International Cooperation Scheme- Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters
Category: Business & Entrepreneurship
Level: Central | State: All
Ministry: Ministry Of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Details:
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:
Scale of Assistance and Eligible Items of Expenditure:
Financial assistance towards costs incurred by first-time MSE Exporters on export shipments:-
Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) charges/fee paid by the first-time exporter to relate EPCs 
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 prescribed format. 
Export Insurance Premium paid to Export Credit Guarantee Corporation Ltd. (ECGC) under the ECGC's Small Exporter's Policy
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
Fee paid on Testing & Quality Certification acquired by MSEs to Export Products                                                               (Note: Ministry of MSME shall share the list of beneficiaries who have availed the financial assistance under this sub-component, with MAI Division, Department of Commerce, on quarterly basis)
75% of the testing and quality certification with a ceiling of ₹1.00 Lakh or actual, whichever is lower, subject to the following conditions:                                          1. Financial assistance is allowed for a maximum of 3 certificates per financial year with a ceiling of ₹1.00 Lakh per MSE unit.                                                                                                         2. Certificate, for which financial assistance is requested, should be attained within the same financial year. 

Eligibility Criteria:
1. The Micro and Small Enterprises with valid Udyam Registration are eligible to apply under the scheme.
   1. To claim the benefits under the scheme, the applicant&#39;s Importer Exporter Code (IEC) must not be older than 3 years on the date of export shipment.