Programs and Incentives
Export Support Programming
Manitoba’s Export Support Programming focuses on supporting Manitoba’s small and medium-sized businesses to export and diversify markets for their products.
Note: This program is not currently accepting applications. Please check back for future announcements.
- Export Development Program
Provides reimbursement to eligible Manitoba companies participating in a tradeshow or mission outside the province. This will assist companies to enter new markets, and provide opportunities for education, market assessments, developing relationships, contacts and sales. Details
- Incoming Buyer Program
Provides reimbursement to local companies that invite qualified international buyers to the province with the goal of procuring Manitoba products. This will help make Manitoba a more attractive destination for international buyers looking to procure products from Manitoba companies and provide opportunities for companies to follow up on trade leads and develop new sales and distribution relationships. Details
For further assistance, contact
Trade & Export Development
Phone: 204-945-1055
Email: exportmb@gov.mb.ca
Export Development Program
Program Objectives
The Government of Manitoba’s Export Development Program (EDP) is a cost-shared program designed to encourage Manitoba companies to participate in tradeshows or trade missions outside of the province with the purpose to assess and/or initiate business in an export market.
Manitoba companies will be reimbursed for a portion of the expenses associated with:
- entering a new market outside of Manitoba
- exploring opportunities to export new products or services into an existing export market outside of Manitoba
Who is Eligible?
Eligible recipients must:
- be a for-profit small or medium-sized enterprise in Manitoba that produces an exportable product or service
- have annual revenue in the current or previous fiscal year of at least $100,000, to a maximum of $50 million
- have more than half of its workforce currently residing in Manitoba
- be registered and in good standing to do business in Manitoba with the Companies Office (i.e., must hold an active and valid Business Number) and have a permanent establishment in Manitoba
- participate in a business-to-business event; direct to consumer events are ineligible for funding under this program
- not be in arrears for taxes owing to Manitoba and must not be in receivership
- be in full compliance with government laws and regulations
Ineligible recipients are:
- not-for-profit organizations and associations
- government employees, Crown corporations, municipalities, towns and cities
- educational institutions
- consultants, representatives, brokers, agents, or related service providers
Reimbursement
Applicants may receive reimbursement of up to:
- 50% on eligible expenses for exhibiting in a tradeshow or participating in a business mission with a business-to-business meeting component, outside of Manitoba
- 30% on eligible expenses for participating, but not exhibiting, in a tradeshow outside of Manitoba; companies must have a clear objective for attending and a business agenda developed
- available for up to two (2) representatives per company per event
Eligible expenses include:
- tradeshow/mission registration
- booth exhibit space and basic furnishing (i.e., carpet, power, Wi-Fi, display case, table and chairs)
- economy airfare to/from Manitoba
- accommodations
- event marketing material translation
- interpreter services (if needed)
- market research related to the market of interest
- relevant trade preparedness training
Ineligible expenses include:
- ground transportation
- shipping costs
- development of marketing materials other than translation
- virtual tradeshows/missions
- conferences that do not have a tradeshow component
- company labour at the booth
- per diem, food, and meal costs
- cost of goods or samples
- cost of extra baggage
- sponsorship
Program Intake Dates
The EDP will have an ongoing rolling application process. Applications must be received at least 60 days before the tradeshow/mission event date.
Important Considerations
- Applicants must be able to explain the benefit of attending the tradeshow or mission as well as demonstrate the economic benefit to the province and potential to increase export sales.
- Companies can apply for multiple events (each will require its own application form). Depending on event dates, Manitoba reserves the right to hold an application for a future assessment date.
- An application is not a guarantee of funding support.
- Applicants may apply for and receive funding from other government sources but the total level of assistance for the activity/event cannot exceed 50%.
- If applicants are attending a trade event and receiving a subsidy for a specific component (e.g., booth space), they are still eligible to apply to the EDP for other items that are not being subsidized.
- The program will not support events that occur prior to the application date.
Funding Limits
- The maximum contribution per trade event is $20,000, with a lifetime limit of two (2) times per specific tradeshow or trade activity.
- An applicant may receive support for multiple applications per fiscal year, to a combined annual maximum contribution of $30,000 per fiscal year.
Eligible Costs
| Airfare | Economy airfare from Manitoba for up to two (2) representatives. Return airfare for flights that originate in destinations other than Manitoba will not be reimbursed. Online vacation/group packages are not eligible. |
Accommodations |
For up to two (2) applicant representatives, to a total of 50% of accommodation costs. Does not include incidentals. Accommodations are capped to a maximum of $300CAD/night (all regions) to a maximum 4 nights, depending on event dates. |
Tradeshow/Mission |
Tradeshow booth space, tradeshow booth furnishings (carpet, power, Wi-Fi, display case, table and chairs only), and tradeshow registration fee/passes. |
Translation |
Translation of the company’s marketing materials such as brochures and product listings for the trade event specified in the application. |
Interpretation |
Cost of hiring an accredited interpreter for a trade event. Language must be indicated. Only the fees for interpretation services will be considered. Does not include out-of-pocket expenses or travel for interpreter. The interpreter cannot be an employee of the company. |
Market Research |
Market research fees associated to the market/region of interest. Must specify objective and the type of information/analysis sought as well as the service provider. Only approved projects will receive funding for this component. |
Trade Preparedness Training |
Registration fees to attend training sessions, webinars, workshops or other related preparedness activity to attend tradeshows, missions, or to increase knowledge about the market of interest. Does not include consulting fees. |
Reimbursement Procedure
Reimbursement occurs after direct costs have been paid. Funding advances are not provided.
