Mauritius - Apply Online for Participation in International Fairs SMEs Refund Scheme

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Procedure

Apply Online
STEP 1: CREATION OF USER PROFILE

• Apply Online for Participation in International Fairs SMEs Refund Scheme, the applicant must visit the website of Economic Development Board in Mauritius. Application forms available at link.
• The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) should first enroll with the Enterprise Development Board (EDB) by visiting the following link

STEP 2: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION 

• SMEs should fill in the application form and submit supporting documents at least one month before the start of the fair that they plan to attend.
• In order to complete their application, applicants must submit the applicable supporting documents which can be found in the "Required Documents" section of this page along with the application form.

STEP 2.1: EVALUATION BY PROJECT EVALUATION AND MONITORING COMMITTEE 

• Upon submission of the application, the applicant will be notified by email.
• If the application is incomplete, the applicants will be contacted for further information in order to complete the application form, along with any supporting documents required in the checklist.
• Once a complete application has been submitted to the Project Evaluation and Monitoring Committee (PEMC), it will be assessed accordingly.
• The date of receipt of the complete application shall be the effective date of application.
• The EDB must notify the applicant of their decision within two weeks of the application's effective date, if possible.

STEP 3: SUBMISSION OF CLAIM 

• SMEs that have obtained prior approval for refund must submit the claim form and corresponding proof of expenses within 10 days after their return from the international fair, unless otherwise authorized by the EDB.
• All claims should be submitted online through the following link
• The following documents should be submitted together with the claim form.
• Please note that the name of the representative mentioned in the application form should match the name given in the travel itinerary and accommodation receipt.
• Once the complete set of proof of expenses has been provided, the EDB will process the claim and notify the applicant within a minimum of 2 weeks.
• Refunds for expenses claimed will not be granted unless the SME has submitted the necessary receipts and proof of payments.
• A fee for this procedure is has to be paid as per the authority’s request.
• The SME who has been approved for a refund will receive the payment in their bank account, as per the details they have provided.

Note: The EDB reserves the right to decide which expenditure is eligible for reimbursement. Any expenditure that is taken on by a third party will not be refundable.

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Required Documents

• Application Form
• Claim Form: Cost of Stand/Participation Fee - Invoice, Payment receipt, and Proof of payment by credit card or bank transfer.
• Airfare Cost- E-ticket, Invoice, Payment receipt, and Proof of payment by credit card or bank transfer.
• Accommodation Cost- Booking confirmation, Detailed receipt with information on room rates per night, and Proof of payment by credit card or bank transfer.
• Audited financial statements for the past 3 years or signed financial statements by the directors
• Business plan including financial forecast for startup SMEs with less than 1 year of operation
• Business plan including financial forecast for startup SMEs with less than 1 year of operation
• Relevant certificates, licenses or permit where applicable.
• A comprehensive report of the outcome of previous participations by the SME where refunds were granted.

Office Locations & Contacts

Economic Development Board 
Address: Wall St, Quatre Bornes, Mauritius
QF3V+2G Quatre Bornes, Mauritius
Telephone: +2302033800
Location link
Contact link

SME REFUND SCHEME  
Address: 10th Floor, One Cathedral Square Building,
16, Jules Koenig Street Port Louis 11328,
Republic of Mauritius
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +230 2032800
Website link

Eligibility

The following business/events/fairs are eligible: 

• In manufacturing, agribusiness and service sectors Rs. Mauritian SMEs with a turnover not exceeding 50 million are eligible beneficiaries to engage in export promotion activities related to their business.
• Exhibitors in international fairs outside of Mauritius, technology fairs led by EDB or SME Mauritius in the manufacturing and agri-business sectors, fairs under a Mauritian pavilion, and buyer-seller meetings are eligible.

Fees

A fee for this procedure is has to be paid as per the authority’s request.

Validity

This is validity for 24 months from the date of approval of the application.

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

The processing time for this procedure takes 2 weeks.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• The Mauritius Export Association with the support of the Ministry of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives has launched an International Fairs SMEs Refund Scheme for Mauritian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
• The scheme is open to all Mauritian SMEs that are registered with the Government and wish to participate in international fairs, exhibitions or trade shows to promote and market their products and services.
• The scheme provides financial assistance in the form of a refund of up to 50% of the cost of registration, airfare and accommodation to the SME.
• To apply for the scheme, SMEs must first register with the EDB. Once registered, the SME can submit an online application form to the MEA. The form should include information on the fair, exhibition or trade show the SME intends to attend.
• Once the application is approved, the SME will be required to submit receipts and invoices for the costs related to the event. Upon receipt of these documents, the refund will be made within a period of 30 days.
• For more information on the scheme, including the eligibility criteria and application process, please visit the EDB website link.

Required Information

• Business Registration Number
• Name of the Business
• Name of Contact Person
• Email Address
• Mobile Number
• Date of Registration of Business
• Nature of Business
• Address of Business
• Bank Account Details
• Type of Participation
• Type of Fair
• Details of Participation
• Expected Expenses
• Declaration of Compliance with Eligibility Criteria
• Declaration of Compliance with the Code of Conduct
• Declaration of Compliance with the Privacy Policy.

Need for the Document

• The Participation in International Fairs SMEs Refund Scheme in Mauritius is designed to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country to participate more in international fairs and exhibitions outside Mauritius.
• It can help SMEs to showcase their products and services to a wider audience, to network with potential business partners and to gain market knowledge.
• The refund scheme can help to cover some of the costs associated with taking part in such events, such as travel and accommodation, booth rental, and any other related expenses.
• This can help SMEs to reduce their costs and to gain access to new markets, which could provide them with a competitive advantage in their respective industries.

Information which might help

HAPPENS IF REFUND IS NOT CLAIMED:

• Refund will not be processed if the SME fails to submit the claim and appropriate proof of payments within 10 days of participation in the fair, except as approved by the EDB. • No refund shall be made if the SME fails to participate in the event for which favorable consideration has been granted.

THE CONDITIONS TO BENEFIT FROM THIS SCHEME: 

• It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the complete application is submitted to the EDB within the established deadlines. Failure to comply with the application deadline as outlined under 8.2, might delay the process and might lead to notification on the Committee’s decision after participation in the fair at the participant’s own risk.
• SMEs should submit a comprehensive report of the outcome of previous participations. Failure to submit such report may lead to disqualification to benefit from this scheme.
• The EDB reserves at all times the absolute right to determine whether the applicant’s eligibility, the nature of the export promotion activity, the relevance of the international fair and refund amount is acceptable under the scheme.
• The EDB reserves at all times the right to request applicants to submit additional documentary proof or any other clarifications.
• The PEMC may turn down an application if the SMEs do not show any tangible benefits deriving from participation in fairs.
• The PEMC may also limit the number of times an SME benefits from the scheme especially if no tangible benefits can be seen.
• Applications will not be considered for SMEs that have been subsidized by any other institution, local or international, in respect of participation in the said international fair.
• The PEMC reserves at all times the absolute right to review its decision and adjust the entitlement of refund, if the SME has provided false, incorrect, and misleading information at the time of application or after.
• The EDB also reserves the right to determine whether the expenditures incurred will be regarded as refundable items. Expenses borne by any third parties will not be refunded. The committee will request for invoice and proof of payments at all times.
• Refund will be made on expenses incurred by the local SME only. Any payments made on behalf of the SME by another local or international party will not be refunded.
• In the event that there is an overpayment due to error in calculation or assessment, applicants will be required to refund the amount overpaid.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Link, Link, Link

Others

More information which might help people.