The MRA grant gives you up to S$100,000 per new market—but only if you understand how the three pillars work.
Budget 2026 Update: MRA support increased from 50% to 70% for SMEs (1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029). The “new market” requirement will be removed in 2H 2026. See MRA Budget 2026 Changes Explained for full details.
The Three Pillars at a Glance
| Pillar | Cap | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas Market Promotion | S$20,000 | Brand awareness, trade fairs |
| Overseas Business Development | S$50,000 | Finding partners, distributors |
| Overseas Market Set-up | S$30,000 | Establishing physical presence |
Pillar 1: Overseas Market Promotion (S$20K)
Purpose: Get your brand known in a new market.
Supported activities:
- Trade fairs (physical and virtual)
- Road shows and pop-up stores
- In-store promotions
- Marketing and PR campaigns
- Social media presence development
- Media coverage (press, blogs)
Best for: Companies with products ready to sell who need market visibility.
Pillar 2: Overseas Business Development (S$50K)
Purpose: Find the right partners to distribute or sell your products.
Supported activities:
- Identifying distributors and agents
- Finding licensees or franchisees
- Sourcing joint venture partners
- Locating cross-border logistics partners
- Outsourced business development services
Best for: Companies that need local partners to scale in a market.
This pillar has the highest cap because partner identification often requires extensive research and multiple meetings.
Pillar 3: Overseas Market Set-up (S$30K)
Purpose: Establish your physical or legal presence in a market.
Supported activities:
- Deploying an employee overseas for business development
- Office space rental
- IP application advisory
- Legal expenses for overseas incorporation
- Import/export license documentation
Best for: Companies ready to commit resources to a market long-term.
Note: This is the only pillar where you might not need an external vendor (for Overseas Marketing Presence projects).
Strategic Pillar Selection
Scenario 1: Testing a New Market
Start with Promotion (S$20K). Attend a trade fair, run a small campaign, gauge market response before committing more resources.
Scenario 2: Have Interest, Need Partners
Focus on Business Development (S$50K). You’ve validated demand—now find reliable local partners to scale distribution.
Scenario 3: Ready to Commit
Use Market Set-up (S$30K). Send someone to establish operations, set up a legal entity, protect your IP.
Can You Combine Pillars?
Yes, but remember:
- Each application covers ONE activity in ONE market
- To use multiple pillars in the same market, submit separate applications
- Total cap remains S$100,000 per company per new market
Example: You want to attend a trade fair (Promotion) AND find distributors (Business Development) in Japan.
Submit two separate applications:
- Trade fair participation → Promotion pillar (S$20K cap)
- Distributor identification → Business Development pillar (S$50K cap)
Related Guides
-
Grant Pitfalls Guide — common mistakes to avoid
-
Singapore Grants Glossary — key terms and definitions
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