Please note all expenses must be incurred and paid by the company (e.g., invoices must be in the name of the company and paid with company's account, not a personal name).
Companies must submit the following documents within 30 days of their return to Canada:
- Expense Claim form
- Receipts and statements of their travel costs
- Invoices and statements for accommodations
- Invoices and statements for the tradeshow event, including registration costs, booth costs, and furnishing costs.
- Invoices and statements for marketing material translation.
- Invoices and statements for interpreter services for the trade event.
- Invoices and statements for approved market research fees.
- Invoices and statements for approved trade preparedness-training fees.
- Have a post-event meeting with a Government of Manitoba program administrator AND completed an evaluation form outlining the business generated by the visit (to support provincial evaluation).
- Pictures of their booth at the tradeshow (if exhibiting).
- Any other applicable document, as requested.
Claims will be processed and reimbursements will be issued by cheque or EFT to the applicant company.
Payment is subject to the applicant meeting all conditions of the program.
Reporting
Approved applicants will be contacted by the Government of Manitoba within 12 months following their return from the supported event to report on the actual results of the trade activity. This review could be in the form of telephone or in-person meeting and is a condition of being eligible for future supports.
Incoming Buyer Program
Program Objectives
The Government of Manitoba’s Incoming Buyer Program (IBP) assists Manitoba companies offset the costs of inviting a qualified international buyer to Manitoba.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible recipients must:
- be a for-profit small or medium-sized enterprise in Manitoba that produces an exportable product or service
- have annual revenue in the current or previous fiscal year of at least $100,000 to a maximum of $50 million
- have more than half of its workforce currently residing in Manitoba
- be registered and in good standing to do business in Manitoba with the Companies Office (i.e., must hold an active and valid Business Number) and have a permanent establishment in Manitoba
- incur expenses above $2,000 related to inviting or hosting an incoming buyer
- the recipient must not be in arrears for taxes owing to Manitoba and must not be in receivership
- be in full compliance with government laws and regulations
Ineligible recipients are:
- not-for-profit organizations and associations
- government employees, Crown corporations, municipalities, towns and cities
- educational institutions
- consultants, representatives, brokers, agents, or related service providers
Reimbursement
Applicants may receive reimbursement of up to $2,000 or 50% (whichever is lesser) against the cost of:
- economy airfare to/from Manitoba
- local accommodations
Buyer Eligibility
- International for-profit buyers only.
- This must be the buyer’s first visit to Manitoba relating to the applicant company (whether new or existing client).
- Buyer must be looking to procure new products or services at the time of visit, and willing to participate in a business meeting and/or program with the inviting Manitoba supplier.
- In the case of commercial business, buyers must be distributors, agents, dealers, importers or wholesalers.
- In the case of project development work that requires goods or services, potential buyers must be a prime contractor seeking subcontractors and/or procuring products/services for that particular project.
- Buyers considered under the program must be responsible for sales, business development, purchasing, or a senior decision maker in the organization. Senior decision makers include, but are not limited to: Director, Managing Director, Owner, President/CEO, Vice President and Manager.
Ineligible activities
- Activities related to service training, warranty negotiations, and machinery servicing are not eligible for this program.
Program Intake Dates
The IBP will have an ongoing rolling application process. Applications will be accepted anytime up to 30 days before the event/travel date.
Important Considerations
- Claimed travel costs need to be incurred and paid by the applicant company. Cheques will not be issued to the international buyer.
- An application is not a guarantee of funding support.
- Applicants may apply for and receive funding from other government sources, but the total level of government assistance for the activity cannot exceed 50%.
- The program will not support visits that occur prior to the application date.
Funding Limits
- The maximum program contribution is $2,000 per application.
- An applicant may receive support for a maximum of two (2) funded applications per fiscal year.
Reimbursement Procedure
Reimbursement occurs after direct costs have been paid. Funding advances are not provided.
Within 30 days of the supported visit, companies:
- must submit their claim form for expense reimbursement, along with supporting documentation, including invoices and receipts for travel and accommodations
- must have a post-visit meeting with a Government of Manitoba program administrator AND must complete an evaluation form outlining the business generated by the visit (to support provincial evaluation)
Claims will be processed and reimbursements will be issued by cheque to the applicant company.
Payment is subject to the applicant meeting all conditions of the program.
Reporting
Approved applicants will be contacted by the Government of Manitoba within 12 months following their supported visit to report on the actual results of the trade activity. This review could be in the form of telephone or in-person meeting and is a condition of being eligible for future supports.
