Expanding into a new market is a major milestone for any business but it also comes with significant costs, uncertainty, and competition. For many Indonesian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) eyeing Singapore as their next growth destination, the process can seem overwhelming.
That’s where the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant comes in.
This grant is specifically designed to support businesses that are ready to venture overseas. It helps reduce the cost burden of international expansion and gives companies the confidence to take their first step into new markets especially one as dynamic and strategic as Singapore.
But how exactly does it work? Who is eligible? And how can Indonesian businesses benefit from it? In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the MRA Grant and how Ciptamata can help you make the most of it.
Market Readiness Assistance Grant (MRA)
The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) scheme empowers SMEs to take their first step into international business. It offers up to 70% funding support—capped at SGD 100,000 per company per new market—to subsidize critical market entry activities such as business development, overseas marketing, and market setup.
For businesses planning overseas market entry, this support ensures that crucial efforts such as brand visibility and capability building don’t drain company resources.
The MRA Grant is also ideal for businesses engaged in joint ventures or forming strategic partnerships. Whether you’re building a new subsidiary, expanding a product line, or exploring market diversification, the grant gives you the financial flexibility to explore with confidence.
For Indonesian businesses looking to enter Singapore through a registered local entity or a strategic partnership, the MRA Grant becomes an essential tool. It gives your company the financial headroom to plan strategically, experiment with market positioning, and build strong foundations without exhausting internal resources.
By offering funding for crucial first steps—such as finding the right market-fit, launching marketing campaigns, and getting legal assistance—the grant truly lives up to its name: helping businesses become market-ready.
Understanding the MRA Grant
The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant is a government-backed initiative aimed at empowering Singapore-based SMEs to expand into international markets. It offers up to 70% funding support for a range of activities involved in market entry including market research, promotional campaigns, and legal advisory.
The total support is capped at SGD 100,000 per company per new market, with further sub-caps across key categories:
- Overseas Promotion: Up to SGD 20,000
- Overseas Business Development: Up to SGD 50,000
- Overseas Market Set-Up: Up to SGD 30,000
This allows companies to experiment and explore global opportunities with reduced financial risk, enabling them to focus on strategic decision-making instead of cost management.
Who Is Eligible for the MRA Grant?
To qualify, companies must:
- Be registered/incorporated in Singapore
- Have at least 30% local shareholding
- Have an annual turnover of less than SGD 100 million OR fewer than 200 employees
Indonesian companies can still benefit by:
- Setting up a Singapore-registered company
- Partnering with a Singapore-based consultant like Ciptamata for eligible services
Note: Businesses must also comply with audit requirements and submit documentation proving project completion, grant approval, and detailed activity reporting.
What the MRA Grant Covers
The MRA Grant is flexible and can be applied to a wide range of activities related to market expansion. Here’s a closer look at what’s covered:
Overseas Market Promotion
Marketing is one of the biggest upfront costs when entering a new market. The MRA Grant can help cover:
- Placement of ads in international print or broadcast media
- Production of marketing collaterals such as brochures, videos, and websites
- Participation in overseas trade shows or exhibitions, both physical and virtual
- Improving brand visibility and positioning in foreign markets
Overseas Business Development
Once you have an audience’s attention, you’ll need partners, distributors, or sales agents to convert that interest into revenue. The grant supports:
- Business matching services to find local distributors or clients
- Third-party consultancy to develop a go-to-market strategy
- Business travel and logistics related to development efforts
Overseas Market Set-Up
Establishing a legal presence in a new market is often complex. The MRA Grant covers:
- Legal and tax advisory for market compliance
- Intellectual property and trademark registration
- Licensing, company incorporation, and other admin costs
- Translation of key business documents
Why Focus on Singapore?
Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the most business-friendly countries in the world. With its world-class infrastructure, pro-business regulations, and strategic location in Southeast Asia, it’s often considered the ideal gateway to the region. For Indonesian businesses looking to scale internationally, Singapore offers an ecosystem that supports strategic planning, innovation, and long-term growth opportunities.
Here are a few reasons why Indonesian businesses should consider Singapore:
- Ease of Doing Business: Low corporate tax rates, minimal red tape, and efficient governance create a supportive environment for new entrants.
- Strong Regional Hub: Many global headquarters and regional distributors are based in Singapore, opening the door to cross-border business activities across Asia.
- Access to Investment: Singapore is home to a large network of venture capital firms, angel investors, and government-backed programs that actively support SME expansion.
- Talent Pool: With access to a highly educated workforce that includes both international professionals and Singapore citizens, companies can find the right mix of local insight and global perspective.
- Innovation Ecosystem: Government support for digital transformation, fintech, healthcare, sustainability, and more makes Singapore an excellent testbed for forward-thinking solutions.
- Public Relations Advantage: As a globally respected business hub, being based in Singapore enhances your company’s credibility and brand image. It becomes easier to build trust with partners, the media, and consumers.
And with the MRA Grant reducing the cost of expansion, there’s never been a better time to enter the Singapore market. By partnering with experts like Ciptamata, you can approach this transition with clarity, confidence, and a solid strategic plan.
How Ciptamata Supports Your Expansion Using the MRA Grant
At Ciptamata, we specialize in helping Southeast Asian businesses scale beyond their home countries. Whether you’re just exploring the Singapore market or ready to launch, our team can support you across all MRA-eligible services—from strategy to execution.
Here’s how we can help:
MRA-Compliant Market Research & Strategy
We conduct in-depth analysis of your target audience, competitors, pricing, and positioning in Singapore. All deliverables are aligned with MRA Grant standards to ensure eligibility.
Marketing & Brand Localization
From digital campaigns to content creation, we help you adapt your brand and messaging for the Singapore audience. We also manage and report campaigns in line with grant guidelines.
Incorporation & Legal Advisory Support
Need help setting up a local entity? We can connect you with vetted partners who offer company registration, tax advisory, and licensing services in Singapore.
Grant Application Guidance
We don’t just execute—we also help you navigate the Business Grants Portal (BGP), prepare supporting documents, and ensure that your submission is strong and compliant.
What Makes a Strong MRA Grant Application?
While the grant is generous, it’s also competitive. Here are some tips for increasing your chances of approval:
- Be Specific: Clearly define your objectives, target market, and expected outcomes.
- Use Qualified Consultants: Enterprise Singapore favors third-party vendors with a proven track record.
- Justify the Budget: Explain why each cost is necessary and how it contributes to market success.
- Track Results: Include a plan for measuring KPIs such as leads generated, partnerships formed, or sales made.
Ciptamata ensures that your project proposal is not only realistic but also aligned with the grant requirements and best practices for approval.
Use the MRA Grant to Take Your Business Global with Confidence
The MRA Grant is one of the most effective tools available for SMEs in Southeast Asia to take their business global especially into a high-potential market like Singapore. It allows you to invest in international expansion without overextending your budget and gives you access to expert support every step of the way.
With Ciptamata as your strategic partner, you’ll gain more than just grant support you’ll have a team committed to your success in every aspect of your market entry journey.
