Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS)

The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises has been operating various schemes to provide marketing support to the MSMEs and also facilitate them in tapping and developing overseas markets to the MSMEs. It has been felt that there is abysmal representation of the MSMEs owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs in participation of events under above schemes. With the objective to encourage SC/ST enterprises for availing marketing support for their development and growth, such schemes have been synergized to form Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS)

Under the above scheme, marketing support is provided to the SC/ST enterprises for enhancement of competitiveness and marketability of their products through National SC-ST Hub by way of the following type event:

1. Organizing Visit to International Exhibitions/Trade Fairs/Seminars Abroad 2. Participation in International Exhibitions/Trade Fairs Abroad 3. Organizing Visit to Domestic Exhibitions/Trade Fairs 4. Participation in Domestic Exhibitions/Trade Fairs 5. Vendor Development Programmes 6. Organizing Workshops/Seminars/Awareness Campaigns

Activity

Component

Scale of Assistance

1. Organizing Visit to International Exhibitions/Trade Fairs/Seminars Abroad

Airfare

100% of the economy class Airfare by the shortest route for one representative belonging to SC/ST from each participating SC/ST enterprise

Daily Allowance

Double of the rate of the country-specified daily allowance as per MEA guidelines.  This would include expenses for accommodation, transport, etc.

Maximum Budgetary support

Rs. 1.50 Lac for a participating SC/ST enterprise per event

 

2. Participation in International Exhibitions/Trade Fairs Abroad

Built-up stall charges

100% subsidy on minimum stall size.

Airfare

100% of the economy class Airfare by the shortest route for one representative belonging to SC/ST from each participating SC/ST enterprise

Daily Allowance

Double of the rate of the country-specified daily allowance as per MEA guidelines.  This would include expenses for accommodation, transport, etc.

Freight

  Rs. 30000 maximum

Maximum Budgetary support

 Micro SC/ST Enterprises

Rs.3.00 Lacs

 

 Small SC/ST Enterprises

Rs.2.50 Lacs

 

Medium SC/ST Enterprises

Rs.1.50 lacs

3. Organizing Visit to Domestic Exhibitions/Trade Fairs

Fare

100% to and fro actual fare of bus /train/air travel (limited to AC-III tier class) from the nearest railway station/ airport to the place of an exhibition by shortest route for one SC/ST person per SC/ST enterprise subject to maximum of Rs. 10,000/-.

4. Participation in Domestic Exhibitions/Trade Fairs

Built up Stall charges

100% subsidy on minimum stall size of the event.

Fare

100% to and fro actual fare of bus /train/air travel (limited to AC-III tier class) from the nearest railway station/ airport, to the place of exhibition by shortest route for one SC/ST person per SC/ST enterprise subject to maximum of Rs. 10,000/-.

Freight

100% to and fro transport charges for carrying exhibits/products from the location of the manufacturing unit up to the place of exhibition subject to maximum amount of Rs. 15,000/- per exhibition.

Maximum Budgetary support

Rs. 1.50 Lacs for a participating SC/ST enterprise per event

5. Vendor Development Programmes

Organizing VDPs / BSM by Industry Associations

The budget would depend upon the various components of the expenditure i.e. space rental, interior decoration, advertisement, stationery & printing material, transportation, lunch/refreshments etc. However, the net budgetary support for the VDP would be subject to the following limits:-

National level  :Rs.10 Lacs 
State / regional level :

  1. Rs. 5 Lacs if the meet is held in ‘A’ class cities.
  2. Rs. 3 Lacs if the meet is held in ‘B’ class cities.
  3. Rs. 2 Lacs if the meet is held in ‘C’ class cities.
  4. Rs. 1 Lac if the meet is held in rural areas.

Note:-Transportation cost will be paid to SC/ST units to participate in Vendor Development Programmes (VDPs)

6. Workshops/ Seminars/ Awareness Campaigns

To be organized by Industry Association/ Field Offices of NSIC, MSME DI

Expenditure for organizing Workshop/Seminars would be subject to a maximum limit of : - 
National level : Rs.5 Lacs 
State / regional level :

  1. Rs. 2,00,000 in case of ‘A’ class cities.
  2. Rs. 1,00,000 in case of ‘B’ class cities.
  3. Rs. 50,000 in case of ‘C’ class cities.
    1. Rs. 30,000 in case of rural areas.
C. Virtual mode

Participation in International Exhibitions/Trade Fairs Abroad

Scale of assistance for participation in international exhibitions/trade fair abroad will be applicable as per the provisions under International Cooperation (IC) Scheme and Procurement and Marketing Assistance Scheme (PMAS) of this Ministry.

Participation in Domestic Exhibitions/Trade Fairs
Organize Vendor Development Programmes/ Workshops, Seminars and Awareness Campaigns: (1) Up to Rs. 2 lacs or actual for _Virtual Space/Platform/ License Fee/ Rent
(ii) Up to Rs. 2 lacs or actual for advertising and publicity
(iii) Up to Rs. 1 lacs or actual for Translation and Interpretation charges involved in the virtual event

(C) Mega Events

Apart from the above components, it is proposed to include a provision for organsing Mega SCST conclaves/conferences in partnership with Industry Associations/ organizations of the Ministry of MSME. The financial assistance for such events will be recommended by PSC and approved at the level of Secretary, MSME with consultation of IFW.

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