Government has launched MICE incentive scheme for MSMEs. Under this, assistance up to ₹ 7,000 or maximum of ₹ 6 lakh will be provided per foreign participant on international programs. The objective of the scheme is to increase exports, attract investment and give global recognition to UP.
Lucknow. Yogi government has taken another big step towards making Uttar Pradesh not just a consumer state but also a strong center of global trade. MICE incentive scheme is being implemented for the first time to connect small, small and medium enterprises of the state with the international market. This initiative will not only give impetus to exports but will also play an important role in establishing ‘Brand UP’ on the world map.
Important part of export promotion policy 2025–2030
This scheme has been included under the Uttar Pradesh Export Promotion Policy 2025–2030 implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Its main objective is to provide opportunities to the entrepreneurs of the state at international level, increase exports, attract investment and open new avenues of employment.
Business activities will increase on a large scale in the state through meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions i.e. MICE programs. This will not only strengthen the MSME sector, but Uttar Pradesh will emerge as a major MICE destination.
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Financial assistance up to ₹6 lakh per program
Under the scheme, assistance of ₹7,000 per foreign participant will be provided on organizing MICE events. There is a provision of maximum financial assistance up to ₹ 6 lakh for a program. However, a MICE operator will be able to avail the scheme for only two events in a year.
Only MICE events which are approved by the Ministry of Tourism will be able to avail the benefit of this scheme. MICE operators and event management units of MSME category registered in Uttar Pradesh with the respective departments and councils will be eligible for this scheme.
Requirements for the program
Some important conditions have also been fixed under the scheme. It is mandatory to organize the program entirely in Uttar Pradesh. For catering, logistics and other services, materials will have to be procured from local vendors of the state only. Presence of at least 100 participants will be required in the program, out of which at least 25 percent must be foreign nationals.
Application Process and Deadline
Application has to be made on the portal of Export Promotion Bureau, Uttar Pradesh at least 60 days before the start of the program. The detailed report along with all necessary documents will have to be submitted to the concerned office within 60 days of the completion of the program.
A screening committee has been constituted under the Export Promotion Bureau to examine all the applications. This committee will include officials from departments related to export, tourism and service sector, who will review the applications on the basis of eligibility and conditions.
Approval on first come, first served basis
Claims under the scheme will be approved on ‘first come, first served’ basis. The sanctioned amount will be sent directly to the bank account of the beneficiary through DBT i.e. Direct Benefit Transfer, as per the available budget.
The government has made it clear that if wrong information is given by any unit or the scheme is misused, the entire assistance amount will be recovered. Also, the concerned unit will not get the benefit of any government scheme in future. This scheme can prove to open doors to new possibilities for the MSME sector of Uttar Pradesh, which is expected to give the state a strong identity on the global business map.
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