Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant – Documents required and templates

The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant is an Enterprise Singapore scheme that co-funds the costs of Singapore SMEs expanding into overseas markets, covering market promotion, business development and market set-up activities, and applicants need a defined set of corporate, financial and overseas activity documents to support a claim.

What is Market Readiness Assistance?

MRA supports Singapore-registered businesses taking their first steps into a new overseas market by co-funding costs such as overseas market promotion, business matching, and setting up an overseas presence. It is aimed at companies with limited or no prior track record in the target market, rather than businesses scaling an already-established overseas operation. As with PSG, Enterprise Singapore has been consolidating MRA under the new EDGE grant framework from H2 2026, so applicants should confirm the current track for their application.

Who is MRA for?

MRA suits Singapore-registered SMEs with at least 30% local shareholding and annual turnover not exceeding the prescribed cap, that are entering a specific new overseas market for the first time. It is not intended for domestic expansion or for markets where the applicant already has an established sales history.

Documents required

Applicants typically need: (1) ACRA business profile confirming local shareholding; (2) a market entry proposal or overseas business plan identifying the target market and qualifying activities; (3) latest financial statements confirming turnover falls within the scheme’s eligibility cap; (4) quotations from third-party vendors for the qualifying activities, such as market research firms, overseas trade fairs or market set-up consultants; and (5) invoices and proof of payment at the claim stage, together with evidence the qualifying activity took place, such as trade fair attendance records or signed consultancy deliverables.

Cost and timeline

Funding support has typically ranged from 50% of qualifying costs, capped per company depending on the phase and activity type. Application review generally takes 3 to 6 weeks. Disbursement follows within 4 to 8 weeks of a complete claim with third-party invoices, proof of payment and evidence the qualifying overseas activity was carried out.

Step-by-step process

1. Identify the target overseas market and qualifying activities. 2. Confirm eligibility on shareholding and turnover. 3. Obtain vendor quotations for the proposed activities. 4. Submit the application with the market entry proposal and supporting documents. 5. On approval, carry out the activities and retain invoices, proof of payment and deliverable evidence. 6. Submit the disbursement claim within the prescribed timeframe.

Common mistakes

A common rejection reason is proposing activities in a market where the applicant already has an established sales history, which falls outside MRA’s first-entry intent. Applicants also under-document the qualifying activity at claim stage, submitting invoices without evidence the activity (such as a trade fair or market study) actually took place. Others miscalculate the turnover eligibility cap using group-level rather than applicant-entity figures.

FAQs

What overseas markets qualify for MRA?
Markets where the applicant does not yet have an established sales track record; applicants should confirm the current list of eligible markets with Enterprise Singapore.

How long does an MRA application take?
Typically 3 to 6 weeks for review, with disbursement following 4 to 8 weeks after a complete claim.

Is MRA being replaced?
From H2 2026, Enterprise Singapore has been consolidating MRA with PSG and EDG under the new EDGE grant framework.

Can I claim MRA for a market I have already entered?
Generally no, as MRA is intended for first-time entry into a specific overseas market rather than expansion of an existing presence.

What evidence is needed for the qualifying activity?
Invoices and proof of payment alone are usually insufficient; applicants should retain deliverable evidence such as trade fair attendance records or signed consultancy reports.

Related guides

For the accounting treatment of MRA and other grants, see FRS 20 accounting treatment of government grants in Singapore. For staffing an overseas expansion, see Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) Pass documents required and templates. See also EDG vs PSG vs MRA: which Singapore government grant is right for you?.

Authoritative references: Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore Economic Development Board, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority.

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.