than 3 years old on the date of export shipment
• RCMC fee receipt
• Proof of export carried out in the same financial year for which RCMC is claimed
• IEC code not more than 3 years old on the date of export shipment
• Receipt of Insurance Premium
• Proof of export shipment carried out in the same financial year for which insurance is claimed
• IEC code not more than 3 years old on the date of export shipment
• Testing and quality certification
• Proof of export shipment of product for which testing and quality certification is claimed.
• Proof of mandatory requirement of Testing and Quality Certification for such export.
• Self-certification by MSE that he/she has not availed benefits under the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme of the Department of Commerce, for the same purpose (As at Annexure-N).

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “International Cooperation Scheme”?
A: The scheme aims to capacity build MSMEs for entering export market by facilitating their participation in international exhibitions/fairs/conferences/seminar/buyer-seller meets abroad as well as providing them with actionable market-intelligence and reimbursement of various costs involved in export of goods and services. The Scheme provides opportunities to MSMEs to continuously update themselves to meet the challenges emerging out of changes in technology, changes in demand, emergence of new markets, etc. Thus, in totality, all components of the scheme aim at various aspects required to advance MSMEs position as emerging export player.

Q: Which department has launched this scheme?
A: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has launched this scheme.

Q: What are the benefits provided under the scheme?
A: Under the scheme, financial assistance will be provided for the following:
* Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) paid by the first-time exporters for registration with EPCs.
* Export insurance premium paid by MSEs.
* Fee paid on Testing & Quality Certification acquired by MSEs to export products.

Q: Who can apply under this scheme?
A: The Micro and Small Enterprises with valid Udyam Registration are eligible to apply under the scheme.

Q: What is the criterion for Importer Exporter Code for claiming benefits under the scheme?
A: To claim the benefits under the scheme, the applicant's Importer Exporter Code (IEC) must not be older than 3 years on the date of export shipment.

Q: What is the quantum of assistance for Registration cum Membership certification (RCME)?
A: 75% of the cost paid subject to a maximum of [?]20,000/- or actual, whichever is lower subject to quarterly reporting by EPCs as per the prescribed format.

Q: What is the quantum of assistance for Export Insurance Premium?
A: Maximum financial assistance in a financial year of [?]10,000/- or actual, whichever is lower subject to quarterly reporting by ECGC Ltd. as per prescribed format.

Q: How to apply under this scheme?
A: The applicant Organisation will submit an online application for financial assistance, along with the relevant documents in the proforma (prescribed on the IC Scheme portal: https://ic.msme.gov.in) giving full details of expenditure.

Q: How will the grant be released under the scheme?
A: Grants under the Scheme will be released on a reimbursement basis on submission of the reimbursement claim in the proforma (uploaded on the IC Scheme Portal). The claim must be accompanied with the documents, as prescribed by the Ministry.