Market Development Support Assistance

The Market Development Support Assistance scheme, introduced by the Industries and Commerce Department of the Union Territory of Puducherry, is designed to support industrial growth and improve market access for local enterprises. In operation since April 1, 2017, the scheme covers the entire territory of Puducherry and offers financial aid to industrial units, with a particular focus on offsetting the significant expenses of participating in international trade fairs—an important avenue for expanding market presence and gaining global visibility.

Through this initiative, the department encourages entrepreneurs to explore new markets and present their products and services internationally, contributing to the region's economic progress. Assistance is provided as a reimbursement, helping eligible units cover costs related to booth rental, promotional literature, and display materials. By reducing these financial pressures, the scheme allows industrial units to channel more resources into product development and operational efficiency, enhancing their competitiveness both domestically and abroad. This programme forms a key part of Puducherry's approach to building a dynamic and internationally connected industrial base.

- **Step 1:** The industrial unit must register its claim for the incentive or subsidy by securing the prescribed application form from the Official Website of the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Puducherry. - **Step 2:** Complete every compulsory field in the application form with precision, and enclose self-attested copies of all necessary mandatory documents. - **Step 2:** Submit the fully completed and signed application form, together with all supporting documents, to the designated officer at the Directorate. - **Step 4:** Ask for and retain a receipt or acknowledgement from the designated officer after submission. Verify that this receipt includes critical information, such as the submission date and time, and a unique identification number, where relevant. - **Application Deadline for New Units:** Submit the application within one year from the date of commencement of obtaining the Entrepreneurs Memorandum Part-2/ Permanent Registration/ Commencement of Production Certificate. - **Application Deadline for Existing Units:** Submit the application within one year of completion of Expansion/ Diversification/ Modernization.

The Directorate of Industries reviews each application on its merits after submission. This first stage establishes whether the unit is eligible and works out the amount of assistance that can be granted under the scheme. The applications, along with the Directorate's recommendations, are then referred to the State Level Committee. That committee examines the details of every case and takes the final call on whether the industrial unit receives the incentive or subsidy, also specifying the precise amount of financial support to be offered.