LEAD Trade Fairs and Business Missions

Announcement:

LEAD International Fairs & Missions (LEAD IFM) has replaced International Marketing Activities Programme (iMAP) from 1 October 2019 onwards).

Overseas missions and trade fairs are useful platforms for Singapore companies to reach out to global customers, obtain feedback on products and services, and explore opportunities in overseas markets.

Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) organise overseas missions and facilitate local companies’ participation in trade fairs abroad. TACs can tap the LEAD programme to help participating SMEs defray part of the costs incurred when they join these overseas missions and trade fairs.

Companies participating in LEAD Trade Fairs and Business Missions will receive support of up to 50% or 70% of eligible expenses, depending on the number of times your company has participated in the event¹. Eligible expenses include exhibition rental space, booth construction, publicity and fair or mission consultancy costs.

For TACs

LEAD IFM is open to TACs in Singapore. To qualify, your TAC must fulfil all the following criteria:

Registered with Registry of Societies (ROS) or Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
Defined as a non-profit organisation².
Has a secretariat³ with adequate staff, financial resources and experience to recruit and organise the proposed activities.
The organising TAC is responsible for all expenses related to the activity. The TAC will seek reimbursement for eligible expenses from Enterprise Singapore on behalf of participating companies.

For Companies

Companies⁴ incorporated or registered in Singapore and have at least three of the following core business functions or activities operating within Singapore are eligible for the LEAD IFM support.

Market development and planning
Logistics and shipping management
Research, development and design functions
Manufacturing and other value-added activity
Business and investment planning
Banking, financial and treasury functions

Companies do not apply for LEAD IFM funding directly from Enterprise Singapore. If you are interested in participating in LEAD IFM supported activities, check out Enterprise Singapore’s Events Calendar and contact the respective TAC organisers. TACs will seek reimbursement for eligible expenses from Enterprise Singapore on your behalf.

In addition to LEAD IFM support, eligible companies may apply for the Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation Scheme (DTDi) to cover expenses incurred during your trade mission and/or fair participation. However, you may only apply for expenses NOT covered by the LEAD IFM programme (for example, travel and accommodation) for up to two representatives per company.

Please take note that LEAD IFM operates on a reimbursement basis. Funding will be disbursed through TACs to eligible companies, and companies should contact the TAC directly if there are any queries. Enterprise Singapore will not be held responsible to participating companies and vendors in the event of any default on payment by the TACs.

From 1 October 2019, TACs can apply for LEAD IFM funding.

Please contact us for more information on how to apply.

¹ Companies which have participated in the same trade fair no more than three times will receive support of up to 70% of eligible expenses. Companies which have participated in the same trade fair more than three times will receive support of up to 50% of eligible expenses. The counting of participation in trade fairs starts from 1 April 2018.
² A TAC will not be eligible for LEAD IFM once it is privatised. Please inform Enterprise Singapore if there are changes to your organisation or status.
³ TACs which outsource their secretariat service may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
⁴ Companies are entities registered as sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, exempt private company, private company and public company.