Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan
A now-closed Goa government scheme that offered interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh to registered units for international exhibitions and overseas market study tours.
- Funding amount
- ₹5L (debt / loan)
- Funding type
- Debt / Loan
- Provider
- Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
This scheme is no longer open. The Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 was a debt-based export promotion programme administered by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa. It remained operational between 2008 and 31 March 2011, and applications are not being accepted today.
The thinking behind it was simple. Goan manufacturers and exporters needed an affordable route to buyers outside India, so the state extended an interest-free loan of up to ₹5,00,000 rather than a grant. A unit could put that money towards two narrowly defined activities — presenting its products and services at an international exhibition or trade show, or travelling abroad on a market study tour to identify export openings.
Officials positioned the programme as a way to sharpen the global competitiveness of Goan industry, open up direct market access, and in turn stimulate economic growth and employment within the state. Support was strictly one-time: a unit could claim the facility only once in its lifetime.
Since the scheme ended in 2011, founders cannot apply under it any longer. What follows is a record of what it offered, who qualified, and how the process ran.
Highlights
- Interest-free loan of up to ₹5,00,000 for Goan units
- Covers international exhibitions, trade shows and overseas market study tours
- Repayable over five years in half-yearly instalments; 14% penal interest on delays
- Required Goa registration with the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce
- Turnover across the last three financial years could not exceed ₹10 crore
- Operated from 2008 to 31 March 2011 and is now closed
Who can apply
Qualification depended on two things — the unit's base in Goa and its trading credentials.
- Registration: the unit had to be set up in Goa and permanently registered or acknowledged by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce.
- Trading history: it needed at least three years of operations behind it.
- Import/export code: a valid code issued by the Reserve Bank of India, the Government of India, or another competent authority was mandatory.
- Turnover cap: total turnover across the preceding three financial years could not have gone beyond ₹10,00,00,000 (₹10 crore).
- Single use: the benefit was available only once in a unit's lifetime.
- Change of hands: where a unit had been sold or transferred and the original owner had already drawn benefits under the scheme, the new entity was not eligible.
Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.
What the funding covers
The assistance came as a loan rather than a grant, but it carried no interest, and the ceiling was ₹5,00,000.
Permitted uses were narrow and export-focused:
- Taking part in international exhibitions and trade shows to present products and services to overseas audiences.
- Undertaking market study tours abroad to study fresh export opportunities.
Repayment was spread across five years, split into half-yearly instalments of equal size, which kept the burden manageable for smaller units. Missing a payment triggered penal interest of 14% per annum.
The Directorate released the loan once an application was cleared. Being debt, it did not dilute the promoter's ownership stake.
About the provider
Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan is offered by Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa, a government body. As a government-backed debt / loan, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce was the approving authority for every application.
- The Director examined the application and communicated the decision to the applicant unit within two weeks.
- On approval, the Directorate disbursed the loan amount.
- Once the promoter returned from the exhibition or the study tour, a detailed report had to be filed within 30 days of the return.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008?
It was an export promotion scheme run by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce under the Government of Goa. It gave Goan units interest-free loans so they could attend international exhibitions and trade shows and go on overseas market study tours, with the aim of growing exports, economic activity and employment in the state. The scheme ran from 2008 until 31 March 2011.
Can I still apply for this scheme?
No. The scheme stayed in force only until 31 March 2011, so it is closed to new applicants. The details on this page are a record of the terms that applied while it was operational.
How much funding did the scheme provide?
An eligible unit could borrow up to ₹5,00,000 as an interest-free loan. There was no cost of borrowing, and the amount was released by the Directorate once the application was approved.
What could the loan be spent on?
Two purposes only — participating in international exhibitions and trade shows, and carrying out market study tours abroad. Both were aimed at giving Goan businesses direct exposure to overseas buyers and export opportunities.
Who was eligible to apply?
The unit had to be set up in Goa and permanently registered or acknowledged by the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce. It also needed at least three years of operations, a valid import/export code issued by the Reserve Bank of India, the Government of India or another competent authority, and a total turnover across the last three financial years that did not exceed ₹10,00,00,000. On top of that, the facility was a one-time benefit — a unit could use it only once in its lifetime — and a sold or transferred unit was barred if the original unit had already received benefits under the scheme.
Did the scheme take equity in the business?
No. The support was structured as a loan that had to be repaid, so the government did not take any stake in the unit.
What were the repayment terms?
The loan was repayable over five years in equal half-yearly instalments. If a payment was delayed, penal interest of 14% per annum applied.
How did a unit apply?
The prescribed proforma application form was available from the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce and could also be downloaded from the Directorate's official website. Applicants had to print the form, complete every mandatory field, paste a passport-sized photograph, and attach self-attested copies of the required documents. The signed form and enclosures went to the Director, Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce. Applications had to reach the Directorate at least 30 days before the planned study tour or exhibition.
How long did approval take, and what was required afterwards?
The Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce reviewed the application and intimated the decision within two weeks. If approved, the Directorate disbursed the loan. After returning from the tour or exhibition, the promoter had to submit a detailed report within 30 days of the return.
Could a unit receive this support more than once?
No. The facility could be availed only once per unit in its lifetime, and units that changed hands were ineligible where the original unit had already taken benefits under the scheme.
What is the application deadline for Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan?
Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan runs on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline — applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Check the official site to confirm the window is currently open.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan?
Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan is offered by Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Government of Goa, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
How do I apply for Goa State Export Market Development Scheme, 2008 — ₹5L Interest-Free Loan?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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