Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme, Promoting India's Exports

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme, Promoting India’s Exports

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme aims to promote India's exports by enhancing market access for Indian products in various countries. Market Access Initiative Scheme details are discussed below.

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Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme: It is a central government scheme to promote India’s exports by enhancing market access for Indian products in various countries. Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme is also important for UPSC Prelims Exam 2023 and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2- Various government schemes to promote India’s exports).

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme in News

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel informed about details of the activities approved under the MAI Scheme and the funds utilised under the MAI Scheme since FY 2019-20 till date

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme

The Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme is a scheme launched by the Government of India to promote India’s exports by enhancing market access for Indian products in various countries.

About: The MAI scheme aims to support the marketing efforts of Indian exporters by providing financial assistance for activities such as market research, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, branding and publicity, and other such promotional activities.
Finance Assistance: Under the MAI scheme, financial assistance is provided to Indian exporters, export promotion councils, and other eligible organizations for their marketing and promotional activities in specified focus countries and regions.
Identification: The focus countries and regions are identified based on their potential as markets for Indian products and their strategic importance to India’s trade.
Implementation: The MAI scheme is administered by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Scope: The MAI scheme is open to all Indian exporters, export promotion councils, and other eligible organizations who wish to enhance their market access and increase their exports.

MAI Scheme Eligibility

Financial assistance will be provided for following eligible activities-

Marketing Projects Abroad
Capacity Building
Support for Statutory Compliances
Studies
Project Development
Developing Foreign Trade Facilitation web Portal
To support Cottage and handicrafts units

MAI Eligible Agencies

Following agencies are eligible for financial assistance under Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme-

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.

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Significance

The MAI scheme provides assistance for various activities, including market surveys and studies, participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions, advertising and publicity campaigns, and branding and packaging initiatives.

The scheme also provides support for the development of e-commerce portals, creation of product-specific promotional materials, and organizing buyer-seller meets and trade delegations.

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme Performance

Performance of Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme over the years has been provided below-

Financial Assistance under MAI Scheme

Information regarding the activities approved and funds utilized under the MAI Scheme has been provided since the fiscal year 2019-20 until the present date.

Financial Year	No. of activities approved	Fund allocated for the Scheme (in ₹Crore)	Fund utilised (in ₹ Crore)
2019-20	490	325.00	325.00
2020-21	240	171.40	171.40
2021-22	424	140.00	140.00
2022-23 (as on 27.3.2023)	522	190.00	159.91

Fund released under MAI Scheme

The funds disbursed under the Scheme from 2019-20 to the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), and the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), which primarily serve the cottage industries and handicraft units, are listed below.

MAI Assistance released (in ₹Crores)
Financial Year	CEPC	EPCH	HEPC
2019-20	10.55	8.91	2.27
2020-21	2.38	5.01	1.75
2021-22	0	0.84	0.08
2022-23 (as on 27.3.2023)	5.34	2.64	3.20

Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Creating Infrastructure for Exports Growth

Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Creating Infrastructure for Exports Growth

FAQs

What is the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme?

The Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme is a program initiated by the Government of India to assist Export Promotion Councils, Trade Bodies, Commodity Boards, and other organizations in promoting and facilitating exports from India.

What kind of activities are covered under the MAI Scheme?

The MAI Scheme covers a wide range of activities, including market research, branding, product development, buyer-seller meets, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, and other export promotion activities.

Who is eligible to receive assistance under the MAI Scheme?

Export Promotion Councils, Trade Bodies, Commodity Boards, and other organizations that are involved in export promotion activities are eligible to receive assistance under the MAI Scheme.

How is the assistance provided under the MAI Scheme?

Assistance is provided under the MAI Scheme in the form of financial grants, which are disbursed to the eligible organizations on a reimbursement basis.

How can an organization apply for assistance under the MAI Scheme?

Organizations can apply for assistance under the MAI Scheme through an online portal. The application process involves submitting a detailed project proposal, including the proposed activities, the expected outcomes, and the budget.