If your Singapore company is planning to expand into an overseas market, you may be able to receive financial support from Enterprise Singapore to help cover eligible internationalisation costs.
Many businesses search for this support as the Enterprise Singapore overseas expansion grant. The official programme is called the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant.
The MRA Grant helps eligible Singapore companies defray costs related to overseas market promotion, business development, and market set up. From 1 April 2026, eligible SMEs can receive up to 70% of eligible costs, capped at S$100,000 per company per new overseas market.
However, applying for the MRA Grant is more than simply completing an application form. Companies need to identify their target market, determine the activity they want to undertake, select a suitable market entry service provider or consultant where required, prepare the supporting documents, and submit the application before starting the project.
Here is how the process works.
What Is the Enterprise Singapore Overseas Expansion Grant?
The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant is designed to help eligible Singapore companies expand into overseas markets.
The current MRA framework supports three main areas:
- Overseas market promotion
- Overseas business development
- Overseas market set up
Depending on the project, supported activities can include overseas marketing and PR, participation in overseas trade fairs, identifying potential overseas partners and B2B customers, outsourced business development, overseas marketing presence, and certain market entry costs.
The MRA Grant therefore provides financial support for specific internationalisation activities, while the company remains responsible for identifying its business objectives and selecting an appropriate project.
Step 1: Check Your MRA Grant Eligibility
Before preparing an application, make sure your company meets the basic eligibility requirements.
The current criteria require the company to:
- Be registered and operating in Singapore
- Have at least 30% local equity held directly or indirectly by Singapore citizens and/or Singapore Permanent Residents
- Have group annual sales turnover of no more than S$100 million, or group employment size of no more than 200 employees
- Be new to the target overseas market
For the new market requirement, the company’s annual sales in the target country must not have exceeded S$100,000 in any of the preceding three years.
If your company does not meet these requirements, the proposed project may not qualify for MRA support.
Step 2: Identify Your Target Overseas Market
The next step is to identify the overseas market you want to enter.
At this stage, the company does not need to have completed detailed market research. The business should, however, have a reasonable basis for selecting the market.
This could be based on:
- Existing customer enquiries
- Previous business contacts
- Industry opportunities
- Customer demand
- Management’s international growth plans
- Initial business opportunities identified in the market
The detailed understanding of the market can then be developed as part of the project itself.
This may include researching customer requirements, competitors, market opportunities, regulations, distribution channels, and other factors relevant to market entry.
SEKIM International helps companies with market prioritisation and market opportunity analysis, helping them understand the opportunities and challenges within their selected markets.
Step 3: Decide What Activity You Need Support With
Once you have identified the target market, determine what type of activity you want to undertake.
The MRA Grant currently supports activities under three main areas.
Overseas Market Promotion
This can include eligible marketing and PR activities and participation in overseas physical and virtual trade fairs.
Overseas Business Development
This includes activities such as identifying potential overseas partners and B2B customers and engaging outsourced business development services in the target market.
Overseas Market Set Up
This can include certain advisory, legal, documentation, intellectual property, incorporation, and import and export licensing costs.
Each application is currently limited to one activity in one overseas market.
Step 4: Select a Market Entry Service Provider or Consultant
For most MRA supported activities, the company needs to identify a suitable market entry service provider or consultant for the proposed project.
The provider’s proposal or quotation should clearly explain:
- Scope of services
- Expected project deliverables
- Cost breakdown
- Relevant experience and credentials
Enterprise Singapore requires a proposal and/or quotation from the consultant or market entry service provider as part of the application for most activities.
The right service provider should also understand the company’s objectives and the requirements of the target market.
For example, a company looking to develop B2B opportunities overseas may need support with identifying potential customers, conducting market research, and developing business relationships.
SEKIM International supports companies with overseas customer identification, business development, and lead generation in target markets.
Step 5: Prepare the Required Documents
Once the project and service provider have been identified, the company can prepare the supporting documents.
For most MRA activities, Enterprise Singapore requires:
- Company financial statements for the past three years
- Proposal and/or quotation from the selected consultant or market entry service provider
- Detailed scope of services
- Expected project deliverables
- Cost breakdown by scope of services
- Consultant or service provider credentials and relevant track record
Newly incorporated companies may provide other relevant financial documents, such as updated management accounts, depending on their circumstances.
The project proposal should clearly explain what will be done, what the project is expected to deliver, and how the activity supports the company’s overseas expansion.
The company does not need to have completed the market research that the project itself is intended to undertake.
Step 6: Submit Your MRA Grant Application
Applications are submitted through the Business Grants Portal (BGP) using the company’s Corppass account.
The company itself must submit and manage the application. A consultant, service provider, or other third party cannot submit or manage the MRA application on the company’s behalf.
Applications should be submitted six months or less before the proposed project start date.
One of the most important rules is that the project must not have started before the application is submitted.
This means companies generally cannot:
- Make payments to the consultant or service provider
- Sign the relevant contract or purchase order
- Start the project
- Begin preliminary project activities
before submitting the application.
