ITPIS: the support for market preparedness and development

The International Trade Promotion Incentive Scheme (ITPIS) aims to support Maltese companies that want to internationalize their business, or that are already exporting and want to promote a product or service in a new market. An eligible single undertaking may be awarded support to address market preparedness and international business development capabilities to increase international revenue in a specific market. This support must be linked to an ‘Export Business Development Plan’ covering a minimum of twelve (12) months which must be endorsed by TradeMalta

Eligible Undertakings

This incentive is open to undertakings whose purpose is to intensify their internationalisation activities with the aim of increasing their export activity. The different actions that can be supported are defined in the separate in Section 6 of these guidelines.

The beneficiary must be an undertaking registered as one of the following:
a. An undertaking incorporated under the Companies Act Chapter 386 of the Laws of Malta being
a partnership en nom collectif, en commandite or a limited liability company
b. Self-employed persons registered with Jobsplus
c. Co-operatives with the Co-operatives Board
d. The following table lists the indicative eligible economic sectors and activities and their respective NACE code:

Eligible Costs

Reimbursement shall be awarded on the following costs:

i. Marketing Collateral for Products and Services: Design, development, production duplication and printing of marketing material required to implement the Export Business Development Plan.

ii. Packaging and Product Information: Design and development of packing and product information for legal or regulatory purposes, or to translate packaging and product information as required for placing product in a target market.

iii. Translation Services: Translation costs of the marketing material from Maltese or English into another language, as
specifically required to implement the Export Business Development Plan. Translation costs of websites and webpages for the purpose of attracting business from foreign markets are also eligible.

iv. Internet Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Internet Search Engine Optimization (SEO) costs required to increase visibility in target markets and implementing the Export Business Development Plan.

v. Participation at International Events: Participation at conferences, fairs and similar events related to the undertaking’s activity.

vi. International Travel for Business Development Purposes: Travel Costs and Per Diem subsistence covering one (1) representative (employee or director) attending pre-determined business meetings outside of Malta in target markets as identified in the Export Business Development Plan.

vii. Business Meetings held in Malta: Travel cost incurred by the undertaking in holding a business meeting in Malta.

viii. International Business Development Partner: An eligible undertaking may be awarded support to cover costs associated with the engagement of an international business development partner to carry out a business development function on behalf of the undertaking in a specific region(s) or target market(s). The international business development manager must be engaged solely for the purpose of increasing the undertaking’s export turnover and must be based overseas.

The eligible costs are the following:

a. Wages or fees covering the engagement of an international business development partner on a monthly retainer, or part-time / full-time role. The international business development partner must be based overseas.

b. The engagement of an international business development partner is applicable to more than one market.

To find out more details and submit your application request a specific consultation from the Malta Business Agency team by filling in the following form.