What is the Singapore Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant?

Expanding overseas can be a powerful growth strategy for Singapore businesses, opening up new customer bases, revenue streams, and brand-building opportunities. However, going global comes with its own set of challenges—market research, regulatory compliance, branding, logistics, marketing, and more. To support SMEs in their internationalisation journey, the Singapore government introduced the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant.

Administered by Enterprise Singapore, the MRA Grant offers funding support of up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at S$100,000 per new market. It helps local SMEs defray the costs of expanding into overseas markets, making global growth more accessible and less financially risky.

Purpose of the MRA Grant

The MRA Grant is designed to:

Encourage and enable Singapore SMEs to expand into overseas markets
Lower the financial barrier to internationalisation
Support market entry strategies such as business matching, market research, branding, and overseas marketing
Facilitate early-stage international growth efforts

This grant is a stepping stone for SMEs that are ready to explore regional and global markets but need support to enter and operate in new territories.

Key Support Areas Under MRA

The MRA Grant supports three main types of activities:

1. Overseas Market Promotion

This includes efforts to promote your brand and offerings to international customers through:

Participation in overseas trade fairs and exhibitions
Overseas advertising and PR campaigns
Digital marketing efforts targeting foreign markets
Marketing collaterals developed for overseas audiences

Example: A local skincare brand engaging an overseas digital marketing agency to run ads in Malaysia and Indonesia.

2. Overseas Business Development

This includes:

Business matching services
Overseas sales and business development consultancy
Appointment of an in-market business development representative or agent

Example: A logistics SME hiring a market entry consultant to identify and engage potential distribution partners in Vietnam.

3. Overseas Market Setup

This category covers services related to establishing a presence in a foreign country, such as:

Legal, tax, or regulatory advisory
Intellectual property (IP) application
Business incorporation overseas
Drafting of franchise or joint venture agreements

Example: A Singapore software firm engaging legal advisors to set up a subsidiary in Australia.

Funding and Caps

As of current guidelines, MRA supports up to 50% of eligible costs, with the following caps per new market:

Overseas Market Promotion: S$20,000
Overseas Business Development: S$50,000
Overseas Market Setup: S$30,000

The total cap is S$100,000 per new market, per company, per fiscal year.

A “new market” is defined as a country where the applicant has less than S$100,000 in annual overseas sales in the last three years.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the MRA Grant, your business must:

Be registered/incorporated in Singapore
Have at least 30% local shareholding
Have less than S$100 million in annual group turnover or fewer than 200 employees
Be new to the target overseas market
Be financially viable to execute the overseas expansion project

Additionally, the project must be completed within 12 months from the date of the grant approval letter.

Application Process

Applying for the MRA Grant is relatively straightforward if you’re familiar with the Business Grants Portal (BGP). Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Engage a Qualified Consultant or Vendor

Ensure that the service providers you engage are not related to your company and have a good track record. Most projects require an external third-party provider for eligibility.

Step 2: Get a Quotation

Obtain a detailed quotation or proposal from the selected vendor outlining the scope, deliverables, and cost.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application

Log in to the Business Grants Portal (https://www.businessgrants.gov.sg) and submit an application with the following documents:

Quotation from service provider
ACRA business profile
Latest audited financial statements
Project proposal and market expansion plan
Supporting materials (e.g. screenshots of your overseas marketing channels)

Step 4: Wait for Enterprise Singapore’s Approval

The evaluation process typically takes 6–8 weeks. If approved, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer (LOF).

Step 5: Execute the Project

You can begin the project only after you’ve received the LOF. Projects started before approval will not be reimbursed.

Step 6: Submit Claims

After completing the project, submit:

Proof of payment (invoices, bank statements)
Deliverables (e.g. market reports, ads, photos of exhibition booth)
Project outcome report

Enterprise Singapore will then review and disburse the approved grant.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While the MRA Grant is highly beneficial, many companies make common errors that lead to rejection or delays:

Starting the project before approval – Any work done before the LOF is issued will not be funded.
Engaging related vendors – You must use third-party service providers with no common ownership or direct affiliation.
Submitting incomplete documentation – Missing invoices, payment proofs, or unclear deliverables can delay or invalidate your claim.
Poorly defined project outcomes – Vague objectives or unclear market entry strategies can weaken your application.

Working with a grant consultant helps you avoid these issues and improves your chances of success.

Why MRA Matters for Singapore SMEs

1. Reduces the Financial Risk of Overseas Expansion

Entering a new market involves costs with no guaranteed ROI. MRA reduces this risk by subsidising strategic spending.

2. Encourages Professional Market Entry Planning

Because funding is tied to working with qualified professionals (consultants, lawyers, etc.), the MRA encourages companies to make informed, structured plans.

3. Boosts Brand Visibility Abroad

By subsidising overseas marketing and PR efforts, MRA helps local companies compete with international players and build strong overseas brand presence.

4. Facilitates Sustainable Growth

MRA-supported initiatives lay the foundation for long-term expansion, customer acquisition, and revenue diversification.

Real-Life Example: How MRA Helped a Singapore Business Expand

One of our clients—a Singapore-based eco-friendly homeware brand—used the MRA Grant to enter the Australian market. We helped them:

Engage a market research consultant to identify consumer preferences
Work with a digital agency to run Facebook ads targeting Australian audiences
Engage a legal consultant to understand import/export requirements

With the MRA Grant covering 50% of costs, the company successfully launched its online store in Australia and saw a 30% increase in overall sales within the first six months.

Why Work with GrantConsultant.sg?

At GrantConsultant.sg, we specialise in helping SMEs navigate the entire MRA process—from project scoping and vendor selection to application submission and claims management.

Our services include:

Evaluating your market readiness
Identifying new market opportunities
Matching you with qualified consultants and vendors
Crafting strong grant applications
Ensuring compliance for successful claim submissions

With our deep understanding of MRA requirements and insider knowledge of what Enterprise Singapore looks for, we maximise your chances of approval.

Conclusion

The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant is a powerful tool for Singapore SMEs looking to go global. With up to S$100,000 in support per market, the MRA lowers the cost of internationalisation, enabling local businesses to confidently explore new markets and scale their operations beyond Singapore.

Whether you’re eyeing entry into Southeast Asia, China, Australia, or Europe, the MRA Grant can help you take that bold first step—safely and strategically.

At GrantConsultant.sg, we make the process seamless and stress-free. Contact us today to find out how we can help you expand globally with confidence.