Enterprise Singapore treats these situations as retrospective applications, which are generally not permitted.
Step 7: Wait for the Letter of Offer
After submitting the application, Enterprise Singapore will assess the project.
Complete applications currently take approximately 8 to 12 weeks to process.
If the application is approved, the company will receive a Letter of Offer containing details such as:
- Conditions of support
- Approved grant amount
- Project qualifying period
- Approved project deliverables
The company must accept the Letter of Offer within the specified timeline before proceeding with the project.
Step 8: Complete the Approved Project
Once the project has been approved, the company can proceed with the agreed activities.
The project should be completed according to the approved scope and project timeline.
If changes are required after the project begins, the company should submit a change request through the Business Grants Portal for Enterprise Singapore’s evaluation.
MRA projects cannot exceed 12 months under the current requirements.
Step 9: Complete the Audit and Submit Your Claim
After completing the project and achieving the approved deliverables, the company must engage an auditor from Enterprise Singapore’s Pre Qualified Panel.
All MRA claims are subject to audit.
The company will need to provide supporting documents such as:
- Statement of Claim
- Invoices
- Proof of payment
- Audit report
- Approved project deliverables
The claim must be submitted through the Business Grants Portal within the required deadline stated in the Letter of Offer.
MRA support is provided on a reimbursement basis, so companies should plan their cash flow accordingly.
What Happens After You Submit Your Claim?
Once Enterprise Singapore approves the claim, the grant amount is disbursed to the company’s designated bank account.
Companies can receive the grant through Corporate PayNow or GIRO. Enterprise Singapore states that PayNow Corporate is the preferred option and can provide faster disbursement after claim approval.
This means businesses should keep proper records throughout the project rather than waiting until the end to organise documentation.
How SEKIM International Can Support Your Overseas Expansion
Understanding how to apply for the Enterprise Singapore overseas expansion grant is only one part of preparing for international growth.
Once a company has selected a target market, it may need support to understand the market, identify potential customers, and develop business opportunities.
SEKIM International helps companies grow in international markets through five key areas:
Export Readiness
We help businesses develop their readiness to grow exports and expand globally.
Market Prioritisation
We help companies evaluate potential markets and determine where to focus their international expansion efforts.
Market Opportunity Analysis
We help businesses understand the opportunities and challenges within their selected target markets.
Overseas Customer Identification
We help companies identify potential clients and business partners in target markets.
Business Development and Lead Generation
We perform business development and lead generation activities in target markets on behalf of our clients.
This allows companies to build a more structured approach to international expansion, from selecting a market and understanding the opportunity to identifying potential customers and developing business relationships.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for the MRA Grant
Starting the Project Before Applying
Do not begin the project, sign the relevant contract, or make payments to the consultant or service provider before submitting your application.
Choosing a Target Market Without a Clear Business Reason
You do not need to have completed detailed market research before applying, but you should have a reasonable basis for selecting the target market.
Having an Unclear Project Scope
Your proposal should clearly explain what the consultant or market entry service provider will do and what the project will deliver.
Not Keeping Proper Documentation
Keep invoices, payment records, project deliverables, and other supporting documents throughout the project to make the eventual claim and audit process smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Enterprise Singapore overseas expansion grant?
The term commonly refers to the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant, Enterprise Singapore’s support programme for eligible companies expanding into overseas markets.
How much does the MRA Grant cover?
From 1 April 2026, eligible SMEs can receive up to 70% of eligible costs, capped at S$100,000 per company per new overseas market.
Can I apply for the MRA Grant after starting my project?
Generally, no. Companies must submit their application before starting the project, signing the relevant consultant or service provider contract, or making payments.
Do I need detailed market research before applying?
Not necessarily. The company should have a reasonable business basis for selecting the target market. Detailed market research and analysis may be part of the approved project.
Can a newly registered company apply?
Yes. Newly registered companies with less than one year of operations can apply, subject to the relevant requirements and demonstrating adequate financing and manpower resources.
Can SEKIM International help with an MRA supported project?
SEKIM International provides services including export readiness, market prioritisation, market opportunity analysis, overseas customer identification, business development, and lead generation. Whether a specific activity qualifies for MRA support depends on Enterprise Singapore’s current requirements and approval.
Start Planning Your Overseas Expansion
The Enterprise Singapore overseas expansion grant, officially known as the Market Readiness Assistance Grant, can help eligible Singapore SMEs reduce the cost of entering and developing overseas markets.
But a successful application starts with a clear understanding of what the business wants to achieve.
You need to identify the target market, define the activity, select an appropriate market entry service provider or consultant, prepare the required documents, and submit the application before starting the project.
SEKIM International helps companies throughout the international expansion journey, from export readiness and market prioritisation to market opportunity analysis, overseas customer identification, business development, and lead generation.
If your company is planning to expand into a new overseas market, SEKIM International can help you develop the groundwork and pursue opportunities in that market.