Marketing help
MAI / MAS
Market Access Initiative (now Market Access Support under EPM)
Support to take part in overseas trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, reverse buyer-seller meets in India, and trade delegations.
Current status
MAI has been consolidated into the Export Promotion Mission (Cabinet, 12 Nov 2025). Market Access Support under Niryat Disha was launched on 31 Dec 2025.
dgft.gov.in ↗What you get
Subsidised stall space and event costs through the organising council. Small exporters with export turnover up to ₹75 lakh in the previous year get partial airfare support.
Who can use it
Exporters joining events run by Export Promotion Councils, commodity boards, industry bodies and Indian missions. At least 35% of participants in a supported event must be MSMEs.
How to claim it
- Check the approved event calendar on trade.gov.in.
- Register with the organising council for the event.
- After the event, submit the mandatory online feedback.
Watch out for
- Support goes mainly through organising agencies, not directly to individual exporters.
- A fair only works if you follow up buyers afterwards — budget time and samples for that.
Products it applies to
Free to exportFarm produceSpicesWhole, ground and blended spices. Spices Board registration (CRES) is compulsory; residue and ethylene oxide tests keep buyers.HS0904–0910Exports 2025-26US$ 3.12 bn ↓5.1%
Free to exportProcessed foodProcessed foodSnacks, pickles, ready-to-eat meals, sauces, biscuits and mixes. FSSAI licence plus the buyer country’s labelling and registration rules.HS19–21Exports 2025-26US$ 4.19 bn ↑8.9%
Free to exportTextiles & apparelHandloom productsHand-woven fabrics, stoles and furnishings; buyers pay for craft, story and certified handloom origin.HS6304Exports 2025-26US$ 1.75 bn ↓8.6%
Free to exportTextiles & apparelCarpets and rugsHand-knotted, tufted and flat-woven rugs from Bhadohi, Jaipur and Panipat; the USA buys over half.HS5701Exports 2025-26US$ 1.97 bn ↓5.9%
More schemes
All schemes →- Marketing helpDistricts as Export HubsDistricts as Export HubsEvery district has an Export Promotion Committee and an export action plan that names its key products — a local door for help and contacts.Read →
- Tax refundRoDTEPRemission of Duties and Taxes on Exported ProductsRefunds hidden taxes (fuel, electricity duty, mandi tax, stamp duty and the like) that are not refunded any other way, as a percentage of FOB value.Read →
- Tax refundRoSCTLRebate of State and Central Taxes and LeviesThe RoDTEP-like rebate for apparel, garments and made-ups (HS Chapters 61, 62 and 63). These items get RoSCTL instead of RoDTEP.Read →