Your complete guide to Singapore's most generous export development grant scheme by Enterprise Singapore.
The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant is a government grant designed to help Singapore companies, especially SMEs, expand into overseas markets with reduced financial risk.
The MRA Grant helps Singapore businesses establish and expand operations in overseas markets by providing substantial government co-funding for qualifying market development activities.
Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG or ESG) administers the MRA Grant. This represents the Singapore government's commitment to help local SMEs develop a globally competitive business ecosystem.
Reduce the barriers to international expansion by co-funding eligible overseas market entry and development activities. Think of it as your fast-track passport in global business growth.
The MRA Grant scheme has been significantly enhanced with higher support levels effective from April 2026.
1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
Three years of enhanced support for your international expansion
Up to 70% Grant Support
Maximum grant per new market: S$100,000
Up to 50% Grant Support
Same cap structure applies for non-SME companies
Understanding what you can get funded for — three main categories with generous co-funding.
| Category | Description | Funding Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas Market Promotion | Marketing and PR activities to build brand visibility in overseas markets (road shows, pop-up stores, in-store promotions, online/offline media); physical trade fairs (booth rental and design/construction, each capped at 36 sqm, pitching slots, marketing collaterals); and virtual trade fairs (webinar/conference access, post-event analytics, business matching sessions). B2C-only fairs are not supported. | S$20,000 |
| Overseas Business Development | Identifying and meeting potential overseas partners (distributors, agents, JV partners, franchisees); deploying a full-time Business Development employee in the target market (salary + office rental); or engaging outsourced in-market BD services to develop leads and pursue market entry. | S$50,000 |
| Overseas Market Setup | Costs for setting up a legal presence in the target market: incorporating an overseas entity, registering intellectual property (IP) for products/services, tax structure planning, obtaining import/export licences, trade credit insurance, and drafting market-specific business agreements. | S$30,000 |
Understanding key exclusions ensures appropriate project planning and budget allocation
General staff salaries are not eligible. However, under the Overseas Business Development pillar, the basic salary and office rental for a dedicated, full-time Business Development (BD) employee physically stationed in the target market can be supported — for up to 12 months (minimum 6 months). The BD staff must not work remotely, hold concurrent roles, or be a shareholder or director of the company. Support is 70% for locally-hired BD staff and 50% for foreign BD staff.
Personal business travel, accommodation, and meal expenses are not eligible for reimbursement.
Physical equipment, machinery, and capital goods generally don't qualify. The focus is on business development activities.
Applications must be submitted before incurring project costs. Retroactive claims are not permitted.
Activities in Singapore don't qualify. This grant is specifically for overseas market expansion.
Only standard business office rental (lease agreements) for the BD staff's market presence is supported. Excluded office-related costs include: warehouse, factory, and residential space, hotel rooms or suites, and incidental costs such as equipment, furniture, fixtures, utilities, and internet or telecommunication charges.
The MRA Grant supports two distinct expansion strategies — choose what works for your business
Venturing into countries where you don't have any presence yet. This could be your first foray into a new region or a completely different territory from your current operations.
Building traction in markets where your sales are still nascent — specifically, markets where your annual overseas sales have stayed below S$100,000 in each of the past 3 years. The grant helps you push past this early-stage threshold.
Why this grant is a game-changer for Singapore businesses
Up to 70% support means you only need to fund 30% yourself. That's a huge reduction in financial risk when exploring new markets.
From market research to trade missions, brand building to digital marketing — a wide range of activities qualify for funding.
Three years of enhanced funding (2026-2029) means you can plan and execute ambitious expansion strategies without rushing.
Expand into multiple countries simultaneously. There's no restriction on the number of markets you can develop.
Enterprise Singapore provides guidance, and approved consultants (like us!) can help you maximize your grant benefits.
With reduced capital burden, you can invest more in strategy, talent, and market positioning — the real drivers of success.
Not all companies qualify, but most Singapore businesses do. Here's what we look for:
Singapore-registered company with at least 30% local equity held by Singapore Citizens or PRs
SME status — annual group revenue under S$100M or fewer than 200 employees
New market entry or sales under S$100K in target market for each of the past 3 years
Eligible activity — overseas promotion, business development, or market setup
