Apply In-Person:

1. To Participate in International Fairs SME Refund Scheme, the applicants should contact the SME REFUND SCHEME. link
2. The Applicants must go to the authority, to obtain the necessary application form for proceeding with their application.
3. The applicants should submit an application form, accompanied by all the necessary documents, to the SME Refund Scheme and they can be found under the “Required Document” section of this page.
4. The SME Refund Scheme will assess the application and inform the applicant of their eligibility status, should they be eligible for the scheme, following a thorough review of the application.
5. The applicant should then complete the necessary paperwork, including submitting a comprehensive business plan and a detailed budget, to be eligible for consideration.
6. The SME Refund Scheme will review the documents submitted by the applicant and, upon careful consideration, decide as to whether to approve or reject the application.
7. If approved, the SME Refund Scheme will provide the applicant with a grant to cover the costs of participating in the international fairs, allowing them to take advantage of the benefits that these fairs can offer, such as increased brand awareness, new contacts and potential business opportunities.
8. The applicant should then use the funds to pay for the participation in the international fairs and submit proof of payment to the SME Refund Scheme.
9. A fee for this procedure has to be paid as per the authority’s request.
10. The SME Refund Scheme will then reimburse the applicant for the expenses incurred, providing an additional financial lifeline for small- and medium-sized enterprises struggling to cope with the economic impact of the pandemic.
11. The processing time for this procedure takes 2 weeks.

Note: The Transit of Arms and Ammunition in the Mauritian Territory is strictly regulated, and any violation of the regulations may lead to prosecution under the Arms and Ammunition Act.

• 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.

SME REFUND SCHEME
Address: 10th Floor, One Cathedral Square Building, 16, Jules Koenig Street Port Louis 11328, Republic of Mauritius
Email: sme@edbmauritius.org
Telephone: +230 2032800
Website link

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

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.

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

• This is validity for 24 months (about 2 years) from the date of approval of the application.

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

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

• The processing time for this procedure takes 2 weeks.

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'.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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

Link

More information which might help people.