By KASS International
The new guidelines of MATRADE’s Market Development Grant (MDG), effective since 1st July 2012, have given SMEs a reason to rejoice! In case you were not aware, the MDG is a predetermined grant where the reimbursed value is based on location and types of export promotion activities.
Key Takeaways
- Cooperatives are now eligible to apply for MATRADE's Market Development Grant (MDG), expanding access beyond traditional business entities.
- Eligibility criteria for services sectors has been significantly revised, increasing annual sales turnover threshold from RM5 million to RM25 million and full-time employee requirement from 50 to 150.
- Registration of IP overseas (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, geographical indications, and layout designs) is now a reimbursable activity with a maximum of RM20,000 per country and up to RM100,000 per member company per year.
- Five new activities have been introduced including listing in supermarkets/hypermarkets overseas, international certification, presentation to potential clients overseas (service providers), and initial setup costs for representative offices overseas (service providers)
- All MDG applications must be submitted through the MDG Online System at www.matrade.gov.my/mdg, streamlining the application process for export promotion activities
Maximize your export potential with MDG funding.
Among the highlights of the new guidelines are:
- Cooperatives are now eligible to apply for the grant;
- Eligibility criteria for services sectors has been revised from RM5 million to RM25 million for annual sales turnover and from 50 to 150 for full time employees;
- Most interestingly (for us, at least), the introduction of five new activities:
- Registration of IP overseas, inclusive of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, geographical indications and layout designs of integrated circuits (maximum of RM20,000.00 per country; up to RM100,000 per member company per year);
- Listing in Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Overseas (for Manufacturing, Agro-based and Trading);
- International Certification overseas;
- Presentation to potential clients overseas (for service providers only); and
- Initial set up cost of representative office overseas (for service providers only).
All applications for the MDG must be made through the MDG Online System at www.matrade.gov.mv/mdg. For more information, click here or contact the MDG Hotline at 03-6207 7593.