Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant — Costs and fees breakdown

The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant helps Singapore SMEs take their business overseas by defraying the cost of market entry activities. As at 2026 the grant supports up to 50% of eligible costs, capped per company per new market, covering overseas market set-up, business matching and market promotion. The practical out-of-pocket cost is the balance after the grant, plus advisory fees for scoping, typically S$800–S$2,500.

Market Readiness Assistance essentials and worked example

The Market Readiness Assistance grant is built for the specific moment when an SME is ready to enter a new overseas market for the first time. Take a Singapore manufacturer targeting Indonesia. It engages an in-market consultant for regulatory advice, commissions localised marketing, and attends a business-matching mission. If these qualifying costs total S$18,000, support of up to 50% as at 2026 yields up to S$9,000, capped per market, with the balance funded by the company and the grant reimbursed on completion.

The market-by-market design is important. Each new market is assessed against the prior-sales threshold separately, so a company can use Market Readiness Assistance again for a different country even after using it once. This makes it a repeatable tool for a deliberate, staged internationalisation plan rather than a one-off.

Because the grant covers third-party costs, the choice of qualified, arm’s-length providers is central; in-house or related-party costs generally fall outside the supported scope.

What the MRA grant is

The Market Readiness Assistance grant, administered by Enterprise Singapore, supports SMEs expanding into overseas markets for the first time. It funds three broad activity types: overseas market promotion (such as marketing and public relations), overseas business development (such as in-market business matching), and overseas market set-up (such as advisory on entity establishment and regulatory requirements). It is designed for companies that are ready to internationalise but need support with the upfront cost.

Who is eligible

Applicants must be a business entity registered and operating in Singapore, with at least 30% local shareholding, group annual sales up to S$100 million or group employment up to 200, and new to the target market, generally meaning overseas sales in that market of not more than S$100,000 in each of the preceding three years. Each new market is assessed separately.

Funding level and cost breakdown

MRA supports up to 50% of eligible third-party costs, subject to a cap per new market as set by Enterprise Singapore. On S$20,000 of qualifying market-entry cost, an approved SME would receive up to S$10,000. Like most Enterprise Singapore grants, MRA is disbursed on reimbursement after the activity is completed and claimed, so budget the full spend upfront.

Step-by-step application

First, identify the target market and the specific activities, and obtain quotations from qualified third-party providers. Second, apply through the Business Grants Portal using CorpPass before committing to the spend. Third, on approval, carry out the activity and retain all invoices and deliverables. Fourth, submit the claim with supporting documents. Nearby Johor is a common first market; our guide on the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone covers the expansion context.

Sequencing with other grants

MRA addresses market entry, while other schemes address capability and deeper transformation. A company might use MRA to enter a market and the Enterprise Development Grant for the underlying capability build. See our guides on stacking government grants and the Enterprise Development Grant, and note the 2026 consolidation described in our EDGE grant guide.

Tax and staffing considerations

MRA-funded costs that are revenue in nature reduce the deductible expense by the grant received. Companies posting staff overseas or hiring in-market should plan the employment and immigration angle; where founders drive the expansion, the EntrePass route may be relevant.

Common mistakes and gotchas

The frequent errors are: applying after the spend has been committed; treating a market as new when prior sales exceed the threshold; using related-party or non-qualifying providers; and weak documentation of deliverables. Because each market is assessed separately, keep records market by market.

Timeline and cash-flow planning

Market Readiness Assistance follows the same reimbursement rhythm as other Enterprise Singapore grants. Plan for: define market and activities and obtain quotations (weeks 1–2); submit the application before committing spend (week 2); approval (weeks 4–8); carry out the activity, which for market entry can itself span two to six months; then claim on completion with invoices and deliverables. The company funds the activity throughout and recovers the supported portion, up to 50% subject to the per-market cap, only after a complete claim. For a staged, multi-market plan, running one market’s claim while scoping the next keeps momentum without overstretching cash.

Official resources

Primary sources and regulators:

FAQs

How much does the MRA grant cover?
As at 2026 it supports up to 50% of eligible third-party market-entry costs, subject to a cap per new market set by Enterprise Singapore.

What counts as a new market?
Generally a market where the company’s overseas sales did not exceed S$100,000 in each of the preceding three years; each market is assessed separately.

What activities are funded?
Overseas market promotion, overseas business development such as business matching, and overseas market set-up including advisory on entity and regulatory set-up.

Is the grant paid upfront?
No. Like most Enterprise Singapore grants it is reimbursed after the activity is completed and claimed, so plan cash flow accordingly.

Need help with this? Call, SMS or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133, or email [email protected]. Raffles Corporate Services works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.