International Cooperation (IC) Scheme

What is the International Cooperation (IC) Scheme?

International Cooperation (IC) Scheme is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises that has been in operation since 1996. The IC Scheme reimburses the costs Indian MSMEs and MSME-promoting organisations incur when they take Indian small-enterprise products into overseas markets; airfare, exhibition space rent, and, for first-time exporters, the statutory and certification costs of starting to export.

According to the Ministry of MSME, the purpose of the scheme is to enhance the competency of MSMEs, capture new markets for their products, explore and enhance exports, access new technologies to increase manufacturing capacity, and generate employment.

What the IC Scheme funds

• Participation of Indian MSMEs in international exhibitions, trade fairs and buyer-seller meets held abroad.
• Holding of international conferences and seminars in India in the interest of the MSME sector.
• Visits of MSME business delegations abroad to explore technology infusion and upgradation, joint ventures, market access and foreign collaborations.
• Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters (CBFTE); reimbursement of entry costs for new exporters.

Main features

• Central sector scheme, demand-driven, with assistance released on a reimbursement basis only.
• Airfare reimbursed at 100% of economy class fare up to Rs 1.5 lakh, or actual fare, whichever is lower.
• Space rent reimbursed at 100% up to Rs 1 lakh, or actual rent, whichever is lower.
• CBFTE launched in June 2022 for micro and small enterprises with an Importer Exporter Code not older than three years.

Who is eligible for the International Cooperation Scheme?

These applicants are eligible:

• State and Central Government organisations working on MSME promotion.
• Registered industry and enterprise associations with a mandate to promote and develop the MSME sector.
• Registered societies and trusts associated with MSME promotion and development.
• Under the CBFTE component, an individual micro or small enterprise registered on the Udyam portal, holding an Importer Exporter Code that is not older than three years at the time of the export shipment.

Who cannot apply:

• An individual entrepreneur cannot apply directly for the trade fair, delegation or exhibition component. That assistance is routed through eligible organisations, which then nominate participating MSMEs.
• Unregistered bodies and purely commercial event organisers without an MSME-promotion mandate are not eligible.
• Medium enterprises are not eligible under CBFTE, that component is restricted to micro and small enterprises.
• An enterprise whose Importer Exporter Code is older than three years at the time of shipment is not eligible for CBFTE reimbursement.
• Claims for costs not actually paid are not eligible, since the scheme operates purely on reimbursement against paid invoices.

What documents are required for the IC Scheme?

How to apply for the International Cooperation Scheme

1. Open the scheme portal at ic.msme.gov.in and choose the correct route — the trade fair and delegation component for an organisation, or the Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters module for an individual micro or small enterprise.
2. Register on the portal with your Udyam Registration number (for MSEs) or your organisation's registration details.
3. Submit the application before the event where prior approval is required for exhibitions, delegations and conferences; CBFTE claims are filed after the qualifying expenditure.
4. Incur and pay the cost yourself: airfare, exhibition space rent, RCMC fee, export insurance premium or testing and certification charges.
5. File the claim form with paid invoices, boarding passes, stall allotment letters, RCMC copy and shipment documents as applicable.
6. Track the claim on the portal; assistance is released to the applicant's bank account after scrutiny by the Ministry's International Cooperation division.

Applications in the prescribed form can also be sent to the Director (International Cooperation), Ministry of MSME, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi 110011.

How much does the International Cooperation Scheme reimburse?

Trade fair and delegation component

• Airfare: 100% of economy class airfare, subject to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh or the actual fare paid, whichever is lower.
• Space rent: 100% of space rent, subject to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh or the actual rent paid, whichever is lower.
• Freight, publicity and registration costs are reimbursed on actuals within the ceilings set in the guidelines.

Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters (CBFTE)

• RCMC charges: 75% reimbursed, capped at Rs 20,000 or actual cost, whichever is lower.
• Testing and quality certification for exports: 75% reimbursed, capped at Rs 1 lakh per financial year or actual cost, whichever is lower.
• Export insurance premium: reimbursed at the rate notified in the CBFTE guidelines on the ic.msme.gov.in portal.

Because ceilings are revised from time to time, verify the current rate on the CBFTE page of ic.msme.gov.in before you commit to a certification or exhibition expense.

Why IC Scheme claims get rejected

• Cost not actually paid or invoice not in the applicant's name, the scheme is reimbursement-only.
• Prior approval not obtained for an exhibition or delegation where the guidelines require it.
• IEC older than three years for a CBFTE claim, which puts the enterprise outside the "first time exporter" definition.
• Medium enterprise filing a CBFTE claim reserved for micro and small enterprises.
• Claim filed after the window specified in the sanction or guidelines.
• Missing shipment proof, boarding passes or stall allotment letters.

Help and contact for the IC Scheme

• Scheme portal: ic.msme.gov.in
• Ministry page: msme.gov.in/international-cooperation
• Postal route: Director (International Cooperation), Ministry of MSME, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi 110011
• MSME/Udyam helpline: 1800-180-6763

Filing an IC Scheme claim is free. No consultant fee is payable to the Ministry, and no agent can guarantee sanction of a reimbursement claim.