Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS)
A programme by National SC-ST Hub (National SC-ST Hub)
Support for SC/ST-owned enterprises to visit or exhibit at domestic and international trade fairs, with approval needed before each event.
At a glance
| Best for | SC/ST-owned enterprises that want to visit or exhibit at trade fairs |
|---|
About Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS)
SMAS brings together earlier marketing support components so SC/ST enterprises can get help to grow their markets. It covers visiting and exhibiting at domestic and international trade fairs, including items such as travel fare and freight, with a ceiling per enterprise per event. Prior approval is required before taking part in a domestic or international exhibition.
The hub's exhibition calendars on this page are out of date, so check which events are currently supported before planning.
What you get
- Support towards the cost of visiting or exhibiting at a trade fair, within a per-event ceiling
- Payment through the PFMS portal
Who can apply
- SC/ST-owned enterprises
- The hub's table also lists a ceiling for medium enterprises, although the hub is described as being for micro and small enterprises
How to apply: Apply for approval before the event, not afterwards, following the application process on the SMAS page.
Where to apply
Other NSSH programmes
- Bank Loan Processing Fee ReimbursementPays back part of the processing fee an SC/ST-owned micro or small enterprise has already paid when taking a business loan.
- Performance Bank Guarantee Charges ReimbursementPays back part of the bank charges an SC/ST-owned enterprise paid for a performance bank guarantee on a government or PSU order.
- Testing Fee ReimbursementPays back part of the fee an SC/ST-owned enterprise paid for product testing or BIS certification within a financial year.
- Export Promotion Council Membership ReimbursementPays back part of the membership, subscription or entry fee an SC/ST-owned enterprise paid to an Export Promotion Council.
- Government E-Commerce Portal Membership ReimbursementPays back part of the membership fee an SC/ST-owned enterprise paid to a government-promoted e-commerce portal, for new memberships and renewals.
- Management Short-Course Fee ReimbursementPays back most of the fee for a short course at a top-50 NIRF-ranked management institute, for an SC/ST entrepreneur or their ward.
- Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS)A capital subsidy on a bank term loan taken to buy new plant and machinery, applied for through the lending bank.
- NSIC Single Point Registration at a Token FeeNSIC registration for micro and small enterprises, available to SC/ST-owned enterprises at a token fee for registration, renewal and amendments.
- Free Skill and Entrepreneurship TrainingFree courses for existing and aspiring SC/ST entrepreneurs, run by government and autonomous training institutions; you contact the institute directly.